Working for myself, I try to keep major expenses to a minimum. Computer equipment falls into that category. But the time has come to refresh my laptop. And since many of you buy and support hardware I thought I'd turn to you for suggestions. I have some requirements and something of a short list but am open to suggestions.
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Right now, I use a Toshiba Qosmio when I speak at conferences or train. I originally bought it for the horsepower to run all of the virtual machines I typically need. But it is a beast to travel with. I also have an old Lenovo Netbook which I originally loved. But it was never designed for Windows 8 and is beginning to feel underpowered. Since I've started using a Brix for my Hyper-V server I think I can travel much lighter now.
So I am looking for something in the Ultrabook form factor with a 4th generation i7, a decent size SSD and at least 8GB of RAM so that I can also run a few VMs. I need something with a physical keyboard. I tried a Surface and other tablets. Those devices are perfectly fine for consuming content, but I need something to create content. I'm trying to stay in the 13" screen size with the best resolution I can get. I never used to care about that but this laptop will also need to serve as my traveling entertainment option as well. On top of all of that decent battery life would be a great asset. Something that could get me through a 5 hour cross country flight.
I've been looking at the new X1 Carbon, some of the ASUS Zenbooks, a Toshiba Portege and the one of the Lenovo Yoga models. So what would you suggest? What tales of woe or wonder do you have to share? I have a feeling I'm going to have to spend around $2000 to get what I need but naturally would love to save some money if I can.
Have you considered an HP “brick” as a companion to run the VMs and servers. Just use the notebook or tablet to access the brick. I would have a decent notebook with touch screen (like the one I have now) and an RT Surface for walking around. Add the HP (they are inexpensive and small.) and you have a little portable network with extreme power.
The biggest problem with notebooks is lack of memory. 8Gb is OK but for many things you really need 32Gb, Very few notebooks have the capability to use more than 16. Be sure the notebook can turnoff memory so you can set it off when you need battery.
HP enterprise or “pro” notebooks have always been some of the best which is why they tend to be pricey.
I would start by adding a “brick:, either HP or other.
Also consider going to the cloud for VMs. You can host dozens of scenarios and turn them on and off very quickly. All you need is a big enough pipe to remote in.
I should have been clearer. Yeah, that is my plan to have connect the laptop via a small switch to my Brix. Which is why many tablets aren’t options because they lack the necessary Ethernet report. 8GB of RAM would be fine. I have that now and I can run a few VMs which is all I really need to do on the laptop. And I’ve thought about Azure but I don’t want to rely on Internet access at a conference or training site. I have no problem bringing along what I need in terms of VMs. I just need something smaller to access them and show my slides and demos.
Going below 15 inches is very difficult with an I7 processor. Stick with at least a 15inch.
Here is an excellent HP with 16Gb and an I7. Processor and disk are upgradable if you want even more performance.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/E2E33AV?HP-ENVY-TouchSmart-15t-j100-Quad-Edition-Notebook-PC-ENERGY-STAR-
Customize it to see all of the options.
The “Envy” is newer and is pretty sleek. 16Gb is excellent for a lower end laptop. This year we will likely see these upgraded to 32Gb.
Anyway – good luck in your quest.
Thanks. I saw some HP Envy models at BJs which surprised me a bit and they were very affordable.
I recommend getting with the full 16Gb as it is cheaper than upgrading later. You can disable on DIMM in the BIOs to save battery if needed.
The HPs are very rugged and usually always work as designed. HP support is the best in my experience (20+years).
Samsung and TOshiba also make nice models but I stillthink HP is better.
If you need an ether net port there is on slot available or use a USB to ethernet converter. I would put a WIFI router on the Brix and use wireless.
Thanks for your insights, especially regarding HP. It has been a while since I’ve had to deal with hardware vendors or supporting end users. I had been hoping to go as light as possible, which is why I was going the ultrabook route. But it might be worth trading weight (and cost) for RAM.
13 inch Ultrabook (I7 8Gb max)
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-Spectre/E5J34AV?HP-Spectre-13t-3000-Ultrabook-ENERGY-STAR-
How about the Dell XPS 15. It’s very thin and light and can get 16GB ram. I love mine.
I looked at a while ago. Frankly, my experience with Dell products has been hit and miss. Still it won’t hurt to take one more look.
My co-worker loves to buy his laptops off the Microsoft store. If you consider the XPS, MS is offering a Venue 8 tablet free. (see http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/list/categoryID.67758000?Icid=Homepage_WhatsNew_1_Dell_Free_Tablet_021714&tid=Z8GJZxgk&cid=5250&pcrid=4066945562&WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=pointitsem_Microsoft+US_bing_5+-+PCs+-+2013&WT.source=bing&WT.medium=cpc). It looks like it’s locked into 2 specific models that max at 8GB ram…
I have a Samsung Series 9 (I think they brand them differently now): Core i7, 8GB RAM, 512 SSD, 15” matt display, 1.5KG, 10 hours battery life (the way I work about 6 hours). I think the 13” version weighs about 1.1KG. Mine is now a year old, and I am very happy with it. Different configurations are available and you have to go to a Samsung shop because their website is usually not up to date. It is not cheap but if you write more for 4sysops you can easily afford it. 😉
I’m looking forward to seeing what you decide on, Jeff. I picked up a Dell Precision M4600 2 years ago specifically because it allowed me to replace my workstation for under $2,000. While I can run a complete lab of virtual machines on it, it’s a beast to travel with.
That’s what my Qosmio is, a beast. And the netbook falls short in many areas. I think it will all come down to what I am willing to compromise on.
I use until three months Lenovo T440S. One limitation – max RAM supported 12GB.
I looked at some of the T series. I honestly think I can live with 8GB of RAM, although 12 would be nice. I’ve decided that an SSD is high priority as well as at least 2 USB 3 ports, so that cuts down the list of candidates pretty quickly.
If you read carefully T440S specification than you can find that … two SSD disk can be mounted in this ultrabook. One in 2,5″ format and one in M.2 one side format.
I should seriously consider this. 3 USB3 ports and a LAN connection which is huge advantage. Thanks.
Hello Jeffery,
I’m an MCT giving Powershell courses based at Brussels but having to work a lot travelling. So my very first criteria for a professional ultrabook was the weight !!! definitely the weight. So I was very impressed on last october when I saw the Sony Vaio Pro 13. 950 grams (sorry I’m talking in kilos). Really amazing and wonderfully comfortable. ICore 7, 256 Gb Hard Disk (could be 512), 8 Gb Ram (could be 16 : not sure anymore), battery life (around 6 hours), 13 inches screen, second battery dockable very easily and very light. I paid 1400 euros (vat included). Quality of image : impressive.
I simply love it.
But there is a big problem : wifi. I didn’t know at the time I bought it. And I’m still struggling to make it work better. Sony has recognized it as a problem they have to solve. In the meanwhile, Sony has announced that it selling it’s pc division.
Even like this, I still really love it. After 20 years of buying laptops.
Cheers
Jean-Pierre