What thin and light notebook to buy ?

[Ingenius]

Would like to tap the vast expertise and wisdom of fellow forumers here on what computer notebook you will recommend to buy, as am out of touch with the latest development. It should be very thin and light, and must not cost $500k (a la bank speak) ? Also, is it advisable to get windows 8 now ? Thanks mates.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Ingenius

[Little_prince]

Would like to tap the vast expertise and wisdom of fellow forumers here on what computer notebook you will recommend to buy, as am out of touch with the latest development. It should be very thin and light, and must not cost $500k (a la bank speak) ? Also, is it advisable to get windows 8 now ? Thanks mates.

 

your choices are literally limitless.

[Felipe]

Screen size? Win8 need steeper learning curve unless uve been using win phone

Edited May 20, 2013 by Felipe

[Stratovarius]

your choices are literally limitless.

500k can buy many things...

Anyway to TS, what are your needs? Work or personal?

[Kangadrool]

MBA lor. Windows are no longer cheap.

[Ingenius]

Preferably 13 inches screen or so, for spouse work and study.

[Ingenius]

Mac is out. Learning curve.

[Jman888]

Preferably 13 inches screen or so, for spouse work and study.

 

 

when i was looking for a laptop for my girl in poly (she also wanted ligh and thin and with disk drive), i was hunting almost every where including IT show 2 months ago.

 

End up with the last two (both 13"):

 

LIFEBOOK SH782

 

Toshiba R930

 

Fujitsu is slightly better but cost $500 more and i think it is still WAY below your budget [laugh] only thing is Fujitsu only come in Black, Toshiba has 3 color to choose from

Edited May 20, 2013 by Jman888

[Ingenius]

Thanks jman. Am reading about both now. I think the thinner and lighter one will prevail.

[Kar_lover]

Would like to tap the vast expertise and wisdom of fellow forumers here on what computer notebook you will recommend to buy, as am out of touch with the latest development. It should be very thin and light, and must not cost $500k (a la bank speak) ? Also, is it advisable to get windows 8 now ? Thanks mates.

 

Most brands have ultrabook now - from Acer and Asus to Lenovo and HP to Toshiba, Samsung and Sony. Like most things, first question is whether u have any brand preference. If you do then no problem just buy the one offered by your preferred brand. The next question is what screen size you want. Some brands have 15" UBs, some only have 14". Other than that the next question is whether u want optical drive (eg. DVD). If yes, the selection range is a bit smaller (majority of UBs don't have optical drives). Having said that those UBs with optical drives are slightly thicker and heavier than those that don't. If you only rarely use optical drive, u can buy one without optical drive and then get an external one separately. Last question is whether you want those with SSD (solid state drive). If yes, your selection range become even less (and ur pocket need to get deeper). Needless to say if you want SSD then your pocket needs to be a bit deeper.

 

Note that ALL UBs use the intel "U" chip which is dual core compare to the "QM" chip which is quad core. So performance may suffer a bit though not much if you only use for normal work stuff like MS Office.

 

If you want full fledged notebook with "QM" chip that is relatively thin and light, I recommend the Sony Vaio S series. But of course you can expect to pay a small premium or it.

 

As for Win 8, the fact is, you almost cannot find Win 7 laptop (or even desktop) anymore so LL have to learn Win 8. Unless you go hunt for Win 7 install disc and install from scratch. Some computer shops might even be willing to do it for you. You have to pay for the software of course. But do note once you format, I am not sure if some of the proprietary in-built software will still be there.

 

[Ingenius]

Thanks kar_lover, i will check out the sony s series you mentioned this evening at courts. i like bigger screen but it will be heavy and thats a no no. you mentioned ssd, will ask the sale rep about it . price wise i am not so tight as i have saved up over the past one year, surfing mcf instead of going to clubs. however, not sure if win 8 is compatible for her needs. most important is to feel the weight, as spouse is very afraid of bulging arms.

[I-LOVE-CARS]

Mac is out. Learning curve.

 

TBH Mac learning curve is not the huge, a formal Win user since Win 98, have switched over to Mac and within 2 weeks, you can learn almost everything about your mac...it is also smoother and the best thing is, Mac will not kenna virus, even if u use bootcamp to run windows on your mac, if the windows kenna virus, just reinstall the software can liao and also, Mac resale value higher, my 2+yr old Asus running Intel Core i7 which i brought for nearly 3k, was only offered 150 bucks for it when I traded it in....(Still in working condition)

Edited May 20, 2013 by I-LOVE-CARS

[Jman888]

TBH Mac learning curve is not the huge, a formal Win user since Win 98, have switched over to Mac and within 2 weeks, you can learn almost everything about your mac...it is also smoother and the best thing is, Mac will not kenna virus, even if u use bootcamp to run windows on your mac, if the windows kenna virus, just reinstall the software can liao and also, Mac resale value higher, my 2+yr old Asus running Intel Core i7 which i brought for nearly 3k, was only offered 150 bucks for it when I traded it in....(Still in working condition)

 

MBA is heavy and without DVD drive

[Kar_lover]

Thanks kar_lover, i will check out the sony s series you mentioned this evening at courts. i like bigger screen but it will be heavy and thats a no no. you mentioned ssd, will ask the sale rep about it . price wise i am not so tight as i have saved up over the past one year, surfing mcf instead of going to clubs. however, not sure if win 8 is compatible for her needs. most important is to feel the weight, as spouse is very afraid of bulging arms.

 

Do check out the UBs from Acer (got touchscreen but some may consider it gimmicky), HP, Lenovo and Asus from the more affordable range and if you don't mind paying more, there is the gorgeous Samsung Series 9 Chronos and of course Sony T Series at the upper range.

[I-LOVE-CARS]

Or maybe u might like something offered by my second favourite electronic manufacture after Apple, Asus

 

I do find the Transformer Book a very sexy device, almost on the same level as a MBA/MBP if not sexier and with a Intel i7, SSD (PAD) and HDD (Keyboard) storage, it is more than enough for everyday needs unless you want to play graphic intensive games..

 

Edited May 20, 2013 by I-LOVE-CARS

[Ingenius]

ok, i think i may have to print out this thread and bring to courts at nex later. i read the toshiba and fujitsu jman recommended and indeed they are really thin and light. hope the price is same. thanks to all the advices and recommendations, i think i have an idea what to check out liao. will update what i buy tonight.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Ingenius

[Ingenius]

goodness, should have bought from you since the trade in price is so low. thx and note your suggestions, mate.

[Ingenius]

The Asus transformer book is really cool. but must feel the weight. Autobots, transform and roll-in.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Ingenius