Laptop/Tablet Recommendations?

Question

Time to upgrade my 4-5 year old laptop to something faster, lighter and with more disc space and memory. In addition to the laptop I have an android tablet but would still like a 'tablet-like' device with full computing capabilities (read: full operating system) so I can get all of my work done on the road. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Richard Montoya · Answer

@Jon Holdman

What?!... Only one person mention Mac?

LENOVO -

@Ibrahim S

Please take note... LENOVO should not be an option (or any machine running Microsoft... BURN!)  (Oh no, HE DIDN'T! LOL!)

Honestly, if you want to have a 'worry-free' system, go with Apple. LONG GONE are the days of constant updates, virus intrusions and buggy glitches. Most people who love PCs have a hard time admitting that Apple is king. They are reputable company with fantastic products.

Sure... It's pricey, but what are you willing to pay for sanity?

-Richard Montoya-

iPads - 5 ea... MacBooks - 3 ea... iMac - 1 ea... iPhones - 5 ea... iPods - 4ea.

Yeah... I'm FULLY invested in Apple. : )

Andrew Schultz · Answer

I like the Surface Pro 2.  Runs a full version of Windows 8 and you can install any Windows based software package you want (Office, for instance).  Basically a laptop in tablet form.

Jon Holdman · Answer

Lenovo's are far from perfect.  We have these at the day job for both laptops for routine use and loaded with Linux for software development and testing.  And drivers make us absolutely bonkers because Lenovo will change the video chips (in particular) without changing the model number and we have to struggle with getting the right drivers in place.  But once set up right they've been pretty solid.  As bad as they are, other windows machines have been worse.

Personally I use a 2007 vintage mac book pro for most of my day job work.  It really needs to be replace, but the company will no longer pay for these and I struggle with plunking down the money for the price of a new apple machine.  I do have coworkers who have, and I may yet.  If you want a solid running machine its tough to beat apple, even at the price.

I'd love to have something that combines tablet type functionality with a laptop.  I don't think we're quite there, yet.  So my current approach is to use my second generate iPad with a ZAGG keyboard when I'm travelling.  Its not perfect.  Safari on the iPad is pitiful and other browsers I've tried are just as bad.  But its a LOT lighter than my 17" macbook and lets me do the majority of what I need to do.

Ann Watkins · Answer

Geesh...you're showing our age...I remember those...(my grandfather had one...lol)

Bill Gulley · Answer

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2424764,00.asp

Sure beats my Commodore 64! It is kind of heavy. :)

Ann Watkins · Answer

If the hardware and OS don't listen to the drivers we have a problem. It's Lenovo's machine therefore their conversation. I included them both because Lenovo blames the OS but then wants to replace the card, while this problem didn't seem to be a problem in 7, it's rampant on a lot of machines running 8. Most folks seem to think it is the hardware and to that Lenovo wants you to send the machine back to them to replace the card. So they are in agreement it's the hardware too.  (I've also been told the possible issues out of too many....has been fixed with correcting a wire not being connected...again hardware).

But...BUT...again these problems didn't manifest itself as much with Win 7...these so called hardware issues came up with 8. However, there are those with these same Intel cards who run 8 with no problem. It's Lenovo.

I've gone round and around with them on this machine and the two I had before this one. Currently I have to disable my connection and enable about 4 times a day. When the machine goes into sleep mode it drops the Wi-Fi connection. If I move it...it drops the connection (which could indicate hardware not seated properly)

I've always placed Lenovo as the top of the line, which is why I replaced two machines within 3 months...I was hoping it was just a bad unit. But after engaging Lenovo...without remedy...even after filing a BBB (response: just send it back), I give up. I'm taking this back to the store for something with  1) Better Customer Service and 2) It actually works!

Xing Zhu · Answer

You can buy a touch screen super slim i7 machine.

Ann Watkins · Answer

I'm on my 3rd Lenovo and ready to return it to the store. They no longer live up to the reputation Lenovo once had. The issue is 8 and 8.1, the drivers and the resulting constant dropping of Wi-Fi. Just do a check online and you'll find lot's of chatter about these issues and how Lenovo couldn't care less about fixing it.

I think I will be trying the Surface 2 next...after I return this Lenovo back to the retailer.

Troy Fisher · Answer

@Andrew Schultz has got it right.  If you want a light-weight tablet that's much more than a tablet.  A surface 2 is perfect.  Pictures, Excel, Web.  Love it when I'm at a property to evaluate it.

Laptop/Tablet Recommendations?

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