I think I asked this once a few years ago... but computer "stuff" changes a lot in a few years...
I need to buy a new laptop, looking for input or recommendations. Here are my requirements:
1) Must be a Windows machine
2) 13" or 14" screen
3) STRONGLY prefer a matte/non-glossy screen. But not sure it even exists anymore?
4) Powerful/fast "enough", thin/light "enough", decent battery life, and all that good stuff
5) Recognizable name brand, but specific brand not terribly important
6) $750 or less
KiltieTuba wrote:
Choose one, they're all about the same - you'll get some bloatware that you can remove and they're really all about the included software as opposed to what's inside. Besides, you'll want to choose the fastest one with the most upgrade-ability - as you are going to be keeping this for a while and new stuff is always coming out that is better.
I don't understand this, but will admit I'm not a "computer geek." If they're all about the same, why go on to say he should pick the one with that is the fastest and has the most upgradeability?
Several observations from me:
-Anything available new these days is "pretty fast" or "fast enough" for 99% of users out there.
-Computer lifespan is similar between expensive and cheap models.
-Computers are so cheap and technology [still] changes so fast, I rarely hear of people upgrading what they have anymore. Instead they opt for complete replacement.
I recently bought a Lenovo ThinkPad. It runs Windows, it's very sturdy as far as laptops go, and the keyboard's great. I believe Lenovo offers a choice of matte or glossy displays.
As someone who has worked in IT for several years and worked with various brands of laptops, supporting them and even deconstructing them, the IBM/Lenovo Thinkpads are awesome. I purchased a new laptop for personal use for Christmas. Although my new machine looks nice and is pretty well constructed I wish I had purchased the IBM/Lenovo over the HP I purchased. The HP model I got looks pretty much like a Macbook clone, but the mousepad SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS and the left column of keys threw off my typing at first because all of the keys felt slightly shifted. The very hard lesson I learned from this purchase is that little things like mousepad use (ie. is the button hard to press) can make a big impact on your overall enjoyment. The overall quality and ergonomics of construction with IBM/Lenovo machines is superb.
The new company I work for uses all Dell equipment. For our workstations we are using Latitude E6410 laptops. They are essentially like clones of the Thinkpad series. They too are very well constructed, but the price point is quite a bit higher.
I've owned and/or used other brands of laptops and could go into why I wouldn't recommend them, but I think what you are wanting is an endorsement. Go with the IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad and you won't be disappointed.
Contact PC Connection or CDW for deals on IBM/Lenovo stuff.
Awesome, thanks Todd! Funny you mention the HP, I've been seriously looking at the HP Probook line... I used an HP for work and thought it was great. Will give a close look at the ThinkPad. Like you, small things like a poor mousepad would drive me insane.
From my experience, (isn't that what we're all speaking from, anyways?)
The Toshiba's that I've had I wasn't that happy with, it felt like they slowed down too quickly.
My current one is an HP...only complaint, is that the battery life is WAY too short, and its a larger battery than normal, as well...
I think I might end up as a grumpy old man when I get old...
I recently celebrated my birthday and I decided I would replace my recently-purchased HP laptop with something new. I took my own advice and bought a Lenovo V570. Unfortunately it had trouble booting off of some CD/DVD media. Since I wanted to wipe the machine and install Linux, this wasn't going to work. I returned the laptop the next day. I followed my own advice a little closer and ordered a Thinkpad Edge E520 and an additional 4GB RAM stick (now 8GB total). The laptop will arrive today. Hopefully it will be a much better experience.
Wow, forgot about this post. Sorry I didn't follow-up on it!
I got an HP ProBook 4530s (http://tinyurl.com/3opsabe" target="_blank). It may not be a top-of-the-line machine, but for what I need, it's perfect -- really fast, very stable, and all the right bells & whistles that I needed. Oh, and best of all, it does NOT have a glossy screen!
I'm actually kind of bummed that HP is maybe getting out of the laptop business...though I'm sure these same machines will just get a different logo put on them and be sold by someone else.
The machine you got is solid. I see it has separate mouse buttons. Although I am now used to the MacBook like touchpad on my hp I'm glad the thinkpad has separate buttons.
Right now, I'm torn between the HP Pavillion Dv6t and the E520, similarly configured ( Intel Core Duo i5, 6GB RAM, 750GB hard drive).
The HP so configured is about $200 cheaper than the ThinkPad.
My existing laptop, unused for several years now, is a 1999 ThinkPad (PII, Celeron). I'm very fond of those ThinkPad keyboards and the matte screens. The specs on the HP though, seem a tad more rubust and include 2 3.0 USB ports and a more current wireless standard.
Decisions, decisions . . .
Right now, I'm torn between the HP Pavillion Dv6t and the E520, similarly configured ( Intel Core Duo i5, 6GB RAM, 750GB hard drive).
The HP so configured is about $200 cheaper than the ThinkPad.
My existing laptop, unused for several years now, is a 1999 ThinkPad (PII, Celeron). I'm very fond of those ThinkPad keyboards and the matte screens. The specs on the HP though, seem a tad more rubust and include 2 3.0 USB ports and a more current wireless standard.
Decisions, decisions . . .
The Thinkpad E520 has been excellent. It is the same reliable solid construction I've known for years working in IT. HP is a good product. My previous employer used Thinkpad laptops and HP towers. It was a very solid combination.
With regard to the dv6t, it is a good machine...hence why I bought it in the first place. There was only one aspect that I did not care for (personal preference) and that was the touchpad. After months of use and some tweaking of setting in Linux, I got it to function quite well. IF HP has put a touchpad with physical buttons (not built into the touch surface) in the new dv6t (which started doing again in a lot of models) then honestly it is a coin flip.
SHAMELESS PLUG: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=46473
I've put my HP up for sale. It's a wonderful machine, but I need to pay off a bill.
