Looking For A New Laptop

[Darq]

I'm in the market for a new Laptop. The problem is that I have not purchased a new laptop in almost 10 years.

I have a few nice computers that I have built, but I have found myself lately wanting to sit in bed and code, or browse the web while I am on the couch. That and the demand for me to bring my work home with me has doubled in the past two months so I have decided and break down and replace my old laptop since it struggles to run Kbuntu/Windows.

What I am looking for:

13-15 inch screen (preferably 15)

Weight : No more than 5-6lbs as I would like to travel with it without it breaking my back or throwing my weight off as I ride.

Decent battery

Something that will last for a while

What I will be doing with it:

Primarily coding for work (compiling modules in C#, C++, Java, Web Design)

Writing reports (SQL, Crystal Reports, Power point,etc)

Graphics (I draw and do 3d art for fun on my current desktops)

Gaming (New Final Fantasy, Star Craft 2, MMORPG)

Web Surfing

Testing out what I learn from here

What has been suggested to me:

Mac Book Pro

HP Envy

Sony 15inch (Forgot the model number)

Dell Studio 15

Any help and suggestions would be more than welcome. I am also curious to what most people use now of days. The operating system does not bother me at all since I am pretty good in Windows/Linux/OSX. I will be running virtual environments no matter what system I use (VMWare). Money isn't really a huge concern. I am always looking to save a dollar, but since this is work related they will be picking up 80% of the bill.

Again thank you for any help or directions that you can lead me.

[VaKo]

Dell Latitude E6410 + NBD On-site warranty.

[Infiltrator]

ASUS G51JX-FHD-SZ152X Notebook

Core i7 720QM(1.6GHz, 2.8GHz Turbo),

15.6"HD LED,

8GB-RAM,

500GB-HDD,

Blu-Ray Combo,

WiFi-n, BT,

2.0MP-CAM,

Windows 7 Pro

6 Cell Battery

[MRGRIM]

Dell Latitude E4300 is really nice and light!

[Darq]

First I would like to thank MrGrim, Infiltrator, and Vako for taking time to help. I appreciate the suggestions and have made a note of them.

Infiltrator I have to say I have never dealt with any ASUS laptops, however the specs are nice on it and I have to say I love the keyboard (big fan of the chick-let style keyboards). Have you ever used them or had any experiences with them?

I know this is a weird question to ask but is the plastic cheap or soft? I ride a motorcycle and have to place the laptop into a backpack, so I don't want an investment to become ruined because of weak plastics.

[VaKo]

We've been using Dells at our place for years. The E series is sturdy, reliable, has drivers for both the x86 and x64 versions of XP, Vista and W7, you can customise your order to suit your needs, excellent keyboard, spare parts are easy to get hold of years after dell stops selling a model and the 3 year basic warranty (in the UK) is NBD on-site. If you really need a laptop you can cart around and not worry about, you can get the ATG version which is semi-rugged for about £300 more.

Not sure about Asus, but it would appear that if it breaks (or you break it), it has to go back to the service center for awhile.

[Darq]

We've been using Dells at our place for years. The E series is sturdy, reliable, has drivers for both the x86 and x64 versions of XP, Vista and W7, you can customise your order to suit your needs, excellent keyboard, spare parts are easy to get hold of years after dell stops selling a model and the 3 year basic warranty (in the UK) is NBD on-site. If you really need a laptop you can cart around and not worry about, you can get the ATG version which is semi-rugged for about £300 more.

Not sure about Asus, but it would appear that if it breaks (or you break it), it has to go back to the service center for awhile.

Well, my current laptop has been remade 3x. right now I have two pieces of copper wire soldered to the pcb and the main board so that it will function. The laptop itself can not move and is pretty much on its last leg, so I feel good that I got 10 years out of a 2k laptop.

Thanks again for the input.

[astromech_kuhns]

honestly, if work is going to be picking up 80% or so of the cost, i would go with a mac. there nice as far as hardware goes, metal cases. good for transport. good battery.

if you were footing the bill, then i would not suggest a mac, as they are expensive pieces of equipment, and in my opinion not worth the cost. but they are nice!

so if the company will be paying for most of it though, then i would pick it up, if cost is covered on there end, then you are getting a nice computer that is good for transport and is sturdy. like i listed above they are what your looking for.

so if your paying for it all, then i suggest an HP envy like already suggested. HP's are nice computers. never had a problem with them.

BUT, if the company will pay most of it, grab a mac! ;)

just my two republic credits.

[Infiltrator]

Infiltrator I have to say I have never dealt with any ASUS laptops, however the specs are nice on it and I have to say I love the keyboard (big fan of the chick-let style keyboards). Have you ever used them or had any experiences with them?

To be honest you with, I am still in the process of buying it, I am not 100% sure how good or durable it is, but according to the reviews I read, it is a damn good laptop.

[Darq]

Astromech_Kuhns,

Actually the CIO was the one telling me to get a Mac. We use all three systems where I work (Mac/Linux/PC) where I work. Usually most of the IT people i work with hate macs, however as of late many of them have been liking the fact that VMware runs smoothly on them. Granted ours is one first systems that I have ever seen stripped down to the core in terms of what is installed on the system.

The HP Envy in my opinion is a blatant rip off of the mac book pro, however I've had an issue with the HP tablet in the office that we use as a presentation tool. It is the only device that I know that when it idles the fan sounds like a mini jet engine. If it shuts off you actually have to heat the board up with a heat gun to get it to turn on. We discovered this was due to bad solder joints when we got the 3rd replacement. I was hesitant of the Envy, but after reading the reviews on them they sound pretty much like the top of the line versions (Similar to Acura is to Honda). One of my main concerns though is putting the money down (Even if its 20%) and not getting at least two or three years out of it. The other concern is that, like I said, I ride a motorcycle most of the year and its an hour commute so that means even if the laptop is rapped in neoprene and plastic its still going to be sitting on my back in 90+ weather or 30 or below weather. I know how cold and heat have an effect on plastics. Thats why I asked so many questions.

Thank you though for your input. It makes me feel better about submitting my request in by next week Thursday.

[VaKo]

Macbooks are excellent for people who either don't care about computers (only the things they do with there system), or people who want a usable version of UNIX to work with. I do like the look the the pro's but I can't stand the trackpad, the non-removable battery is an issue and they don't do on-site repairs for portable systems which might be an issue if its going to be exposed to harsh conditions (vibration is always a killer for laptops, especially the newer LED screens).

[deleted]

I would recommend the MacBook Pro range of Laptops, although not the normal MacBook range (you can get better for less).

I have the 15" Core i7 MacBook Pro and am completely satisfied with it. I do a lot of coding, database management and gaming with it and the MacBook Pro deals with it all perfectly (even gaming gives me decent framerates). I also do a lot of course work and reports with it and I find the keyboard is very good and not cramped like a lot of laptop keyboards.

The only caveat so far is the heat management which uses the bottom of the laptop as a massive heat sink, which on my desk doesn't work great and I find the laptop heats up quite quickly but a pencil under the back let the air flow and also made it easier to type on.

[Zimmer]

I would recommend staying away from Dell, the one I have now isn't the best built laptop (the hinge screws got stripped (and fixing them lasted for a day); It may be a lot better if you get the onsite warranty ( I never had so that may be a very big decision point for getting a Dell).

[VaKo]

I should clarify, consumer Dell is shite, enterprise Dell is really good. A problem like that with a Latitude would have taken a 10min call to fix.

[Zimmer]

What about the Vostro Line, I bought it thinking that because it is from the business line it would be better. Oh well, I paid probably 550 $ 3 years ago for it and it still runs (even if the monitor has two positions; closed and 130 degree angle). Then again in the end it is Dell, so they go for price point not quality.

Edited August 13, 2010 by Zimmer

[okiwan]

i have a macbook pro. i love it. its a very powerful an reliable laptop. its really good for work ie: video editing, music editing etc... i originally got it for my music studio, but now i got rid of OSX an run ubuntu on it. it dosnt have the best video card though. but mine is a few years old. so if you want it for gaming you might want to check what kind of video cards the newer ones have.

[astromech_kuhns]

my aunt who has a macbook pro puts a book under the end of it for cooling. it allows airflow, and she likes the keyboard tilt. but yes i guess that is the other problem, is airflow, thanks for reminding me.

and who cares if the other employees hate macs, they probably arent as computer savvy. its a tool like any OS.

[Darq]

Macbooks are excellent for people who either don't care about computers (only the things they do with there system), or people who want a usable version of UNIX to work with.

For some reason this statement annoys me. I know it is your opinion and I am not saying it is wrong, but a devices usability is limited to usually the person's imagination and dedication to the device. One of my main desktops at home is a server that triple boots five different OSs. (Edited to clarify: Windows 7, OSX, Linux x 3 distros)

I agree with you about the track pad, but the MBP sitting in the office graphics room has a replaceable battery, Perhaps the newer ones don't have a replaceable battery, that I am unsure of. I do know they do onsite repairs at the Apple store, which is right around the corner from my office.

But you make a few very valid points that has actually made me reconsider dell because of what you said. Thank you again Vako

Edited August 13, 2010 by Darq