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I'm currently looking for a new laptop for School/Work, I'm going to be Interning for a company in a couple months so I definitely want a sturdy machine. Anyways, I'm looking for any discussion on the models and prices I have listed, and alternatives that come close to my requirements. Also, I'd really written this up all big like so other people with similar interests could pop in here and chime in.
What I currently value the most is Portability, Price, And Screen Space. Ideally I would like a resolution of around 1600 so I can have two windows opened side by side comfortably, although 1366 can accomplish that sometimes. I want to have a battery life of at least 3-4 hours so I can get through classes with a little bit of charge time.
I'm a college student and don't exactly have too much money, I've been doing some work and borrowing some money to make this happen and am trying to keep below/around 800$, but am willing to go higher if it's worth it. I'm hoping whatever I get will last for at least 3 to 4 years, longer would be nice.
This laptop will mostly used for programming/schoolwork. I like to work with multiple windows opened and am often switching between Visual Studio/Notepad++, FTP/SSH, Multiple browser tabs and other things(music, etc.) I've tried this on my brothers laptop which has 2 GB of Ram and ULV I3 @ 1.2Ghz and had some issues. Now this may be just a memory problem but it makes me lean towards getting something more powerful than a ULV processor.
I would also like a laptop that has support for OpenGL 4.0+ since I do some work with GLSL for school, the big thing this impacts is no Intel HD 3K, although the 4000 supports it.
So here is a list of laptops I've been looking at, I've included some that don't meet my exact criteria for anyone else who might be looking for something similar. I've mostly been leaning towards thinkpads because of their durability and reputation.
Thinkpad T430s:
14" Laptop At 3.8~Lbs
Available for 800$ on the lenovo site through the Barnes&Nobles Portal.
I5 3210 Up to 3.1Ghz, Nvidia NVS 5200M/IntelHD4000 Optimus, TN 1600x900 Panel
4 Gb Ram, 320GB 7.2K RPM HDD, 6Cell Battery (5 Hours Life), Intel Advanced-N 6205
So far this is my favorite, it's pretty light, has a 1600x900 screen, and is a manageable 14".
I believe the graphics are switcheable, although I don't think there is too much difference between the HD 4000 and NVS 5200. Is 4-5 Hours a accurate prediction of battery life? And I plan to upgrade to 8GB of RAM. Also, I've heard that you can pick up expansion batteries for cheap on Ebay, it this true and is it a good idea?
Thinkpad T420s:
14" at 3.8~Lbs
Available for 690$ on the Lenovo Outlet, Similar stats to the above, except I52520M abd a NV Quadro 4200M(No Optimus switching?)
I'm listing this one since it seems like an excellent price, although the possible loss of Optimus and battery life. Along with the (slightly) slower and more powerhungry 2nd gen i5 make me a little wary. Thoughts? (Will Upgrade RAM/eBay Bay Battery/etc.)
Thinkpad X230:
732$ on Barnes/Nobles Portal
12" at 2.5-3Lbs
I5 3210 3.1ghz HD 4000 12.5" IPS 1366x768
4GB Ram, 9Cell Battery (9 Hours Life?!), Advanced N 6205
Although the screen size turns me off, the battery life and IPS display certainly make me interested again. It's ultra low weight is also great. What I'm most concrened with is the size as mentioned, what do you guys think about 1366x768 compared to 1600x900, especially when it comes to workflow?
ThinkPad X230 Tablet/Laptop:
1087$ Lenovo Barnes/Nobles
12" at 3.9Lbs
I5 3320M, HD 4000, Touch Screen 1366x768
320 GB 7.2K RPM HDD, 4GB Ram, Advanced N 6205
6CellBattery 5Hrs? BatteryLife
There is an I3 ULV Version for 1k~ but I'm leaning away from it.
I tossed this in for the novelty of a tablet machine, although interesting, it's nothing I overly want right now.
About all the Thinkpads, What do you fellows think of 80$ for the 3 year warranty? I'm slightly interested after my old laptop fell apart on me, but I hope the supposedly better Thinkpad build makes it unimportant.
Some other non-thinkpad options for others interested.
Samsung Series 9:
1,200$ Amazon
13" at < 3Lbs
ULV I5 1.7GHZ, 1600x900 screen Intel HD4k
128GB SSD, 4GB Ram
9 hours battery life
800$ Version has a 1.4GHZ ULV I5 and Intel HD3000
These are soom beautiful machines that I've seen around campus and would love to have one, but are a bit too expensive. The inability to add RAM and the ULV processor kills it for me. But these are some extremely capable machines for those willing to fork over the money.
Macbook Pro:
1,200$ Mac Store
13" at < 4Lbs
2.5Ghz I5(Gen3), HD4000, 4 Gb Ram
500GB 5.4K HDD, 7 Hours Battery Life
1280x800 Screen
The screen resolution and HDD make this a very poor deal compared to the Samsung Series 9, which also looks weighs less and looks better IMO.
1,700$
Retina Display! 2560x1600 (Beautiful ;_; )
8GB Ram, 128GB SSD
The only one worth considering, but it's price puts it firmly out of my ball park and I'm sure a bit of that extra resolution is gonna be wasted on a 13" screen when it comes to workflow.
------------------------------
So there it all is, as you can see, I'm mostly interested in the T430s, comparing it to the 420s and X230. Although if you want to convince me to go for the Samsung or something else, go ahead.
Also, please let me know about any alternatives that come close to my criteria, I haven't really been checking into the market for a while so I don't know too much.
What I currently value the most is Portability, Price, And Screen Space. Ideally I would like a resolution of around 1600 so I can have two windows opened side by side comfortably, although 1366 can accomplish that sometimes. I want to have a battery life of at least 3-4 hours so I can get through classes with a little bit of charge time.
I'm a college student and don't exactly have too much money, I've been doing some work and borrowing some money to make this happen and am trying to keep below/around 800$, but am willing to go higher if it's worth it. I'm hoping whatever I get will last for at least 3 to 4 years, longer would be nice.
This laptop will mostly used for programming/schoolwork. I like to work with multiple windows opened and am often switching between Visual Studio/Notepad++, FTP/SSH, Multiple browser tabs and other things(music, etc.) I've tried this on my brothers laptop which has 2 GB of Ram and ULV I3 @ 1.2Ghz and had some issues. Now this may be just a memory problem but it makes me lean towards getting something more powerful than a ULV processor.
I would also like a laptop that has support for OpenGL 4.0+ since I do some work with GLSL for school, the big thing this impacts is no Intel HD 3K, although the 4000 supports it.
So here is a list of laptops I've been looking at, I've included some that don't meet my exact criteria for anyone else who might be looking for something similar. I've mostly been leaning towards thinkpads because of their durability and reputation.
Thinkpad T430s:
14" Laptop At 3.8~Lbs
Available for 800$ on the lenovo site through the Barnes&Nobles Portal.
I5 3210 Up to 3.1Ghz, Nvidia NVS 5200M/IntelHD4000 Optimus, TN 1600x900 Panel
4 Gb Ram, 320GB 7.2K RPM HDD, 6Cell Battery (5 Hours Life), Intel Advanced-N 6205
So far this is my favorite, it's pretty light, has a 1600x900 screen, and is a manageable 14".
I believe the graphics are switcheable, although I don't think there is too much difference between the HD 4000 and NVS 5200. Is 4-5 Hours a accurate prediction of battery life? And I plan to upgrade to 8GB of RAM. Also, I've heard that you can pick up expansion batteries for cheap on Ebay, it this true and is it a good idea?
Thinkpad T420s:
14" at 3.8~Lbs
Available for 690$ on the Lenovo Outlet, Similar stats to the above, except I52520M abd a NV Quadro 4200M(No Optimus switching?)
I'm listing this one since it seems like an excellent price, although the possible loss of Optimus and battery life. Along with the (slightly) slower and more powerhungry 2nd gen i5 make me a little wary. Thoughts? (Will Upgrade RAM/eBay Bay Battery/etc.)
Thinkpad X230:
732$ on Barnes/Nobles Portal
12" at 2.5-3Lbs
I5 3210 3.1ghz HD 4000 12.5" IPS 1366x768
4GB Ram, 9Cell Battery (9 Hours Life?!), Advanced N 6205
Although the screen size turns me off, the battery life and IPS display certainly make me interested again. It's ultra low weight is also great. What I'm most concrened with is the size as mentioned, what do you guys think about 1366x768 compared to 1600x900, especially when it comes to workflow?
ThinkPad X230 Tablet/Laptop:
1087$ Lenovo Barnes/Nobles
12" at 3.9Lbs
I5 3320M, HD 4000, Touch Screen 1366x768
320 GB 7.2K RPM HDD, 4GB Ram, Advanced N 6205
6CellBattery 5Hrs? BatteryLife
There is an I3 ULV Version for 1k~ but I'm leaning away from it.
I tossed this in for the novelty of a tablet machine, although interesting, it's nothing I overly want right now.
About all the Thinkpads, What do you fellows think of 80$ for the 3 year warranty? I'm slightly interested after my old laptop fell apart on me, but I hope the supposedly better Thinkpad build makes it unimportant.
Some other non-thinkpad options for others interested.
Samsung Series 9:
1,200$ Amazon
13" at < 3Lbs
ULV I5 1.7GHZ, 1600x900 screen Intel HD4k
128GB SSD, 4GB Ram
9 hours battery life
800$ Version has a 1.4GHZ ULV I5 and Intel HD3000
These are soom beautiful machines that I've seen around campus and would love to have one, but are a bit too expensive. The inability to add RAM and the ULV processor kills it for me. But these are some extremely capable machines for those willing to fork over the money.
Macbook Pro:
1,200$ Mac Store
13" at < 4Lbs
2.5Ghz I5(Gen3), HD4000, 4 Gb Ram
500GB 5.4K HDD, 7 Hours Battery Life
1280x800 Screen
The screen resolution and HDD make this a very poor deal compared to the Samsung Series 9, which also looks weighs less and looks better IMO.
1,700$
Retina Display! 2560x1600 (Beautiful ;_; )
8GB Ram, 128GB SSD
The only one worth considering, but it's price puts it firmly out of my ball park and I'm sure a bit of that extra resolution is gonna be wasted on a 13" screen when it comes to workflow.
------------------------------
So there it all is, as you can see, I'm mostly interested in the T430s, comparing it to the 420s and X230. Although if you want to convince me to go for the Samsung or something else, go ahead.
Also, please let me know about any alternatives that come close to my criteria, I haven't really been checking into the market for a while so I don't know too much.
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