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I am about to upgrade my laptop. Had a Mac notebook but have decided to go down the PC route. Does anyone have any suggestions for PCs? Most important to me is a long battery life (I don't want to have to carry an extra battery pack) and I need a good sized screen rather than gizmos and gadgets. I store most info on USBs so huge memory space is not essential. Thanks.
i really like the sony z series at 13.1 inch, designed for business in mind without a compromise spec wise. it uses lightweight casing material which makes it more expensive than a slightly larger sony sr series, which is also good for business (lower end of z in general except for configure to order models).
Suggest you go for a 10" netbook if yr only looking at emails etc while on the go. The new ones powered by the Atom 270 chip are great if you don't need a CD/DVD drive. ( I have a portable ext one for when needed). Lightweight, easy to lug about, very economical, yet does almost all the larger models do. Suggest you look at the ASUS or MSI Wind range. Both abt USD$430.
I think you will really regret going down the PC route. Windows is a real step backwards.
You get what you pay for. If you want virus and security problems buy cheap.
Quite right, you do get what you pay for. However security and virus protection is not linked to the sale price of the laptop... so don't understand the logic there.... the new cheaper range of netbooks are great for travelling and usually do all that is required but don't fully replace a highly speced 15"machine.
I didn't see where in my post I connected cheap with security. You can have the same security issues with windows no matter what you paid for the hardware.
Thank you all for the advice. I agree that the hassle of virus infections is a concern and I will look into the PC options for that. Surely PCs virus software is just as protected as MACs? I will miss my Mac but I think a simple PC will do for now. Thanks all again.
Hi FlyingBunny,
Personally I like the Thinkpad series; I find it have enough processing power and optimal tradeoffs between weight and useability.
Also, you didn't state what sort of work environments that you will be using that laptop in. :-) I know personal friends that found the Panasonic Toughbook series good for field work.
Hope you find the laptop of your choice. Cheers.
I suggest too a 10" netbook if your only looking at emails etc while on the go. If you want to pay five times like that you can also go for the new Macbook Air. But only the bigger model, I find the screen real estate on the smaller one really disappointing. But the Netbook is my first advice. Some of them already have 3G-Modems included, so you don't have to put a USB-Stick on them.
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If you are using it for international travel, consider buying an ASUS. These guys make the guts for a whole lot of kit, invented the netbook (the ASUS Eee), but most importantly offer a two year international warranty. They do have a very wide range of models. If you are ever in Singapore or Hong Kong and are OK with a US keyboard, the prices are pretty good, there is no VAT in HK, and in SIN you get the 7% tax refunded at the airport. ...and with 20% VAT looming..
I think netbooke is ok. I like ASUS Eee PC 1005HA Netbook very much.
the details:
CPU Intel® Atom N280
OS Genuine Windows® 7 Starter
Memory 1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM ( MAX to 2GB RAM available)
Hard Drive 250GB HDD;10GB Eee Storage( XP only)/ 500GB* ASUS WebStorage (Windows 7 only)
Display 10.1" LED Backlight WSVGA Screen (1024x600)
Wireless Data Network WLAN 802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz
Bluetooth BluetoothV2.1* + EDR
Audio Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
Speaker Stereo speaker
MIC Digital Array Mic (XP Only)
Camera 1.3M Pixels
I/O Port 1 x VGA Port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor)
2 x USB 2.0
1 x LAN RJ-45
2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in)
1 x Card Reader: MMC/ SD(SDHC)
mnn, the good old mac vs PC debate.
Virus's etc are only a problem if you dont keep up to date or have enough security. Apple OS is just as vulnerable as windows. execept windows is far more popular so Apple gets less attacks.
I change my lappy everyear. Really, the argument of pays for what you get is true in PC land (not in apple) I suggest you pay more more a higher end machine that can take the occasional drop from a bag, spilt coffee, bashed around in an overhead locker. Anything from the ThinkPad or HP envy or elite is good. You can pick up same performace spec machines at lower prices but as a traveller you will find annoying things like keys falling off etc.
I use a 17 inch HP elite 8540p, with extra capacity battery, good for 8 hours work or 6 hours constant video (nothing on IFE's these days) nice machine with 3 year ww warrantee. Its heavy! but then thats what a trolly bag is for :)
I always buy mine in HK, because of aforementioned VAT, additionally somewehere like fortress will set it all up for you before you take it away
I've recently had both a Sony Z Series and a MacBook Pro; have to say I'm sticking with my MacBook Pro. Sony lasted about 2 years, MacBook still going strong after 2 years and no sign of it deteriorating in any way.
Though it pains me to say it, buy your Mac at World Duty Free at BAA airports for the best UK prices, and the opportunity to earn lucrative Worldpoints.
If you consider thinkpad, I suggest you will have 2 years of time to think for a new laptop to replace it. My 3 yrs old Think starts to falls apart though, more freezes, worn batteries, etc. etc. I do love my Think becuase I dropped it a few times and my Think doesn't seems to be hurt from it. I will need to find a laptop too. :) Sony's fine if your're not that worry about your budget, Fujitsu is okay too.
Rabbz_*A
I tend to use Fujitsu laptops. They are not the lightest nor do they have th elongest lasting battery life, but the key essential for me is repair and service centres in case of problem and my usual haunts usually have a decent service centre.
I am not too sure that the "latest spec" issue will make a real difference unless of course you are running heavy duty programmes.
I used to look at the Toshiba lightweight, lap tops. Always stayed away from Sony due to the price. You generally pay extra for the Sony brand.
The other research I used to undertake was to look around the business longes at airports to see who was using what. Dell used to have a big lounge representation, but now days with the prices falling and specs generally increasing, my advice would be to go with what you like in terms of look, feel and weight.
I generally upgrade/replace my lap top every year. I always travel with an acronis offline back up in case I need to re install the entire hard drive and I always make sure their is a pre bios password so if my lap top does get stolen or lost, the data is safe.
I would take a look in a store where there is plenty of choice.
Finally, do not be tempted by overseas prices UNLESS you have seen and read the wording of the International Warranty.
Please let us know what you have bought.
Becoming an Apple user is a little like getting used to F class ...
need I say more ?
On that basis............. my Fujitsu is like the new Suite class!
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