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| Thread ID: 135447 | 2013-11-04 03:36:00 | 13.3" Business Laptop / Ultrabook | swazi (16894) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1358690 | 2013-11-04 21:19:00 | Does it need to have the ability to dock? If no the Lenovo X1 Carbon with 3 year warranty upgrade. Note you can spec them with Windows 7, but only Home Premium, no good if you have to join a company domain. Lenovo took over making endpoint gear that IBM used to make. shopap.lenovo.com Lots of other stuff posted here is just the consumer grade gear. |
Alex B (15479) | ||
| 1358691 | 2013-11-04 21:46:00 | Hi Alex B, good question about the need to dock. I have got a Docking Station for my current Sony laptop which works really well. However I know the Docking Station isn't compatible with current Sony's on the market which annoys me a bit. So I was thinking of going down the line of getting some sort of 3rd party universal docking station (presumably via USB?) that I would therefore be able to use on any laptop going forward. Presumably this is possible? Yeah, Home Premium is no good. What is the difference between consumer grade and business grade gear? Is it more than just marketing? On the Lenovo's I am not so sure I like the mouse buttons above the mouse pad or the joystick thing on the keyboard. But I guess I can overcome that in time... |
swazi (16894) | ||
| 1358692 | 2013-11-04 22:01:00 | Windows 8 home vs Pro windows.microsoft.com |
Webdevguy (17166) | ||
| 1358693 | 2013-11-04 22:13:00 | You could look at upgrading your existing Laptop, when you say it's getting a bit slow is it underpowered for newer software you're running or has it just slowed down over time due to bloat etc? If it's in good condition a modern SSD, a RAM upgrade if possible, and a fresh install of windows could make it feel like an entirely new machine. If the CPU is a bit weak then you're better of replacing the machine as you originally said. A great alternative to SSD's is the seagate hybrid drives which balance price, performance, and space quite nicely. |
dugimodo (138) | ||
| 1358694 | 2013-11-04 22:36:00 | Hi Alex B, good question about the need to dock. I have got a Docking Station for my current Sony laptop which works really well. However I know the Docking Station isn't compatible with current Sony's on the market which annoys me a bit. So I was thinking of going down the line of getting some sort of 3rd party universal docking station (presumably via USB?) that I would therefore be able to use on any laptop going forward. Presumably this is possible? Yeah, Home Premium is no good. What is the difference between consumer grade and business grade gear? Is it more than just marketing? On the Lenovo's I am not so sure I like the mouse buttons above the mousepad or the joystick thing on the keyboard. But I guess I can overcome that in time... USB docks exist, but my understanding is they are not as reliable as a proper dock. Home VS Business gear Business usually built to a higher standard, has pro versions of operating systems, much better warranty support, more likely to have the ability to use a proper docking station. The Lenovo X240, you can spec with Windows 7 Professional, an 3 year next day on site warranty, docking station and an SSD for about $2400. Yeah the mouse thing takes some getting used to, I quite like them. You don't have to use it, they have a standard track pad also. |
Alex B (15479) | ||
| 1358695 | 2013-11-07 00:34:00 | I've found the Toshiba USB3 Dynadock pretty reliable. Can be used with any brand too. | wratterus (105) | ||
| 1358696 | 2013-11-13 10:25:00 | How about another Sony Vaio? . playtech . co . nz/afa . asp?idWebPage=39235&CATID=511&ID=20823&SID=984252545&ref=pricespy" target="_blank">www . playtech . co . nz (can probably be found cheaper) It's pretty much the new Macbook without the "retina" display (1080p instead) and made by a company that isn't Apple . . . Love my Vaio Pro, it is amazingly light at 1 . 06kg, even compare to my Vaio Z at 1 . 49kg, makes a huge difference if you travel a lot; the 11" model only weighs 867g . Even with the sheet battery added, it is still lighter than the MBA . However, that does add to the profile, but it should give you enough juice for the longest flight across the world (VGP-BPS38 + VGP-BPSE38 Lithium-ion battery: up to 17 hours of use) . You can leave the sheet battery in your bag and only connect it up when you need the extra power . The Full HD 1920 x 1080 is gorgeous, it is not Retina level but it is 186 PPI vs MBA at 1440x900 / 127 . 68 PPI . The TouchScreen input is also a nice addition, even though I don't use the modern/metro interface much . The 13" model has much faster PCIe SSD instead of mSATA in the 11" model, Windows 8 boots in about 5 seconds from cold boot! As much as I love the Vaio Pro, it does have a few quirks which I have worked around now . Windows 8 is also not everyone's cup of tea, but I have worked out all the shortcut keys and pretty much use it like Windows7 . Never really use the Modern/Metro interface, pretty much work exclusively in Desktop mode, it is Windows 7 on steroid . For some unknown reason, Sony doesn't sell the 8GB model in NZ or Australia, you have to go to the ultra expensive Red Edition to get 8GB of RAM . I emailed and rung Sony a number of times b*tiching over the past few months, and I was told they have had lots of similar feedback . My partner walked into the Sony Store Wellington and found out they were bringing in some (i7/8GB/256GB) the following week and was told there were 3 in the country, so immediately ordered one before they sold out; they weren't even listed on their web site . Here is a review of the Vaio Pro . pcworld . com/article/2049120/sony-vaio-pro-13-review-this-audacious-ultrabook-is-guaranteed-to-get-you-noticed . html" target="_blank">www . pcworld . com While trying to get the VaioPro 8GB model, was considering the Samsung AtivBook 9 Plus, but they still have not arrived in NZ and from the look of it, they will only have the 4GB models with Full HD screen and not the ultra high res 3200 x 1800 models . |
Geek4414 (12000) | ||
| 1358697 | 2013-11-13 21:52:00 | Here is a review of the Vaio Pro www.pcworld.com I can only hope that the battery benchmark is intensive usage. |
icow (15313) | ||
| 1358698 | 2013-11-14 00:32:00 | I would recommend the Lenovo Carbons (X1 model) also. I just brought 4 of them and although it cost a little extra I got them with Win7 PRO 64bit Mine are not stock standard so the cost is $2429.86 each The nipple mouse thing can just be ignored, it has a full trackpad and buttons. Also ordered the ThinkPad USB 3.0 Dock for ANZ @ $189.18 |
DeSade (984) | ||
| 1358699 | 2013-11-14 01:00:00 | Thanks guys Watterus thanks, will check out that Lenovo range. Don't know much about them. Maybe I need to increase my budget a bit. What about these Samsung Series 9 laptops which seem to get top reviews (or is it just the Samsung buzz at the moment)? Nerdtastic, Webdevguy, whilst I do have a little bit of the "I don't want to consider anything with an "i" in front of it" mindset, the main reason is we have enough computer accessories lying around the office that I am already worried won't work when I upgrade to Win 8 let alone changing OS. Besides, I do a lot of travelling overseas with work and I very rarely (if ever) see Mac's in the workplace and when I need to plug into printers and projectors etc in far flung places it is far easier being mainstream. Cheers I wouldnt get Samsung series 9 myself, the last one i tried, the chassis was too flexy, the connectivity port were poorly located and the feel was just cheap! |
SolMiester (139) | ||
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