Laptop recommendations

[hibadelic]

I'm buying a new work laptop and looking for recommendations. Looking for something portable, good performance (I use software which requires decent ram), light, decent screen but generally fairly open to suggestions.

I'd love a Mac but I know it's going to be problematic, plus my budget is around a grand.

My current work laptop is an HP EliteBook which I've found to be a pain in the arse.

Anyone got anything decent?

 

[aggie]

I bought a MacBook Air about six years ago, and it's easily the best computer I've ever had. Not had one single problem. Mind you, I don't have to do any "special configurations" or any of that shit. Lighter than a thick book; fits in ma bag; forgotten what a virus/virus software even is. Sorted.


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[stairways_second_coming]

I'm buying a new work laptop and looking for recommendations. Looking for something portable, good performance (I use software which requires decent ram), light, decent screen but generally fairly open to suggestions.

I'd love a Mac but I know it's going to be problematic, plus my budget is around a grand.

My current work laptop is an HP EliteBook which I've found to be a pain in the arse.

Anyone got anything decent?

I usually trust tech radar for phones and laptops

Here's there reviews for under a grand. personally wouldn't think you would have to spend near that for a good powerful laptop with how much they have developed in last few years

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361

 

[hibadelic]

I bought a MacBook Air about six years ago, and it's easily the best computer I've ever had. Not had one single problem. Mind you, I don't have to do any "special configurations" or any of that $#@!. Lighter than a thick book; fits in ma bag; forgotten what a virus/virus software even is. Sorted.


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Do you use it to join VPNs, email exchanges and other work type stuff? My concern with a Mac is that if everyone in the office uses PCs, it's just asking for trouble if I need support at some point. I also use quite a lot of specialist software that isn't necessarily available for macs.

 

[hibadelic]

I usually trust tech radar for phones and laptops

Here's there reviews for under a grand. personally wouldn't think you would have to spend near that for a good powerful laptop with how much they have developed in last few years

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361

Nice one, cheers D. It's not my money so happy to pay more for better spec ;-)

 

[aggie]

Do you use it to join VPNs, email exchanges and other work type stuff? My concern with a Mac is that if everyone in the office uses PCs, it's just asking for trouble if I need support at some point. I also use quite a lot of specialist software that isn't necessarily available for macs.

I'm at the university like, so if VPN means like the network there and Internet and stuff, then aye. I'm no computer specialist, which is probably why it's awesome for me. I believe those that want/need to customise loads of things don't like them; but for folk like me who just write and research most of the time, they're great.

Plus, when you open them, bing! - they're ready. None of this waiting for hours while the boot up or "configure updates" or other such bollocks.


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[egb_hibs]

I'm buying a new work laptop and looking for recommendations. Looking for something portable, good performance (I use software which requires decent ram), light, decent screen but generally fairly open to suggestions.

I'd love a Mac but I know it's going to be problematic, plus my budget is around a grand.

My current work laptop is an HP EliteBook which I've found to be a pain in the arse.

Anyone got anything decent?

Why would a Mac be problematic? You'll get a Mac book air for your budget and albeit they're expensive they're the best laptop going IMHO, especially if you use it on the move.

Edit - read your follow up; should be no problem, but run Windows as dual boot or in a vm if you need to. Or Linux.

 

[hibadelic]

Why would a Mac be problematic? You'll get a Mac book air for your budget and albeit they're expensive they're the best laptop going IMHO, especially if you use it on the move.

Edit - read your follow up; should be no problem, but run Windows as dual boot or in a vm if you need to.

A couple of reasons on my next post but they might not be problems, just potential ones.

I'm pretty swayed by the XPS 13 by Dell which is #1 on Stairway's link. Seems to be the Windows version of a MacBook Air. Turns out that's also the one my bosses are considering....

 

[egb_hibs]

A couple of reasons on my next post but they might not be problems, just potential ones.

I'm pretty swayed by the XPS 13 by Dell which is #1 on Stairway's link. Seems to be the Windows version of a MacBook Air. Turns out that's also the one my bosses are considering....

How do you get your work stuff on a personal laptop? depending on how that's done you might have no issues using Mac OS. I don't know how I got this impression but I thought you did something creative in the digital world - if so, all the media / art tools were traditionally better on Mac, no? If you are in fact an accountant, I apologise in advance :coffee:

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Xp13 looks good ... But it still runs Windows

 

[hibadelic]

How do you get your work stuff on a personal laptop? depending on how that's done you might have no issues using Mac OS. I don't know how I got this impression but I thought you did something creative in the digital world - if so, all the media / art tools were traditionally better on Mac, no? If you are in fact an accountant, I apologise in advance :coffee:

- - - Updated - - -

Xp13 looks good ... But it still runs Windows

Pretty much about half way between accountant and creative. I'm in digital marketing and my role borders on analysis, tech and creative. My job is not the actual creation of assets though so no real benefit from a Mac there (if indeed there actually is one - my theory is creatives just like nicer looking computers ;-)

I'm not against macs though, I just feel that for the same money you can generally get a better pc.

 

[gun ainm]

Pretty much about half way between accountant and creative. I'm in digital marketing and my role borders on analysis, tech and creative. My job is not the actual creation of assets though so no real benefit from a Mac there (if indeed there actually is one - my theory is creatives just like nicer looking computers ;-)

I'm not against macs though, I just feel that for the same money you can generally get a better pc.

probably true if you look at the hardware spec per pound spent but its the software that makes the machine these days I think....ideally stick osx on a dell or somesuch but thats complex. compromise fork out for the mac imho

 

[hibadelic]

I must admit I hadn't really been considering a Mac but I have now thought it through and I think I'll stick with a PC. Whilst technically, I agree a Mac can do anything a PC can, I'd have to find various Mac alternatives to software which I already have, plus I'm not sure what the state of Excel, Word etc. is on the Mac but I definitely need those.

I know I could dual boot and that's not beyond my capabilities but it seems a bit daft when I could have a more powerful computer with a single operating system. Having spoken to the Mac users in my current workplace, their biggest gripe is stuff not working (network drives, virtual machines, exchange problems) and the IT support not really knowing how to fix the problems. As I'm moving to a new company, I've no idea what their infrastructure or support is like, so best to play it safe.

So, probably going to go for the Dell. Thanks for all input :-)

 

[Jack]

Do folk not just decide a budget then compare the kit that's available at that price then buy the one with most bells and whistles?

 

[egb_hibs]

I must admit I hadn't really been considering a Mac but I have now thought it through and I think I'll stick with a PC. Whilst technically, I agree a Mac can do anything a PC can, I'd have to find various Mac alternatives to software which I already have, plus I'm not sure what the state of Excel, Word etc. is on the Mac but I definitely need those.

I know I could dual boot and that's not beyond my capabilities but it seems a bit daft when I could have a more powerful computer with a single operating system. Having spoken to the Mac users in my current workplace, their biggest gripe is stuff not working (network drives, virtual machines, exchange problems) and the IT support not really knowing how to fix the problems. As I'm moving to a new company, I've no idea what their infrastructure or support is like, so best to play it safe.

So, probably going to go for the Dell. Thanks for all input :-)

microsoft office is better on the Mac and pretty much always has been. Raw a machine power is a red herring and combination with software is key. Hard to beat the performance of a solid state Mac book air.

The subsequent stuff is very much salient though. If your environment cannot support you integrating a Mac with the ecosystem then it's not worth the bother unless you have a strong preference which you don't. Good luck with your new machine.

 

[aggie]

I must admit I hadn't really been considering a Mac but I have now thought it through and I think I'll stick with a PC. Whilst technically, I agree a Mac can do anything a PC can, I'd have to find various Mac alternatives to software which I already have, plus I'm not sure what the state of Excel, Word etc. is on the Mac but I definitely need those.

I know I could dual boot and that's not beyond my capabilities but it seems a bit daft when I could have a more powerful computer with a single operating system. Having spoken to the Mac users in my current workplace, their biggest gripe is stuff not working (network drives, virtual machines, exchange problems) and the IT support not really knowing how to fix the problems. As I'm moving to a new company, I've no idea what their infrastructure or support is like, so best to play it safe.

So, probably going to go for the Dell. Thanks for all input :-)

I use office for Mac; ie Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Never noticed any difference from using on my old Dell.

Eedge is right, though, if a Mac isnae compatible with the rest of your office in some way, then that kind of makes the decision for you.


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