Hi, I use PCs but am a complete technophobe as far as computer terms and specs go. I would love to have some advice on which laptop to buy for travelling. I need something light, fast and reliable. Preferably 13" (to fit into my handbag). Also, preferably powerful and under $1K. Which would be best - a laptop with SIM card or USB for dongle? Would appreciate any advice. Many thanks.
Advice on Laptop for travel sought by technophobe
Laretsa9 on 20/01/2014 - 09:27
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I would guess being a "complete technophobe" would rule out video editing, professional gaming and bitcoin mining.
I've been very happy with my refurb Dell XPS13 bought from Grays Online for about $500 18 months ago. Sounds like it might be a good option for you too OP.
I was thinking along the lines of office programs or just pure net browsing… for office programs i'd recommend something with processing power (excels and the like), whereas net browsing is for lower end stuff.
Perhaps you want a laptop but what you really need is a tablet computer?
In that case an iPad Mini based solely on the fact you're a self confessed technophobe. The mini because it will fit in your handbag and is reliable.
If you want a keyboard and use 'Microsoft Office' then buy a Microsoft Surface.
Note: when you ask for a "fast" computer that can mean many things as it is subjective. A fast computer for your purposes may be slow for, as donga100 pointed out, professional gaming and bitcoin mining. It is better to specify what you will use it for.
If Windows is an essential criteria, then you'd be looking at something like an Intel Haswell based Ultrabook or a Bay Trail-based Atom slate or convertible device.
The ASUS T100 transformer tab for example would be a good choice provided you can live with the limited internal storage. It runs Windows 8 (non-RT) and comes with Office 2013.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/130839
Get it from DickSmith for $550. which is currently the cheapest price.Something that light & thin would probably be the MacBook Pro 13"
Otherwise the only other ones i could think of are the Sony Vaoi ultrabook but they exceed 1.3kMinimum spec sheet list:
CPU: 4th Gen i5 1.80-3.0GHz
Ram: 4GB DDR3
Graphics: HD4000 series (slightly better graphical performance than standard integrated graphics)
Storage: 500GB HDD+Thanks so much to everyone for taking the time to help me. As you've guessed, I will not be using it for gaming, video editing or bitcoin mining (in fact, I'd never heard of bitcoin mining, haha). I guess I meant fast internet surfing. I presume that all of your suggested laptops would work well overseas?? Cheers.
For net browsing, it comes down to how much are you willing to spend, if you are going to spend 1k anyway then go for something like a macbook or vaio.
If you want something cheaper i'm sure there are netbooks that cost round $300 ish.
Something like this or this would be enough for net browsing if you ask me.
Of course those were just some quick searches… try find something similar with a lower price? and maybe stick with a brand like Asus or Samsung (my two personally favourites, brand wise its really depends on the person you ask)
Well to judge how powerful you need it to be, we need to know what you will be using it for