Work Laptop

[Eightball]

Hello,

I'm looking for recommendations for a simple work laptop, one that should ideally perform consistently through four years of postgraduate education. I'm thinking about an ultrabook for their light form factor, but I'd like to pick your brains. Some considerations:

• This will be purely a work and study laptop. No games. Should be able to handle most media playback though.
  
• It will be carried to and from campus, probably every day. Lightweight but durable would be great.
  
• I'm even more broke now than I was as an undergrad. I think my budget is $700 or lower.
  

I'd list the minimum hardware requirements as laid out by the school, but they're either outdated or arbitrary (eg 15.6" 1024x768 minimum, or 320GB hard drive minimum). Interestingly they don't recommend Win8, but say they still support it.

[Didzo]

Asus is a solid brand with budget friendly offerings. Lenovo is alright as well and has utilitarian aesthetics.

[HeK]

Price aside, I would say a Macbook Pro. You can install Windows on it. It will likely be the only laptop that will survive four or more years of constant use, transportation and full battery cycles. Sadly balls expensive.

Otherwise I mirror Didzo, Asus and Lenovo. Also look at Toshiba offerings.
I personally lean towards Lenovo and their T-series.

Keep in mind that larger laptops, without solid backplates, don't last more then three-four years due to case flex.
Backplates add weight.

You may also think about a cheap laptop which you replace every two years.

Edit: I haven't read much up on them, but take a look at Chromebooks. They look good from a budget stance, but I am unfamiliar with their drawbacks.

[Eightball]

All right, Asus and Lenovo (maybe Toshiba) it is. I really can't afford a macbook pro (and I can presently do without having to learn to use a new operating system), and I have certain required software that I think precludes the possibility of going the chromebook route. HeK, I'm definitely not interested in anything larger than 15", and 13-14" is ideal for me personally.

I'll probably just do some Newegg or Amazon searches with those criteria.

[FlyingMongoose]

Price aside, I would say a Macbook Pro. You can install Windows on it. It will likely be the only laptop that will survive four or more years of constant use, transportation and full battery cycles. Sadly balls expensive.

Otherwise I mirror Didzo, Asus and Lenovo. Also look at Toshiba offerings.
I personally lean towards Lenovo and their T-series.

Keep in mind that larger laptops, without solid backplates, don't last more then three-four years due to case flex.
Backplates add weight.

You may also think about a cheap laptop which you replace every two years.

Edit: I haven't read much up on them, but take a look at Chromebooks. They look good from a budget stance, but I am unfamiliar with their drawbacks.

Chromebooks use an extremely modified linux meant to boot ONLY into ChromeOS (which is pretty much JUST Chromium, literally), all it does is boot into a browser.
Chromebooks are essentially netbooks in the truest sense of the word. And while a lot of people see this as some kind of downside. For what it does, it does it fantastically well. I love my chrome book, and it's extreme portability compared to that of other laptops is quite useful when on the road. I'll get an e-mail on my phone and go; "I have a long ass response I don't want to write on a fucking phone", load up my chromebook with 3G log into the e-mail web panel and toss that e-mail. That's the major benefit.

Downside, you can not install other applications on it (easily). While you can turn on developer mode (most chromebooks have a mechanical switch, SOME let you edit a file to enable it), and install additional applications it requires a significant working knowledge of Linux. Chromebooks do not run java unless you install it manually in developer mode (thanks to all the fun Google and Oracle have stabbing at each other).

So, the only reason to get a chromebook is high portability with a keyboard, a fast boot time, and if you want a true netbook. Never get a wifi only chromebook, because there is a purpose in the 3G. Also, in the US, you get 100MB of 3G data for free per month from verizon (indefinitely). But you can also purchase monthly plans for more data or pay for an unlimited amount on a particular day. If you get a Wifi only chromebook you are defeating the purpose.

From a development standpoint the biggest benefit I have found to chromebooks is actually that it forces me to look for alternative web based applications to replace my common Windows/*Nix/Mac alternatives. And some of those applications are fantastic. ShiftEdit is great for PHP editing. There's also some nifty web games.

So there ya go, for your school/work productivity, Chromebook is a no, for on the road quick web access, chromebook is a resounding absolutely yes. Since they're only $250 if any of those funds are leftover, I recommend getting one anyway.

[Elder]

again asus and lenovo.

I would recommend an hp as i have had great luck with mine. Going on 4 years with it.
Except i have heard people that have gone through them like wet paper as well.

I think its because i actually know how to take care of a pc better than most people i know irl.

Also you would probably already know this but dont buy dell. Most of their laptops never seem to stand the test of time

[HeK]

again asus and lenovo.

I would recommend an hp as i have had great luck with mine. Going on 4 years with it.
Except i have heard people that have gone through them like wet paper as well.

I think its because i actually know how to take care of a pc better than most people i know irl.

Also you would probably already know this but dont buy dell. Most of their laptops never seem to stand the test of time

As someone who commands a fleet of HP laptops, do not buy. They are flimsy as fuck.

[Eightball]

Okay, did some research. Between ASUS and Lenovo, we have the following options within my size preference (13-14") and budget ($850):

ASUS

Zenbook UX32A-DB31 - 13.3" 1366x768 ultrathin, 2.9lbs. Intel i3-2367 (CPUMark - 1793), 4GB/1600Mhz RAM, 320GB/5400rpm HD + 24GB SSD Hybrid. Intel HD 3000 graphics. Win7. Amazon - $544
Ugh, looks like every retailer has subtly different configurations of the same laptops. The zenbooks have a very svelte chassis, but prices can get kinda high. This is the cheapest one I know of. Only Intel HD 3000 though.

Zenbook UX31E-XB51 - 13.3" 1600x900 ultrathin, 3.0lbs. Intel i5-2467M (CPUMark - 2309), 4GB/1600 RAM, 128GB SSD. Intel HD 3000 graphics. Win7. Amazon - $675, Newegg - $700
This configuration, for an extra $150, gets me a higher-res display (yay!), a more powerful CPU, and switches the hybrid drive for a full SSD. Since it ships with Win7, that's more than enough space. Oh, but the keyboard is all metal, not sure how I feel about that.

Vivobook S400CA-DH51T - 14" 1366x768 thin, 4.0lbs. i5-3317U (CPUMark - 3132), 4GB/1600Mhz RAM, 500GB/5400rpm + 24GB/SSD Hybrid storage. Intel HD 4000 graphics. Win8. Amazon - $616
Currently an ASUS bestseller. Comes in a lot of different colors! Also features a touch screen, both things I don't really care about that much. While not as thin as the Zenbooks, it's still fine enough to be called an Ultrabook.

U47-VC-DS51 - 14.1" 1366x768 fat, 4.4lbs. i5-3210M (CPUMark - 3817), 8GB RAM, 750GB/5400rpm storage, GT620M graphics. Win7. Newegg - $750
The most powerful contender so far for CPU, Memory, and graphics. However, it's traditional laptop sized, and the heaviest out of anything so far. Sacrificing portability for video power might be counter to its purpose as a work laptop.



Lenovo

ThinkPad T430 - 14" 1900x900 fat, 4.8lbs. i5-3210M (CPUMark - 3817), 4GB/1600Mhz RAM, 500GB/7200rpm storage. Intel HD 4000 graphics. Win7 or Win8. Lenovo Site - $760
Ooh, they get fatter. The famous ThinkPads! Note that I've personally configured this one, the 1600x900 display was only $15 extra. Big selling point for the T-series is the gargantuan (15+ hr) battery life. Don't know if I'll need that much though.

ThinkPad E431 - 14" 1366x768 fat, 4.8lbs. i5-3230M (CPUMark - 4004), 4GB/1600 RAM, 500GB/7200rpm storage. Intel HD 4000 graphics. Win7 or Win8. Lenovo Site - $649
The ThinkPad Edge series is basically the T-Series with fewer bells and whistles. Still, it's got the most powerful CPU and still sports a 7200rpm HD. Still fat as hell though.

IdeaPad U410 - 14" 1366x768 thin, 4.2lbs. i7-3537U (CPUMark - 3871), 8GB/1600MHz RAM, 1TB/5400rpm storage. GT710M 2GB Graphics! Win8. Lenovo Site - $680*
Wow, seems like quite a deal. This model has been known to have problems with wireless communication during 2012, hopefully it's solved by now. This price is under a deal which will end today!

IdeaPad U310 Touch - 13.3" 1366x768 thin, 3.8lbs.  i5-3337U (CPUMark - 3198), 4GB/1600MHz RAM, 500GB/5400rpm storage. Intel HD 4000 graphics. Lenovo Site - $649
Same deal as the U410, deal ends TODAY. I'm definitely paying for the touchscreen on this model, but at least it's smaller and lighter...

[FlyingMongoose]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6834312826 <-- not bad hardware IMO especially for that price and a laptop, and you can always upgrade HD and RAM that shit's easy.

But that is a very short sale and I would order it now if you decide to do so.

[Eightball]

I would really prefer a 13 or 14 inch laptop with i3 or better. I'm at a best buy now (lol) trying out what they have. No lenovo idea pads here, at least not U series. Zenbook feels very very nice, and is stupid light

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

[FlyingMongoose]

I would really prefer a 13 or 14 inch laptop with i3 or better. I'm at a best buy now (lol) trying out what they have. No lenovo idea pads here, at least not U series. Zenbook feels very very nice, and is stupid light

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

Up to you, just saw the deal and thought you might be interested.

[Eightball]

After doing some more research, it seems that some users are STILL reporting problems with the IdeaPad's wireless card, even as recently as June 2013. So those are off the table. I'm also going to pass on the cheaper Zenbook. Earlier post updated to reflect this. I'm kind of thankful, too--this takes the pressure off of me to decide today.

EDIT: Winner is looking to be the Vivobook. Thoughts?

EDIT2: There are two vivobook models to consider:
DB51T - i5-3337U@1.80Ghz (CPUMark 3198), 6GB. Costs an extra $80.
DH51T - i5-3317U@1.70Ghz (CPUMark 3131), 4GB.

[Didzo]

I'd go with either the Zenbook or a Thinkpad. I'd take the Zenbook over the Vivobook due to its lightweight design and nicer screen. Likely gets better battery life as well. The weaker processor shouldn't make much of a difference compared to the Vivobook. The Thinkpad is less than a pound heavier than the Vivobook, but comes with significantly better hardware. Its design looks and feels very professional. I love their contoured keys. Not having to drag around a fat, heavy power brick every time you want to sit and work somewhere for a few hours might be reason enough to get the 9 cell battery as well. Also, I wouldn't want to deal with any computer running Win8 if I had a choice.

[CaffeinePowered]

Throwing my lot in for Asus, the laptop I got for grad school is still in use and trucking 5 years on

[Eightball]

Oops, should have updated this. I went with the $675 zenbook, it's very nice:





Very thoughtful of ASUS to include a soft case for it, especially at this price point. Now to get some software on it..