replace desktop with laptop?

The only hybrid I know of with an I7 is the new Sony Z, and it runs almost $3000.

There is however a few I5 hybrids, Lenovo and Samsung both have some. I have no experience with Samsung, but the recerts go for about $500, it looks like it's discontinued. I'll comment more on Samsung below.

The Lenovos however are Thinkpad T's. In the past, I wouldn't worry, but Lenovo has done some reworks on the Thinkpad line (which started before they changed the name to lenovo even, as you know full well) and it's hard to say what is and is not good anymore. The other problem is that these too cost around $1200 and with an Nvidia 4200 really are not great for gaming.

If you don't want it for gaming, what is the point of switchable graphics, it ads more cost and complexity and another point of failure. Worse in this case, a 4200? Seriously? In many cases the Intel 3000 will match it for performance. The only benefit is it will support some different types of rendering, but in terms of power, it's pointless.



Take a look here (Newegg), these are the I7 with Intel graphics systems they offer. They have 10 under $1000.

For under $700 you have 2 Acer and a Toshiba. Toshiba is one of the top brands for reliability, however this one is a refurb. I would still pick that over the Acer. While Acer has changed manufacturers, they are still rated poorly and if you hate touchpads now, you will be throwing your laptop at the wall after using an Acer in many cases. Their stuff looks good, and that is about it. Besides, a $500 Acer with an I7? I wouldn't walk away from it, I would RUN. Acer consistently rates at the bottom for reliability.

In the higher dollar bracket (700-1000) you have a Cyberpower, which I have heard good and bad things, and the rating on this is particularly poor, even their own frontpage's reviews are mediocre. A Lenovo Ideapad (not a Thinkpad, but looks and is rated well). I hear the offset touchpad is a pain in the neck. Supposedly for a bit more you can get switchable graphics (not Optimus) and Blue Ray, but there is no USB3, and I question the longevity. There is also a Samsung, which I know little of other than they don't seem to be anything special. At the top is an MSI, which would probably have been a possible contender until I saw the ratings on it, it seems to be a problematic model.

This leaves the Toshibas. I like Toshiba, however I don't like the Satelite line, it's not as good as their other stuff, but it's still as good or better than other brands for the money. The difference between them seems to be mostly the Blue Ray drive, which I would pass on normally, but for $20, why not.

If I were you, I would research the Lenovo, Cyberpower and the Toshiba. Cyberpower is an unknown (though unimpressive), but you can order direct and get it for less and without Windows (it works with Ubuntu). The Lenovo, if decent is probably what you want, but I would lean towards the Toshiba for better life expectancy and for it to be the better product.

 

"If I were you, I would research the Lenovo, Cyberpower and the Toshiba. Cyberpower is an unknown (though unimpressive), but you can order direct and get it for less and without Windows (it works with Ubuntu)."

I think that's a good evaluation and assessment. Thanks!

One problem though is this is in Canada so I think some of your recommendations aren't applicable to me, unfortunately. I think the Cyberpower site is mostly for Americans and I checked the website and the price isn't much better than the configured one on newegg Canada.

Also, you posted 'newegg.com' and that doesn't apply to me neither. I can only use the Cdn newegg.

But, I agree with you about Lenovo, Toshiba and Cyberpower. I like Sony and Samsung but I am not sure who uses which OEM but I figure Sony, Samsung, MSI and Asus laptops look very similar, imho. At least some of those share the same OEM?

I think any of those brands are ok for the consumer line so I would need to find preferable specs but within my budget?

The other criteria I have to decide on (besides brand) is screen size, screen resolution and whether i5 or i7.

I can compromise on the cpu since I'll be hard-pressed to find a decent i7 2nd gen Intel SB laptop in my budget.

So, maybe I should see about the other specs.

I am now leaning towards 1600x900 or 1920x1080 for res over the standard. I might want a screen with more clarity than stnd can give. However, that limits my choices even further, right? Is that a good decision? Even though I will probably use my desktop monitor with the laptop when in the bedroom using the laptop, I still think it's important to have a good screen.

I read a few threads on this but couldn't conclude on something specific, though! ;-)

Thanks for your analysis and advice. Except for the 'US-centric' parts, everything sounds very helpful.

One other thing is that it doesn't have to have hybrid graphics and most likely I'll have to settle for Intel HD 3000 but that's fine. I'm not gaming and from what I've read, the Intel graphics is pretty good for most tasks. If I have to compromise, I think it would be like this....

1) budget (unknown final one but probably $500 - $800 - if I'm lucky!)
2) screen res - 1600x900 min
3) i5 cpu - min. prefer i7 but restricted because of budget?
4) quality screen/ laptop hardware - so, probably no Acers or super cheap HPs???
5) screen size - 13" to 15"?

I noticed a Sony Vaio, 13" w/ 1366 x 768 and I didn't like the res for some reason. I don't know why... strange. It was red. Not sure of the model #. I thought that res would be ok for that screen size but I didn't like it.

I think 1920 x 1080 might be too small but would do on a 17" but I think I'll ultimately prefer a smaller screen for portability.

So, is 13" to 15.6" good w/ 1600x900. Reading related topics here, I still can't decide because any 'side' or argument seemed reasonable to me. Good points. I went into a FS to look at screens and still couldn't conclude one way or the other...LOL! But, I thought 1600x900 might be doable for my budget and gives a good compromise for real estate.

Ooops, sorry, this reply is way too long.

 

The better Sonys are made in Japan, but those are the specials, like the P or Z. The very bottom ones are usually outsourced like most companies. If you aren't buying an ultra portable Sony, you are still getting something good, but you can get equal for less and less headache if there is a problem (Toshiba and Asus).

The recommendations should still hold pretty true, Canada gets most of the same stuff. There is also TigerDirect up there. Though they aren't as good as Newegg.

I would definitely consider I5. The I7 would be nice, but the added expense, and heat... Not to mention the limited selection, you would just have better options with an I5.

I wouldn't touch anything but Apple, Sony, Toshiba, Asus and a few Lenovos personally. I see way too many of the others in poor condition after only a few years while I have 8 and 11 year old Sony's and IBM's that look new. Apple, I probably wouldn't get due to the built in battery and single button. Apple fans can stuff it, I'm a big girl and can use two mouse buttons, I don't need a kiddie toy with a button you can mash with your palm, and yes, i know getsture-shmesture, give me two buttons.


Screen res is size dependent and size is important. I have never bought a laptop over 13in and probably never will. I buy portable computers to be portable, not to carry a briefcase.

There isn't a lot of viewable difference between 14 and 15. However the weight can be dramatic. 13's tend to be smaller and lighter. I often have to double check 14 and 15 when working on them because it's too hard to tell and worse, soem companies offer both sizes in a model without specifying which it is (LENOVO!).

Don't buy from Future Shop if you can help it.

By the way, you could probably squeak out a Thinkpad T series direct from Lenovo with a slightly higher budget, you may want to look. Not sure I would do it still, but I thought you might be interested. Lenovo has supposedly shored up quality again.