Time for a laptop hunt!

"Nibby" (nibby68) 05/28/2014 at 21:54 • Filed to: None

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I'm thinking of a new laptop. My W530 is nice but it's a PITA to lug around and I prefer my T61p and T42's keyboards more anyways.I'm thinking of Samsung ATiV Plus 9 and I went to a Micro Center to look at one... most of the laptops except for the Samsung, Lenovo and Apple ones flex when you type. Just terrible build quality across the board. This is the only one there that I actually liked using.The reason I'm ditcing ThinkPad is the new ones don't have the amazing keyboard layout, the build quality is now average... and they've messed with the trackpad. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 21:59

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If a Sammy fan I'd recommend checking out the Chronos line. My 7 has 15" screen, 8gb of ram, 2.4ghz i7, aluminum chassis, 1tb HDD for ~900 a r ago. Touch screens I feel are a terrible idea of finger print collecting novelty you'll use 3 times then find a mouse is much easier. Its like 3d on a TV - just adds cost.

Brian Silvestro > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:00

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I've always told myself that if I were to buy a windows laptop it'd be a ThinkPad, but since the build quality has become bleh, they've just fell into the background.

GET A MAC DAMMIT

Squid > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:02

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Isn't that too new of a rig for you?

Nibby > Brian Silvestro 05/28/2014 at 22:02

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Nope, I don't like the rMBPs. I've used them lots.

AM3R > Brian Silvestro 05/28/2014 at 22:03

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sell me on a Mac. Seriously, I'm thinking about getting one and I almost did today when I was at the apple store getting my free charger replacement for my iPhone.

Brian Silvestro > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:04

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but the BUILD QUALITY

Samsung is making sexy stuff nowadays though

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:05

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My mom and my dad's girlfriend both just bought Lenovo Yogas. My mom got the 11" (?) variant for $500 with a dual-core hyperthreaded Pentium, 4GB RAM, and a 500GB hard drive. It's a solid piece of kit with good build quality and a passable (though nothing special) trackpad. The keyboard is clichet but much better than those found on a MacBook Air.

My dad's girlfriend got the $1150 Yoga with the QHD+ screen. The build quality is FANTASTIC, the keyboard is pretty much the same, and the trackpad is almost on par with Apple trackpads, though it is much smaller. The screen looks sexy as hell, it has an i7, 256GB SSD, and 8GB RAM.

My personal laptop is an ancient Thinkpad x200t because I'm poor as shit, so you probably don't want something with a Core2Duo :P

Those are just what I know about. I had a MacBook Air (school loaner, brand new) for a while and it was a fantastic piece of kit except the keyboard was a complete pile and the screen was roughly as effective as a calculator. Awful viewing angles and contrast. MacBook pros are a lot better if you can afford the price premium and extra heft vs something like a Yoga.

Nibby > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul 05/28/2014 at 22:05

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They seem discontinued... I don't care for the touchscreen crap either but I definitely want something more than 1920x1080.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R 05/28/2014 at 22:08

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Build quality is amazing. If you get the Retina screened one, you'll never be able to go back to anything else, it's a problem. It's SO beautiful. Looking at any other laptop screen is just so much worse after this computer. It's also fast as fuck and can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. The laptop design itself is also pretty damn sexy. So clean. The fact that they have HDMI output ports now is just so convenient, no need to buy a Steve Jobs-era adaptor.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:08

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Have you tried the Lenovo Y580? And I'm saving up for a MAINGEAR custom laptop.

Nibby > Brian Silvestro 05/28/2014 at 22:09

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ye

Nibby > Squid 05/28/2014 at 22:09

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Maybe.

Nibby > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/28/2014 at 22:10

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I'd prefer a high end i5 or i7... with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Screen resolution is big, nothing smaller than full HD.

mazdaspeed2 > AM3R 05/28/2014 at 22:11

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New MBA 12(!!!) hours of battery life. That honestly is a real world number too. "Hypermiling" I could probably get almost 15. Combine that with arguably the best build quality on the market, and once you get used to gestures in OSX it is hard to go back.

AM3R > Brian Silvestro 05/28/2014 at 22:11

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Yeah those are pretty much the reasons I was considering them haha. I'm a big fan of my iPhone, but damn Mac's are expensive. Probably worth it though! And they are IMO a sexy laptop.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R 05/28/2014 at 22:13

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Yeah the expense is literally the only downside. But if you plan on having the thing for several years, then it's definitely worth it.

AM3R > mazdaspeed2 05/28/2014 at 22:15

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I'm practically sold! I'm completely done with Dell. They are garbage that I want to run over with my car.

If the Mac is fast, reliable, has a lasting battery life, and isn't glitchy I'll be buying one.

It looks like I'll be buying one haha.

AM3R > Brian Silvestro 05/28/2014 at 22:20

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I definitely do plan on having it for a LONG time. I usually keep laptops until they break or are so slow it raises my blood pressure.

Well, looks like I'll be debating between buying a MBP or summer wheels/tires!

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:21

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Dell latitude. Send me a message and I'll even let you use my 18% corporate discount code.

mazdaspeed2 > AM3R 05/28/2014 at 22:21

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I can confirm they are all those things haha. I have yet to have an actual problem with the two I have owned. If you work for government or are a student or teacher, etc. you can get some reasonable deals off their new stuff.

Brian Silvestro > AM3R 05/28/2014 at 22:22

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Shit you just reminded me I need to buy winter tires and wheels to mount them on.

Nibby > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully 05/28/2014 at 22:23

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I

haven't looked at Dells in forever. Are Latitutes their workstation line?

I want to avoid their consumer stuff.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:25

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Yep. It's their competitor to the Thinkpads.

AM3R > mazdaspeed2 05/28/2014 at 22:26

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that's great to hear. Thanks for all the help man! I really appreciate it, glad to know Mac's aren't just all hype.

AM3R > Brian Silvestro 05/28/2014 at 22:30

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if I buy a Mac this weekend I'll probably let my wallet recover for a week or two, then buy some wheels and probably some performance all seasons (continental extremecontact DWS has been praised) for now. My next wheels will be 18" and those are fine for winter duty.

mazdaspeed2 > AM3R 05/28/2014 at 22:30

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No problem! I honestly wouldn't recommend it if I didn't believe in it. Just to give you an idea of the level of detail they put into their products, they spent 2 or 3 weeks perfecting the click for the trackpad! But let me know if you have any other questions, and if not good luck!

Nibby > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully 05/28/2014 at 22:31

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I looked at their Precision line and jumped at the prices. Trying to look at a Latitude one that isn't too much and has at least 8GB RAM, 1920x1080, i7... Looks like for SSD I'm better off buying my own? Can I throw in 2 drives in there?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:32

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I'm a PC guy. I'm tempted to tell you to get a Mac. Allow me to explain.

It seems that very very very few manufacturers out there put a lot of time and attention into building a great laptop. Instead they settle for "good enough". Look at HP - they probably have more varieties of laptops out there than anyone else, completely spamming the market. Yet for every model out there, it seems like they have completely failed to listen to consumers and learned from their mistakes. Heck, it seems like almost every manufacturer out there isn't listening to their customers.

One of the few that actually seem to iterate on their design is Apple. They put a lot of thought and attention into the smallest details. They aren't immune to screwing up, but when they do, they get roasted badly enough by consumers that they fix it the next time around.

Yes, they are more expensive for the same specs as any other PC out there, but at the same time, it'll likely last you longer. The build quality is generally better - e.g.: aluminum body vs. plastic body, no gaps between keyboard and rest of body, and a design that's had the majority of kinks worked out well before the current models.

That being said, Apple still does some stupid things on occasion. But at least they do less stupid things or stupid things less often than their competitors.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:34

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So the $1150 Yoga would be close to your specs. Not sure how "high-end" the i7 in it is, but the screen is far past 1080p.

Nibby > BaconSandwich is tasty. 05/28/2014 at 22:34

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Yeah I completely understand what you're saying. I've owned several Macs and I've been looking around... the closest thing to what I want is that Samsung I posted.

Seriously debating buying a loaded max'd out older ThinkPad before Lenovo messed with the designs at this point. Also, I hate how even the rMBPs get really warm (dat metal body... but it is much better than what the first aluminum MBPs were. I had a T9800 C2D 2009 MBP, that thing could roast your balls).

Brian Silvestro > AM3R 05/28/2014 at 22:35

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It'll be a hit to the wallet for sure, but trust me, it's worth it.

Nibby > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/28/2014 at 22:37

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The regular Yoga goes

13.3" HD+IPS capacitive multitouch display (16:9 widescreen) (1600x900)

And thinkpad yoga is 1920x1080 but then price skyrockets past $1500 quickly :(

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:43

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Yeah, that Samsung is probably as about as close to a Mac as you'll get. Oddly enough, the Dell Inspiron 3000 series aren't too bad... if you pick the right model. There's a bunch of them that have crappy resolutions and only one or two that are good. That, and you'd need to swap in your own SSD. Seriously don't ever buy anything without a SSD.

As for Lenovo - the Yoga 2 Pro is a pretty solid looking machine, especially given the price.

If you are going to pick up a Mac, hang on another week or two until WDC is over. I've heard they have a tendency to announce new hardware then, so you might be able to get a better deal afterwards.

That's interesting that the heat was that bad. The newer Intel chips should be quite a bit better. I'm also surprised that they don't shape the bottom of the case more like a heatsink. You'd think that aluminum like that would work well...

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:44

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http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/…

This is the one I'm referring to. The Yoga 2 Pro. $1300 for an i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and a 3200x1800 13.3" LCD. And pretty damn good build quality, and it becomes a tablet if you so wish.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:44

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What about a Lenovo Y50? http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/…

Nibby > BaconSandwich is tasty. 05/28/2014 at 22:46

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Don't think I'm getting a Mac. I may wait though and see... Thanks for your help. Also, the heatsink in the rMBP is definitely better than the previous ones I've worked on.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:48

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Go check out the Yoga 2 Pro, if there's one at a local store. It might be worth looking at, and doesn't get nearly the complaints as a some of Lenovo's other recent offerings.

Nibby > saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars 05/28/2014 at 22:49

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O_O NICE

That's one I'll seriously consider thanks!

Nibby > BaconSandwich is tasty. 05/28/2014 at 22:51

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Yeah it looks like a nice machine. I'll go on a hunt on Friday! Thanks

Nibby > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/28/2014 at 22:51

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Wow nice! I'd definitely have to go check it out in person if I can. Thanks

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 22:57

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Glad I could help! There's almost always one on display at Best Buy, and if you like it you could probably walk out with one right there. I enjoy instant gratification. Then again, waiting for the UPS guy to JUSTHURRYUPANDGETHEREGODDAMMIT is a joy in itself.

Nibby > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 05/28/2014 at 23:01

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I like saving money... I'm a bit cheap.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Nibby 05/28/2014 at 23:23

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ITS KEYBOARD LIGHTS UP.

I have the Y510p and I absolutely love it. Insane value on that too. It has better specs that the cited Samsung, but you can get a non-HD version for $800 or so.

StoneCold > Nibby 05/29/2014 at 01:47

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Y-Series is usually a good bet. Sometimes driver issues crop up, but the whole line has been solid since the y400/y500 days. I'm typing this on a Y470 that's been serving me faithfully for 3 years now with a 128GB mSSD & 750GB drive, 8 GB of memory, 2.2 GHz quad core and 550M GPU. I pine for a newer one that can crunch Civ V better and have a lighted keyboard like the new ones.

It's a shame the y40 now has a 'U' series processor; never really liked those processors, never seem to put the power down when you need it (like a slushbox for a computer XD ). But I digress. I think I remember giving you the same advice when you went for the Thinkpad...

I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner > mazdaspeed2 06/01/2014 at 15:49

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They also used 2000 prototypes for the thumb scoop for opening the screen!

mazdaspeed2 > I Do It For Miatas, NC Owner 06/01/2014 at 17:18

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I didn't know that but I definitely believe it!