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timmmay

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#135126 15-Nov-2013 10:20
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I'm considering getting my partner a small laptop to replace her very old slow Dell netbook. Key requirements:
 - Small screen, in the region of 11 - 13" I guess.
 - Good keyboard, she's a PA and types like a manic. Most tablets have poor keyboards.
 - Windows - she quite liked W8 with the touch screens, but not a requirement
 - SSD disk, doesn't need to be huge, we have other computers where data's stored
 - Performance isn't critical. The Dell she has is horribly slow, anything modern will be better
 - I think full windows would be better than Windows RT, so I can known install software on it for her
 - Decent built in camera, for Skype, which is one of its main uses
 - Budget definitely less than $1000.

It's mostly used at home on the sofa or at a table, it's rarely if ever taken out of the house. She's not a huge fan of tablets even with keyboards, we have one already.

I've looked around JB Hifi and nothing jumped out at me. The problem is too much choice online. Finding a small laptop with just an SSD is a bit tricky too. I can take a spinning disk out and clone it, but that would increase the price.

Thoughts appreciated :) NB: I'm out for most of today, I'll answer any follow up questions this evening.






[Mod Edit :BH: Moved to appropriate forum]

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engedib
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  #934311 15-Nov-2013 11:16
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Used Lenovo X220, with a Samsung 840 or mSATA ssd
http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/laptops/laptops/lenovo/auction-661333208.htm
Cheers,




MCSE+M/S, MCITP




Laworder
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  #934314 15-Nov-2013 11:37
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I got myself an Acer Aspire One 756 11.6 in with Windows 7 Premium 64bit for $479, got a 128Gb SSD put in for an extra $200
This was from NZ Laptops in Pakuranga http://www.nzlaptops.co.nz/ but I'm sure other places will carry them too

Does all that I need and nothing that I dont, has 3 USB ports and HDMI out
Dual core Celeron 1.4Ghz so while its not the fastest thing out there its a lot faster than the single core Atom in my previous Lenovo netbook
Also weighs only 1.35 kg which is lighter than some of the machines out there marketed as Ultrabooks
Ideally would have liked something a bit lighter but for under $700 its a pretty good compromise

michaelmurfy
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  #934336 15-Nov-2013 12:09
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I'd personally recommend the Lenovo ThinkPad X230 - http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x230/




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timmmay

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  #934431 15-Nov-2013 13:48
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Those options all look good thanks, the 230 might just be a bit expensive. I'll look more when I get home

timmmay

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  #934478 15-Nov-2013 14:59
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I thought NZLaptops seemed quite cheap, they're all ex lease computers. Not sure I want to give a second hand machine as a gift.

The Lenovo 230 would be perfect... $940 configured with SSD, though not sure if it's a touch screen or not, probably not. Not sure if I want to spend quite that much. Is there anything a bit cheaper around? Happy to go down in quality a bit.

jonb
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  #937239 19-Nov-2013 12:12
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Could wait for the Asus T100 to be available in NZ? It's officially released now but doesn't seem to be available in many places.  A hybrid tablet rather than a laptop though.

On the Bargains and Deals thread the Samsung Ativ 9 13.3" with a 128GB SSD for under $1000 at PB Tech Stores this Friday, model NBKSAM905301.

timmmay

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  #937555 19-Nov-2013 20:58
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T100 looks pretty good. It's not full windows though, it's Win RT right? Not sure I want that. Leaning toward a small laptop not a tablet with a keyboard, just because the tablet keyboards often aren't great and my partner types like a maniac.

 
 
 

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).
jonb
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  #937625 19-Nov-2013 23:35
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T100 is full windows 8.1, also comes with Office 2013 Home & Student.  Keyboard might not be good enough for a maniac typer though..

timmmay

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  #937663 20-Nov-2013 07:25
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Thanks for that, looks interesting. It's about 1/4 the speed of a modern i3, 1/3 the speed of my 8-10 year old Q6600, and 1/8 the speed of my few year old i7. You don't need that speed, but it makes it more future proof.

I think I may hold out for an i3 laptop with an SSD, or that I can add an SSD too.

nathan
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  #937674 20-Nov-2013 07:49
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T100 is quad core Baytrail Intel Atom. Faster than you'd think. I have one and I can't fault the speed at all.

timmmay

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  #937686 20-Nov-2013 08:38
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Comparable speed to a real computer for web browsing and Microsoft office? I find slow computers frustrating.

3puttssuck
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  #937704 20-Nov-2013 09:11
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timmmay: I'm considering getting my partner a small laptop to replace her very old slow Dell netbook. Key requirements:
 - Small screen, in the region of 11 - 13" I guess.
 - Good keyboard, she's a PA and types like a manic. Most tablets have poor keyboards.
 - Windows - she quite liked W8 with the touch screens, but not a requirement
 - SSD disk, doesn't need to be huge, we have other computers where data's stored
 - Performance isn't critical. The Dell she has is horribly slow, anything modern will be better
 - I think full windows would be better than Windows RT, so I can known install software on it for her
 - Decent built in camera, for Skype, which is one of its main uses
 - Budget definitely less than $1000.

It's mostly used at home on the sofa or at a table, it's rarely if ever taken out of the house. She's not a huge fan of tablets even with keyboards, we have one already.

I've looked around JB Hifi and nothing jumped out at me. The problem is too much choice online. Finding a small laptop with just an SSD is a bit tricky too. I can take a spinning disk out and clone it, but that would increase the price.

Thoughts appreciated :) NB: I'm out for most of today, I'll answer any follow up questions this evening.






[Mod Edit :BH: Moved to appropriate forum]


http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03219667&cc=nz&dlc=en&lc=en&jumpid=reg_r1002_nzen_c-001_title_r0001

I have one of these for sale if your interested.

$400 incl shipping. 

Awesome little machine.

Google it for reviews/ pics etc.

PM me if keen.

Thanks.

timmmay

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  #937737 20-Nov-2013 09:55
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Looks interesting, but only interested in new thanks.

andrewNZ
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  #937741 20-Nov-2013 10:04
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Is she going to like typing on a tiny keyboard?

IME 10"-11" machine keyboards are a bit of a nightmare, and my hands are pretty small. Perhaps it's the sausage like fingers that cause it.

timmmay

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  #937744 20-Nov-2013 10:09
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She has a tiny Dell laptop right now, ten or eleven inches, she loves it but it's old and slow.

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