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Require a new laptop.
Basically for work type stuff - Microsoft suite of packages including Project, Visio and Exel.
I have an £80 voucher for CostCo so looking there.
ASUS X550CA - Intel i3-3217u processor, 4GB, 750GB, Windows 8 64 bit
Lenovo S510P - Intel i3-4010u processor, 4GB, 1TB, Windows 8.1
I know nothing about hardware, so some advice please. Both will cost the same.....
Lenovo is the best build quality out there. I'd go that way. (The T4x0 series is our standard issue at work.)
Lenovo list that model as "no longer available," incidentally. If you're going to get it, I'd get your skates on before they run out of stock.
The Lenovo one does not have a touch screen.
However I already have an ipad for web browsing, etc so what benefit a laptop with touch screen...assuming I'm going to be using it primarily with microsoft 'work' type packages such as excel, project, etc?
Thanks.
Touch screen is nice with Windows 8.1, but not essential. And as you point out, not that useful when you're in OfficeLand.
I'd go with the Lenovo, Asus always feel a bit cheaper. If there's a similar spec HP available I'd have a look at that, too.
I would look for one with an i5 or an i3 without the U suffix
I would suggest minimum of 8gb RAM if you will be using MS Project and Visio. They seem to use a lot of system resources.
Easy enough to add subsequently if needed though, I wouldn't necessarily lose too much sleep looking for a machine which came with 8Gb as standard.
We've got an Asus that came as an insurance replacement earlier this year. We had a problem with the hard drive last week and the customer service was excellent. Picked up, repaired and delivered back in a week.
Not sure of budget but I'm v happy with my Dell XPS12
Cougar - Moderator
Easy enough to add subsequently if needed though, I wouldn't necessarily lose too much sleep looking for a machine which came with 8Gb as standard.
More easy to sort out at time of original purchase...?
Sure, but limits your options when looking round.
what benefit a laptop with touch screen
None that I can see. Not sure I'd want to be reaching up from the keyboard and mouse to start swiping stuff, and I'd be constantly wiping fingermarks from the screen.
The reason I went with a Dell XPS12 is that it offered me the best combination of a decent laptop and tablet.
- Laptop for windows software, decent keyboard, use with external monitors etc
- Flip the screen, make it into a tablet for web surfing, watching videos etc
I appreciate it's a slight compromise in both roles but it suits me.
what benefit a laptop with touch screenNone that I can see. Not sure I'd want to be reaching up from the keyboard and mouse to start swiping stuff, and I'd be constantly wiping fingermarks from the screen.
actually, if you are showing somebody else something on your screen then it is pretty intuitive
Cougar - Moderator
Sure, but limits your options when looking round.
Doh! Sorry, missed the obvious!
Lenovo is the best build quality out there. I'd go that way. (The T4x0 series is our standard issue at work.)
Don't know anything about Asus, but we use Lenovo at work and I've got an old one for Windoze stuff. Not the best performers but built like tanks so if taking the odd knock is on the agenda, I 'd be looking at Lenovo.
Not all Lenovos are the same build quality as Lenovo Thinkpads, you might get a better keyboard but that's about it.
Have used both:
Lenovo is the re brand name for IBM and generally well built,
Asus have made a couple of good high end lap tops but generally they are a budget build.
Personally I would ask for a model with the downgrade to win7 as any version of win8 is shocking especially for business use (windows 10 is on the way next year to fix the issues with 8).