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General discussion

Should I buy a new laptop?

Apr 21, 2015 1:35PM PDT

I have a 4 and half years old thinkpad X201 tablet... the processor is i7-620lm. After I replaced the HDD by a SSD, and put a pair of 4G RAM inside (so a total of 8G), it doesn't bother me in the everyday use ever.
I also put new heat sink and paste to solve the overheating problem, and bought a new battery on ebay last year. The new one can hold up to 3 hours. It is not impressive using today's standard. But I rarely use it without the power cord.

Recently, I was tempted by the new macbook. The main reason is that I was always looking for a chance to try the mac OS, also the laptop is only 2 lbs. Honestly the only complaint on my thinkpad is the weight. It is more than 4 lbs with the new 9-cell battery.
Today I also saw the Thinkpad X1 deal... so tempted but decided not to buy it.

Anyway, I don't know if I should buy a new laptop... (and if the answer is yes, which one is better - bascially I was debating among X1, new Macbook, SP3 and new XPS 13)
I love my old laptop, and it is still good enough for my daily use (browse internet, document editing, watch movie/online video, and some engineering oriented programming such as MATLAB). But current laptops/ultrabooks are nicer, more powerful but lighter and can last longer.
I am always on short trips (driving distances) and the weight is not that a big deal but still bothers me a little bit.

Any opinion will be helpful. Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Iffy.
Apr 22, 2015 12:10AM PDT

While the models you listed are nice, the longer you wait the more you get in your next model.

Good to read you follow the ABC rule (always be charging) since that saves your battery for times you really need it.
Bob

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Thanks
Apr 22, 2015 2:33AM PDT

I agree that the good models/series always get better with the development of hardware and feedback of users.

I also like writing something on the trip, so the keyboard/typing experience is also important. I like the thinkpad keyboard and so far as I know, the keyboard on thinkpad is the best in the market. Is it true?

Thanks.

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I've used so many keyboards over the years.
Apr 22, 2015 2:41AM PDT

But the models you listed have nice keyboards. But to call out which is best you would have to try each one. For me I think they are all good enough for everyday typing.
Bob

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Keyboard of SP3 and Macbook
Apr 22, 2015 4:10AM PDT

I tried both in bestbuy and found they are not very comfortable. The key travel is short, and the keys are pretty hard (specially on the Macbook).

I know it is the sacrifice for the portability, though.

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For me
Apr 22, 2015 4:19AM PDT

A short learning curve. I must type a thousand words a day on the office supplied Lenovo Y510. It took a little time to grow accustomed to laptop keyboards when I moved off a desktop.
Bob

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Thanks
Apr 22, 2015 6:29AM PDT

I see. Thanks again for your replies!

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Dell
Apr 26, 2015 11:33AM PDT

The xps 13, or 15 would be a great option for you.

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I work for Dell so feel free to email me if you have any questions cnimholt@gmail.com

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Thanks man!
Apr 27, 2015 2:44AM PDT

The XPS 13 is a really good laptop. I am pretty impressed by its edge-to-edge display.