Windows Notebook

[gilpen123]

I'm primarily a Mac user but need to have a windows based notebook for office use and some minor editing in PS. I'll bring this when I travel because I need to open my office emails. I need a compact but robust notebook definitely not a netbook. I'm currently looking at Sony Vaio S series and the Asus U36J. They are both i5 quadcore processors with seizable HD of 500Gb and 4 Gb RAM. Both are basically new and can't find some good reviews in the net, anyone have experience with these notebooks? Thanks!

 

[dovi]

Take some images on a flash card to test

Take some images on a flash card to test

I know the Vaio Z series have wonderful screens that compare favorably with the Mac Book and pro series (my opinion) .

For me the weight and screen quality were the criteria and I had some images on a flash card I popped them in the sony z and a macbook pro. I was pleasantly surprised to see the Sony holding its own.

I am not having any speed issues. I say take a card with some large images,
and see if the screens compare between the models you are considering.

It all depends on what you plan to do with the laptop. I wanted a wonderful screen and Sony delivered.

I think you will not have speed issues if you have at least 4 gigs of ram, given the current crop of processors.

Good luck and let us know what you decide..

 

[gilpen123]

I'm inclined with the vaiio than the new Asus. The ASIs u36j seems to me the lightest and thinnest but in my experience using their chiclet type keypad, it's not really up to the standards of Mac, Sony and think pads. The Sony z price is way up there, the s series is reasonable at slightly less than 1k. I will bring some picture files and see how it look with the s series.

 

[sig]

If you are a Mac user, why not buy a mac laptop? You should be able to read your office emails on a mac

 

[softshock]

I don't know your whole situation, so disregard my remarks if they aren't applicable.
But- A MacBook is just as capable as a Sony Vaio running Windows. You could switch between the Mac OSX & Windows whenever. Or is this an instance where your employer is paying and will only buy a Windows machine?

 

[ampguy]

I'd check out Lenovo Thinkpad 410 and 510s with either the HD+ (1440x900) or FHD screens. The Vaio Z's are nice too for small and light.

 

[kully]

As softshock suggested, why not a Mac notebook and Bootcamp?

I'm currently using a Macbook Pro exclusively with Windows (I think I last booted it in to OSX in November...) for software development, I use it 8-10 hours a day with no problems. I've even gotten used to the keys.

The only bad thing with running Windows on a Mac notebook is the trackpad - it is really bad (over sensitive), I've got it disabled and have a little wireless mouse attached.

 

[Matus]

I am far from an expert here. I use MacBook 13" since 2 years. My wife is looking for a new laptop so we visited a large shop to check them out in person.

The Lenovo 410 looks like a very solid machine. The casing design is outdated (the locking hooks sticking out .. c'mon guys!), but still looks better than the teenage designs the most of other laptops have. What was nice that it comes with 4 GB memory in a single slot - so you can add another 4 in the future.

There were a few 13" Sony Vaio Z laptops that were very light, expensive and powerful and costly. But the screen was extremely thin - it had NO mechanical stability - you could bend it with minimum pressure.

I would say - if you want high performance for less money get some Asus or Sony or similar. If you want decent and well designed case you can get MacBook or if you need just strong case the Lenovo 410 is a powerful machine. With Mac if you need strong processor you must get a 15". But I personally find that my MacBook with 2 GHz duo-core handles all photoshop I need to do (I work on 4x5 scans too, I just have to finally upgrade to 4 GB RAM).

Running Windows on a Mac is not an issue - you can choose from separate installation to run it over a virtual machine.

But make sure that you go to shop and actually lay your hands on any of the candidates you consider - many seem to be designed to look cool on webpage and the reality look like a bad joke.

good luck with your choice.

 

[gilpen123]

I already have an MBP 13" and an older MBP 15" which is sitting in my home desk permanently. The MBP 13" is in my office for personal use. Our corporate email is restricted, does not allow software installation, limited web browsing and all the BS email controls. When we're out of the office we can open email using Zimbra webmail connection but can't perform online approvals/requests. My office notebook is a Lenovo T series 15" pretty good but weighs like a brick. Btw, our office connection is wireless so another set-up needed.

Currently, I use an Asus 12.1" netbook (personal) which was set up by our IT guys when I travel. Personal notebooks are not restricted that much I think only yahoo email and YM is not allowed. Anyway it's quite complicated maybe I'll check out bootcamp and see if it is feasible.

 

[thegman]

I use both Windows and Mac, and I whilst I think Macs are great, it's a very expensive way to get a PC laptop. The only thing I'd suggest it make sure the RAM is upgradeable. I've got a Samsung laptop, it's got 3GB of RAM, I recently investigated how much it would be to upgrade and it turns out Samsung only support an upgrade to 4GB, not 6 or 8GB.

Just check that out before you buy.