Another "help me buy a laptop thread" (Graphic design ultrabook)

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Another "help me buy a laptop thread" (Graphic design ultrabook)

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#899183 20-Sep-2013 19:44

mattwnz:
thelimoman:
mattwnz:
I work in design and have only used windows PCs. I think some of these design agencies only use macs, because they look nice on their desks, so is a bit of a status symbol thing. They all run the same adobe software so I can't really see it being an issue as to whether they choose a mac over a pc. Although I would suggest getting a PC with windows 7. As you will be using the desktop there is no reason to go with windows 8 which has downgraded the desktop component, and I find flip 3d and transparency really useful, which is missing in windows 8.

Macs are definitely popular for the image more than anything, at least in this field.

To the contrary I think desktop is exactly the same if not better in Windows 8. Combined with all the other performance benefits, not to mention the 8.1 update, I can't wait to move to Windows 8!

I've got pcs running both 7 and 8 and 7 is my preferred one when running 3 screens on it for productivity use. 8.1 may fix this. But I find 8 is used more for consumption activities, and it is a pita when it flicks to a full screen start menu to open programs, if they aren't pined on the task bar.

Windows 8 is the better OS: more secure, more stable, better performance, better cloud integration, etc. I'm almost always using desktop applications so it looks and works like 7. But I don't mouse to start menu items as it is faster using the keyboard and shortcuts so the menu format makes no difference to me.

thelimoman

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#899480 21-Sep-2013 16:28

Okay guys, I happened to be at Warehouse Stationery today. When playing with a few terrible laptops I thought to myself "A 15.6" non-touch screen wouldn't be all that bad". So...

zaptor

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#899487 21-Sep-2013 16:54

geekiegeek: I have a Dell XPS 13, i7 8GB Ram and a 512GB SSD. 1080p screen and that size is pretty nice. No touch screen but thats because I'm a "touch screen on laptops" hater. Cant see the point and dont want finger prints all up in my grill.

http://www.dell.com/nz/p/xps-13-l321x-mlk/fs might be worth a look.

Nice. Didn't realize they'd finally added the 512GB option to the XPS. Still missing Haswell, but, I imagine that will come soon (now that the S7 has it?).

Forgot to mention. I'm not much of a touch screen guy either.

Especially not after learning the mousepad gestures and keyboard shortcuts (which seem to have consistent behaviour across all programs) on a MBA 2013. I figured, we might need a mouse eventually but once you understand how to navigate with multi-touch gestures and keyboard shortcuts, it is surprisingly easy (and quite intuitive IMHO) to use.

zaptor

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#899493 21-Sep-2013 17:05

If it weren't for the lack of a retina option, I'd probably suggest a MBA.

What about the Toshiba Kirabook?
It has a 2560x1440 ("Ultra HD") display @ 13.3". Downside is it only seems to ship with an i5, and 256GB is the max SSD size.

You could possibly check one out in the flesh at your local Noel Leemings?

thelimoman

81 posts

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#899498 21-Sep-2013 17:20

zaptor: If it weren't for the lack of a retina option, I'd probably suggest a MBA.

What about the Toshiba Kirabook?
It has a 2560x1440 ("Ultra HD") display @ 13.3". Downside is it only seems to ship with an i5, and 256GB is the max SSD size.

You could possibly check one out in the flesh at your local Noel Leemings?

The problem is the price, the cheapest Kirabook at NL is $2500 and for the same price I could get a touchscreen Ativ Book 9 Plus!

Looking on the Lenovo ANZ Facebook page and they said there are plans to launch the IdeaPad range in NZ. Hopefully that's in the near future, I'd be all over a Yoga 2 Pro!

The trackpads on Macs are absolutely fantastic and if there was a Windows equivalent I would take that over a touchscreen, I just don't want a Mac haha!

insane

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#899499 21-Sep-2013 17:21

I picked up a Samsung Ativ Book 9 a few months back, was only $1350 from JB at the time. It's a really slick piece of kit, light and very well built, but not without three flaws.

1. Air intakes are on the botton, so no good if you enjoy placing your laptop directly on a devet.
3. The screen is possibly too small for the resolution when using windows. If windows supported better scaling like OSX does then it would be perfect.

Still a great machine!

The Dell XPS 13 Haswell based ones are just about to ship, of not already, we're getting a bunch of them for our guys at work.

thelimoman

81 posts

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#904054 28-Sep-2013 10:47

That top tier model looks pretty decent... The hardware looks like it could be pretty good quality for an Inspiron, too. Just wish it had an SSD option!

http://www.dell.com/nz/p/inspiron-15-7537/fs

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nickb800

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#904082 28-Sep-2013 11:39

Have you thought about running Windows on a Macbook?

Easy to setup so that you don't have to use Mac OS X, it boots into Windows by default and you get the benefit of the status symbol and touchpad. If it turns out your tutors are stubbornly Mac, they you can just boot into Mac

thelimoman

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#906969 3-Oct-2013 11:31

The Dell XPS 13 with i7/8GB/512GB SSD is only $2450 at the Dell website, presumably to make room for the new Haswell models just announced. It's even cheaper than the i5 model...

I'm kinda leaning towards getting a Dell now, largely because my part time job gets me a 15% discount on anything over $2000. I'll be waiting for Haswell + touch though!

thelimoman

81 posts

Master Geek

#921934 26-Oct-2013 09:50

Hmmm... This looks pretty interesting. A shame it's not the SSD version, although I guess 750gb is nothing to complain about.

http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Asus-133-Zenbook-Infinity-UX302LG-i7-Laptop/21737069/

macuser

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#921939 26-Oct-2013 09:55

geekiegeek: I have a Dell XPS 13, i7 8GB Ram and a 512GB SSD. 1080p screen and that size is pretty nice. No touch screen but thats because I'm a "touch screen on laptops" hater. Cant see the point and dont want finger prints all up in my grill.

http://www.dell.com/nz/p/xps-13-l321x-mlk/fs might be worth a look.

Pretty sure there was a new XPS 13 announced that had everything the same + haswell but they added a capacitive touch screen, shipping very soon iirc

thelimoman

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#921943 26-Oct-2013 10:03

macuser:
geekiegeek: I have a Dell XPS 13, i7 8GB Ram and a 512GB SSD. 1080p screen and that size is pretty nice. No touch screen but thats because I'm a "touch screen on laptops" hater. Cant see the point and dont want finger prints all up in my grill.

http://www.dell.com/nz/p/xps-13-l321x-mlk/fs might be worth a look.
Pretty sure there was a new XPS 13 announced that had everything the same + haswell but they added a capacitive touch screen, shipping very soon iirc

I'm gonna have to hold out till Dell and Lenovo start shipping all their new models, for sure. Does anyone have an ETA on when we'll see IdeaPads shipping in NZ? Specifically the new Yoga's :D

hairy1

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#921997 26-Oct-2013 11:52

thelimoman: Hmmm... This looks pretty interesting. A shame it's not the SSD version, although I guess 750gb is nothing to complain about.

http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Asus-133-Zenbook-Infinity-UX302LG-i7-Laptop/21737069/

There is something weird going on with that page. The spec description is a bit screwed up I think. It lists a 17.3" screen and 3.3 kg weight.....

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

thelimoman

81 posts

Master Geek

#922035 26-Oct-2013 13:46

hairy1:
thelimoman: Hmmm... This looks pretty interesting. A shame it's not the SSD version, although I guess 750gb is nothing to complain about.

http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Asus-133-Zenbook-Infinity-UX302LG-i7-Laptop/21737069/

There is something weird going on with that page. The spec description is a bit screwed up I think. It lists a 17.3" screen and 3.3 kg weight.....

At least they've listed the right model number so you can Google the specs!

I was just at Noel Leeming, and they had an Ativ Book 9 Plus on display. That screen is INSANE. The store didn't have internet so all their computers (apart from the new Surface's) weren't running 8.1 which meant the scaling was horrible, but it was still super impressive. The trackpad felt awesome too, a silky smooth glass finish and gestures worked really well. It's a shame it's only an i5/4gb model, cause it's an awesome buy with the 20% off Labour weekend sale. I think they just announced an i7/8gb version, although I'd rather have the Yoga...

Ragnor

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#923602 29-Oct-2013 15:23

thelimoman: I prefer Windows over OSX so that makes my decision a bit harder. With a budget of $2500 max, if I wasn't averse to Mac's I'd just buy a 13" rMBP but that isn't really an option.

Have you considered running Windows 7 or 8 on a Mac Book Pro via Bootcamp?
http://www.apple.com/nz/support/bootcamp/

Then you have the option of either OS on good hardware.

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