I need to buy a windows (puke) laptop. Any suggestions?

[mellofello]

My current setup isn't working out, and I need to buy a windows laptop to run certain software. I understand I can run my MacBook pro in boot camp, but it just isn't practical for me to do it full time.

Looking to spend around $1000. I have always heard good things about dell xps 13. Aesthetically I like the Thinkpad it is cool in a old-school way. A lot of sites seem to recommend the surface laptop, but I will be damned if I buy a suede laptop, that is the dumbest thing ever.

Any other ones I am missing? Looking to get out as cheap as possible for passing performance. This will mostly be used to run antiquated software that takes little to no power, and to keep me entertained in hotels.

 

[bopajuice]

Razerblade Stealth. Just a bit over 1K depending on features.

I also like the HP Spectre series. Best Buy always has them on sale.

Disclaimer: Never owned either one. Just looking, but specs look pretty good and the reviews seem positive.

 

[mellofello]

Razerblade Stealth. Just a bit over 1K depending on features.

I also like the HP Spectre series. Best Buy always has them on sale.

Disclaimer: Never owned either one. Just looking, but specs look pretty good and the reviews seem positive.

How is Razer's customer support?

 

[bopajuice]

How is Razer's customer support?

No idea. I have only used Apple for the most part. An occasional Windows laptop here and there just for fun. Last one was a Lenovo. No issues at all. Never needed to use customer service.

I also like this one:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-spe...nish-in-ceramic-white/6109503.p?skuId=6109503

Found a review on Razer customer service.

https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/razer-tech-support

 

[Lloydbm41]

Dell XPS 13. Since 2005, I have avoided Dell, but this little machine has been pretty darn good. No complaints from me in the 6 months that I have owned it.

 

[mclld]

Talk about being dramatic

 

[lowendlinux]

Talk about being dramatic

You should hang out on the Linux forums and see the stuff they say about Windows and OSX I thought my drill sergeant could create poetry out of cuss words those guys are Keats of swear poetry.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

Razer has notoriously **** customer service based on everything I've read. Granted I have no first hand experience, but when I was researching keyboards or something or other, there was no shortage of people complaining about it. Some guy had a keyboard that arrived without the RGB backlight and despite having proof, he had to jump through so many hoops to get them to take it back. It's just not worth the gamble in my opinion.

The Dell XPS line is actually decent these days and I have two friends who are very satisfied with Lenovo.

 

[sracer]

My current setup isn't working out, and I need to buy a windows laptop to run certain software. I understand I can run my MacBook pro in boot camp, but it just isn't practical for me to do it full time.

Looking to spend around $1000. I have always heard good things about dell xps 13. Aesthetically I like the Thinkpad it is cool in a old-school way. A lot of sites seem to recommend the surface laptop, but I will be damned if I buy a suede laptop, that is the dumbest thing ever.

Any other ones I am missing? Looking to get out as cheap as possible for passing performance. This will mostly be used to run antiquated software that takes little to no power, and to keep me entertained in hotels.

everyone’s opinion is formed by their own personal experience...
having said that,

Avoid all Microsoft Surface devices
Consider the Dell XPS
Seriously consider the newest possible business-model ThinkPad that fits your budget. They’re built like tanks, last forever, and most components are user-serviceable/replaceable. you could find a used model in near-mint condition for far less than $1000 that will be more than adequate for your needs.

 

[Falhófnir]

HP envy line has some pretty nicely designed computers. Your choice of the usual U series ultrabook cpus (i3, i5 or i7), 8-16GB RAM, SSD storage (they offer a 360gb tier which is a nice balance between spartan 256 and expensive 512), metal chassis, decent (some touch) screens, and well priced for what you get.

 

[nordique]

Dell XPS

 

[Marshall73]

My current setup isn't working out, and I need to buy a windows laptop to run certain software. I understand I can run my MacBook pro in boot camp, but it just isn't practical for me to do it full time.

Looking to spend around $1000. I have always heard good things about dell xps 13. Aesthetically I like the Thinkpad it is cool in a old-school way. A lot of sites seem to recommend the surface laptop, but I will be damned if I buy a suede laptop, that is the dumbest thing ever.

Any other ones I am missing? Looking to get out as cheap as possible for passing performance. This will mostly be used to run antiquated software that takes little to no power, and to keep me entertained in hotels.

What do you need to run on Windows? You can always use VMWare Fusion or Parallels. Dell and HP kit is decent, I picked up a spectre for a client and it was a quality bit of kit.

 

[hallux]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest Sager. My sister's BF has had good experiences with them (3-4 laptops now I think). They're a little cheaper because they are actually a "white box" ODM for other companies.

www.sagernotebook.com

 

[Breaking Good]

If you can get to a Microsoft Retail Store, I recommend buying a Dell XPS 13 from there. They have excellent customer support.

I agree with what sracer says about personal opinions being based on personal experience. We have some Dell Latitudes at work that are six years old and still running. So I am very impressed with Dell.

 

[mellofello]

What do you need to run on Windows? You can always use VMWare Fusion or Parallels. Dell and HP kit is decent, I picked up a spectre for a client and it was a quality bit of kit.

I need it to run a proprietary emulated windows 95/2000 program, I also need to to be able to plug into some equipment that is windows only. The IT guy says my life will be 1000 times easier with a windows laptop. Since I will definitely need support on it out in the field I don't want to deal with the idiosyncrasies of parallels, or boot camp on top of all the other issues.

As a side benefit I can allow my GF to use it since she much prefers the windows version of MS office. I also need to brush up on windows since I am so out of the loop on the technology.

It needs to be a separate computer from my personal for tax reasons.

 

[Oohara]

I was in your situation when I got a new job, now almost 15 years ago. Loved Mac but had to get a freaking PC. Went for Lenovo and have stayed with them since. My last one was a Thinkpad Edge 15" for ca $700 which lasted from 2011 to end of last year with no significant hassles. Now I got a Thinkpad T570 which cost me more like $1200 but I felt like splurging on a bigger SSD, fancier battery tech and a freaking indestructible hull. It's also a bit slimmer than the Edge series and actually looks pretty cool in a CIA kinda way.

What I like about Lenovo is primarily the build and the keyboard. Both those keep setting their PCs apart from basically every other manufacturer for me. There's hardly any comparison. The battery has also been good (utterly amazeballs on the T570 since it's got a double battery setup) and I like and really use the little cursor nub a lot too.

So yeah, my recommendation would be a Lenovo. Noting that I don't have much experience with any other PCs lately, but these things have been getting the job done for me.

Oh and I have to mention the bonus bit with the T570 which I didn't know I was getting but now will never do without again: I can charge my iPhone out of one of it's USB ports even when the PC is closed up and in my bag. That's a pretty serious portable battery for when you're out and about - make sure you get that in whatever PC you end up choosing.

 

[BlueGoldAce]

Get a Dell XPS 13 or XPS 15 from the outlet store, on a sale that they run montly.

Same warranty, etc.

I paid about ~1100 for a Dell XPS 15 9560 with an i7, 512gb ssd, 16 gib ram, gtx 1050 gpu, 4k touch, larger battery.

About 2 months in, I had an issue where one of the keys in the keyboard was a bit faulty. They offered to send someone to my house to fix it, or send me a replacement. Lately, I have been working weird hours so I opted for the replacement.

One week later, I recieved a the same model....only with 1tb SSD and 32gb Ram. Literally the highest end model, retailing for close to 3k new, for no extra charge. It is a great machine, I highly recommend it.

I, apparently, largely live the in Apple walled garden (my wife does not...so I don't think of it that way). But I have the a lot of Apple products. But the Dell XPS 15 is as good as any mac I have used, and I paid way less. I love my Apple products...but I have no desire, no do I see myself replace my XPS 15 and custom built desktop PC for the Apple equivalents.

It is all personal preference, but the "puke" is not how I would describe the windows 10 laptop scence. If you go spend $300 on a windows 10 laptop, you will get what you pay for. But if you go spend 1000+, and you shop for a deal, you will get a equal-to-superior product compared to the 15in MBPtb that can exceed 4k in cost.

 

[mellofello]

Get a Dell XPS 13 or XPS 15 from the outlet store, on a sale that they run montly.

Same warranty, etc.

I paid about ~1100 for a Dell XPS 15 9560 with an i7, 512gb ssd, 16 gib ram, gtx 1050 gpu, 4k touch, larger battery.

About 2 months in, I had an issue where one of the keys in the keyboard was a bit faulty. They offered to send someone to my house to fix it, or send me a replacement. Lately, I have been working weird hours so I opted for the replacement.

One week later, I recieved a the same model....only with 1tb SSD and 32gb Ram. Literally the highest end model, retailing for close to 3k new, for no extra charge. It is a great machine, I highly recommend it.

I, apparently, largely live the in Apple walled garden (my wife does not...so I don't think of it that way). But I have the a lot of Apple products. But the Dell XPS 15 is as good as any mac I have used, and I paid way less. I love my Apple products...but I have no desire, no do I see myself replace my XPS 15 and custom built desktop PC for the Apple equivalents.

It is all personal preference, but the "puke" is not how I would describe the windows 10 laptop scence. If you go spend $300 on a windows 10 laptop, you will get what you pay for. But if you go spend 1000+, and you shop for a deal, you will get a equal-to-superior product compared to the 15in MBPtb that can exceed 4k in cost.

I have been looking at the xps 15. Definitely high on my list if I can get it in my budget. I will check out their outlet store.

I have had good experiences with Dell. I bought a bunch of .onitors and periphrials through them, and had quick resolution to any issues. If you call their telesales line you can actually haggle with them on some items.

 

[4RunnerHeaven]

everyone’s opinion is formed by their own personal experience...
having said that,

Avoid all Microsoft Surface devices
Consider the Dell XPS
Seriously consider the newest possible business-model ThinkPad that fits your budget. They’re built like tanks, last forever, and most components are user-serviceable/replaceable. you could find a used model in near-mint condition for far less than $1000 that will be more than adequate for your needs.

I had a surface pro 4. I went through 3 replacements before I said FK it. All mine had was a battery that wasn't holding its charge well any more. First replacement had nicks on the screen (chips), but it did work. Second replacement had deformed background in the screen. Third replacement died after 15 minutes of use and would never turn back on. I sold mine for a MBP and never looked back. Plus it took some fighting with them to get them to see they did receive those back.

My work laptop I have is a Dell XPS, and it's been an awesome laptop for 4 years I've had it. It is the first year they came out with the current new style. I also do love Thinkpads and would prefer them over any brand honestly.

 

[RickTaylor]

I'm tempted by the Samsung Notebook 9 pro myself. It's a two in one with a stylus. The reviews I've seen for it have been positive.

 

[eyoungren]

I'm partial to ThinkPads, having just bought three (used, off eBay) in the last six months. Dependable, rugged and not a lot of fuss.

Both my son and my wife depend on them for school. I just use mine for whatever. Been a good laptop so far though.

 

[oldhifi]

I like ASUS or Lenovo

 

[eyoungren]

I like ASUS or Lenovo

The ASUS my daughter has is the main reason why we have ThinkPads in our house now.

Forget which model it is but I despise it. It was free, which was about the only good thing we can say about it.

The thing with it that annoys me the most is when the trackpad decides to take over and make input you never told it to do. And you can't disable the whole gesture thing which is the problem.

 

[sracer]

I'm partial to ThinkPads, having just bought three (used, off eBay) in the last six months. Dependable, rugged and not a lot of fuss.

Both my son and my wife depend on them for school. I just use mine for whatever. Been a good laptop so far though.

It really is pretty amazing how many great deals there are on eBay on ThinkPads. I just received an X100e and X131e for $35 each. They're in like-new condition and best of all, upgradeable.

 

[oldhifi]

I have the Lenovo Y70 that i use for business/work here are the specs:

https://www.cnet.com/products/lenov...e-i7-4710hq-8-gb-ram-1-tb-hybrid-drive/specs/

Note the weight, it is heavy.