New laptop recommendations - high end/business grade

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blair003

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#208932 6-Mar-2017 09:11

Hello,

After seeking recommendations here 4 years ago, I got a 1st generation Lenovo x1 Carbon. It's been a fantastic machine.

It's time for a new laptop soon and I was looking at either another x1 Carbon (Gen 5), or an x1 Yoga (Gen 2). I'm considering the yoga for the OLED display as I use the machine without external monitor/kb/mouse these days and my current machine's screen has been fairly limiting when trying to review/edit high-resolution photos.

At the moment, you can only get the 1080p version of the x1 Carbon (not the 2,560x1,440 WQHD version), and you can't get the OLED version of the X1 Yoga (or any 2nd generation x1 yoga right now it seems).

Are there any other high-end laptops I should consider in the $3-4k range (when configured with larger 512MB SSD)?

Is the WQHD version of the x1 carbon going to be significantly better than the FHD version?

Should I be considering the yoga instead of the x1 carbon? (especially interested in anyone that owns/uses a yoga)

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#1730672 6-Mar-2017 09:26

We've had clients very happy with the HP Spectre X360, and it's available to order with a 512Gb SSD. Wouldn't mind one myself. Weirdly only Win 10 Home is available on the larger SSD model, but of course that is easily upgraded to Pro through the Windows Store these days in under 15 mins.

I can't remember whether it comes with a 12 month next business day on site warranty, or 3 years. If only 12 months, there will be a manufacturer's 3 year NBD upgrade option available. Let me know if you are interested and want a part number to order the upgrade.

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#1730682 6-Mar-2017 09:38

The Spectre X360 (there is a pro version with business warranty and Windows Pro and some other enhancements too) is an excellent bit of Kit, and if you want a 2-1 the Yoga X1 also is very well thought of. Pretty much anything HP Elite* is really good.

The X360 has an OLED option, though I am unsure yet if that SKU will make it to New Zealand. Expect it to be wallet crushing if it does.

Andib

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#1730684 6-Mar-2017 09:44

HP Elitebook. Take your pick of what model. They've been the most reliable brand in my experience.

If you're sold on the QHD screen look at the the new Dell XPS 13" 2in1 (Similar to the Yoga)

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D.W

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#1730695 6-Mar-2017 09:51

The Dell XPS 13 is another good option to consider. I'm in a similar boat as you, but I'm probably going to wait until the QHD X1 Carbons are available (currently on a 3rd gen X1 Carbon).

billgates

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#1730701 6-Mar-2017 10:13

Dell XPS 15 9560 with 4K display, a true quad core CPU and GTX1050 GPU. HP Spectre x360 while also an amazing notebook, is a 9 series GPU (mobile version!) and the i7 CPU is only dual core.

Do whatever you want to do man.

blair003

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#1730706 6-Mar-2017 10:20

To clarify, I'm looking for a light, portable (i.e. 1.4kg or less), quiet laptop

I use it without any external devices so the keyboard must be solid (a big plus for the lenonvo machines). My x1 carbon is actually still pretty nice, just needs a new screen and a bit better battery life.

Never been overly impressed with keyboards on the HP Elitebooks and not sure which portable one they make. I will see if I can demo a Spectre x360.

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Andib

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#1730712 6-Mar-2017 10:26

blair003:

To clarify, I'm looking for a light, portable (i.e. 1.4kg or less), quiet laptop

I use it without any external devices so the keyboard must be solid (a big plus for the lenonvo machines). My x1 carbon is actually still pretty nice, just needs a new screen and a bit better battery life.

Never been overly impressed with keyboards on the HP Elitebooks and not sure which portable one they make. I will see if I can demo a Spectre x360.

Take a look at the Elitebook Folio 1040. I have a G3 as my daily driver. Admittedly most of the time it is docked so I can't comment too much on the keyboard for full time use.

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networkn

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#1730715 6-Mar-2017 10:29

billgates:

Dell XPS 15 9560 with 4K display, a true quad core CPU and GTX1050 GPU. HP Spectre x360 while also an amazing notebook, is a 9 series GPU (mobile version!) and the i7 CPU is only dual core.

Kaby Lake is coming for the HP

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#1730727 6-Mar-2017 10:43

blair003:

To clarify, I'm looking for a light, portable (i.e. 1.4kg or less), quiet laptop

I use it without any external devices so the keyboard must be solid (a big plus for the lenonvo machines). My x1 carbon is actually still pretty nice, just needs a new screen and a bit better battery life.

Never been overly impressed with keyboards on the HP Elitebooks and not sure which portable one they make. I will see if I can demo a Spectre x360.

My wife has a Spectre X360 (only i5/256 SSD in this case), and I must say it's a fantastic computer to use. Light and small enough to go anywhere, yet robustly built. The keyboard's better to type on than many full-size laptops. Battery life is also excellent. Makes me depressed having to go back to my Dell!

Biggest downer is the sound - it's incredibly quiet, despite HP claiming B&O input. I recall reading at least one review that claimed it (ie, its fan) was noisy, but that's not my experience - I find it hardly ever gets worked up, at least doing non-intensive tasks.

Edit - forgot to say it's also one of the best-looking laptops I've come across - and that can be important! The Elitebooks may be more robust but personally I find them fugly.

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#1730755 6-Mar-2017 11:16

blair003:

To clarify, I'm looking for a light, portable (i.e. 1.4kg or less), quiet laptop

I use it without any external devices so the keyboard must be solid (a big plus for the lenonvo machines). My x1 carbon is actually still pretty nice, just needs a new screen and a bit better battery life.

Never been overly impressed with keyboards on the HP Elitebooks and not sure which portable one they make. I will see if I can demo a Spectre x360.

Then you need a new X1 Carbon. They apparently weigh 1.2kg give and take.

Alternatively if you want battery life go Dell XPS 13 1080p (30% longer battery life than QHD).

billgates

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#1730774 6-Mar-2017 11:40

networkn:

Kaby Lake is coming for the HP

My understanding is that the Kaby Lake CPU HP has choose still only has dual cores.

Do whatever you want to do man.

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dt

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#1730782 6-Mar-2017 11:49

Id suggest you check out a QHD screen on your preferred size before purchasing, I'm running QHD on a 14" laptop and when im out and about I really don't like it - makes me feel old using zoom on a web browser

blair003

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#1730791 6-Mar-2017 11:59

dt:

Id suggest you check out a QHD screen on your preferred size before purchasing, I'm running QHD on a 14" laptop and when im out and about I really don't like it - makes me feel old using zoom on a web browser

Thanks for the tip. Do you use scaling (under Display Settings in Windows)?

Also I have no problem using Ctrl+ in Chrome as long as once I get the correct zoom it looks good.

gehenna

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#1730794 6-Mar-2017 12:01

How about the Surface Book? It's a fantastic device. I'd still have mine if I didn't run into a couple of issues.

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#1730797 6-Mar-2017 12:07

gehenna:

How about the Surface Book? It's a fantastic device. I'd still have mine if I didn't run into a couple of issues.

In my experience, MS should stay as far from hardware as possible. The everything Surface in our experience has been horrible. So many issues with docking and high failure rates.

I am sure there are lots of happy users, but we haven't come across many.

I can't speak to the Book itself, but based on my experience with what else MS has in the hardware space, I would avoid.

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