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Thread ID: 127285	2012-10-15 07:42:00	Laptop Conundrum	SightedNZ (16919)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1306977	2012-10-16 06:34:00	Hi there, Processor: At least a 2.6GHz i7 RAM: 16GB HDD: Either a 512GB SSD or Dual HDD capability (for RAID 0) Screen: 15.6" (I don't want to go any larger), 1920x1080 preferred Style: The lighter and smaller the better Video Performance: Geforce 640m 2GB or better Now I have found 2 options: As you may have guessed, the first is a Macbook Pro with Retina Display. You can get a Macbook pro with a Retina display, but you'll only get your 512gb flash storage, no other HDD. The non-retina macbook pro will have room for another drive (iirc you can swap out the optical drive) but you won't get a 1080p screen. I feel like only so many tasks can be benefited by an SSD which is why I'd personally go with a ssd + hdd combo (in a desktop at least, don't know if I'd even bother with a laptop). SSD's are damn expensive and I personally don't think large ones are worth it. If money is no object and you can afford a 512gb SSD then go for it. Had a look at this? www.computerlounge.co.nz I doubt you'll find many options that aren't either dell, apple or alienware (is dell basically) that are in the 15" range with the specs you're after.	icow (15313)
1306978	2012-10-16 07:44:00	Thanks for all your advice guys. I know I'm an IT tech and it's odd I should be asking for suggestions but I've found that what I'm after simply isn't available in NZ for any sort of reasonable cost. Even moderately priced notebooks here have limited upgrade potential without throwing considerable sums of money at them to bring them up to spec. The one laptop I have found that is perfect for my needs can be custom built in the States. It's a International RTB warranty I know. But in saying this, I also know that the build quality and reliability will be superb. Check them out at ****	SightedNZ (16919)
1306979	2012-10-16 08:29:00	Three posts and a IT tech guy wanting advice then posting a link seems very much like a spammer to me.	mikebartnz (21)
1306980	2012-10-16 08:40:00	OP is far too literate to be a spammer.	icow (15313)
1306981	2012-10-16 08:45:00	Sorry if I gave that impression Mike but I am legitimately after a decent laptop. I posted out of frustration because I was having a hard time finding my close-to or perfect laptop. The Falcon thing was mentioned because I took a bit more initiative today and looked abroad. That brand from what I've read is one of the best (Known) in the world It's a pity more companies in NZ don't do custom builds like this. I suppose it's a pretty niche market and NZ has a low population so business would suck.	SightedNZ (16919)
1306982	2012-10-16 10:00:00	Sorry if I gave that impression Mike but I am legitimately after a decent laptop. I posted out of frustration because I was having a hard time finding my close-to or perfect laptop. The Falcon thing was mentioned because I took a bit more initiative today and looked abroad. That brand from what I've read is one of the best (Known) in the world It's a pity more companies in NZ don't do custom builds like this. I suppose it's a pretty niche market and NZ has a low population so business would suck. Sorry about that then.	mikebartnz (21)
1306983	2012-10-16 11:56:00	Most Kiwis are the same as you: Want everything, don't want to pay anything Laptops can't really be upgraded for the better part beyond replacing the standard HDD (Perhaps with a bigger one, or SSD) and then there's the likes of the RAM. Otherwise, you're stuck with the CPU, GPU, motherboard, screen etc. Maybe if you're lucky there's a mini-PCI slot you can muck about with. Processor: At least a 2.6GHz i7 Why? What are you running? Will a 2.5Ghz i7 really not suffice? RAM: 16GB Geez son you're either doing a ton of video editing or running a LOT of VMs on that system! HDD: Either a 512GB SSD or Dual HDD capability (for RAID 0) Seriously? 2x HDDs for RAID in a "Light and portable" laptop? Not gonna happen. Looking at most mid-range laptops, they're around 3KGs. Larger more powerful ones can still weigh significantly more. Macbook Air? 1KG. Or something like the Acer Aspire S3, same weight. That's portable. Also, GNS3 doesn't need much requirements at all, so focus purely on the VM's you're *actually* going to use. You MAY be better off splitting your investment, getting something small light and portable to use "on the road" and having a Desktop PC at home that's basically just a dumb box with a couple of larger HDDs, a ton of RAM and a decent CPU. Then, remotely connect to it over the internet when you need to do your studies. That way you can also properly virtualize them too using something like VMWare or Hyper-V if you're into Windows VMs. Coz otherwise if you're trying to run a couple of server VMs outta VirtualBox, they're not gonna run anywhere near as fast as they could on a spare PC that's properly virtualizing them...	Chilling_Silence (9)
1306984	2012-10-25 03:56:00	Most Kiwis are the same as you: Want everything, don't want to pay anything Sorry, been on Holiday. This is a bit unfair given that I AM prepared to spend the $$$ As mentioned, NZ doesn't have the extended range of notebooks that are available offshore. Thats my problem and has been been made perfectly obvious in this thread by the lack of thoughtful responses (The Error guy, you are the exception here of course, thanks for your suggestion). My query was genuine and didn't deserve the negative feedback it got. Are these the sorts of responses I can expect from the PC World forums? Thanks anyway	SightedNZ (16919)
1306985	2012-10-25 04:03:00	More likely to get a decent answer on Geekzone to be honest. No need for the holier-than-thou attitude you have got here. More people actually in the business over there too.	Alex B (15479)
1306986	2012-10-25 04:15:00	Have you considered one of Dell's Precision Workstation models? My testing of them (when I was in Australia, haven't had one to try out since I came to NZ) found them to be robust and powerful, but they use Firepro or Quadro graphics, so not ideal for gaming. Otherwise, MacBook Pro would be my rec. Lenovo make really solid laptops, but the workstation models are pricey (though it's worth customising as much as possible on their website, too).	Zara Baxter (16260)
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