Getting a new laptop

[Zifle]

So, doing some work in photoshop, my two year old netbook is just not cutting it, and I'm considering getting a new one (non-netbook this time).

I'm creating websites, hence doing some coding, as well as some graphical work in photoshop, flash, and occationally Illustrator (Adobe package, you get the point).

I don't want a big laptop, 15" max, preferably around 13" would be ideal (I'm a fan of a laptop being transportable). A thin laptop would be preferable aswell (again, transportation).
That being said, I'm not too worried about the weight of the thing, but I don't expect a ~15" thin laptop to be heavy.

Naturally, from the above criterias, I've been looking into these ultrabooks. I don't have a huge experience concerning laptops, concerning model build quality etc., so I would like some help (obviously).

So, doing graphical work, the screen is obviously a thing to look at, and a good quality screen is a major plus.
I'm not too concerned with the keyboard and trackpad, as I will mostly have my choc mini plugged in, along with an external mouse as well.

I do want it to last for a few years before replacing it, so some power will also be a major plus.

I've been looking into the Thinkpad X1 (mostly due to the hybrid version being announced, although I don't necessarily need the extra's it has to offer over the standard version), and do like the look of it.
With that said, the price is a bit steep, although I do not mind paying the money for something that's worth it (which Thinkpad has a history of being, to my knowledge).

I'm also not an apple fan, and honestly would rather not get one, than do (there's several things I don't like about the macs, that simply scare me off from them).

So, however little that is to go on, does anyone have any recommendations/ideas for a newish laptop to get in somewhat early 2012? Note that I am not in a particular rush to get a new laptop, so feel free to suggest up-and-coming laptops aswell.

A quick summary, my focuses are on:

+Portability
+Quality Screen
+Speed
+Battery life (although not too much of a concern, it's always nice with a good battery)

Price is not the biggest issue, but cheaper is obviously preferred. I am willing to pay the price for quality, though.

Thanks in advance =3

~Zifle

[davkol]

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[Zifle]

The X1 does not have an IPS panel, sadly, the X220, however, does. They're pretty much identical in specs, although the X220 is thicker, and ever so slightly better (spec-wise) than the X1.
As far as I can find out, it seems the biggest difference between the two is their size, and the screen.

[nar]

You might want to take a look at the LG P220. It has an IPS screen as well but it's not available outside of Korea just yet. It's also has a 12.5" screen so it's quite portable.

[davkol]

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[davkol]

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[Zifle]

Just been checking out a couple of the reviews for the X220T, and I must say, I am blown away. This most definitely seems like a laptop for my, albeit the steep price. Sometimes it just sucks living in Denmark, having to add an extra 25% when importing =/

Regardless, still taking suggestions, but I am definitely in love with this one. Will be going for it if nothing else comes up.

[cheebs]

What don't you like about Apple computers? (just curious)

The X220 is awesome, but I really love the design of the VAIO Z series (despite them being terribly overpriced).

Still I would strongly recommend the MacBook Air, especially if you're going to be doing alot of programming or design.  Many of the applications for programming / graphic design are just unrivaled, speaking without bias.

Of course you can always put *nix on the PC, but then you take a hit on the application suite, and time spent configuring, and the off-chance that no drivers are available for your quirky hardware component.

[Zifle]

I went ahead and ordered a X220T. Looking for it to arrive sometime friday, or monday.

As for the mac;
First off, the mouse usage. It's fine when doing some graphics work, you'll want to have a hand on your pointing device. But when coding, or just browsing around on the web, using different applications, etc., I feel the need for one hand on the mouse to be a pain. I used a 27" iMac for three weeks before christmas, doing a combination of graphical work and coding (although not a lot of the latter), and in the end, I hated macs even more than I did before. The screen was superb, no doubt, but the OS, having to navigate a folder with the pointer, it just seemed like such a waste of time.
It may just be lack of knowledge on macs, there might be some great shortcuts, I just did not manage to find them, and it frustrated me.

Second, the keyboard layout. I know I said that the layout was not all too big of a deal to me, and yes, I can always just plug in another board to compensate, but moving ctrl's function to command, effectively having to use the alt I'm used to, for what I normally use ctrl for, is one thing. Not just that though, I feel that it just messes with your fingers. Also the ctrl+click for menu *shrugs*

As for the applications, the Adobe suite is what I/we use, and I don't see it being anything else for the next couple of years, unless a competitor arises (GIMP just isn't enough). Photoshop and a clean, yet powerful, text editor, is my preferred applications for graphics and coding. Notepad++ is usually what I use in windows, and Geany in Linux.

I see it as such, if you get a mac, you get it for the OS, more so than the hardware. Seeing as I don't really like the OS, I don't see a reason to get a mac either.
I'm just more of a opensource kind of guy, that likes to customize my GUI to just what I like, rather than just getting used to what is the default (admitting that I have done that to the PC standard, though).


I do thank you guys for your input, I'm sure I'll put my new laptop to great use as soon as I get it =3

[cheebs]

Ahh I see, fair enough.

I usually spend most time in some sort of IDE, and use Pixelmator for graphics.  Indeed OS X is my main reason for getting a Mac, but I like their industrial design and efficiency builds, so their hardware appeals to me as well.

I know what you mean, I will always love FOSS.  If it weren't for that community I probably wouldn't have a job right now.

Anyways apologies for the aside, enjoy your machine. :smile:

[flyball]

Still I would strongly recommend the MacBook Air, especially if you're going to be doing alot of programming or design.  Many of the applications for programming / graphic design are just unrivaled, speaking without bias.

lol.

I went ahead and ordered a X220T. Looking for it to arrive sometime friday, or monday.

As for the mac;
First off, the mouse usage. It's fine when doing some graphics work, you'll want to have a hand on your pointing device. But when coding, or just browsing around on the web, using different applications, etc., I feel the need for one hand on the mouse to be a pain. I used a 27" iMac for three weeks before christmas, doing a combination of graphical work and coding (although not a lot of the latter), and in the end, I hated macs even more than I did before. The screen was superb, no doubt, but the OS, having to navigate a folder with the pointer, it just seemed like such a waste of time.
It may just be lack of knowledge on macs, there might be some great shortcuts, I just did not manage to find them, and it frustrated me.

Second, the keyboard layout. I know I said that the layout was not all too big of a deal to me, and yes, I can always just plug in another board to compensate, but moving ctrl's function to command, effectively having to use the alt I'm used to, for what I normally use ctrl for, is one thing. Not just that though, I feel that it just messes with your fingers. Also the ctrl+click for menu *shrugs*

As for the applications, the Adobe suite is what I/we use, and I don't see it being anything else for the next couple of years, unless a competitor arises (GIMP just isn't enough). Photoshop and a clean, yet powerful, text editor, is my preferred applications for graphics and coding. Notepad++ is usually what I use in windows, and Geany in Linux.

I see it as such, if you get a mac, you get it for the OS, more so than the hardware. Seeing as I don't really like the OS, I don't see a reason to get a mac either.
I'm just more of a opensource kind of guy, that likes to customize my GUI to just what I like, rather than just getting used to what is the default (admitting that I have done that to the PC standard, though).


I do thank you guys for your input, I'm sure I'll put my new laptop to great use as soon as I get it =3

1. use the command line more. or learn the shortcuts for the applications you use
2. you can swap them.
3. there's a bunch of text editors in macports/homebrew/whatever osx pacakge thing you want to use

i hope you checked the refurb ones at outlet.lenovo.com also.

[Zifle]

No need for an apology, your opinion is valued, even though it was a little late (I didn't say anything about having decided though, so that's not your fault, by any means).

I do see why people use macs, it's just not the machine for me, so I look in other directions

[NamelessPFG]

Fujitsu T5010, T900, or T901? (Same basic model, different generations.)

13.3" of guaranteed AFFS+, with a Wacom Penabled digitizer to boot. If you don't mind buying used from eBay, the T5010 and T900 can be had for a reasonable price. (The T901, on the other hand...that one starts at US$1,900 for the bare entry-level model. Cue wallet screaming in agony.)

[thp777]

what config did you end up getting?