# Want to help me pick out a new laptop? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919 "2017-05-05T15:40:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/1 "2017-05-05T15:40:13Z")
My old laptop is old enough that it came with Vista installed on it (which doesn’t feel that old, but I am assured is actually very old). I need it for work purposes, I’m in sales and end up using it at clients homes a lot of the time. The last laptop I got was a Dell, but I suspect that there are better options on the market now. So, what I use it for. 1. needs to be lightweight. I carry it around all day. My stuff is heavy enough. Still has to be somewhat durable though. It’s living in a satchel bag and a car. 2. must have a battery life that will last a whole work day. I am not frequently in a situation where I can charge mid day. 3. has to be a PC. Some of the business software I use regularly doesn’t work on a mac 4. doesn’t need to do anything other than run my business software and Internet. Theoretically a touch screen or something might help, but I think the tradeoff of battery life and weight is probably not worth it. I’m happy to sell out for portability and speed. Lots of ram, decent hard drive space, light and a good battery and I don’t need anything else. I don’t play games or watch movies or anything on it. It’s 100% for work. The most it would need to do that’s not work is run Skype, which is still work. So, documents, pdfs, PowerPoint presentations, proprietary software, web apps, Skype. That’s it. 5. cheaper is better. It’s a write off but, I still have to buy it. I’m self employed, so I want to keep expenses as low as possible. This seems like it should be easy to find, but when I look I keep running into stiff that seems oriented for gaming or is otherwise unnecessary. What do you guys think? (when we are done maybe you can help me find a decent stand alone document scanner that isn’t part of a 3 in 1 and scans quickly multi page documents quickly) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/2 "2017-05-05T15:49:06Z")
Budget? ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/3 "2017-05-05T16:48:37Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Budget? 200-900 ish. Bang for the buck is important though. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/4 "2017-05-05T17:04:42Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > 1. needs to be lightweight. I carry it around all day. My stuff is heavy enough. Still has to be somewhat durable though. It’s living in a satchel bag and a car. Can you define “lightweight” in pounds? The Dell XPS 13 is very lightweight (less than 3 pounds) and I think otherwise fits all your requirements. Starts at $800. It’s generally reviewed as the best Windows “ultrabook” (basically a category competing with the Macbook Air). I’ve also heard good things about Asus Zenbooks, which are a bit less expensive. If you’re willing to go a bit heavier (and/or want a bigger screen/cheaper), The Wirecutter recommends the Acer Aspire E5-575G-53VG, which Amazon is selling for $650. If you want something for less than $600 or so, you might want to consider a 1-year old used model. Anything sold new for less than that is likely crap. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/5 "2017-05-05T17:12:47Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > 1. needs to be lightweight. I carry it around all day. My stuff is heavy enough. Still has to be somewhat durable though. It’s living in a satchel bag and a car. > > 2. must have a battery life that will last a whole work day. I am not frequently in a situation where I can charge mid day. By a whole work day, are you looking for a computer that can be used for eight hours? Or is a good chunk of your workday spent traveling, when the computer can be shut down or in hibernation? Because batteries that can last eight hours aren’t going to be very light. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/6 "2017-05-05T17:35:47Z")
The “whole day without recharging” is by far the most difficult requirement to meet, especially if you also want light weight _and_ \<$900 price tag. Even if your workday is 8 hours, you really need a laptop with a rated/claimed battery life of 10 hours or longer. That’s not at all common. And what do you mean by lots of RAM and decent hard drive space? Is a 256GB SSD enough, or do you need 512 GB, or more?? You also didn’t say how large a screen you want, is a 12-inch enough or do you really need \>14 inch? The LG Gram 15 (2017 model) is 15.6", 2.5 lb and has a claimed battery life of 12.5 hours, but sells for $1200. That’s the closest I can think of. Though I seem to recall reading some reviewers found the battery life to be quite a bit shorter than advertised, so it’s worth checking several reviews. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/7 "2017-05-05T17:45:25Z")
On second thought, I think **iamthewalrus(:3=** is right to recommend the XPS 13 - as long as you choose the model with a FHD (1080p) display and **without** touchscreen. The optional high-resolution screen and touchscreen both reduce the battery life quite a bit. eta: Again it also depends on disk space requirements. The low-end XPS-13 only has 128GB SSD. I glanced at the Dell page and it looks like the 256GB models start out at $1350? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/8 "2017-05-05T18:03:57Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > By a whole work day, are you looking for a computer that can be used for eight hours? Or is a good chunk of your workday spent traveling, when the computer can be shut down or in hibernation? Because batteries that can last eight hours aren’t going to be very light. Another idea; if you’re spending enough time driving between customers’ homes, can you plug in the computer to the cigarette lighter so it can recharge? You might be able to leave it in your computer bag and just run a cable from the dash to the open bag. ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/9 "2017-05-05T18:25:21Z")
May I hijack this thread and request recommends for a cheap Windows PC (about £500 or $600 or so) with a really good keyboard? My 3 year old Lenovo is showing its teeth and has always annoyed me with its quirks, but the keyboard is utterly shocking. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/10 "2017-05-05T18:34:26Z")
I assume, by your use of the £ symbol that you’re in the UK. I also assume you’re looking for a notebook computer. Because in the US, Microsoft has retail stores and they have a variety of notebook models from various manufacturers, and they’re on display, so you can try out the keyboards on them. And the Best Buy retail chain here also has a variety of notebook models on display, again so you can try the keyboards. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/11 "2017-05-05T18:45:18Z")
For what it is worth. I really like my XPS 13. I however have the touch screen and high resolution display that scr recommends against. I have a Lenovo T460 for work that I like as well. However both of these are probably more than the $900 that the OP wants to spend. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/12 "2017-05-05T19:01:37Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > By a whole work day, are you looking for a computer that can be used for eight hours? Or is a good chunk of your workday spent traveling, when the computer can be shut down or in hibernation? Because batteries that can last eight hours aren’t going to be very light. Realistically it would only need to be on for about 4 hours out of any 8 hours work day. If it can get 6 that would easily cover it. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/13 "2017-05-05T19:02:41Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Another idea; if you’re spending enough time driving between customers’ homes, can you plug in the computer to the cigarette lighter so it can recharge? You might be able to leave it in your computer bag and just run a cable from the dash to the open bag. Is that a viable option these days? I didn’t know that. That would work. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/14 "2017-05-05T19:10:51Z")
Yes. You can get a 12V inverter for any car with a cigarette lighter and some cars even have a built-inverter so there’s a 120V outlet available. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/15 "2017-05-05T19:33:49Z")
> [@Malden\_Capell](#): > > May I hijack this thread and request recommends for a cheap Windows PC (about £500 or $600 or so) with a really good keyboard? My 3 year old Lenovo is showing its teeth and has always annoyed me with its quirks, but the keyboard is utterly shocking. Keyboard quality & preference are very subjective. If that’s important, I think you need to go to a store and try many brands. Lenovo (esp. Thinkpad) usually does a good job though, in my opinion. I’m not very impressed with recent Dell laptop keyboards, but most people seem to like it OK. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/16 "2017-05-05T19:44:37Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > And what do you mean by lots of RAM and decent hard drive space? Is a 256GB SSD enough, or do you need 512 GB, or more?? You also didn’t say how large a screen you want, is a 12-inch enough or do you really need \>14 inch? Honestly, 256 would be more than I can possibly need. Most of my stuff is saved to an external drive, I just need enough to run all my software and that’s all transitioning to cloud based and web based too. It needs to be able to open up and run quickly, I feel like minimum specs are probably ok these days. It’s been 5 years since I computer shopped, things are probably fine. 12 inch may actually be better for portability purposes. ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/17 "2017-05-05T20:01:48Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Keyboard quality & preference are very subjective. If that’s important, I think you need to go to a store and try many brands. Lenovo (esp. Thinkpad) usually does a good job though, in my opinion. I’m not very impressed with recent Dell laptop keyboards, but most people seem to like it OK. Yeah, I suspect you’re right. I just watched a vid about Lenovo Thinkpads and it was pointed out that Lenovo’s mid- and high-end stuff is great, but their budget lines are garbage. Unfortunately my budget doesn’t get me much beyond garbage! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2017, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/18 "2017-05-05T20:40:10Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > It needs to be able to open up and run quickly An SSD drive gives you that in spades. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/19 "2017-05-06T02:44:39Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Is that a viable option these days? I didn’t know that. That would work. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Yes. You can get a 12V inverter for any car with a cigarette lighter and some cars even have a built-inverter so there’s a 120V outlet available. I have one that sits in the arm rest/console storage box. Got it at Pep Boys for about $40; they can be bought for even less. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/want-to-help-me-pick-out-a-new-laptop/785919/20 "2017-05-07T19:28:04Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > My old laptop is old enough that it came with Vista installed on it (which doesn’t feel that old, but I am assured is actually very old). > > I need it for work purposes, I’m in sales and end up using it at clients homes a lot of the time. The last laptop I got was a Dell, but I suspect that there are better options on the market now. > > So, what I use it for. > > 1. needs to be lightweight. I carry it around all day. My stuff is heavy enough. Still has to be somewhat durable though. It’s living in a satchel bag and a car. > > 2. must have a battery life that will last a whole work day. I am not frequently in a situation where I can charge mid day. > > 3. has to be a PC. Some of the business software I use regularly doesn’t work on a mac > > 4. doesn’t need to do anything other than run my business software and Internet. Theoretically a touch screen or something might help, but I think the tradeoff of battery life and weight is probably not worth it. I’m happy to sell out for portability and speed. Lots of ram, decent hard drive space, light and a good battery and I don’t need anything else. I don’t play games or watch movies or anything on it. It’s 100% for work. The most it would need to do that’s not work is run Skype, which is still work. So, documents, pdfs, PowerPoint presentations, proprietary software, web apps, Skype. That’s it. > > 5. cheaper is better. It’s a write off but, I still have to buy it. I’m self employed, so I want to keep expenses as low as possible. > This seems like it should be easy to find, but when I look I keep running into stiff that seems oriented for gaming or is otherwise unnecessary. > > What do you guys think? > > (when we are done maybe you can help me find a decent stand alone document scanner that isn’t part of a 3 in 1 and scans quickly multi page documents quickly) If you want another DeLL, maybe like [this ----------\>](http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetails/latitude-35x0-laptops/s003l357015usw10hd) Oar a maxed out [2in1](http://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/productdetails/latitude-13-3379-2-in-1-laptop/n005l337913us)