What should my next laptop be?

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Well my current laptop decided to shatter and HP wouldn't cover it under warranty (it was NOT caused by an external force, it sat on a table all day and it was fine the day before) so it CAN NOT be an HP product or affiliated with them (or At least not much affiliated) since they wouldn't fess up to manufacture defect. I would like some suggestions for something under around $400-425. The max I can do it around $450. Brand new preferred. Possibly look at used MacBooks, but they're still extremely expensive. Would like to stay away from Dell or Acer, and as I said before HP.

BTW, it was not this bad but if the display is already trashed why not have some fun with it? Ill be replacing the screen and selling it for around $300 to around $280 is the lowest ill take for it since it is only 3 months and a few days old.

Thanks for any

suggestions!

 

[Viper45]

It might help if you say what your needs for this new computer will be, but if you're just going to be browsing T4R.org and checking email, take a look at the chromebook. Prices and hardware vary, but range anywhere from $1200 (i5 CPU) to $250 (Samsung Exynos 5 Dual CPU).

My one disclaimer about the Chromebook, is that they don't come with a conventional OS like we're normally used to seeing, as it's a very minimalist design. Which to be honest, I think is perfect for people just browse the internet and do very light word/excel type processing. Basically, you get Chrome OS to interface with the hardware and google drive (which has word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, etc...), and the chrome internet browser. Here's a quote from the wiki... since I suck at words.

A Chromebook is a personal computer running Google Chrome OS as its operating system. The devices are designed to be used while connected to the Internet and support applications that reside on the Web, rather than traditional PC applications like Microsoft Office and Photoshop that reside on the machine itself.

I don't know what your needs are, but I think you you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal out of the iOS and MS platforms for $250. At the very least, research it a little and see it it would work for you, you'd then have a few more $$ in your hand for mods.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Really it's just for Internet browsing. Facebook, YouTube, email, T4R, etc. nothing hardcore like gaming or anything like that. Some Office/ Word programs. Ill look at the chrome book and see what it's like.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Hands down ....

Get the new MacBook Air 13"

I have a Windows Desktop i7 920 OC'd to 3.6 GHz, a work Lenovo T430s i5, and a personal 2012 Macbook Air 13" i5 which has about 6 hours battery life.

The new MBA 13" has Intels LATEST chipset, it is so brand freaking new technology, it is amazing breakthrough with that chipset. Because of the new chipset, which will eventually be in Windows laptops as well, the battery life of the new 13 MBA is 12 hours, yess 12 hours!!!!

Read more ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)

If you want a cheaper one you can always PM me. I'll sell you my 9 month old, still under warranty 2012 MBA for $900. The new MBA is $1199 + tax.

BTW, I am running dual boot of OS-X and WIndows 7 64-bit Pro. It works great and I can boot into either OS.

 

[XJeepguy]

**** Apple

I've had this B-575 Lenovo ( IBM ) now for 3 years , if you guys saw where this thing has been at work and how many times its fallen off the dash of my work truck and the beatings its taken you would all line up to buy one similar. I paid $ 350.00 for it new , and it was loaded to the nuts with ram and a great processor . Has fingerprint reader , cam , the whole nine yards . I have had a few IBM laptops and continue to be impressed by their ability to stand up .
IMO .

 

[BrianSD_42]

Its not really fair to compare a $300 cheapo laptop to a MBA. I have a T430s with Sandy Bridge and an Intel 520 SSD, 8 GB and Win7 Pro. You can't get that for $350 even in laptop. Its not an apple thing. The Lenovo I have is at least $1000 new.

$350 will get you an i3 and Win 8 home, a cheap ultra book.

If you can afford it, get the MBA. You are getting value.

 

[XJeepguy]

Its not really fair to compare a $300 cheapo laptop to a MBA. I have a T430s with Sandy Bridge and an Intel 520 SSD, 8 GB and Win7 Pro. You can't get that for $350 even in laptop. Its not an apple thing. The Lenovo I have is at least $1000 new.

$350 will get you an i3 and Win 8 home, a cheap ultra book.

If you can afford it, get the MBA. You are getting value.

The one I bought was a year end clearance , not 350 MSRP . If you saw my work conditions ( oil field exploration ) and the abuse this 'cheapo' has endured without issue you would be very impressed . Nothing personal , just experience , have you ever had to replace parts on an Apple ? Might as well buy a new one.

 

[zopperman]

Macbook!

It's an investment, but you'll be happy you did it. my GF has had hers for 6 years and I just got a new one and i'm in love.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Its cool. I have this same talk with my Dad all the time. It sounds like you got a good deal but most $400 laptops, even $750 laptops don't have comparable parts to a MBA.

My MBA has a 12 mo warranty but generally they are very reliable. I would expect 3 yrs without issue.

Even the batteries are only $110. Sony, HP, Dell, Lenovo all the batteries cost over $100.
Screens ... Yes the apple screen replacement is $500-$600 but it is the same for a Sony or Dell screen.

I just think they are not a total rip off. Expensive yes, not for everyone but if you need a travel or writing laptop the MBA is great. It would not be a good choice for "field use" because it is fragile.

 

[Stick Figure]

The one I bought was a year end clearance , not 350 MSRP . If you saw my work conditions ( oil field exploration ) and the abuse this 'cheapo' has endured without issue you would be very impressed . Nothing personal , just experience , have you ever had to replace parts on an Apple ? Might as well buy a new one.

Thinkpads from IBM and now Lenovo are all I will use. Best value for the features and durability. Same as you I've had several fly off seat and get banged around during automotive tuning sessions on the street. my current x60 gets drug around in my backpack and abused in the shop. This of course isn't my only computer. I have a nice desktop for actual photo editing and things like that. For me personally I can't see having an expensive and fragile laptop like 99% of everything they sell now. If its a laptop its going to travel, and if its going to travel its going to get bumped and bruised at some point.

 

[XJeepguy]

Thinkpads from IBM and now Lenovo are all I will use. Best value for the features and durability. Same as you I've had several fly off seat and get banged around during automotive tuning sessions on the street. my current x60 gets drug around in my backpack and abused in the shop. This of course isn't my only computer. I have a nice desktop for actual photo editing and things like that. For me personally I can't see having an expensive and fragile laptop like 99% of everything they sell now. If its a laptop its going to travel, and if its going to travel its going to get bumped and bruised at some point.

Yep , I have a home built desktop at home for the serious shit too , I love building PC's . All the goodies in it .

When I travel for work , its goes ( GASP ) in my suitcase and gawd only knows how many times that has been slammed around by baggage handlers haha :whipping2

As a side note , our company equips our vehicles with Panasonic Toughbook ? I think its toughbook ( metal case ) . Anyways , sorry for side tracking this post . Carry on .

 

[ajonesnv]

Macbook!

It's an investment, but you'll be happy you did it. my GF has had hers for 6 years and I just got a new one and i'm in love.

x2 however Macbook Pro.

 

[XJeepguy]

You guys need to read the OP , he has a MAX budget of $450.00 and prefers new.

 

[4Running Daily]

You guys need to read the OP , he has a MAX budget of $450.00 and prefers new.

I don't care.

Its not really fair to compare a $300 cheapo laptop to a MBA. I have a T430s with Sandy Bridge and an Intel 520 SSD, 8 GB and Win7 Pro. You can't get that for $350 even in laptop. Its not an apple thing. The Lenovo I have is at least $1000 new.

$350 will get you an i3 and Win 8 home, a cheap ultra book.

If you can afford it, get the MBA. You are getting value.

Exactly!

The one I bought was a year end clearance , not 350 MSRP . If you saw my work conditions ( oil field exploration ) and the abuse this 'cheapo' has endured without issue you would be very impressed . Nothing personal , just experience , have you ever had to replace parts on an Apple ? Might as well buy a new one.

Apple's are very easy to repair. Just like iPhones, MacBooks are extremely durable. Unlike you, I created an Apple repair service and have taken apart over 200 Apple Devices. I know what I'm talking about. Parts are relatively cheap.
OP needs to save up a little more and make the investment in a MacBook.

 

[XJeepguy]

I created an Apple repair service and have taken apart over 200 Apple Devices. I know what I'm talking about. Parts are relatively cheap.
OP needs to save up a little more and make the investment in a MacBook.

Sounds like you have a good venture there . Good job .

 

[zopperman]

When i made that post, i knew someone was gonna gripe about the OP's limit but like [MENTION=75445]4Running Daily[/MENTION] said, I don't care! Save up and get the best!

 

[Viper45]

So instead of staying within the confines of the OP's budget, you recommend items more than 2.5 times the amount he stated he wanted to spend and then basically quantify that with "I don't care" and more expensive electronics perform better... Well no shit.

Let's be honest the old P4, let alone the i3 is overkill for the 90% of the general population that just looks at the internet for email, facebook, and kittens. I'm sorry but I just don't see the value in spending $1200 for an Apple which has the same hardware as everyone else. When I bought my laptop to take to work (in the oil field) two years ago, I considered an Apple... but I could get an 2670 i7 in a Sony Vaio for $1200 or in a MacBook Pro for $2400. Coupled with the fact that I also wanted to play PC games and it was a pretty ****ing easy choice if you ask me. Guess what, my Vaio is still running strong.

Back to the OP's dilemma where we can take that $1200 for a Macbook Air with a 4250U i5, or buy 1 "cheap" ultrabook for $350; or hell, for LESS than that same money I could buy 4 $250 Chromebooks and throw them in the trash the first sight of a problem and still come out ahead over the entire lifespan I own that MacBook Air.

Now don't get me wrong, the best thing about that above mentioned Macbook Air is the CPU with the integrated Intel HD5000, but you can get that CPU from any manufacturer (normally cheaper than apple) and if you look at the OP's needs, he doesn't need that much power, so why pay for it? Which is my point, his needs are minimal, so his specs should be too.

OP, as you can see there are plenty of options out there and like I said earlier you are the only one that can justify spending YOUR money. I recommend going out to Best Buy or somewhere where you can get your hands on one, then go home and check the internet for prices. Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

[4Running Daily]

So instead of staying within the confines of the OP's budget, you recommend items more than 2.5 times the amount he stated he wanted to spend and then basically quantify that with "I don't care" and more expensive electronics perform better... Well no shit.

Let's be honest the old P4, let alone the i3 is overkill for the 90% of the general population that just looks at the internet for email, facebook, and kittens. I'm sorry but I just don't see the value in spending $1200 for an Apple which has the same hardware as everyone else. When I bought my laptop to take to work (in the oil field) two years ago, I considered an Apple... but I could get an 2670 i7 in a Sony Vaio for $1200 or in a MacBook Pro for $2400. Coupled with the fact that I also wanted to play PC games and it was a pretty ****ing easy choice if you ask me. Guess what, my Vaio is still running strong.

Back to the OP's dilemma where we can take that $1200 for a Macbook Air with a 4250U i5, or buy 1 "cheap" ultrabook for $350; or hell, for LESS than that same money I could buy 4 $250 Chromebooks and throw them in the trash the first sight of a problem and still come out ahead over the entire lifespan I own that MacBook Air.

Now don't get me wrong, the best thing about that above mentioned Macbook Air is the CPU with the integrated Intel HD5000, but you can get that CPU from any manufacturer (normally cheaper than apple) and if you look at the OP's needs, he doesn't need that much power, so why pay for it? Which is my point, his needs are minimal, so his specs should be too.

OP, as you can see there are plenty of options out there and like I said earlier you are the only one that can justify spending YOUR money. I recommend going out to Best Buy or somewhere where you can get your hands on one, then go home and check the internet for prices. Whatever you decide, good luck.

I don't care.

 

[Viper45]

Glad to see you being an Apple Dev isn't creating any bias. Whatever though, I don't care. My comments weren't for you anyways.

*Edit* Correction, my first sentence was.