Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: Which 13" laptop?

  1. #1
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Which 13" laptop?

    In preparation for going to uni at the end of this year I'm going to ask for a joint birthday/christmas present of a laptop this year Budget is probably £700 maximum and i want a 13" laptop really.

    I have looked at a few and I can see 2 that really appeal to me. First is the Toshiba Satellite R630 which is £700 @ amazon and review is here.

    Alternatively, and £70 cheaper is the lenoveo edge 13 which has 1 real standout feature: a slot for a simcard to have 3g on it. Although the CPU is slower on the lenovo I really think this wouldn't affect me too much as it would be for internet browsing and word processing but I demand 4GB of ram. Anyone had experience of an i3-380UM? Are they far too slow? Thanks for any advice guys

    Hmm the dells are now catching my eye.
    Last edited by nibbler; 17-10-2010 at 11:58 PM.
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  2. #2
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    Any thoughts?
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  3. #3
    Senior Member usxhe190's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,688
    Thanks
    149
    Thanked
    82 times in 63 posts

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    Go for the Toshiba.

    Edit - actually either one is fine if you dont mind haven't no DVD Drive.

  4. Received thanks from:

    nibbler (18-10-2010)

  5. #4
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    Hmm. The dell vostro looks really nice actually, it only can be configured with 3Gb or 2 GB of RAM and if you choose win7 pro 64bit it says you have to have at least 4 GB of ram for a 64 bit os. Who is actually in charge at dell, have they ever learned anything about computers? It's not possible to get 4 GB of ram so I would have to install myself which is no object. I would get more processing power for my money with the dell but not quite as thing I think.
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  6. #5
    Senior Member usxhe190's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,688
    Thanks
    149
    Thanked
    82 times in 63 posts

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    The i3-380UM is definitely not slow for what you are doing.

    Remember you aren't gaming and so you want longer battery life.

    You can also think about:

    Samsung Q330
    Asus UL series

  7. Received thanks from:

    nibbler (18-10-2010)

  8. #6
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    So the 3G on the lenovo is just a sim card slot where any sim with a data plan can be inserted?
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  9. #7
    DDY
    DDY is offline
    Senior Member DDY's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    2,789
    Thanks
    177
    Thanked
    597 times in 412 posts
    • DDY's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock Z390M Pro 4
      • CPU:
      • i5 9600k
      • Memory:
      • 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz
      • Storage:
      • Adata SX8200 NVME 1TB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • RX 5700
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Focus Gold 550W
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2715H

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    Chances are; the Vostro also has a SIM card slot. The SIM card slot is used in conjunction with a Mini-PCIe mobile broadband card, the broadband card isn't normally included (let alone installed) with a notebook unless the specs specifically state it's there or was included as configured.

    i.e. Slotting in a SIM card is useless unless there is an internal mobile broadband card installed, these can usually be bought for around £30-40 on eBay. However, there can be cases where a SIM card slot is available but the mini PCIe slot and/or antenna(s) is missing which makes it impractical to install a mobile broadband card.

  10. Received thanks from:

    nibbler (18-10-2010)

  11. #8
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    It's really not a dealbreaker tbh, I could easily just up my contract bill to £15 a month and get mobile internet if i really need it. reckon it's possible to change RAM in the vostro btw?
    Last edited by nibbler; 18-10-2010 at 07:05 PM.
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  12. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    799
    Thanks
    66
    Thanked
    71 times in 70 posts
    • kmac's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-P55-US3L
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i5 750
      • Memory:
      • 2GB Corsair DDR3
      • Storage:
      • 2 Samsung F3 500GB each
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI HD4770
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Modu 82+ 525W
      • Case:
      • Lain -Li PC-7FN Black
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Prof 64 Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2412M

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    My vote for the Tosh, streets ahead of Dell Vostro quality.

  13. Received thanks from:

    nibbler (18-10-2010)

  14. #10
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    I know that the thinkpad has mobile broadband adapter built in so it comes down to how much of a bonus it is. I guess the best course of action is to go to a shop and try them out.
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  15. #11
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Northampton
    Posts
    203
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked
    9 times in 9 posts
    • kurosagi01's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P755-M
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i3 530 @ 3.3ghz 1.15v
      • Memory:
      • Crucial Ballastix 4GB DDR3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 910GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • KFA2 EX OC GTX 460 768mb
      • PSU:
      • Corsair CX400W
      • Case:
      • Silverstone PS01-0W
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64-bit ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG Flatron W2234S
      • Internet:
      • Virgin media 10MB broadband

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    I would get this asus laptop:
    http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/ASUS_...0V_987289.html
    or this samsung which has a DVD drive:
    http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Samsung_Q330_980692.html

  16. #12
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    The toshiba has a dvd drive too and I don't really like the asus heard it ain't so solid. Like the magnesium alloy casing on the toshiba.
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


  17. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    799
    Thanks
    66
    Thanked
    71 times in 70 posts
    • kmac's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-P55-US3L
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i5 750
      • Memory:
      • 2GB Corsair DDR3
      • Storage:
      • 2 Samsung F3 500GB each
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI HD4770
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Modu 82+ 525W
      • Case:
      • Lain -Li PC-7FN Black
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Prof 64 Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2412M

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    I've used many laptops over the years and my experience is that build quality wise the IBM ( now Lenovos) and Toshibas are solidly built and good quality generally. Next used to be the Sony Vaios and Compaqs. If the Tosh has a magnesium alloy case and DVD drive I know I'd go for that. The only advantage to having a 3G slot is that it frees up a USB port so check how many USB ports you have in total on either machine.

  18. #14
    Pre-Cambrian nibbler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London
    Posts
    3,668
    Thanks
    913
    Thanked
    266 times in 216 posts
    • nibbler's system
      • CPU:
      • i5-2410m
      • Memory:
      • 6GB ddr3 1333mhz
      • Storage:
      • 256GB Plextor M5S SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 1GB 6650M
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 64 bit

    Re: Which 13" laptop?

    Nah I think I'll go for the toshiba. Wouldn't be using 3g anyway tbh.
    Join the HEXUS Folding@home Team!!


Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Grade A2 Refurb laptop C2D 2.2Ghz, 160Gb, £250
    By Rob_B in forum Retail Therapy and Bargains
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 22-05-2009, 12:57 AM
  2. File sharing/syncing between laptop & compter
    By Andeh13 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-05-2009, 09:49 PM
  3. Any tips & tricks for getting a Dell laptop cheaper?
    By Andeh13 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 13-04-2009, 11:59 AM
  4. Laptop Advice
    By WLC-1989 in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-09-2006, 06:08 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •