New laptops/notebooks advice - NO GAMING

heiso

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Mar 1, 2011
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I need advice on a new windows laptop/notebook. I have always used a mac and honestly, I love it but I think it's time for me to switch. The thing is I don't know where to start. Here is what I plan to use it for:

1. The main use for this laptop is microsoft office (nothing fancy here), sort of like a business use.
2. NO GAMING - I don't plan to play any games on it.
3. Lasts 4-5 years.
4. Lightweight – easy enough to carry around.

I've heard good things about the ultrabook. It's thin, fast, has SSD, etc. But would a small netbook be sufficient? Can you guys recommend me some laptops by providing links?

Greatly appreciated. Thanks.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I'm willing to spend up to CDN$800
 
There are several ultrabooks available for $800 CDN or less at Newegg.ca. I am sure other online Canadian stores will have other (or the same ultrabooks as well). There are also many that are above the price.

http://www.newegg.ca/ultrabooks/?name=Ultrabooks

A netbook? I think they are fine for something in the short term if you are low on cash. Can they last you 4 or 5 years? I would say yes as long as you are really doing nothing more than number crunching. Netbooks come with weak CPUs which is the main reason why I would not recommend for doing work. But then again it should be good enough for working on spreadsheets.

As for which ultrabook you should buy that really depends on person taste since all the ones for $800 are capable of doing what you want.

For something small and light that is somewhat close to the size / weight of a netbook consider a 13.3" ultrabook like the following Lenovo. No weight is given so you need to go to lenovo's site to find out that info.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310646CVF


For something slightly larger, you can get the following 14" Asus which makes things easier to read. Sorry, but it comes with an nVidia GT 635m which means it is capable of playing games. But it is the only 14" ultrabook selling for under $800.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230714

If you want to "go big" then you can consider the following 15.6" ultrabook from Asus. It is actually the cheapest because sometimes packing a lot of power in a small package can be somewhat expensive (referring to the 13.3" laptop).

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230716


All those ultrabooks have a 1366x768 resolution screen. Personally I believe that is too low for productive use. My lenovo Y470 has that resolution. It's doable, but i prefer using a 1600x900 resolution screen or better yet a 1920x1080 screen for better productivity and multi-tasking. However, ultrabooks with those resolutions generally start at around $1,100+ CAD.

My next laptop will be have either a 1600x900 or 1920x1080 resolution screen. Hopefully I will find a nice 14" or 15.6" laptop with a 1920x1080 resolution screen for under $1,100 USD later this year.
 

heiso

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Oh wow. I didn't realize the prices of these ultrabooks. I was always under the impression that macs were priced $1200+ and windows laptops were 500-800.

Guess I haven't been doing my research.
 

heiso

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This one looks really cool.

Let's say, for example, that my budget was $1500, what would my options be? Somethings like the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 13 inch screen really appeals to me. I want windows because of the type of work I want to do, just simple spreadsheet and office work. I'm 22 years old but in the future I see myself in an office setting doing financial analysis, especially on excel. Is it wise to wait a couple of years to see if the ultrabook industry really kicks off?
 

wsx123_34

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There are a bunch of very good options for you to choose from out there....here are some recommendations...http://wuggee.com/find-a-laptop.html#3lbs5lbs=&500to700=&700to1000=&basicgpu=&lessthan128gb=&lessthan3lbs=&mediumgpu=