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Question

Laptop Recommendation - how much do I need to spend?

May 13, 2015 2:10AM PDT

Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping there are others in my situation that can offer advice and suggestions. I work from home and I'm looking to buy a second laptop for the purpose of working outside from time-to-time. My current laptop screen doesn't do well outside. Does anyone have recommendations on a laptop with the following characteristics:
1) Windows based - the only apps I really need are Evernote, OneNote, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
2) Approximately 13" screen capable of being viewed outside.
3) Lightweight and with 6+ hours of battery life
4) Low cost - I'd like to keep it under $500 if I can, but any thoughts on what I should expect to pay?
In advance, thanks for suggestions. - Dan

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Need more about "outside."
May 13, 2015 2:20AM PDT

While my wife traveled with a single cheap Asus x200ca that I popped in a SSD, when outside it was never in sunlight or a very bright patio condition.

Not one sunlight readable laptop is under 500 unless you find some used old Toughbook that had that.
http://diydrones.com/group/apmusergroup/forum/topics/looking-for-best-laptop-screen-to-see-in-the-sun pegs sunlight readable laptops about 4000 USD.

-> Battery life? Are you really sure you can afford it? Most batteries are 300 cycle things that in a year of daily use you can wear it out. Most folk use the ABC (always be charging) method.

Not only that, the battery time would plummet to drive the common LCD to overcome the sunlight. Figure a 6+ hour laptop will drop by about 3X to 2+ hours to deal with the increased output.

Sorry, no one has found such a laptop.
Bob

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Forgot to add this link. Great treatment about outdoors.
May 13, 2015 2:27AM PDT
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Answer
an umbrella is cheaper
May 13, 2015 3:23AM PDT

keeps the sunlight off the screen.

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Wait for it.
May 13, 2015 3:44AM PDT