Best 13.3 Windows laptop comparible to Macbook Pro

Alanstrainor

I have a few options in my head, but I'm wondering what users on here think. I've been looking at laptops for a while and keep toying with the idea of a Macbook. But the mental money, non upgradable RAM and expensive storage options are putting me off.

So, what are the best 13.3" laptops around. Let's set the budget at 1500. Full HD screen is a minimum requirement. SSD would be expected. And lots of RAM and processing power is always a plus.

Canaryblue

Well the obvious one is a Dell XPS 13, other options would be the HP Spectre 360, Lenovo Yoga lines or there's an Intel core i5 version of the Asus Zenbook UX305 out now.

I myself went with the XPS 13 and its lovely but I've read a lot of good things about the other laptops I mentioned too.

Also have a look at the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 carbon, it seems to be a great laptop but it is expensive.

K.O.Kiki

ThinkPad T450s (review on Notebookcheck)

Alanstrainor

This is something I've been thinking about for a while, I'm not yet in the market for a new laptop, but whenever I look for anything between mid and high end Windows laptops, I'm left stumped. The Dell XPS 13 is the only one that looks good to me. Even the spec of the T450 is pretty laughable (4GB RAM as standard?!).

I just thought it would be interesting to see what others have, and recommend. If there was a device that matched the screen of a Macbook, and the build quality (touchpad, and keyboard) I reckon I'd have it bought.

What's the best pricing option for the dell xps 13?
It starts at €1299 on dell.ie. it's available from 950 dollars in the US for the same model. Even allowing for sales tax that's 300 euro cheaper. Can it be had any cheaper over in Europe anywhere?

EGriff

The XPS 13 has non upgradable RAM too, and 8GB is the most you can configure it with. Lovely looking machine but that put me right off.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Some eBay refurbs with 3 year warranty for good prices on the XPS13.

For Forks Sake

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I have a few options in my head, but I'm wondering what users on here think. I've been looking at laptops for a while and keep toying with the idea of a Macbook. But the mental money, non upgradable RAM and expensive storage options are putting me off.

So, what are the best 13.3" laptops around. Let's set the budget at 1500. Full HD screen is a minimum requirement. SSD would be expected. And lots of RAM and processing power is always a plus.

HP Spectre x360 i5/8gb/256gb SSD retails around 1249 in retail here. Sure it could be gotten online for less. 12hrs+ battery life and 1080p screen. Plus the advantage of being convertable whereas the XPS is notebook only.

smurfjed

I'm running a 2011 Macbook Pro, it was an expensive purchase, but all of the operating system updates since then were free and I think that it might have crashed 3-4 times in that period.

I certainly wasn't getting that level of reliability or longitivtiy from Windows based laptops.

devnull

For Forks Sake wrote: »

HP Spectre x360 i5/8gb/256gb SSD retails around 1249 in retail here. Sure it could be gotten online for less. 12hrs+ battery life and 1080p screen. Plus the advantage of being convertable whereas the XPS is notebook only.

That's the model I have, it's an excellent machine, although mine is in repair now since the keyboard had water spilled on it and does not work.

Alanstrainor

smurfjed wrote: »

I'm running a 2011 Macbook Pro, it was an expensive purchase, but all of the operating system updates since then were free and I think that it might have crashed 3-4 times in that period.

I certainly wasn't getting that level of reliability or longitivtiy from Windows based laptops.

Every Windows laptop I've ever had has lasted me 5 years before I retire them. I never experience crashes. Only when things like the hard disk fail (happened once in 10 years), and that is equally likely on any machine, Mac or not. I will be considering a Mac as my next machine. I just think there's a lot of baseless hype around them.

Anyway...

The HP certainly looks nice, but a convertible is just something I can't see myself using. Although I know it can just be used as a regular laptop. And I have a niggling feeling that I just couldn't trust a HP. I've had experience with a number of high end HP's in the last 3 years and none have given me much confidence in terms of build and reliability. But none the less, it is hitting the mark in terms of spec and battery life!

Did I hear talk of a new XPS 15 similar to the 13 with almost borderless screen and a footprint the size a normal 13"? Now there's something I could get behind...

(Also, interesting point about the RAM on the Dell, I guess this route is to be expected these days!)

devnull

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The HP certainly looks nice, but a convertible is just something I can't see myself using. Although I know it can just be used as a regular laptop. And I have a niggling feeling that I just couldn't trust a HP. I've had experience with a number of high end HP's in the last 3 years and none have given me much confidence in terms of build and reliability. But none the less, it is hitting the mark in terms of spec and battery life!

The Build quality is honestly second to one, it's better than the XPS 13. The only thing the XPS 13 is better at is being smaller and a bit better microphone and sound, but other than that the HP wins out for me.

I actually prefer the HP being bigger than the XPS 13, because the keyboard is much more comfortable to type on since the keys are full size and not shrunk down.

(Also, interesting point about the RAM on the Dell, I guess this route is to be expected these days!)

It's the same on the Spectre.

Canaryblue

Alanstrainor wrote: »

The HP certainly looks nice, but a convertible is just something I can't see myself using. Although I know it can just be used as a regular laptop. And I have a niggling feeling that I just couldn't trust a HP. I've had experience with a number of high end HP's in the last 3 years and none have given me much confidence in terms of build and reliability. But none the less, it is hitting the mark in terms of spec and battery life!

Did I hear talk of a new XPS 15 similar to the 13 with almost borderless screen and a footprint the size a normal 13"? Now there's something I could get behind...

(Also, interesting point about the RAM on the Dell, I guess this route is to be expected these days!)

Just so you know HP and Dell are manufactured in the one factory in China, HP one side Dell the other!

8gb ram is fine for most all applications - what we are talking about here are ultrabooks at the mid to high end - their function is to be light, portable, reasonably-powered (i5+) and to look good whist doing it.
they are not gaming machines.
there is no perfect light, sexy, super-powerful laptop that can play the lastest game at ultra-high settings for 12 hours on battery.
laptop segments are about compromises - you can't have it all.
if you want a gaming laptop it's not going to be an ultrabook.

Alanstrainor

No one said anything about games

Alanstrainor

Alanstrainor wrote: »

No one said anything about games

that's true. aside from games why would you need more than 8gb? 4k movie editing on big files maybe yes but not a lot of people are going to be doing that.

I mentioned games because many people are always considering games even if they don't say it :P

the spectre looks good but pcworld has a review where it says that you won't get full perf due to thermal limiting (cpu being limited when the heat goes up on load).

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2899617/hp-spectre-x360-review-a-sexy-convertible-that-just-cant-take-the-heat.html

the only other downside is that it's not that light compared to the dell xps. then again the xps doesn't have touch unless you spend a few hundred euro more and doesn't have the tablet functionality and maybe the keyboard is a bit small.