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Discussion in 'Technology' started by brownsgolf, Aug 21, 2013.

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  1. brownsgolf

    brownsgolf Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2007
    931
    Western PA
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    Dan
    #1 brownsgolf, Aug 21, 2013
    I'm looking at buying a new laptop and don't really know what's the best on the market anymore. My current one is a 3 year old Sony that weighs about 7 lbs and runs Window XP. Since I'm now walking about 1.25 miles to grad school with it daily, weight savings and battery life would be excellent.

    What I use mostly;
    Excel (including building macros)
    Word processing software
    Powerpoint
    Internet browsing

    I don't play any games or do any video/photo editing so I don't need anything too powerful.


    I'm hoping to keep the total price under $1,000, but I am flexible on that amount. Ideally under, but it is an integral part of what I have to do.
     
  2. TexasF355F1

    TexasF355F1 Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Feb 2, 2004
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    Jason
    #2 TexasF355F1, Aug 21, 2013
    In before the buy a Mac crowd jumps in.

    I bought a Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook last November and love it. It doesn't have a huge hd but I don't have much to store so I'm good with it.

    Assuming you want a Windows machine I would take a look at Samsung's line-up. Also, checkout Microsoft's store. I ordered mine I believe it was $200-$300 cheaper than I could find anyone online direct from them. And it didn't have any bloatware by ordering from them.

    Another recommendation is once you have narrowed your selection down, youtube reviews. That helped my decision.
     
  3. photonut

    photonut F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 16, 2007
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    Joel
    #3 photonut, Aug 21, 2013
    GET THE MACBOOK AIR.
    BEST 13 INCH LAPTOP IN IT'S WEIGHT/PRICE CLASS.
     
  4. brownsgolf

    brownsgolf Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2007
    931
    Western PA
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    Dan
    #4 brownsgolf, Aug 21, 2013
    I hadn't heard of the Microsoft store, I'm going to take a look at that. I really would prefer it to have a SSD, I can use my current computer and an external hard drive for music and such, this is really going to be solely a working machine.

    I'll take a look at the youtube reviews, hadn't thought of that route.

    Can I run Excel with Macros and VBA coding on the Macbook Air?? That and the budget is what has kept me from seriously looking at one.
     
  5. Nurburgringer

    Nurburgringer F1 World Champ

    Jan 3, 2009
    11,184
    Texass
    #5 Nurburgringer, Aug 22, 2013
    Be sure to get one with the latest Haswell processor. Improved battery life and a bit faster. Most LTs are still shipping with the previous gen processor but there are a number of the new ones already out for well under $1000, nicely equipped.
     
  6. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2003
    2,001
    Nicosia, Cyprus/Cali
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    Zacharias
    #6 Zack, Aug 22, 2013
    Yes, you can run macros and VB code. Buy used or buy with student discount or buy refurbed if cost is a consideration. Get the 3 year warranty.

    Once you go mac, you never go back. I have not had a single problem in 4 years with my mac book pro, and two years ago I got a mac book air. Typing this on my 13" mac book air. Love it, and no problems never ever ever on it either.

    I hear about this not booting and that crashing and this virus and that misconfiguration, etc., etc. and I just feel soooo good I have not had to spend time dealing with all that crap.

    There are regular software updates. And some require a reboot. That's it. No problems ever. And I run a ton of software.
     
  7. Gran Drewismo

    Gran Drewismo F1 Rookie

    Jan 24, 2005
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    #7 Gran Drewismo, Aug 22, 2013
    Buy a Mac and put Windows on it. I have one and it's the best Windows laptop I have ever had. Plus, if/when you take it in to the Apple Store for service you can watch the employees' heads explode when you tell them what you've done.
     
  8. Schimpf

    Schimpf Karting

    Jul 20, 2005
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    Schimpf
    #8 Schimpf, Aug 23, 2013
    had a white macbook that ran Windows like a champ (Visio to at that!). Didn't run anti virus (help the speed) since nothing but diagramming was done in the VM.

    also saw the forced obsolescence with updates...eventually the thing would overheat & underclock itself that Hulu was no longer playable. All Flash actually.

    Resale value was insane though!
     
  9. xku807

    xku807 Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2004
    338
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    John
    #9 xku807, Aug 26, 2013
    This. They also call the Haswell processor 4th-generation iCore. Ultrabooks (that's what they call lightweight laptops like the Mac Air these days) equipped with Haswell processors are only starting to become available.
     
  10. carguyjohn350

    carguyjohn350 F1 Rookie
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    #10 carguyjohn350, Aug 26, 2013
    This made me laugh. I have nowhere near the technical acumen to do this but the thought has crossed my mind.
     
  11. Gran Drewismo

    Gran Drewismo F1 Rookie

    Jan 24, 2005
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    #11 Gran Drewismo, Aug 26, 2013
    Yeah it's given me a laugh in person a couple times. One time I brought in a Mac Mini that had a failed hard drive. The Genius (or tech or whatever the person is) noticed Windows was on there. He acted like I just punched his cat.

    It's actually pretty easy. The Mac operating system has a program built-in called Bootcamp which has an easy to follow guide to add Windows to the MacBook. It's nice to have the best of both worlds.
     

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