Replace this with something lighter.......

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Replace this with something lighter.......

gdog

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Wannabe Geek

#147307 15-Jun-2014 22:29

Hi Folks,
For work I have an HP Probook 6560b with Intel i5, 2 GB and WIN 7 - seems low spec now but OK for most of what I do. I'm finding it heavy, clunky and with all the travel I'm now doing it's just too heavy and bulky despite it sitting in a dock 80% of the time. So options are a lightweight laptop, or a tablet / convertible type device (new Thinkpad 10, Surface Pro 2/3 etc). Really just looking for how people have found having a tablet/convertible device as there main PC.

Can't move away from windows as have to use windows to demo software and connect to peripherals at the customers end on specialist programmes.

nathan

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#1066395 16-Jun-2014 08:58

Surface Pro 3 if you can wait till August NZ launch, or buy one from the US end of this week

lxsw20

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#1066404 16-Jun-2014 09:24

You could look at the EliteBook Folio series if you want to stick with similar but lighter.

Dynamic

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#1066434 16-Jun-2014 09:55

Your laptop seems to be around the 2.7kg mark, plus bag and accessories.

I encourage my part-time travelers to consider a desktop fully set up for them and a lightweight companion laptop that has only the essentials but with the ability to connect into their desktop to retrieve any files they might have forgotten. In your case the current laptop could stay on your desk connected to a large LCD for day to day work.

Have a look at one of these (US$ pricing on this site): http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ads/detachables-biz/pro_x2_410.html

I have the previous model consumer version of this as my companion machine and it's got fantastic all-day battery life and the SSD inside makes it a nippy performer. 1.6kg plus bag and accessories.

What are your requirements? WHat is your budget? How small are you prepared to go screen-wise to save weight? Do you *really* need to carry a CD/DVD drive?

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gdog

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1066595 16-Jun-2014 12:56

I used to get around with a Windows XP HP Mini net book which was great but it was really too limited in storage and speed to be a business tool. I am moving to the idea of a mobile unit (that can be shared ) plus one setup at work fulltime is ideal with dropbox etc and big data caps on mobile data now. Currently dock in and use two screens at office.

Hoping to keep under $2k - optical drive not really needed - I have the software installed or accessible to remote in with Teamviewer as required. Was looking at Toshiba Portege but that would be a replacement for current unit i guess.

Out of the office need to be abel to show customers a lot of images and videos plus run Excel, CRM, Sage ERP, and specialist labelling software along with regular Email, Evernote etc so I guess it will come down to how easy (or hard) those non-windows 8 programmes are to use on a smaller touch screen.

KrazyKid

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#1066597 16-Jun-2014 13:10

I'm using aHP EliteBook Folio 9470m at work with W7. Only 1.65Kg, but is at the $2000 mark on pricespy (plus a docking station.)

Very happy with it

Dynamic

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#1066605 16-Jun-2014 13:24

Wow that's a shedload of apps to run on a mobile system when you are out and about. Have a think about how you can simplify or do some tests and see what works well over your preferred remote access solution to your 'office desktop'.

Have a look at the Folio 9470m (14" 1.7kg) or the EliteBook 820 (12.5" 1.35kg). Both have small SSDs to accelerate your commonly used applications including Windows startup files. You'll probably want to buy a USB DVD drive for software installation but don't carry this with you.

Also think about a slimmer bag and what you put in it. I had a client recently complain about the weight of his laptop when carrying it through international stopovers, but it turns out he was carrying more than the weight of his laptop in paperwork etc in his laptop bag. A slimmer laptop bag like this one http://dynamix.co.nz/index.html?do=viewproduct&code=EKF808S13&ID=100696787 may assist.

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nathan

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#1066735 16-Jun-2014 15:36

Surface Pro 3, 12" ClearType Full HD Plus display, Resolution: 2160 x 1440, Aspect Ratio: 3:2, Touch: multi-touch Dimensions: 20cm x 29cm x .0.91cm, Weight: 798gm

August availability
64GB / 4GB / HD4400 Intel Core i3 $1199

128GB / 4GB / HD4400 Intel Core i5 $1449
256GB / 8GB / HD4400 Intel Core i5 $1879

256GB / 8GB / HD 5000 Intel Core i7 $2249
512GB / 8GB / HD 5000 Intel Core i7 $2829

Quic Broadband

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Dynamic

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#1066739 16-Jun-2014 15:40

They look mighty nice, Nathan. Are they available via the standard reseller channel or strictly a retail product like previous generations?

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nathan

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#1066750 16-Jun-2014 15:59

we are taking a measured approach to enlarging the reseller channel for Surface, and we won't be expanding the reseller channel for the Surface Pro 3 launch in August

There are 4 commercial resellers and 3 retail partners currently.

CYaBro

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#1066836 16-Jun-2014 17:34

nathan: we are taking a measured approach to enlarging the reseller channel for Surface, and we won't be expanding the reseller channel for the Surface Pro 3 launch in August

There are 4 commercial resellers and 3 retail partners currently.

And there is the problem.
Why would I send my customers to my competition to buy one of these?

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Dynamic

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#1066851 16-Jun-2014 17:47

CYaBro:
nathan: we are taking a measured approach to enlarging the reseller channel for Surface, and we won't be expanding the reseller channel for the Surface Pro 3 launch in August

There are 4 commercial resellers and 3 retail partners currently.

And there is the problem.
Why would I send my customers to my competition to buy one of these?

+1 for us.

Silly decision by Microsoft IMHO, as the SMB IT channel could potentially be real evangelists for the Surface Pro. If Microsoft went one step better and make them available to all channel partners can get their hands on one at an NFR price you instantly have hundreds of tech guys visiting Microsoft customers every day carrying the Surface to demonstrate it's awesomeness.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

Referral links to services I use, really like, and may be rewarded if you sign up:
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nathan

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#1066873 16-Jun-2014 18:13

I hear you.

It's not something we can change in NZ right now, and its not a decision we have made locally

The flip side is your customer wants Surface and goes buy it somewhere else.

We are not in competition with HP, Dell, Lenovo, Tosihiba, Acer, Asus etc with Windows devices, but are with Apple

Many of the resellers that can't obtain Surface from a distributor but who still want to sell them, are buying them from the Commercial arms of JB, Noel, Harveys who will sell them to you with margin still in them for you to on sell