Thinking of buying a new laptop

[oeuvre]

Hi, I sold my W530 (mostly cause it was a PITA for a grad student to carry around with the 170W adapter. I ended up taking my T61p to school instead after a while).

The T61p would work for now, but I'd prefer to do my video editing and game design on a newer machine. I'd prefer an i7 and at least 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD as well. FHD or better resolution is an absolute must (but I really, honestly prefer 4:3 or 16:10 than those). I know my options are limited with a budget of $1100 USD. Even a Frankenpad would work, but honestly not sure if they can get much better than my T61p (1920x1200, 4GB RAM, T7700).

I went to a few stores like Best Buy and Micro-Center to check out laptops... and was disgusted by almost all of them (even the new Lenovos). The new ThinkPads lost their solid build quality and just seem like any other ordinary laptop nowadays. The Acers, Toshibas, HPs, Dells, Asus, etc. all had terrible build quality and felt very cheap... and had gimmicky features (would have i7, SSD but then small resolution, etc.).

The ONLY machine I liked was the Samsung ATiV Book 9 Plus, which is definitely oeuvre my budget. But at the same time I strongly prefer Windows 7 and hate touchscreen on a laptop. I'm not a fan of the rMBP cause it's a bit of a pain to use in Bootcamp and I hate the keyboard layout in Windows. I know I'm being finicky, but years of using ThinkPads really spoil you. Anyone know of a good solution or should I just keep my T61p truckin' for now? Thanks a lot.

[RealBlackStuff]

How about a REAL T601FL Frankenpad ?
15" T60 chassis with T61 motherboard, 15" (1600x1200) 4:3 IPS screen with LED-backlight ex-factory, 8GB RAM and T9500 CPU?
PM me if interested.

[pianowizard]

Did you check out the laptops at J&R Music World before it was closed for good several weeks ago? It had many more laptops than either Best Buy or Micro Center, especially business-class ones. Most laptops at Micro Center and virtually all of those at Best Buy are crappy consumer-class models. Since you value build quality, you need to look into the T-, W- and X-series Thinkpads, Dell's Precisions and Latitudes (but not the "value" or "mainstream" Latitudes), HP's EliteBooks, and Panasonic's Toughbooks.

[oeuvre]

Thanks for the T60/61 Frankenpad offer... my T61p has 1920x1200 res, T7700, and 4GB RAM so I think that's sufficient.

Didn't get a chance to visit J&R before they closed. I refuse to buy any of the newer ThinkPad ones; I've seen some of them in person from classmates. The Elitebooks and Toughbooks are too expensive. I like the Precisions more than the Latitudes but they too are expensive. May look for them preowned instead.

[ajkula66]

I'd prefer an i7 and at least 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD as well. FHD or better resolution is an absolute must (but I really, honestly prefer 4:3 or 16:10 than those). I know my options are limited with a budget of $1100 USD.

Well, anything decent that you'd find wouldn't be any less bulky than your former W530...

Even a Frankenpad would work, but honestly not sure if they can get much better than my T61p (1920x1200, 4GB RAM, T7700).

Where a FrankenPad with a LED screen wins is the beauty of the screen itself...along with the fact that it's 4:3.

I know I'm being finicky, but years of using ThinkPads really spoil you. Anyone know of a good solution or should I just keep my T61p truckin' for now? Thanks a lot.

There is no perfect solution, as many of us have found out over the course of years. You'll have to give up something.

What is entirely up to you.

[oeuvre]

A perfect solution would somehow be an i7 with 8GB RAM and dedicated gfx squeezed into a T60 body. DAT KEYBOARD. UltraNav has also spoiled me. I might just pocket the money for now.

[unix_joe]

http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/04/irl- ... ion-m3800/ seems to meet your specs, but it is twice your current budget.

I would pocket the $$$, add a little bit to the envelope every few weeks, and meet somewhere in the middle 6-8 months from now when the price drops.

[oeuvre]

Honestly, maybe I'll keep my T61p and get a 128GB SSD for it. My only gripe is that the NVIDIA chip might explode on me (dated December 07) but fingers crossed.

[Cigarguy]

Honestly, maybe I'll keep my T61p and get a 128GB SSD for it. My only gripe is that the NVIDIA chip might explode on me (dated December 07) but fingers crossed.

So....you have this for about 7 years now and it have not died yet. In computing life that is a long long time. Why stress over it? When it dies, eventually it will, just replace it. In the mean time just enjoy it, use it and abuse it. Do you have a car that is 7 years old? If you do when will the motor, transmission or who know what else can break down on you. Do you stress out about it? How much is a car worth vs a $100ish laptop?

Having said that a SSD is a worthwhile upgrade. If and when my T61 NV140 die on me, I got 2 more as backup. A simple SSD and HDD in Ultrabay swap is fast and simple to do.

[Temetka]

I have owned Latitudes and Precisions.

I haven't seen anything with a 16:10 15+ LCD that was note a C2D machine in a while.

That being said I am using a Latitude E6520 and if you get the FHD+ LCD it should easily handle your needs. Quad core i7, Nvidia GPU, SSD, backlit keyboard. I love my machine. Or you could pick up a used M4500, slap an mSATA SSD in it for boot and a 1TB in the optical bay and be good to go. They can handle quad i7, 16GB RAM, etc. I've owned several and they are very good machines.

That being said my T410 should arrive soon and it will become my primary work computer mainly because as an IT consultant carrying around such a beast become a chore and my D630 could use a speed boost in terms of CPU. Otherwise it would be my primary machine. I use it everyday and love it very much.

[oeuvre]

Bought a Crucial MX100 128GB for $70 here. SOON.

[pianowizard]

The Elitebooks and Toughbooks are too expensive. I like the Precisions more than the Latitudes but they too are expensive.

I can't believe that I forgot to mention the Dell Business Outlet. Their normal prices are just okay, but keep in mind that the Precisions and the high-end Latitudes come with 3 years of warranty, and there are 20% off, 25% off or even 30% off coupon codes pretty much once a week.

BTW, I encourage you to have an open mind regarding touchscreens. I have found that under many circumstances, it dramatically speeds up my interaction with the computer. Also, having an additional input interface helps me avoid repetitive strain injury. Touchscreen (plus mechanical keyboard and regular mouse, of course) is the future.

[oeuvre]

Mechanical keyboards... BACK TO THE FUTURE!

Typed on my IBM Model M

[pianowizard]

Mechanical keyboards... BACK TO THE FUTURE!

I think you were just joking, but in case you really misunderstood me, let me explain what I meant. There are people (mostly non-touch-typists) who think virtual keyboards are the future, and think physical keyboards are getting obsolete. Even Thinkpads, which have traditionally had the best laptop keyboards, have started to replaced the F* keys with virtual keys. So, when I said "touchscreens are the future", I didn't want to imply that I also wanted to replace mechanical keyboards with virtual keyboards. Hence, I added "plus mechanical keyboard and regular mouse, of course".

[oeuvre]

Ah, I thought you meant just mechanical keyboards, not all physical ones.

[oeuvre]

Gonna bump this. What do you guys think of the Dell Latitude E7440 and the HP ZBook 14? Thanks.

[ZaZ]

I like the E7440 a lot including its 1080p matte screen and point stick with real buttons, but I've heard the keyboard is sub par and the stick is not ThinkPad like. I've also heard fan is noisy for some.

The ZBook looks nice, but the lack of a center button is a no-go for me. As always with HP, price is a factor.

I can't decide whether I want to upgrade. I like my X220 a lot and it offers more performance than I'll need for the foreseeable future. Scrolling on the stick is so easy. On the other had, I don't really need the mobility a X series offers and wouldn't mind a bit more resolution as I'm couch surfing. Touch and the associated glare, which I personally hate on notebooks, seems to come with almost every notebook sold these days. Even if were to get something newer, it's going to cost a good chunk of change. I don't use my notebook a ton and I got for $500. Plus I've got all the extras for X220 like bag, adapters, sleeve, etc. So as you can see, I'm thoroughly confused.

[pianowizard]

Gonna bump this. What do you guys think of the Dell Latitude E7440 and the HP ZBook 14? Thanks.

Considering your budget, I recommend getting something from the previous generation from either the Dell Business Outlet or the Lenovo Outlet. An advantage of the Dell Business Outlet is that all Precisions and the high-end Latitudes are sold with 3-year warranty by default. Also, at least once a month, the Dell Business Outlet offers coupons that take 15 to 30 % off -- check https://twitter.com/DellOutlet . The downside of laptops from the previous generation is that there were fewer 14-inch ultrabooks, which you seem to be quite interested in.

Since you aren't restricting yourself to Thinkpads, you may also want to seek advice on forum.notebookreview.com . You would get a lot more feedback, though some of the members over there are extremely biased.

[oeuvre]

I like the E7440 a lot including its 1080p matte screen and point stick with real buttons, but I've heard the keyboard is sub par and the stick is not ThinkPad like. I've also heard fan is noisy for some.

The ZBook looks nice, but the lack of a center button is a no-go for me. As always with HP, price is a factor.

I can't decide whether I want to upgrade. I like my X220 a lot and it offers more performance than I'll need for the foreseeable future. Scrolling on the stick is so easy. On the other had, I don't really need the mobility a X series offers and wouldn't mind a bit more resolution as I'm couch surfing. Touch and the associated glare, which I personally hate on notebooks, seems to come with almost every notebook sold these days. Even if were to get something newer, it's going to cost a good chunk of change. I don't use my notebook a ton and I got for $500. Plus I've got all the extras for X220 like bag, adapters, sleeve, etc. So as you can see, I'm thoroughly confused.

Yeah I read the same thing about the keyboard on the E7440. It looks pretty decent otherwise.

You could always get a T6x or newer T series machine if you want something with a bigger resolution.

Thanks for the Dell Outlets suggestion. I'll also post on the forum you suggested.

[unix_joe]

Yeah I read the same thing about the keyboard on the E7440. It looks pretty decent otherwise.

E7440 is a nice laptop minus the flimsy keyboard (played with one in MicroCenter). I thought it was just me, but all of the reviews indicate the same problem. Some have noticed that the non-backlit keyboard seems sturdier, but I would just wait for the next iteration.

[oeuvre]

Thanks jdk. I actually went with the HP Zbook 14 and am quite happy with it so far. My only gripe is that it is a fingerprint magnet.

[ZaZ]

You could always get a T6x or newer T series machine if you want something with a bigger resolution.

Only the newer T440 and T540 offer IPS, and I won't do without it. The improved(note sarcasm here) trackpoint setup means I won't spend $1000+ without at least trying one, but haven't seen one yet. It's too bad as a T440p with FHD IPS is very appealing to me.

[killer]

About 6 weeks ago I changed from a T510i to a T540p. The display is beautifully clear and precise (2880 x 1620). As I use a Bluetooth mouse it doesn't bother me that the keyboard and trackpad have been modified from what was a better arrangement on the T510. The new machine is quiet, well-built and works perfectly for my needs.