Laptop advice

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DannyShadd0w

New Member
So I'm looking to upgrade to a new laptop from my macbook pro mid 2010, 2.4ghz core 2 duo, 4gb ram.
I'm a designer so aesthetics are kind of important. That being said, I don't really want to get another mac. I've considered it and looked at the models and found one I liked, but I have budget constraints (being a student) and I'm thinking of switching to Linux. I checked out Eurocom but they're pretty massive and heavy, and I checked system76 because they do laptops for linux but they ended up having bad reviews on build quality and bad battery life.

I'm looking for something less than $1600 but open to suggestions.
Ideally what I would like is a relatively light laptop, doesn't have to be ultrabook level, but not really wanting anything that's gaming laptop weight because I do want to take it places if I need to.
I want something with a decent CPU, preferably i7 and quad core as I'm starting to do more 3D work. Kind of want to have upwards of 8gb ram, but don't need anything more than 16gb because I don't need to do complex scientific stuff.
Graphics card I'm not overly concerned about, but being able to play steam indie games without a problem would be cool.
Battery life doesn't have to be on par with mac, but anything less than 3 hours is not really my thing.
Coming from a macbook pro I really appreciate the aluminium chassis, but anything that feels nice and sturdy.
I want it to have ac wifi and bluetooth if possible.
Not concerned about the quality of internal speakers as I have my own external ones and some nice headphones which I use for everything.
Anything more than 1080p screen would be cool.
Looking at more than 11" because that's too small for me, but less than 17" because I feel the structure of the laptop suffers at that size.
SSD or dual hard drive capabilities would be nice to have, but I'm open about it. Not concerned about the capacity too much but anything higher than 250gb would be sick.
Optical drive is not needed, but won't be a killer if it has one.
HDMI port and USB 3.0 slots would be preferable.


TLDR;
Less than ~$1600
Lightish
i7 quad core (preferable, but anything that's a pretty decent CPU will be fine), 8gb ram or higher
More than 3hrs battery
Sturdy feel that doesn't feel like it's going to collapse if you put it down too hard
More than 11", less than 17"
1080p
250gb SSD or HDD
HDMI and USB 3.0 ports
Able to run Linux without running into too many problems

I'm going to be using it for a lot of design stuff, so photo editing and page layout, but I'm also going to start using it for 3D modelling and game creation. Also going to use it for normal use like social media, youtube, movies etc.


Any suggestions?
 
Hello. I am not the brightest one here, by far. My usual technological expertise stops at Campbels soup cans and a taught screen. "Radar" is a character on M*A*S*H, etc.

(I'm kidding a little, but not much.)

However, I was a student for 11 years, and while I do get the budget considerations, I'm wondering

(1) if the new computer is actually kinda-sorta needed, or

(2) if it just a great thing you'd love to have for design.

I ask because it can affect the reasoning behind a budget, priorities, etc.

Overall, it seems to me that you're sorta describing what would be a heck of a good computer, the 15" Retina Macbook Pro https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/ though they do start at $1999, hence the priorities thing and budgeting.

I don't know your design needs, but if it's the important laptop to help you get to the next level in your studies/work, then I'd get a part-time job and get the money. It's only $300 more, so a few weeks worth of work, and it'll serve you for years.

Just a thought, from someone older and still-plays-with-Campbels-soup-cans at various universties around the southland.

Ciao

Jen
 
He says it has to run linux well, macbooks specs arent as good as pcs and dont come with dedicated graphics cards. And 300$ is quite a lot, not chump change
 
Thanks for the responses :)

At the moment my current macbook is working fine, but it gets a little laggy every now and again, and especially when I'm working with some of my photoshop files which can have a whole heap of smart objects in it.

So I won't be able to get one for a little while because I don't actually have the money, but I was hoping not to have to fork out a whole heap of money for a mac (which I love btw) just to switch operating systems.

The macbook that I was actually looking at upgrading to was the retina 15" macbook pro cos it does have some pretty sick specs behind it. But again, I don't really want to have to spend that much money if I don't have to.

So yeah, the budget is just because ideally I don't want to spend as much as that.


I do have a casual job, but because of my studies I'm only able to work Saturdays and sometimes Sundays. And I do get some government support (win for NZ) but pretty much all that goes into rent. So it's gunna be a looooong few weeks to get an extra $300. But I do understand trying to get something that will last a few years.
 
Again thank you for your response :)

Not really looking for something with a touchscreen as I don't really feel like I need it or would end up using it. Also on that note don't really want a hybrid either.
I do like the look of the specs for the Surface Pro, but it pushes my budget a little. I also looked into its compatibility with Ubuntu and it has a fair amount of issues with the Surface keyboard. So probably not ideal for what I'm after.

I have looked into the Lenovo range though, I think there may be some promising ones in their that has decent power and battery life without costing too much. But if anyone else has any other ideas then that would be cool to look into :)
 
The lenovo Y50 is a very powerful computer, but its kind of heavy. However, they have lighter models too. Lenovo makes good stuff, and a touchpad is actually quite useful
 
Yeah I'm gunna look more into Lenovo I think, my flatmate seems to really like them as a brand.

That Cyberpower ZeusBook Edge looks like it be a real good one too!! Some nice looking specs on that. I'm gunna look at some reviews for them for sure!

Thanks guys, really appreciate it :)
 
i used to have a lenovo z580 around a year ago before i sold it and built my desktop. I also have a 5 year old one tucked away somewhere and it still runs strong. They are well known for their good quality, sturdy and reliable laptops. I had no problems with it never had anything go wrong and i dont know of many people who have had one fail on them.

http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/59423060-Lenovo-Y50-70-(4k)_1659194.html

id agree if you can that will be a very good machine and last you a good few years. but that cyberpower pc is very good value for money there and id certainly look into it.
 
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