Recomended Laptop? Unsure on Budget

k1k1 on 13/10/2018 - 23:17
Last edited 13/10/2018 - 23:19

Hi guys,

I am currently using a laptop as my main PC and it is getting old. It tends to overheat and BSOD's when loaded. IThe laptop is ancient but still does its job well. I only use the laptop to stream netflix, web browse, watch movies, open 20 tabs at a time on chrome and some light photo editing. I do not play any games at all. It is usually attached to a 24in dell monitor as a secondary monitor. The battery life is terrible (2 hours now) and it was the top of its range at the time.

The current laptop specs are:
Sony VPCZ128GG
Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor 2.66 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.33 GHz*1
8GB ram
256GB SSD
13.1'' screen

Although I have an i7, I believe that this is a really old generation one. I would still like to be able to connect to my external 24in monitor via HDMI if I can. However, if I was able to connect the laptop to a much larger monitor (say 30in+ it would be super)

I need the following:
1. 13in screen or bigger. (12in is too small)
2. ability to connect an external monitor
3. lightweight if possible. I dont carry it out much but if I do I would prefer it to be light so I can use it on the lounge etc
4. 256-500GB SSD
5. quiet. I do not want to hear fans running all the time.
6. decent battery life. Ideally if I had something like an ipad battery life it would be great.
7. decent keyboard ( as I use the laptops keyboard as the main keyboard even with an extended monitor setup)

Should I be looking at the Microsoft surface/or Dell XPS equivalents? To be honest I have not shopped for a laptop in the last 5 or 6 years and would like the next one to last me just as long

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • open4highway on 13/10/2018 - 23:59
    +1

    I'd go with Dell XPS series anytime. Currently, I'm using XPS 13, it has everything I need.

    Don't consider this if:
    1. you hate small form factor (in case of watching movies, it can get a bit annoying at times)
    2. use webcam for video conferencing. It's in a really odd position

  • k1k1 on 14/10/2018 - 00:05

    Also considering the HP Spectre X2 for $1300 or so.

    Most of the time the laptop is plugged in so battery life wont be a huge issue for me.
    Im worried it will get too hot and then start BSODing (like my Sony VAIO).
    Any movies are streamed to my Tv anyway.

  • N1NJ4W4RR10R on 14/10/2018 - 00:49

    I'd recommend looking at ThinkPad's. Fits all the reqs TMK.

    For those looking at this, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. Like I say later I own a thinkpad e485 and have been pretty happy with it. And if the budget model is good I'd assume the better models would be…well, better.

    1. 13in screen or bigger. (12in is too small)

    Depends on individual model, which will depend on what you want to spend. I'd personally go for a T series or an A series (make sure it's the ryzen model, not athlon). Both come in a 14" or 15.6" models. (15.6" has numbpad, 14" doesn't)

    1. ability to connect an external monitor

    Both of the above come with HDMI ports for displays TMK.

    1. lightweight if possible. I dont carry it out much but if I do I would prefer it to be light so I can use it on the lounge etc

    Haven't used either of the above so couldn't comment on this. (I run an E485, decent weight but has a bit of plastic compared to the above models)

    1. 256-500GB SSD

    You can choose the SSD size yourself.

    1. quiet. I do not want to hear fans running all the time.

    Couldn't comment properly on this one, sorry.

    1. decent battery life. Ideally if I had something like an ipad battery life it would be great.

    With either of the above you can have it come with a bigger battery I believe. Second one can be taken out and hot swapped.

    1. decent keyboard ( as I use the laptops keyboard as the main keyboard even with an extended monitor setup)

    Lenovo thinkpad keyboards are as gppd as they come in terms of feels. Though their layout takes getting used to.

    Mind that, if you're looking for something with graphics power I believe these can only come with low level graphics cards (for the T series, the As only run off the vega iGPU TMK)

  • gimli on 14/10/2018 - 08:11

    Yep look at business grade lenovo (T series) or dell

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