Laptops again!

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manc

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Well after having endless trouble with my DELL Studio XPS13, tonight the screen gave in again(good job I'm 5mins away from the ground tonight, run home and wire)! This is going to be a written letter of complaint then Small Claims court issue me thinks as its now out of warranty but its my 3rd screen and they just don't want to know!! madness!

However thats another story...so I'm left without a lappy at the moment and need to get another one. So any recommendations?

I'm looking at PC's(not DELL after this episode) and Macs, have never used a Mac and not sure if its worth the change.

Do I consider a cheaper throw in the bag model or nice glossy machine (like the XPS13 I have as I like to use it with clients but would need to work in the rain pitchside).

Screen size 13-14inchs nothing bigger or smaller. HD size not worried about as its not used as storage.

Then needs to do all the things a laptop must do for wiring and editing pitchside. I had a look around tonight and most guys are on DELL's or MAC's I guess all company gear.
 
maybe go for a 13 inch Macbook? i've only used Macs since i started shooting sports so don't have experience of PC'S though Gary Coyle will likely recommend a Dell of some sort, i think Tobers uses a Panasonic? Toughbook
 
I was thinking of getting a macbook but the price you pay for the spec is insane
 
The price you pay is worth it. Reliable, professional machine backed up by superb customer service. I was PC for years and had nothing but problems (viruses, blue screen, slow processor). The only problem I've had with my Macbook two years in is when I spilt a pint of water on it, and they even fixed that for free.
 
I was a PC for years and now I have a Mac for 2 years and am never going back!

Let's just put it that way!:thumbs:
 
I have a 4 year old "white" MacBook and it's ace. Runs photoshop, photo mechanic, mail, mobile broadband app and ftp app all at the same time with no performance issues. It's battered, bruised and filthy but it works likes a dream, I've never had any trouble with it.

If I had the cash, I would get a MacBook Pro, but that's just because I'm a snob and would love one, however the MacBook should be good enough. I have 2 batteries as I only get 2.30 hrs out one battery, but that does me for one game and I think battery life has improved since then.

Choice is yours.
 
I'm on my fourth Dell laptop with no issues. Only problem I have had was a screen issue which they came out and replaced foc but that was years ago.
 
If you have the money buy yourself a Lenovo thinkpad.

Build like stone and superb quality.

Look for this model THINKPAD L412 CI5/520M-2.4G NVU4MUK+45N6681
 
If youre going down the mac route forget the 13 inch as the screen res is too low, 1280x800 i think, you really need the 15 which is 1440x900, the extra res makes a massive difference to editing especially pitchside when you need to do things quickly

If sticking with Windows go for the Dell Latitude E6500 with the LED backlit screen, nake sure its the LG Phillips screen as also used in the 15 inch Macbook Pro, forget the new E6510 as the screens are horrible
 
Thanks for the tips guys.

Well I emailed my complaint into DELL last night after 4 calls from the tech desk saying they cannot do anything. This morning I got DELL corporate call me back and say they would fix it for free. This machine is less than 2 years old and its had 2 lots of mobo/fans, 1x HD and 2x screens. Basically hasn't been right from the start.

I'm thinking get them to repair it then sell it as I think its a lemon and now out of warranty.

Tough call to make for me as the Macbook Pro 13 is prob my best option but I like XPS spec, HDMI, internal sim card plus others and difficult to find similar. Going to sleep on it tonight.
 
Gary Coyle said:
Remember the low screen resolution on the 13inch macs
Click to expand...

but have you used one of the 13in macs Gary?, they seem to be the weapon of choice for many of the guys i've seen pitchside, i have the 15in and find it a bit too big and bulky for games
 
Screen res isn't really a problem for me and I'm on a 13" macbook.

TBH I used to love PC's was always messing with them, built my own etc etc. Got a macbook around 2 years back and would never go back now.

Yes more money but you get what you pay for imo. And doesn't really work out comparing specs between windows and Macs... Macs seem to be more efficient with what hardware they need compared to PC's (in my opinion)

I can guarantee though you'll get a dozen people say PC and a dozen say Mac... best bet is to go down an Apple shop and have a play with the OS and see what you think.
 
Rovers_Andy said:
but have you used one of the 13in macs Gary?, they seem to be the weapon of choice for many of the guys i've seen pitchside, i have the 15in and find it a bit too big and bulky for games
Click to expand...
Certainally have Andy and i find it restricting, however not as much as the seemingly popular standard res of 1368x768 of todays widescreen displays.

Also dont forget, those guys with the Macbooks are having trouble with serious reflections outside on bright days unless they paid the silly asking price for the Matte screen option

I find myself switching back and forth with alarming regularity but i always go back to a Dell Latitude E6500 with 1440x900 LED Backlit display, its a 15.4 inch and to be honest isnt the most portable but the better sized E6400 14.1 inch with 1440x900 doesn't come with an LG Phillips LED backlit display so like most things its a compromise, a very nice one mind you and a third of the price of the equivilant Macbook Pro and with 3 years NBD warranty, even Apple care cant compete with the Dell NBD warranty
 
I think I'll take a trip to Apple tomorrow and have a look at least.

Other options for me is to push DELL a bit more and try and get an extended warranty over the 90 standard, then its more piece of mind for me. I think my current DELL is 1200x800ish and I've not noticed an issue but then again I've not used a higher res one. Maybe not know is my best option at the moment ;)

I've got one of those Griffgear laptop shades as my screen mine is glossy and useless outdoors.
 
Most guys have a griff gear screen shade or Seaport I-visor case, no issues with screen glare ;)
 
why spend tons of money upgrading the screen on a macbook pro, just buy this
 
I bought one of those nasty things when i had a MBP 15, what an absolute waste of money, you need the paitence of a nun to put it on and need to be in a seriously dust free environment or it'll be a waste of time and money, then when youve spent 2 hours getting it on and switch your machine back on youre greeted by a streaky bubble filled mess across your screen, garbage but then again i'm no nun.
 
To add my 2 pennies...

I suppose people are inclined to suggest the laptop their using if they like it...and that's exactly what I'm going to do :lol: I have a Toshiba, and the higher specced ones seem quite reasonable. The spec on mine is pretty good and it was nowhere near the price of a Sony/HP/Dell etc. Money has been saved on things like speakers and sound crad etc, but if it's for work more than play I can't see it being a problem. I've had my Toshiba for nearly a year with NO problems at all.
 
bigrob said:
If you have the money buy yourself a Lenovo thinkpad.

Build like stone and superb quality.
Click to expand...

This :plusone:

Windows 7 is ace and 100 times better than the horror that was Vista. Even better, dual boot Windows 7 and Ubuntu which has all the flashiness and slick interface of Mac OS without having to fork out a premium for a lesser specified machine ;)
 
So what was the outcome of this manc ?

I have the dell e6500 that gary raves about.in fact I bought it from him.. . ..its been stood on, dropped and knocked about no end... Its as quiet as a mouse.. doesnt get hot and performs perfectly no matter what.


What i don't like..
Its too big.. I still need to put a cover over me to see the screen and it hasnt got a backlit KB

So what should I get thats smaller for ptichside.. the most important thing is the screen resolution.. I care nothign about anythign else bar size
 
What screen res and size are you after Tony?

I've just been through a similar exercise.
 
KIPAX said:
So what was the outcome of this manc ?

I have the dell e6500 that gary raves about.in fact I bought it from him.. . ..its been stood on, dropped and knocked about no end... Its as quiet as a mouse.. doesnt get hot and performs perfectly no matter what.


What i don't like..
Its too big.. I still need to put a cover over me to see the screen and it hasnt got a backlit KB

So what should I get thats smaller for ptichside.. the most important thing is the screen resolution.. I care nothign about anythign else bar size
Click to expand...

Try the Latitude E6400 14 inch with the 1440x900 display, might be able to pick you one up if youre interested.
 
just need a smaller laptop.. maybe get in my peli instead of the extra bag... Its only use will be pitchside and then only maybe a couple of times a month
 
KIPAX said:
Now looking maybe 11 or 12 inch....
Click to expand...

to represent the mac side of TP id suggest a macbok air, very thin light and portable + with it being solid state it would fell very fast :)
but hey if you think general macs are overpriced (which is fair if were being honest) then the macbook air is extremely overpriced, but hey its shiny and thats what i look for in a computer :thumbs:

Jack
 
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Gary Coyle said:
Try the Latitude E6400 14 inch with the 1440x900 display, might be able to pick you one up if youre interested.
Click to expand...

I use one of these Tony & they are brill!:thumbs:,(funnily enough purchased from a very knowlageable guy called Gary;)) the best lappy I've ever had:love:, LOL. A tad heavy but size wise a great compromise, (i'd invest in the LED screen version if pos!),. The battery life is awsome I bought it with the 9 hr option & purchased the 6 hr from Gary later for "just in case" moments!. guess what?, I've never used it:shake:. When I saw yousaw me going home at 11.20pm & still wiring untill 1.00am so the lappy was on from 6.30pm till 1.15am running CS4/PM/Filezilla & even LR3
 
I'm flogging my 13" MacBook in a week or so... Love it! I'm only flogging it as I bought a new one because I thought my old one had died properly and I needed one quick.

The Old one is coming back from apple next with a brand new case, and new screen and a good cleaning out. If I hadn't of bought the new one, I would still keep it for a couple more years.

MacBooks are great. Robust, long battery life, great screens, lightish, quick and reliable. First problems in 4 years! Oh yeah, great resale value too!
 
hjwatso1 said:
I'm flogging my 13" MacBook in a week or so... Love it! I'm only flogging it as I bought a new one because I thought my old one had died properly and I needed one quick.

The Old one is coming back from apple next with a brand new case, and new screen and a good cleaning out. If I hadn't of bought the new one, I would still keep it for a couple more years.

MacBooks are great. Robust, long battery life, great screens, lightish, quick and reliable. First problems in 4 years! Oh yeah, great resale value too!
Click to expand...

I had a mac once and didnt get on wiht it... gave it my daughter.. that was years ago.. she now has a shiney new 13" macbook pro and loves it

what ya selling it for as in how much?
 
Ive got a lenovo thinkpad, it's brilliant, I have extra memory added and it was really good value. Got it from laptopsdirect!

I would also love a macbook but they are hideously overpriced. I have an iphone instead!
 
Ian - I'd look at either Lenovo or Toshiba personally.

The Lenovo's are fantastically well built - but slightly more expensive. The toshiba's arent quite as well built but better specced.

I'm currently running the Lenovo X200 and Toshiba R700. The R700 is as expensive as a Macbook, but better specced.
 
neil_g said:
if youre concidering a macbook get the matte "anti-glare" screen otherwise itll be pretty much unusable outdoors.
Click to expand...

Think that option is only available on the 15" model.

I have the 13"model and love it, so compact and quick. I cant wait to try it out when i finally start wiring live :thumbs:
 
getting a 13" over the 15" i already ahve isnt much of a saving and hardly worth it. certainly swapping a 15 for a 14 dell would be pointless... just looked at my daughters 13 inch macbook and i still need an extra bag to put it in and theres no real saving..

deffo got to look at 11 ish inch .. anyone using an 11 inch laptop
 
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