One for the computer / Gadget geeks

[Rooter]

Guys, i am changing jobs very soon and need to buy a new laptop. I would like change from a grand and for that i want Windows based (no Macs, and dont suggest dual boot) and lightweight, i go to London etc a lot and dont want to lug a huge 17" widescreen on my back.

Suggestions please, i have been looking a lot at Ultrabooks, don't mind a 13" screen, one of the best laptops i had was a Toshiba Portege in the past...

Over to you guys!

 

[Captainron]

Acer has served me and my mate well. They were also the choice of London 2012. Build quality is good, price will be well within range and they have a large range of specs to choose from. I got mine though Laptops Direct.

 

[bobmac]

Tablet? IPad?

 

[Rooter]

Tablet? IPad?

No, i want a proper computer, will have to run VM ware from it, office applications etc. i don't mind it converting to tablet mode ie a convertible ultrabook. but for true tablet i have an iPad.

 

[DCB]

Used Dell latitude laptops for a few years. Seem to last the pace quite well and not had any major issues due to lugging them about.

 

[Rooter]

Acer has served me and my mate well. They were also the choice of London 2012. Build quality is good, price will be well within range and they have a large range of specs to choose from. I got mine though Laptops Direct.

yeh i keep seeing Acer and Asus pop up. back ten years ago, both were a bit "skoda", but i have heard lots of good stuff over the past few years...

 

[Rooter]

Used Dell latitude laptops for a few years. Seem to last the pace quite well and not had any major issues due to lugging them about.

I have used Dell a lot and have had no complaints at all! last one was a latitude iirc and was nice.. Think i need to go and look at some..

choices seem to be Lenovo, Sony, HP, Dell, Acer, Asus, Samsung...

 

[woody69]

You can't go wrong with a Lenovo. I have the x121e, which is more a thinkpad, but they have many options and great value too.

 

[gripitripit]

http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/pd?oc=sbn17c26&model_id=inspiron-17r-se-7720

Any good?

 

[Rooter]

http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/inspiron-17r-se-7720/pd?oc=sbn17c26&model_id=inspiron-17r-se-7720

Any good?

Nah, mahoosive and look at the weight! would be like going to the gym!!

Advertised System Weight
3.28 kg

 

[gripitripit]

Nah, mahoosive and look at the weight! would be like going to the gym!!

Advertised System Weight
3.28 kg

My Bad...reread your op...You don't want a 17".

 

[daymond]

I have an Acer aspire 5741G which has done me well,but-it has a shiney screen. Never again will I buy a laptop that reflects the lights behind me. Do Acer do one I ask?

 

[brendy]

Samsung 5 series ultrabook, very impressed with them all round so far.
1.59 kilos
Less than 2 cm tall inc screen
500gb drive but also 20gb ssd hybrid, boots from off in a few seconds.

The 13.3 inch version (np530u3c) I was buying in for 570 plus vat and the 14" (np530u4c) a much better 420 ish plus vat. I have another due in on tuesday if you want me to take first hand pics if it helps. The 14" version is ever so slightly larger all round but still only a few mm and still 2cm tall.
If they are a little too portable (no internal dvdrw) then you could do a lot worse than an hp probook. I have a 4740s 17" myself with 6gb ram and an ssd drive, it flies and you can get it in 14" version too.

Whatever you buy make sure it comes with windows 7, still muxh easier to use over w8.

 

[Rooter]

Thanks Brendy. not bothered about dvd etc to be honest. disc media is so last year! LOL

 

[Rooter]

anyone thoughts on alienware? i know its dell rebranded etc, i do like dell! and if they could deliver the XPS 13 buy next week i would order one! the M14x is the one i have seen...

 

[brendy]

We moved away from dell as they were having failure rates well over the 50% rate inside the first 6 months nevermind the usual 3 days out of warranty that dell manages to sidestep so well.
For me HP, Samsung oddly and Lenovo are the only three brands I will buy now.. (dell still build a very stable desktop pc though) I have to support then and it would be suicide to continue to try to remote support these problematic machines.

 

[Rooter]

Brendy, (or Brenda as my iPad wants to call you!) any experience with Sony? Are they all looks and nowt else? Rebranded someone else's kit? They look great in the flesh and on paper, just no experience with them as a laptop... Can't imagine they would put their brand on a rubbish product.... Would they?!

 

[brendy]

Sony are ok, my chairman swore by them because his laptop and desktop both lasted 7 years without fail. They dont make desktops anymore and their laptops are a little pricey compared to HP etc Nothing actually wrong with them but just pricey as I said.
I have moved him to an Hp elite desktop and probook notebook and he is very happy with them.
The Samsung 5 series I mentioned comes with a great 5 year extended warranty, offer runs til the end of the month and is honoured by samsung so shouldnt matter what retailer you use.

Brendy, (or Brenda as my iPad wants to call you!) any experience with Sony? Are they all looks and nowt else? Rebranded someone else's kit? They look great in the flesh and on paper, just no experience with them as a laptop... Can't imagine they would put their brand on a rubbish product.... Would they?!

 

[Captainron]

Sony are overpriced. You get more for your money with the other brands and the build quality is pretty much the same.

 

[Rooter]

Thanks guys, unfortunately I am limited to currys really, it's not ideal but I am now in a rush... Brendy, you know of any issues running virtual machines on windows 8?