Sandy Bridge laptops around 1k

snowblind

I'm planning to spend around 1000 € on a laptop that won't get old too quick.

I need it for a lot of typing, constant media streaming, viewing and converting, possibly audio editing, photoshopping, general multitasking and maybe even games depending on what it will be able to do. I do have a PS3 but if I was able to play Witcher etc I'd be glad. General portability isn't a HUGE thing but I'd still rather get a 15"r MAX because I don't even have a proper desk at the moment.

Essentials: great keyboard

Wishes: great screen, robust, sandy bridge, at least 4gb memory, usb 3, as powerful video card as i can get

Bonus points for: quad core, backlit keyboard, bluray reader, tv tuner, SSD

Don't care about: looks, software

Tips on what's coming out that match my requirements? I'm in a KIND of hurry as my previous laptop is pretty much dead at the moment. I'd hope to have the new machine in my hands in one months time or so.

The Dell XPS 15 seems to be an ok match, although it troubles me that there are no options for backlit keyboard, bluray reader or tv tuner (the latter two they used to have huh. they can be added later on though so not a big issue. is there a slot for the tv tuner or would i have to have an annoying dongle if i got it later on?). Also paying 200€ to upgrade to a good screen is annoying even if I can just justify doing it.

Also, I'd rather have a Lenovo or something like that than Dell, I am a litte worried in buying an expensive Dell machine. Can anyone make me trust the build quality et al of XPS 15?

kave2

I have Dell XPS 1530, and built quality is great, no issues whatsoever. I'm also in market for new laptop. If you order XPS 15 thru phone, you can get BR reader right now. Should be available online later. And apparently backlit keyboard too[was told by Dell rep]

Maga

Hi,

I am currently looking for a laptop too, with very similar specifications to yours.

I have to say I'm extremely picky about the keyboard, and I have actually been gone to shops, tried several computers and read many reviews. :eek:

People on writers/translators/typists forums seem to agree on the Lenovo as the most comfortable keyboard out there. I was only able to try one type and I absolutely LOVED it - felt exactly like an old laptop I had from Sony, way before the horrendous chiclets-style (personal opinion): concave slight tilted keys, responsive, etc.

There's a Lenovo Thinkpad in elara.ie (T410-CI5) that comes with i5 and NVIDIA card, but it's over 1000. Not sure what the keyboad is like, but it seems like most of them are particularly comfortable.

I have been trying a Toshiba keyboard as well, it wasn't too bad.

A lot of people love the Sony Vaio chiclets, others don't, guess it is kind of personal... so far I'm not too found of them due to the big gaps between the keys and my small fingers.

So that's my experience so far, let us know how it goes.
Good luck!

snowblind

cheers for the replies!

the XPS 15 was "324€ off" on the dell store until today, but aren't they always having these "xxx€ off" on the site just to invite quick buys? anyways i'll wait until the lenovo and hp sandy bridge machines come out to get an idea of their prices and then decide.

so now I'm looking at:
XPS 15
HP Elitebook 8460p, chiclet kb and the new design are something i'd have to try before buying
Lenovo T420, looks great but no USB 3.0. Should I not think of this as an issue or will it become a thing down the line?
Lenovo W520, probably super expensive
Sony, we'll see what they come up with it and with what price. Seems like any laptop of theirs will have a huge variation of models with 1000€+ between the low and high end.

In general I'd rather get a machine that's just a good performer and sturdy package with a great keyboard and screen, and if I get a good Lenovo like that I'd be happy even if I don't get to play games on it. The game thing is just another can of worms. Expensive worms....

snowblind

snowblind wrote: »

the XPS 15 was "324€ off" on the dell store until today, but aren't they always having these "xxx€ off" on the site just to invite quick buys?

haha yeah, now it states:

Save €324 (Inc Vat) until 23/03/2011
:rolleyes:

Maga

Hi there! Just thought I should stop by and share…

Since I was in a hurry to get mine, I couldn't wait any further, so I went for the Sony Vaio EA3S1E (I asked them to order this one in, which has the 500GB HD) from the Sony Centre.

I'm really happy with the choice!! The keyboard is absolutely amazing! And that is coming from someone who was as skeptical as possible about chiclet keyboards and tried every single keyboard in PC Word (seriously!), sometimes typing an entire page in the ones I preferred to make sure they were ok.

It is i3 though and doesn't have the 3.0 USB – but I think someone here mentioned it's possible to get an adaptor to 3.0 USB? Not sure. As far as I understood, new sonys from C series won't be quad core, but please make sure.

New sonys should be released in April, but talking to the people in the UK they said sometimes there are delays and it might not come before summer. That’s why I decided to take the risk and buy the older one. But who knows, it might arrive sooner than that. And they seem like really cool machines too!


They also said it would arrive here with the lowest configuration – 320 GB HD and 510 Graphic card. New ones come with i5 (and maybe i7?) but it wont be possible in Ireland to go with 1GB graphic card (or so they told me).

So that's it… hope it helps a bit. Best of luck with yours !