Small laptop for work, not a netbook.

tom_nieto

tom_nieto

tom_nieto

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Hello all, I wonder if you could offer some suggestions for a small laptop for work? I'd rather not have a netbook (unless they've got significantly faster). I'm not going to be playing any games or encoding video. Focus is on portability (12-13" screen), battery life and longevity. It would be ideal if it had a high resolution screen and HDMI output.

Questions:
is what I'm after actually a netbook?
Will a SSD make a massive difference to performance? (I'm likely to invest in a NAS device for larger files)
Windows or Mac? - MacBook air looks like a great package but is pricey.
Are there any stylish windows machines worth looking at?

Thanks!
 
Considered looking at tablets? (just throwing ideas out here they are probably too underpowered and/or not enough screen res).
 
HP probook 4330s or Lenovo Thinkpad Edge E320.

These are the best of the business 13" notebooks between 400-800. After that the Thinkpad X1 or Elitebook.

E-mail in trust if you want more details about why these are the best etc etc etc.
 
ive just been through the same kind of requirements you have (except for price) and bought a Lenovo X220. Its pretty powerful (i7/8gb/SSD) in a decent chassis (12.5"/8hr batt). worth a look if you can source a discount.

I discounted the X1 because it gets slated for its battery life; as otherwise it looks a nice machine. No docking station connector underneath either which is plain stupid given the target market.
 
We got my dad a Lenovo x121e i3 laptop for christmas and he is really happy with it.

You can buy the standard model for ~£350 and this gets you:

Intel Core i3-2367M
2GB DDR3 1333MHz (1 stick)
11.6" 1366 x 768 screen (anti-glare coating, not shiny)
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Adding a 6 cell battery (instead of the 3 cell) in the customization options only costs £13 and lasts for ages (up to 7 hours). Also, changing the wirelessN to the Intel one is recommended for £5.

As for the RAM, I bought a 2GB 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 stick separately for £10 - which brings it up to 4GB and runs in Dual channel.

Then I added a 80GB Intel 320 SSD for £96.

So total cost is ~£480 for a 11.6in laptop with a 1366x768 screen, i3 CPU, 4GB RAM, long battery life, 80GB SSD, HDMI output, Intel HD 3000 graphics core, nice keyboard and proper windows.
 
Lenovo do seem like the brand of the moment. A tablet is no good as I'll be doing work on it and a keyboard will be required. The X220 would be my choice, but with all the options the price soon stacks up.

Are the HDDs all standard 2.5" laptop ones? I would be seriously tempted to add a small SSD myself rather than fork out for a factory fitted one.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
tom_nieto said:
Are the HDDs all standard 2.5" laptop ones? I would be seriously tempted to add a small SSD myself rather than fork out for a factory fitted one.
Click to expand...

Be careful, some laptops (including the Lenovo x121e) only support 7mm thickness 2.5in drives. Therefore, standard 9.5mm thick drives (such as the Crucial M4) will not fit in these laptops without modification.

For this reason I went with the Intel 320 - which is a 7mm thick drive (plus it is rather quick, decent value and very reliable).
 
I'd personally go with the Lenovo x121e with an i3 processor, as suggested by cmndr_andi. There's not much else out there that can match it for weight & battery life, much less in that price bracket. I had an HP Probook 4320s, the battery life was terrible which meant I tended to not bother taking it anywhere, defeating the object of having it.

As for the SSD, Crucial do a 7mm thick version of the M4, should you wish to go for a 128GB drive. Not that the Intel drive isn't great; it's nice to have options, that's all :)
 
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