Another recommend me a laptop Post!

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Finch

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Topic # 205886 1-Dec-2016 00:04

Hey guys.

I'm on the hunt for a new laptop.

Budget is no more than $2000, however obviously the cheapest the better. Id prefer to buy from a big retailer, I just feel safer that way, however definitely open to all options. It would be my daily driver, used for at least 10 hours daily at home. Used mainly for browsing, Emails, Spotify, YouTube. Definitely won't be used for any hardcore gaming like Battlefield etc, probably be used for lighter browser based gaming. I also edit videos from my PS4 and upload to YouTube so that's somewhat power hungry.

Must haves specs are below...

- Full HD Screen

- SSD. I'm not too fussed if it's only 128GB, I have a 1TB Portable drive so I can transfer stuff over every so often

- Sound Quality is pretty important

- 15" Screen Size. I'm somewhat set on this, I feel it's the right size for me, however open to 13"

I don't want Apple, I'm open to Chromebook, however think it might be a bit weak for what I'm after, so looks like it's Windows.

Any recommendations? Anything I should stay away from?

Thanks :)

.

Edit: Forgot to mention if it has a USB C Port then extra points there, also 8GB Ram Minimum.

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Reply # 1680399 1-Dec-2016 01:39

I just recommended a friend to buy a Surface Pro 4 at PB Tech and he's really enjoying it. IMO it's one of the better laptops/tablets out there, has 8GB of RAM and has a very good PixelSense quality screen. It is a 12.3" screen but very good quality. Yes it's $50 above your budget, but since it's PB Tech I'm sure you can try negotiate a better price. I've always managed to reduce the price tag every time I've shopped with them.

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michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1680401 1-Dec-2016 03:19

I've got both a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and a Toshiba Chromebook 2 - I use and love them both.

- The Chromebook is excellent for just curling up in bed and watching a movie or browsing the net. It also has very good sound.
- The Surface literally lives in my bag - is my daily driver outside of home. I also use it for Photoshop and a few design apps (including Premiere).

Since you do video editing I would say the Microsoft Surface is for you - excellent battery life, performance is very good and Intel graphics isn't a bad thing (can play for example Payday 2 on mine fine). I've used Abobe Premiere on mine fine and managed to edit a 1080p 60fps video - render and upload it somewhere fine. For anything really heavy I've got an Intel Xeon based desktop PC.

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Batman

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Reply # 1680408 1-Dec-2016 06:37

Do you mind 2ndhand? (I got one LOL)

Anyway I recommend a Dell XPS 15 or a Dell Inspiron 15 5000/7000 depending if you want a DVD drive. They usually have heavy sales this time of the year. Very sleek, good support, good keyboard, good trackpad, high specs - eg very fast SSDs, backlit keyboards, lots of ports.

*Disclaimer - I've always had Dell but that only means I've had a lot of experience with them

Note: if you don't mind 13.3" the Dell XPS 13 Kaby Lake is the bomb. nuff said. also on discount at the moment ...

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

timmmay

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Reply # 1680427 1-Dec-2016 07:35

I've found Lenovo laptops to be good - you can get super solid models or lighter models. I also have a Toshiba ultrabook that's really good - no idea on cost, it's a work laptop.

PBTech has plenty of HP laptops below $2K, with good specs. Never had one, not sure about the brand, but talking to Ascent recently they seemed to think they were pretty good.

If you're at home do you really care about screen size? Get a monitor.

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toyonut

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Reply # 1680478 1-Dec-2016 08:20

Asus Zenbooks fit well into that range:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKASU310143/ASUS-Zenbook-UX310UQ-GL143T-Ultrabook-133-1080p-Fu

or HP probooks:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/NBKHNB3376328/HP-Probook-450-G4-Business-Notebook-156-1080p-Full

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

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Reply # 1680485 1-Dec-2016 08:32

I recently had an Asus that had a screen fail - every time you moved the screen funny colors would come up. I'm sure it's isolated, and every brand will have problems, but I would probably avoid for my next purchase. Asus are probably generally fine. Never had a problem with a Lenovo, but I've only dealt with a few of them.

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Batman

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Reply # 1680530 1-Dec-2016 09:33

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Don't go by brand, go by reviews of specific models, specs and features

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

Finch

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Reply # 1680552 1-Dec-2016 09:50

joker97: Don't go by brand, go by reviews of specific models, specs and features

Yeah I won't be. Everyone has bad/good experiences with all companies.

Finch

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Reply # 1680563 1-Dec-2016 09:58

As much as the Surface Pro is nice, the screen is just too small for me. Adding to that I don't want to/I won't pay an extra $100-$200 for a keyboard.

Finch

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Reply # 1680702 1-Dec-2016 14:15

Also, forgot to mention it earlier but in regards to buying a monitor, I'm quite a minimalist so having an extra piece of something lying around to me just looks like clutter.

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Reply # 1680714 1-Dec-2016 14:24

Then would you want a 17-18"? Heavy but souldbn't be a problem if you don't carry it out of the house ...

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

Djmixerdomo

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Reply # 1680740 1-Dec-2016 15:04

I've been using a Skylake (2015) Dell XPS 13 for the past several months and I have to say it is the best laptop I've ever owned.

The one I have is the 1080p, i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB model. The battery life is fantastic the touchpad is super responsive and the keyboard is comfortable to use.

The new Kaby lake version is on sale (ends today) on dells website for $1,784 with improvements like hardware 4k decoding, better battery life etc.

One of the things I really like about the design of the XPS 13 too is the soft-touch finish on the carbon fibre around the keyboard/touchpad.

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loceff13

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Reply # 1680758 1-Dec-2016 15:58

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Djmixerdomo:

I've been using a Skylake (2015) Dell XPS 13 for the past several months and I have to say it is the best laptop I've ever owned.

The one I have is the 1080p, i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB model. The battery life is fantastic the touchpad is super responsive and the keyboard is comfortable to use.

The new Kaby lake version is on sale (ends today) on dells website for $1,784 with improvements like hardware 4k decoding, better battery life etc.

One of the things I really like about the design of the XPS 13 too is the soft-touch finish on the carbon fibre around the keyboard/touchpad.

That being said, there's a full spec XPS15 at the outlet store for $2199 with minor cosmetic wear.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1680775 1-Dec-2016 16:16

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I have a Dell Inspiron 15" i7 256GB SSD and 8GB Ram. This machine is about 8 months old and I have had zero issues with it. It's fast, quite, light and has a very good display. I got it on special for $1500. If you are not in a rush keep a watch on the Dell site for specials they are sometimes very good.

http://www.dell.com/nz/p/inspiron-15-7569-2-in-1-laptop/pd?ref=PD_OC

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jonb

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Reply # 1680777 1-Dec-2016 16:20

loceff13:

Djmixerdomo:

I've been using a Skylake (2015) Dell XPS 13 for the past several months and I have to say it is the best laptop I've ever owned.

The one I have is the 1080p, i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB model. The battery life is fantastic the touchpad is super responsive and the keyboard is comfortable to use.

The new Kaby lake version is on sale (ends today) on dells website for $1,784 with improvements like hardware 4k decoding, better battery life etc.

One of the things I really like about the design of the XPS 13 too is the soft-touch finish on the carbon fibre around the keyboard/touchpad.

That being said, there's a full spec XPS15 at the outlet store for $2199 with minor cosmetic wear.

That is a beast of a machine.

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