Does the laptop I want even exist?

[firefoxchris]

Hello - I am new here so please forgive this long first post!

It is high time I replaced my XPS M1330 that I keep repairing! I have been looking at various laptops for the last 12 months or so and there doesn't seem to be one that meets all my criteria. IMHO, there seems to have been a move away from high quality components in the industry that suit the 'high performance' user. Whilst i5 and i7 CPUs are a fantastic upgrade, why are so many laptops taking a step back with components like the screen providing X by 768 pixels - My old XPS is better than this and its over 4 years old.

In most cases it is the screen that lets down a laptop for me but I do have some other specific requirements, the full list is as follows...

- Full HD 1080p resolution screen (1920x1080)
- Decent screen brightness
- 8GB RAM or more (or ability to upgrade by replacing chip)
- Core i5/i7 Quad Core CPU
- Decent battery life with option to expand battery
- TPM Module for encryption
- SSD hard drive or ability to replace hard drive with one
- 3G SIM module or Mini PCI express slot so I can add one (or replace a SSD cache disk with one)


The laptops so far that came close are..

1. Samsung Series 9 - They have finally released a full HD screen version, but only 4GB ram?? No option for 3G or TPM (as far as I am aware).

2. Sony Vaio Z - I *think* this covered the lot! Or, at least had the options available to do so, but guess what - Sony have discontinued the Z series, probably down to cost.

3. Lenovo ThinkPad T430s - Was so close, like the Sony this has the options to do the job but I have read many reviews that say even the HD+ screen is quite bad quality and this is one of my main priorities.


Ones I am still investigating..

4. Dell Precision models - Initially it looks like this can do the job, but do I really need to spend £1,600+vat to meet the above specs?

5. Dell XPS 15 / 13Z - I do not know much about these new models but there does not seem to be much customisation available on their website so I am unsure if a TPM is on the board and if there is room to install a 3G card.

6. HP, I have only skimmed over their offering so far - does anyone know of models that meet my needs?



Am I missing something or a specific model out there that covers it all and is an excellent laptop? I welcome any advise / experience you may have.

Thanks in advance!

Chris

 

[djxput]

Im using a new dell 13 xps here atm ... and I know it fullfills these requirements
- Full HD 1080p resolution screen (1920x1080)
- Decent screen brightness
- 8GB RAM or more (or ability to upgrade by replacing chip)
- Core i5/i7 Quad Core CPU
- Decent battery life with option to expand battery

but I don't know about the others
128 gig ssd, 1080p nice screen, 8 gigs of ram - decent battery life - think I can pull 6 hours with normal usage. Screen brightness when plugged in is good (I had to manually adjust it).

 

[firefoxchris]

Thanks djxput! I have been looking at that one, looks really nice. Do you know if it has a spare PCI slot where I could put a 3g SIM module, or if this was an option when you purchased it? I have seen on ebay you can get the module but I am unsure if the aerial wires will be in there if it did not have that specified on the original order?

 

[daver]

Dell only put TPM on Latitude or Precision models. I doubt the consumer models have an express card slot either.

The Latitude E5630 fits all of your requirements, they dont come cheap, although you can probably pick one up from the outlet a lot cheaper...there is one on there with i7-3630QM, 128gb SSD, 8gb, 1080p screen, NVS 5200M for under 800 vs about 1350 new.

 

[daver]

The i7 in the XPS13 is only a low power dual core btw

 

[firefoxchris]

Thanks for the info, presumably you mean the E6530? I dont see a 5630? I checked it out and yes it does seem to meet everything. The only thing about it is that it seems quite big, it is 15" and has a full keyboard with num pad, the 14" and 13" other models do not have a full HD screen, Ideally I want something smaller but with a full HD screen. I dont see any models that fit this? any ideas?

 

[Senture]

I don't think you will find a laptop with a screen smaller than 15" doing 1080p. Having seen one in the flesh, text on the screen is like a pin head on a 15". Anything smaller and you'd need a magnifying glass just to use it!