Jason Ching

Estimable
Jan 29, 2015
4
0
4,510
I have an old, clunker of a laptop that is starting to finally give up the ghost. I first purchased it as a primary computer about 6-7 years ago to do all of my video and photo edits using Adobe software, primarily Lightroom, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and After Effects. About 2 years ago I built a desktop PC where I have started to do all of my heavy editing, but it is essential that I still have something portable as I work away from my desktop for months at a time.

I am looking for a laptop that would primarily be used for transferring files from a memory card to a external portable hard drive (so at least 2 usb ports and 3.0 would be nice), and be able to tackle editing in Adobe Lightroom and to a lesser degree, and maybe even not at all, do some work in Photoshop and Premiere Pro, other than that the basic web browsing, emails, maybe watch a movie.

Aside from being able to transfer files and handle Lightroom, I am looking for something highly portable (primarily lightweight <3.5lbs), and with decent battery life (at least 6 hours). I would like it to be something I could take on hiking trips, bike touring trips, as well as out in the field where I work (essentially a hiking trip in Alaska).

Browsing around on the internet I have looked into the Surface Pro 2 and 3 (unfortunately only 1 usb port and I am hesitant to want to lug around the docking station), the Yoga 2 and 3, XPS 12. I am particularly attracted to their portability while having high resolution screens, but wondering if these guys are overkill. I wanted to hear if there were any other recommendations or other models I should look at, or hear personal experiences.

I would like to keep things Windows based like my desktop, so I am not considering Apple products at this point.

1. What is your budget?
$1500

2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
High-resolution small screens, and smaller keyboards do not bother me. To me the smaller the better for taking it into the field/hiking trips etc.

3. What screen resolution do you want?
At least 1920x1080

4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Portable

5. How much battery life do you need?
Greater than 6 hours

6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
No games

7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
Primary tasks would be photo editing (Lightroom) and dumping photos and videos from memory cards to external hard drives. If it could handle Premiere Pro and Photoshop too that would be great but not necessary.

8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
Just enough to cover programs, as all of my work will be stored on external hard drives. I would assume that 128gb SSD would be enough, 256gb might be more ideal though.

9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Any site is fine. I've dealt with NewEgg and they seem great.

10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
At least 4 years ideally

11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
No optical drive is necessary

12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
I don't have a brand preference.

13. What country do you live in?
United States

14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
To transfer files from my memory cards to the external hard drives at least 2 USB ports would be required. I would be using a mix of CF, SD and microSD so I need to plug my reader into one port and my external hard drive in the second port. 3.0 would be very handy.

Thanks for your time. I appreciate it!
 
Solution
You can custom configure it with the specs you want. I configured one with an i7, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD and the total was less than 1000.00. It won't allow to configure and then post a link to the configured build though since the prices change all the time on options. You can do it here:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x1-carbon-2/?sb=:00000025:000038B7:&AID=10499647&PID=227502&SID=F0120005A00C439861C0A99439861C96A01A0A381&CJURL=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.lenovo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Flaptops%2Fthinkpad%2Fx-series%2Fx1-carbon-2%2F%3Fsb%3D%3A00000025%3A000038B7%3A&PUBNAME=TechBargains&NID=CJ#tab-customize
This might be a good option. 14" screen, 1920x1080 resolution, i7 processor, 8GB of RAM (Which is plenty to run any of those Adobe applications), 512GB SSD, 802.11AC wireless, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, Audio Combo Jack (headphone and mic), HDMI-out, 4-in-1 (SD / MMC / SDXC / SDHC) card reader, RJ45, SPDIF

1029.00 through Lenovo: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/itemdetails/80FA0018US/457/717948A9EF9156FC6F839264A47C9277

1139.00 through Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6862HW0035
 

Jason Ching

Estimable
Jan 29, 2015
4
0
4,510



Thanks! It's a little too heavy at 5.7 lbs, but the specs sound great!

 

Jason Ching

Estimable
Jan 29, 2015
4
0
4,510
I have done a little more digging and the Dell XPS 13 is starting to sound good as well. With two USB 3.0 ports, 2.8 lbs, high resolution (3200x1800 in the touch version, 1920x1080 in non-touch version), 8gb ram, i5, and a little better battery life than the Yoga. Pretty much what I am looking for. Anyone have experience with this laptop?

With the prices and reviews I am seeing, it's becoming apparent that the MacBook Air could fit the bill very well too. With a much longer battery life on paper. I am just not familiar with how easy it would be to coordinate with my desktop PC.
 

Jason Ching

Estimable
Jan 29, 2015
4
0
4,510
Ah interesting. I was thinking of the newer 2015 Dell XPS 13 which they seem to rate much more favorably. http://www.engadget.com/2015/01/28/dell-xps-13-review-2015/
I am a bit disappointed that the battery life is about half of what Dell advertised. Not surprised that its less that what is advertised but just by how much. I had looked a a few reviews but not this engadget one. Thanks for the link.

The Lenovo Carbon 3rd gen looks great too. I wish it came with an 8gb memory option and a 256gb SSD. The 2nd gen seems to come with those options but at $1800 which is unfortunate.

Guess I'll keep looking around. Won't need one until about a month from now. Maybe something else interesting might turn up?
 
You can custom configure it with the specs you want. I configured one with an i7, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD and the total was less than 1000.00. It won't allow to configure and then post a link to the configured build though since the prices change all the time on options. You can do it here:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x1-carbon-2/?sb=:00000025:000038B7:&AID=10499647&PID=227502&SID=F0120005A00C439861C0A99439861C96A01A0A381&CJURL=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.lenovo.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Flaptops%2Fthinkpad%2Fx-series%2Fx1-carbon-2%2F%3Fsb%3D%3A00000025%3A000038B7%3A&PUBNAME=TechBargains&NID=CJ#tab-customize
 
Solution