#1 ·
Hey everyone, I could really use some help here...
I’ve done my homework as best as I can, but
I think I need some expert eyes on this to be sure...
Right now, my top contender is:
Surface Pro
- 1080p, touch
- i7-5500U 2.40GHz
- 8GB DDR3
- 256GB SSD
- Windows 8.1Pro-64
Is there anything better out there for a similar price? This one is sitting at $150.
Up until now, I've been narrowing my choices down to various ultrabooks:
- MacBook Air - I don't pay too much attention to specs, but this meets military standards and everything else about it seems top-tier; the only catch is it doesn't have a 360-degree hinge, just the standard 180.
- The Surface Laptop and other high-end models - they look stunning, but I worry they might be a bit too delicate.
- Dell XPS 13 - A fantastic all-rounder; it lacks the 180-degree hinge, but honestly, it's probably the best option.
- MacBook Pro 13 - I'm a little hesitant about the OS, plus it doesn't do the 180-degree flip, and upgrading memory gets pricey. However, I was really impressed by how smooth my iPad Air 2 felt, so that keeps the Mac in the running.
I've actually been using a massive 17.3" Dell for a while now, so I'm a little nervous about making the jump down to a 13" or 14" screen—I'm not entirely sure if I'll adjust easily.
My old machine weighed over 6 pounds, so I imagine moving to something around 4 pounds won't be a huge struggle, though I would certainly love something even lighter if a smart option exists...
Some reviews mention that the build quality on the Surface Pro isn't quite premium and that the keyboard backlight isn't particularly bright,
and I'm also weighing the weight against the size... maybe a 14" would be the sweet spot, but I'm undecided.
Just to clarify my needs—mostly Word, browsing, emails, movies, and maybe some light gaming during a two-week vacation, like Madden NFL 16.
The reason I'm leaning toward the Surface Pro is because it seems to bundle everything I'm looking for.
- Excellent battery life
- A solid screen (I don't need more than 1080p, but color accuracy matters, especially if I'm working in direct sunlight)
- Touch functionality with a 360-degree hinge, which is great for presentations—even if some people think it's just for show, I find it incredibly useful for sales pitches.
(Plus, it's pretty nice to use in 360 mode when I'm relaxing in bed at night)
- An SSD is a must, though I'd ideally love 512GB if possible!!!
- Backlit keyboard that feels very ergonomic...
- At least 8GB of RAM
- A very capable processor
- Warranty coverage?!
Price isn't my absolute priority since I plan on keeping this for several years, but I'm definitely not looking to drop $300 on a laptop.
So, that's the situation. Do you guys have any suggestions, or does this configuration look alright to you? I'm still quite new to all of this...
Thanks in advance!
I’ve done my homework as best as I can, but
I think I need some expert eyes on this to be sure...
Right now, my top contender is:
Surface Pro
- 1080p, touch
- i7-5500U 2.40GHz
- 8GB DDR3
- 256GB SSD
- Windows 8.1Pro-64
Is there anything better out there for a similar price? This one is sitting at $150.
Up until now, I've been narrowing my choices down to various ultrabooks:
- MacBook Air - I don't pay too much attention to specs, but this meets military standards and everything else about it seems top-tier; the only catch is it doesn't have a 360-degree hinge, just the standard 180.
- The Surface Laptop and other high-end models - they look stunning, but I worry they might be a bit too delicate.
- Dell XPS 13 - A fantastic all-rounder; it lacks the 180-degree hinge, but honestly, it's probably the best option.
- MacBook Pro 13 - I'm a little hesitant about the OS, plus it doesn't do the 180-degree flip, and upgrading memory gets pricey. However, I was really impressed by how smooth my iPad Air 2 felt, so that keeps the Mac in the running.
I've actually been using a massive 17.3" Dell for a while now, so I'm a little nervous about making the jump down to a 13" or 14" screen—I'm not entirely sure if I'll adjust easily.
My old machine weighed over 6 pounds, so I imagine moving to something around 4 pounds won't be a huge struggle, though I would certainly love something even lighter if a smart option exists...
Some reviews mention that the build quality on the Surface Pro isn't quite premium and that the keyboard backlight isn't particularly bright,
and I'm also weighing the weight against the size... maybe a 14" would be the sweet spot, but I'm undecided.
Just to clarify my needs—mostly Word, browsing, emails, movies, and maybe some light gaming during a two-week vacation, like Madden NFL 16.
The reason I'm leaning toward the Surface Pro is because it seems to bundle everything I'm looking for.
- Excellent battery life
- A solid screen (I don't need more than 1080p, but color accuracy matters, especially if I'm working in direct sunlight)
- Touch functionality with a 360-degree hinge, which is great for presentations—even if some people think it's just for show, I find it incredibly useful for sales pitches.
(Plus, it's pretty nice to use in 360 mode when I'm relaxing in bed at night)
- An SSD is a must, though I'd ideally love 512GB if possible!!!
- Backlit keyboard that feels very ergonomic...
- At least 8GB of RAM
- A very capable processor
- Warranty coverage?!
Price isn't my absolute priority since I plan on keeping this for several years, but I'm definitely not looking to drop $300 on a laptop.
So, that's the situation. Do you guys have any suggestions, or does this configuration look alright to you? I'm still quite new to all of this...
Thanks in advance!