4k Laptop v FHD Dell Laptops

JustMac

Because I have a personal contact who can get me a decent discount I am between 3 Dell laptops (links below).

The main thing stopping me pulling the trigger on the top-of-the-range model laptop is the fact that it is UHD/4k and the fact it is a touch screen. Most of the negative reviews say that much software is not ready for 4k and as a result buttons, messages, controls are too small and very hard to read. The same with system messages etc. It has been said that 4k will also use battery quicker. The other thing is a little paranoia that I don't expect that I would use the touch screen much at/all and it might cause other problems with the machine.

I teach so I carry my laptop around a lot. Its mainly plugged in but a good battery life wouldn't hurt either. Recently I have been doing a good bit of video editing (200+ hours) using Adobe Premiere Pro and it is likely I will be doing more in the future. I bought a 960gb SSD on Black Friday (960GB SanDisk Ultra II, 7mm Slim 2.5" SSD, SATA III) so I will be popping that into any machine that I get.

The 1st is 'Inspiron 15 7000-series', 6th Gen i7-6700HQ (6M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz)], 15.6 UHD (3840 x 2160) Truelife LED- Backlit Touch Display, 16gb RAM, 128GB SSD and 1tb 500 rpm Sata. (The one on the very right):
http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-15-7559-laptop/pd?ref=PD_OC

The 2nd one on the far left in same page. Same model as above, same processor, FHD Not Touch, 8gb

The 3rd is an older model 5000 series, less powerful i7 processor (Dual Core), FHD, Not Touch, 16gb. (the one of the very right of this page):
http://www.dell.com/ie/p/inspiron-15-5559-laptop/pd?ref=PD_OC

Any opinions on UHD v FHD?

Which should I get????

NIMAN

Only input from me would be someone who is about to buy a new TV soon.

I have obviously read up on 4K, and apparently you're wasting your time if you buy a TV under 43".

So not sure what that means if you're buying a laptop with a 14 - 17in screen?

TerrorFirmer

It is beneficial as if you're editing and using a lot of windows at once, it makes a massive difference.

The whole TV argument is different as you're purely watching a picture, not comparable to a laptop at all.

For your uses, the 6700HQ is the better option. The other one is a ULV dual core, performance will be much lower in editing.

However, I would try and get your hands on a 4K laptop somewhere to get a feel for it - Currys, Harvey Normans, wherever. There's a good chance you will not like it on a screen that size.

With the Inspiron you are also paying a big whack of that for the graphics card, which is designed to play all the latest games. However...it's still pretty OK value.

Maybe check out PC Specialist and have a look around, you can customize laptops with them.

Stheno

Do you do a lot of presenting using a projector as part of your teaching?

JustMac

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

For your uses, the 6700HQ is the better option. The other one is a ULV dual core, performance will be much lower in editing.

However, I would try and get your hands on a 4K laptop somewhere to get a feel for it - Currys, Harvey Normans, wherever. There's a good chance you will not like it on a screen that size.

With the Inspiron you are also paying a big whack of that for the graphics card, which is designed to play all the latest games. However...it's still pretty OK value.

Maybe check out PC Specialist and have a look around, you can customize laptops with them.

Thanks for the feedback. Good advice. I will try Harvey Norman or PC World just to get my hands on a 4k laptop.

I've never had a laptop with a dedicated graphics card so I'm expecting to be impressed by better/quicker/stutter free graphics.

JustMac

Stheno wrote: »

Do you do a lot of presenting using a projector as part of your teaching?

Yes. I do an awful lot of presenting with a projector.

Would I not still be able to select a reasonable output resolution to a projector?

Most places I present in have a desktop and decent internet access but I always seem to prefer just to have immediate to all presentations/videos/files on my laptop.

JustMac

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

However, I would try and get your hands on a 4K laptop somewhere to get a feel for it - Currys, Harvey Normans, wherever. There's a good chance you will not like it on a screen that size.

Visited Harvey Norman, PC World and Soundstore in Tralee and typically none of them had any UHD laptops!

I think I would probably be happier with a non-touch HD screen but the only Dell HD option for the 7000 series has only 8gb. I would prefer one with 16gb. I suppose it would probably be easy enough to put in an extra 8gb myself.

I did a quick check and it looks like swapping in a SDD and memory would not void warranty so might go that route.

Stheno

JustMac wrote: »

Yes. I do an awful lot of presenting with a projector.

Would I not still be able to select a reasonable output resolution to a projector?

.

You'd have to reset the 4k resolution to the projector resolution, afaik as otherwise it can grey out what you are projecting.

On my screen which is 3200x1600 so not quite 4K the default setting for display is to increase everything by 250% and if using extend screens on a projector it causes havoc trying to resize.

You'll also most likely need an HDMI to VGA converter which is not a big deal.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

JustMac wrote: »

Visited Harvey Norman, PC World and Soundstore in Tralee and typically none of them had any UHD laptops!

I think I would probably be happier with a non-touch HD screen but the only Dell HD option for the 7000 series has only 8gb. I would prefer one with 16gb. I suppose it would probably be easy enough to put in an extra 8gb myself.

I did a quick check and it looks like swapping in a SDD and memory would not void warranty so might go that route.

Both PC World and Harvey Norman stock the HP Envy 13, which has a QHD+ screen.

Stheno

Techmaster wrote: »

Both PC World and Harvey Norman stock the HP Envy 13, which has a QHD+ screen.

That's the machine I have which I am referencing above.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Stheno wrote: »

That's the machine I have which I am referencing above.

My machine too

3200x1800 by the way.

Stheno

Techmaster wrote: »

My machine too

3200x1800 by the way.

Doh, I keep mixing that up.

OP I was looking to test my laptop with a monitor of similiar resolution capabilities, and it's only the very large stores that have them. E.g. in Dublin only Blanchardstown had one near me.

TerrorFirmer

I would say 1080P in this case is probably the best suited. Do any laptops have 1440p panels? Seems the best compromise, I think 4K is just too great a resolution for a standard laptop. 1440p for me personally is the sweet spot, and I do a lot of editing myself.

ED E

I've a 10" panel at FHD, thats high enough pixel density that I wouldnt bother going any further. 190ppi.

At 15/17" QHD would be fine, but dunno if there are any options for that.

Skidrow

Looking at getting the Dell XPS 13 - any way of getting a discount on the web prices?