Recommendations for a laptop

[XBoxBoy]

Hi all,

Normally I work exclusively on a desktop computer. (Both PC and Mac) But now I need to get a laptop that I can take to places and collect data. Wondering if anyone has recommendations for place to buy a laptop or type of laptop. Here’s the gist of what I want/need

1) Basic PC laptop.
2) Touch screen might be nice but not necessary
3) Good battery life.
4) Not too heavy.
5) Wifi required.

I won’t be doing gaming or anything very intense. I might do a bit of coding on it, but just a bit. Mostly taking it into the field and doing some data collection from a device that will connect via wifi. Don’t really want one that splits into a tablet nor do I need one the folds all the way over. Don’t think I will go Mac for this, so Windows will be the OS.

Possible places to buy: Costco? Amazon? NewEgg? other places?

Type or brand?

Any suggestions appreciated.

XboxBoy

[Coronita]

I like my macbook air. It’s not that much more than a PC laptop.

[spdrun]

Pick up a Thinkpad X220 or X230 on EBay. We’re talking about $150-250 bucks for a computer that’s virtually indestructible if it has an SSD. And easily repairable. Need a new SSD? One screw, open a cap, pull out the old, slide new one in. Same with RAM. Keyboard is a few screws, and they have the “nipple” that’s IMHO better than a touchpad once you get used to it.

Same goes for an X201 (typing this on one). Long in the tooth, but solid laptops, which can be had in the $100 range.

I’ve dropped it down flights of stairs and off a train onto a low platform before. It basically just bounced.

X240 and up are also nice, though pricier.

[gzz]

Forget the touch screen. It will add about $40-50 to the price, plus weight, and you will never use it.

Every new laptop will have wifi. This has been the case since like 2003!

When I buy laptops I tend to get 1 to 2 year old “top of the line” models on ebay that were $1000-1500 new and now are $350-450. I’ve purchased four of them this way over the years and every time I have been very happy with them. The thing about $1000+ laptops is they tend to be super cool looking and solidly built with all metal frames, and the fact they are slightly out of date does not bother me.

If you just want something simple, the prices at Wal-Mart are reasonable. You can also search for 5-star rated “hot deals” on slickdeals.

Another nice thing about buying used is you may be able to get one that still has Windows 7. I hate Windows 8 and 10.

If you want to go my suggested route, goggle “Best laptops of 2014,” read the reviews, and then search for those models on ebay/craigslist.

[an]

I like my XPS 13. 13″ screen in a 11″ laptop body. 2.8lb. The resolution and quality of the screen is great too. I got the i7 with 8GB of RAM, but you can go w/ the i5 for cheaper.

[spdrun]

As far as getting Win 7, MS isn’t exactly strict about use of the license keys. So (assuming the hardware supports it), you should be able to install Win 7 on a Win 10 laptop and activate it using a key sticker from somewhere else.

It’s even legal since Win 10 Pro has downgrade rights to Win 7.

[no_such_reality]

You say “places” and then say “into the field” along with “collect some data … via wifi” and “might do a bit of coding”.

So having supported field staff for a couple decades in various roles couple questions come to mind.

First, will you have access to a decent flat surface (like a desktop/table, etc) to work on? Yes, you see people working with it on their lap at the airport, but really, that’s just because they’re desperate to get it done. You don’t want to work that way

Second, is the “field” basically clean? i.e. Indoor office/store type environment or is it “field” like oil field rig, truck stop, construction site, etc.

Third, are you dependent on interacting with local staff while collecting data and will busting out a laptop be intrusive on that interaction?

Fourth, if this is truly a uni-purpose device, can a simplified tablet or phone be purposed to talk to the data collection device? i.e. could you just use a $59 Amazon BLU android phone with an app to collect the data?

The answers determine if you really what just a $200 disposable laptop, low-end tablet or tabletesque PC like the Surface or Ipad with keyboard.

[spdrun]

The iPad is crippled, overpriced garbage. Why get a device that’s crippled by design when you can get a fully-functional, general purpose computer for the same price?

Surface is not a laptop replacement for coding. Try typing on one on a non-flat or moving surface. It sucks.

For $500, a Yogabook might be OK, but the Atom processor makes it horrid for anything beyond simple tasks. And the flat-plate keyboard stinks.

[XBoxBoy]

[quote=no_such_reality]You say “places” and then say “into the field” along with “collect some data … via wifi” and “might do a bit of coding”.

So having supported field staff for a couple decades in various roles couple questions come to mind.

First, will you have access to a decent flat surface (like a desktop/table, etc) to work on? Yes, you see people working with it on their lap at the airport, but really, that’s just because they’re desperate to get it done. You don’t want to work that way

Second, is the “field” basically clean? i.e. Indoor office/store type environment or is it “field” like oil field rig, truck stop, construction site, etc.

Third, are you dependent on interacting with local staff while collecting data and will busting out a laptop be intrusive on that interaction?

Fourth, if this is truly a uni-purpose device, can a simplified tablet or phone be purposed to talk to the data collection device? i.e. could you just use a $59 Amazon BLU android phone with an app to collect the data?

The answers determine if you really what just a $200 disposable laptop, low-end tablet or tabletesque PC like the Surface or Ipad with keyboard.[/quote]

1) No. I will be on a golf course or driving range. I won’t be doing a lot of typing but hitting balls and collecting data on the flight of the balls. This data will appear in the browser that connects to the device (over wifi) and I will then copy the data from the browser into a txt file to be analyzed later. (The device has a built in web server that any browser can connect to)

2) See answer to 1

3) Nope I’ll be doing this on my own. No concerns about clients, staff or anyone I’ll need to impress or interact with.

4) While this will be the laptop’s main function I might use it at night in bed to code a bit(visual studio) or surf the web a bit. I have tried this with an iPad and it connects but iPad (and iPhone) are awkward if not impossible for copying data from browser and storing to txt file. A laptop seems like a simple way to go. (Don’t get me started on the Mac iOS way which seems to include not allowing access to files!)

I don’t want to spend a ton, but it will be a tax deductible business expense and I would probably like it to last a while. I’m thinking 8megs memory and at least 512meg SSD drive, reasonably lightweight would be good, but it doesn’t have to be the lightest laptop ever made. Preferably under a grand.

[flu]

[quote=XBoxBoy][quote=no_such_reality]You say “places” and then say “into the field” along with “collect some data … via wifi” and “might do a bit of coding”.

So having supported field staff for a couple decades in various roles couple questions come to mind.

First, will you have access to a decent flat surface (like a desktop/table, etc) to work on? Yes, you see people working with it on their lap at the airport, but really, that’s just because they’re desperate to get it done. You don’t want to work that way

Second, is the “field” basically clean? i.e. Indoor office/store type environment or is it “field” like oil field rig, truck stop, construction site, etc.

Third, are you dependent on interacting with local staff while collecting data and will busting out a laptop be intrusive on that interaction?

Fourth, if this is truly a uni-purpose device, can a simplified tablet or phone be purposed to talk to the data collection device? i.e. could you just use a $59 Amazon BLU android phone with an app to collect the data?

The answers determine if you really what just a $200 disposable laptop, low-end tablet or tabletesque PC like the Surface or Ipad with keyboard.[/quote]

1) No. I will be on a golf course or driving range. I won’t be doing a lot of typing but hitting balls and collecting data on the flight of the balls. This data will appear in the browser that connects to the device (over wifi) and I will then copy the data from the browser into a txt file to be analyzed later. (The device has a built in web server that any browser can connect to)

2) See answer to 1

3) Nope I’ll be doing this on my own. No concerns about clients, staff or anyone I’ll need to impress or interact with.

4) While this will be the laptop’s main function I might use it at night in bed to code a bit(visual studio) or surf the web a bit. I have tried this with an iPad and it connects but iPad (and iPhone) are awkward if not impossible for copying data from browser and storing to txt file. A laptop seems like a simple way to go. (Don’t get me started on the Mac iOS way which seems to include not allowing access to files!)

I don’t want to spend a ton, but it will be a tax deductible business expense and I would probably like it to last a while. I’m thinking 8megs memory and at least 512meg SSD drive, reasonably lightweight would be good, but it doesn’t have to be the lightest laptop ever made. Preferably under a grand.[/quote]

Macbook air $850.

[XBoxBoy]

[quote=flu-redux]

Macbook air $850.[/quote]

Sorry, but as I said in the original post, I won’t be going with Mac for this.

[an]

Acer Swift 7 with i5 CPU looks pretty good too. They’re going do $1k.

[no_such_reality]

[quote=XBoxBoy][quote=no_such_reality]You say “places” and then say “into the field” along with “collect some data … via wifi” and “might do a bit of coding”.

So having supported field staff for a couple decades in various roles couple questions come to mind.

First, will you have access to a decent flat surface (like a desktop/table, etc) to work on? Yes, you see people working with it on their lap at the airport, but really, that’s just because they’re desperate to get it done. You don’t want to work that way

Second, is the “field” basically clean? i.e. Indoor office/store type environment or is it “field” like oil field rig, truck stop, construction site, etc.

Third, are you dependent on interacting with local staff while collecting data and will busting out a laptop be intrusive on that interaction?

Fourth, if this is truly a uni-purpose device, can a simplified tablet or phone be purposed to talk to the data collection device? i.e. could you just use a $59 Amazon BLU android phone with an app to collect the data?

The answers determine if you really what just a $200 disposable laptop, low-end tablet or tabletesque PC like the Surface or Ipad with keyboard.[/quote]

1) No. I will be on a golf course or driving range. I won’t be doing a lot of typing but hitting balls and collecting data on the flight of the balls. This data will appear in the browser that connects to the device (over wifi) and I will then copy the data from the browser into a txt file to be analyzed later. (The device has a built in web server that any browser can connect to)

2) See answer to 1

3) Nope I’ll be doing this on my own. No concerns about clients, staff or anyone I’ll need to impress or interact with.

4) While this will be the laptop’s main function I might use it at night in bed to code a bit(visual studio) or surf the web a bit. I have tried this with an iPad and it connects but iPad (and iPhone) are awkward if not impossible for copying data from browser and storing to txt file. A laptop seems like a simple way to go. (Don’t get me started on the Mac iOS way which seems to include not allowing access to files!)

I don’t want to spend a ton, but it will be a tax deductible business expense and I would probably like it to last a while. I’m thinking 8megs memory and at least 512meg SSD drive, reasonably lightweight would be good, but it doesn’t have to be the lightest laptop ever made. Preferably under a grand.[/quote]

Blu 5.0 Android phone for $59.99 on Amazon, using a free screen grabber to automated the webserver connection and copy to a text file.

Actually, don’t even bother with the Blu, just use the phone you’ve got, odds are it’s either Android already or an iPhone and even iPhone has built in accessibility which should allow you to automate the ‘collection’ to a single tap on the phone.

[XBoxBoy]

[quote=no_such_reality]
Blu 5.0 Android phone for $59.99 on Amazon, using a free screen grabber to automated the webserver connection and copy to a text file.

[/quote]

Don’t think that’s going to really work as we’re talking about 10-20k lines of text per session that needs to be copied. That’d be a whole lot of screen grabs.

[all]

[quote=XBoxBoy]
I’m thinking 8megs memory and at least 512meg SSD drive…[/quote]

512MB SSD might work, but with 8MB of RAM you will need MS DOS, or Windows 3.11. Win95 should also work.

[Author]

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