Lightweight Laptops

[johnnyskeleton]

I'm looking for a new laptop, and since my current one weighs about 3KG, one of the most important factors for me is that it is lightweight and easily moved around (i.e. hotdesking in work).

I've been looking at the Dell XPS 1330. That's 1.9KG, dual core, decent ish battery and is easy enough on the pocket compared to, for example, the sony viao.

One of the annoying things about the dell website is that when you add extra features (e.g. larger battery, graphics card etc) it doesn't tell you how much extra weight this would be, so if anyone knows roughly how much heavier it would be I'd appreciate any help.

Budget: I think that 800-900 is about the minimum that you will pay for a very light laptop. I'd be prepared to go to maybe 1200 for a really good machine.

Intended use: work, internet, e-mail, Word processing mainly. I would like to use it when on the train for long periods of time. I would also like to use it for watching DVDs and Games, but not if the hardware required for games will bring the weight up significantly.

Mobility: As mobile as possible, both weight and battery life are important, the size of the screen is less so.

Warranty: If it is gonna break, it'll break in the first year.

Thanks in advance.

[Alanstrainor]

Originally Posted by johnnyskeleton

I'm looking for a new laptop, and since my current one weighs about 3KG, one of the most important factors for me is that it is lightweight and easily moved around (i.e. hotdesking in work).

I've been looking at the Dell XPS 1330. That's 1.9KG, dual core, decent ish battery and is easy enough on the pocket compared to, for example, the sony viao.

One of the annoying things about the dell website is that when you add extra features (e.g. larger battery, graphics card etc) it doesn't tell you how much extra weight this would be, so if anyone knows roughly how much heavier it would be I'd appreciate any help.

Budget: I think that 800-900 is about the minimum that you will pay for a very light laptop. I'd be prepared to go to maybe 1200 for a really good machine.

Intended use: work, internet, e-mail, Word processing mainly. I would like to use it when on the train for long periods of time. I would also like to use it for watching DVDs and Games, but not if the hardware required for games will bring the weight up significantly.

Mobility: As mobile as possible, both weight and battery life are important, the size of the screen is less so.

Warranty: If it is gonna break, it'll break in the first year.

Thanks in advance.

I'm sure someone's going to mention the eee pc, but it seems that you want more than just internet and office work. The m1330 is a very sleek and well designed machine, my brother got one there a couple of weeks ago and it really is very light considering the spec. You can pick up a nicely spec'd machine for a decent price on dell outlet. A 9 cell batery will give you about 5 hours of battery, possibly more, depending on use of course.

[AlmightyCushion]

Well the graphics card wouldn't add too much weight to it. The battery would though, the more cells it has the heavier it will be and the bigger it will be. A 6 cell is a pretty good battery but a 9 cell will nearly double the battery life. It will weigh a bit more and I think it sticks out the back of the m1330 a bit too.

You should try and get the lcd backlit display. It is more expensive but it will make the laptop a little thinner and lighter and will give you better battery life.

[Alanstrainor]

The 9 cell does stick out the back but not too much, and the led screen is the way to go if battery life is what you're after, it's savage.

[AlmightyCushion]

Sorry meant to say led screen.

[Voodu Child]

On the M1330, the 9-cell battery actually protrudes down rather than back (because of the unusual screen hinge, and the location of the fan exhaust). So it actually makes the laptop a bit more awkward when it comes to putting it in a bag etc. It's a bit of a weird design, i'd nearly buy a 6-cell for normal usage and a spare 9 for when you really need the extra life.

Anyway, the 9-cell will give 33% more battery life over the 6-cell, which is not to be sniffed at.

I got fantastic battery life out of a M1330 with a 6-cell and the 8400M graphics chip, and the normal CCFL screen. Go for the integrated graphics and you'll see a good improvement. Ditto for the LED screen. And Dell have been introducing Penryn chips across the board, which will give a nice battery-life improvement too.

Overall, if you spec it right for your own needs, I think you'll be very happy with the M1330.

[johnnyskeleton]

Thanks for all your help. The eee PC looks like a great idea, but I just refuse to get a celeron ever again (I upgraded an old computer from a pentium II 333mhz to a celeron 1Ghz and there was almost no difference in performance) and linux might cause compatibilty problems in work (some people have compatibility problems if you use a recent version of MS word). But if it was priced about the 200 mark it would almost be worth getting one separately because they are so small and light.

I went for the XPS afterall;
Core 2 2GHZ, 800MHZ int b., 2MB L2 cache, 2 GB RAM, 160GB HD, the White-LED screen, integrated graphics card, DVD RW & a 6 cell battery.

I got it on dell outlet for €822.33 inc vat and delivery. On dell normal the same spec costs €1149.02 inc vat and delivery. Moreover, PC world (not that I'd ever buy from them) sell the same dell (but with 250GB HD and the Nvidia graphics) for a whopping €1349.99.

[Overheal]

Originally Posted by voodoo_child

On the M1330, the 9-cell battery actually protrudes down rather than back (because of the unusual screen hinge, and the location of the fan exhaust). So it actually makes the laptop a bit more awkward when it comes to putting it in a bag etc. It's a bit of a weird design

Its to keep the keyboard at a tilt for typing on a flat surface; and also eliminates the need for a cooling pad as the circulation getting underneath your laptop is significantly increased. It makes it slightly less convenient for storage but I've been using a soft-pouch laptop slot in my rucksack so I've never had an issue with this.

I got a 12 cell battery from HP and it only lasts about 4-5 hours max then again I game on it and stuff and have all the high performance pieces and the screen is a 15.4"

johnny if you are looking for a spare battery later the cheapest place is ebay btw.