Looking for a 13-14" Laptop

Spend

Following on from my other thread (here).. I thought I would create a new thread, so that it can be directed at 13-14" only. Hope thats not a problem, if so then kindly merge the threads

Usage: email, web browsing, photos, videos, youtube, movies, etc.
Brands: Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Samsung, Sony, (maybe dell).
Budget: £400 - £650

Seeing, as I am now on the search for a 13 - 14" I will post some of my options below, and welcome and suggestions also...

For some reason, I am leaning towards the Samsung Q330, I can't seem to fault it and it seems like a bargain to me, so maybe we can use this is the yard stick?


i3 Processors

Samsung Q330 13.3" - £450

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i3 Dual Core (350M, 3MB Cache, 2.26 GHz) Screen13.3" (1366x768 HD Resolution) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition RAM4GB (DDR3) Hard Drive500GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) GraphicsIntegrated (Intel® HD Graphics with up to 1274MB Shared Memory) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader3-in-1 card reader (SD/SDHC,MMC) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports BluetoothBluetooth® 3.0+HS SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port Warranty12 Months Samsung Collect & Return Warranty Battery Life6-7 Hours (up to 7 hours with power management) Weight1-2 Kg (This Model 1.95 Kg)

Whats holding me back from the Q330 is I am not sure about built quality and the samsung brand for laptops. However, it has received excellent reviews online and the price seems a bargain.


Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820T 14" - £430

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i3 Dual Core (370M, 3MB Cache, 2.4 GHz) Screen14" (HD 1366 x 768 LED) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit RAM3GB (DDR3 1066MHZ) Hard Drive320GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) GraphicsIntegrated (Intel® GMA X4500 3D Graphics with up to 384MB Shared Memory) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader5-in-1 card reader (SD//MS/MS-Pro/MMC/xD-Picture card™) USB Ports4x USB 2.0 Ports SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port Warranty12 Months Acer Collect & Return Battery Life7-8 Hours (up to 8 hours with power management) Weight2-3 Kg (This Model 2.2 Kg) Finger Print ReaderNo

Samsung Q330 seems better to me...


Acer TravelMate Timeline 8372T 13.3" - £520

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i3-380M Dual Core (380M, 3MB Cache, 2.53 GHz) Screen13.3" (1366x768 HD Resolution) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit RAM3GB Hard Drive320GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) GraphicsIntegrated (Intel® HD Graphics with up to 1274MB Shared Memory) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader3-in-1 card reader (SD/SDHC,MMC) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports BluetoothBluetooth® 3.0+HS SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours Warranty12 Months Acer Collect & Return Battery Life7-8 Hours (up to 8 hours with power management) Weight2-3 Kg (This Model 2.1Kg) Finger Print ReaderFinger Print Reader EasyportAcer EasyPort IV connector

Between this and the above Acer, the first seems much better to me. The first has a larger display (better or worse, still undecided!), better graphics, 5-in-1 compared to 3-in-1 card reader, 4 usb compared to 3 usb ports, with everything else practically identical.

Whats with the £90 price difference?? Possibly because second has finger print reader (useless gimmick for me) and EasyPort IV connector (dont even know what that is!)


Toshiba Satellite Pro L630-166 13.3" - £460

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i3-380M Dual Core (380M, 3MB Cache, 2.53 GHz) Screen13.3" (Toshiba TruBrite, LED Backlit TFT, 1366 X 768) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit RAM2GB Hard Drive250GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader3-in-1 card reader (SD/SDHC,MMC) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports BluetoothVersion 2.0 SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port Warranty1 Year International Toshiba Warranty Battery Life5-6 Hours (Upto 5 Hour Battery Life) Weight2-3 Kg (This Model 2.2 Kg)

Spec wise, the Samsung Q330 still wins up till this point. I think the justification in the premium on price (for less tech spec) is toshiba brand and build quality... But it has much lower RAM and hard drive for similar laptops in this range.. Or am I missing something?

Opinions?


Toshiba Satellite Pro L630-167 13.3" - £515

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i3-380M Dual Core (380M, 3MB Cache, 2.53 GHz) Screen13.3" (Toshiba TruBrite, LED Backlit TFT, 1366 X 768) Operating SystemWindows 7 Professional Edition 64-bit RAM2GB Hard Drive320GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) GraphicsIntegrated (Intel® GMA X4500 3D Graphics with up to 384MB Shared Memory) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader3-in-1 card reader (SD/SDHC,MMC) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports BluetoothVersion 2.0 SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port Warranty1 Year International Toshiba Warranty Battery Life5-6 Hours (Upto 5 Hour Battery Life) Weight2-3 Kg (This Model 2.2 Kg)

For a little bit of extra hard drive and better graphics card, I dont see the justification in £55 price difference (for me at least). Or is there something else?

Samsung Q330 still ahead?


Sony Vaio VPCEA3M1E 14" - £550

Having a problem posting the details, please click link above for details.

I prefer the Sony brand over Samsung (but I dont really have a basis for this). Tech spec is pretty similar, but Sony has a bigger screen, although Samsung has bigger hard drive and I suspect a much better battery life (not listing in product details but apparently the Sony battery life is rubbish?)

Also, £100 price difference and apparently the Sony lower range tend to be rubbish build quality and not very reliable.

This one is a bit tricky. Opinions welcome


i5 Processors


Sony Vaio VPCCA1S1E 14" - £600

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i5-2410M Dual Core (2.3GHz, Intel Sandy Bridge Architecture, 3MB Cache, Intel Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) Screen14" (Sony Vaio Display, LED Backlit, 1366x768 HD Resolution) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit RAM4GB (DDR3 1333MHZ) Hard Drive320GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) GraphicsDedicated (AMD Radeon HD 6470M with 512MB Dedicated RAM) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader2-in-1 card reader ( SD, MS ) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports, 1x USB 3.0 Port BluetoothBluetooth v2.1 + EDR included SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port WarrantySony 1 Year Collect & Return Battery Life3-4 Hours (This Specific Model 3.5-hours) Weight2-3 Kg (This Model 2.39 Kg)

Compared to Sony above, only advantage here seems to be i5 processor over i3. My suspicion above about battery life above also seems justified, listed here as 3-4 hours (Samsung is 6-7!).

So in comparison to the Sony above, the £50 may well be justified for the better processor- agreed? But what about in comparison to the Samsung Q330, £150 price difference, justified?


Acer Aspire 3820T 13.3" - £600

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i5-480M Dual Core (2.66 GHz, 3MB Cache, with Intel Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz) Screen13.3" (Acer CineCrystal, 1366x768 HD, High Brightness, LED Backlit) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit RAM6GB Hard Drive500GB GraphicsIntegrated (Intel® HD Graphics with up to 1274MB Shared Memory) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader5-in-1 card reader (SD//MS/MS-Pro/MMC/xD-Picture card™) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port Warranty12 Months Acer Collect & Return Battery Life7-8 Hours (up to 8 hours with power management) Weight1-2 Kg (This Model 1.75 Kg)

Although I prefer the Sony brand, as I mentioned above, looking at this, it seems I can get alot more for my money for £600, albeit an Acer. i5 processor, 6GB RAM, 500GB hard drive and 7-8 hours battery life.

If I am comparing to models at the beginning of the post, I would simply say this is too much spec for me, which I dont need for an extra £150.

Between this and the Sony above, you would have to choose the Acer, right? I just prefer the Sony for some reason! And find myself trying to justify it over the Samsung Q330. Maybe I am just being silly?


Quite a long thread, but hope it gives a good (concise) picture of what I'm after in a single post. So, opinions and any other suggestions are very welcome

Am hoping to order tonight as I will be going away next week and need it before then!

KillerWatt

Toshiba Satellite R630.
Genuine 8 hours on battery, and weighs a shade under 1.4KG.
There are a few variants available starting with the i3 chip, and most of them are within your budget.

Spend

Just seen the Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820T 14" - £430 in the flesh. It's a very good looking laptop, pics don't do it justice.. Which is usually the other way around!

KillerWatt

Spend wrote: »

Just seen the Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820T 14" - £430 in the flesh. It's a very good looking laptop, pics don't do it justice.. Which is usually the other way around!

Acer build quality is nothing short of sh** these days, but it's your money so if you really want it then go for it (don't complain you weren't warned though).

Spend

KillerWatt wrote: »

Toshiba Satellite R630.
Genuine 8 hours on battery, and weighs a shade under 1.4KG.
There are a few variants available starting with the i3 chip, and most of them are within your budget.

So I have also seen this in the flesh. And depending on your taste it is also a very good looking laptop. Slim, smooth, sleek and very light and portable.

Toshiba Satellite Pro L630-166 13.3" - £460
- i3 processor
- 2GB RAM
- 250GB hard drive
- 2.2kg
- 5-6 hour battery life

Toshiba Satellite Pro L630-167 13.3" - £515
- Practically the same as above, with 320GB hard drive

And a new addition:

Toshiba Satellite Pro L630-156 13.3" - £580 (+bundle pack from Micro Anvika)
- i3 processor
- 3GB RAM
- 320GB hard drive
- 1.43kg
- 8-9 hour battery life

and out of budget (but probably worth the money), but if helpful for anyone reading:

Toshiba Satellite Pro L830-143 13.3" - £730
- i5 processor
- 6GB RAM
- 640GB hard drive
- 1.48kg
- 8-9 hour battery life

R630 is looking like a true contender.... The search continues!

Spend

Keeping in mind, at this price range, this very stylish, high spec Samsung needs a good looking over... Shame about battery life, but has the i5 processor and bigger RAM and hard drive..

Samsung SF310 13.3" - £550

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i5-480M Dual Core (2.66 GHz, 3MB Cache, with Intel Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz) Screen13.3" (1366x768 HD Resolution) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit RAM4GB (DDR3) Hard Drive320GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) GraphicsDedicated (NVIDIA® GeForce® 310M with 512MB DDR Dedicated Memory) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader3-in-1 card reader (SD/SDHC,MMC) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports BluetoothBluetooth® 3.0+HS SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port E-sata1x eSATA Port Warranty12 Months Samsung Collect & Return Warranty Battery Life3-4 Hours (up to 4 hours with power management) Weight1-2 Kg (This Model 1.99 Kg)

asbokid

Spend wrote: »

Keeping in mind, at this price range, this very stylish, high spec Samsung needs a good looking over... Shame about battery life, but has the i5 processor and bigger RAM and hard drive..

Samsung SF310 13.3" - £550

ProcessorIntel® Core™ i5-480M Dual Core (2.66 GHz, 3MB Cache, with Intel Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz) Screen13.3" (1366x768 HD Resolution) Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit RAM4GB (DDR3) Hard Drive320GB Optical DriveDVD Rewriter (Records DVDs 8x & CDs 24x & Dual Layer Super Multi) GraphicsDedicated (NVIDIA® GeForce® 310M with 512MB DDR Dedicated Memory) Wireless LANWireless (802.11b/g/n Wireless) Network Card10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast Ethernet Integrated WebcamIntegrated Webcam with Microphone Card Reader3-in-1 card reader (SD/SDHC,MMC) USB Ports3x USB 2.0 ports BluetoothBluetooth® 3.0+HS SpeakersIntegrated Stereo Speakers VGA Port1 External VGA Port Kensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 Hours HDMI1x HDMI Port E-sata1x eSATA Port Warranty12 Months Samsung Collect & Return Warranty Battery Life3-4 Hours (up to 4 hours with power management) Weight1-2 Kg (This Model 1.99 Kg)

I don't understand your finances, Spend!

Last week you wanted a cheap laptop to share with your sibling..

A cost of ~£250-£350 was mooted. Yet now you are looking at a £550 machine..

Would you consider lowering your sights so that you and the good sibling could have a laptop each?

stilltheone

asbokid wrote: »

I don't understand your finances, Spend!

Last week you wanted a cheap laptop to share with your sibling..

A cost of ~£250-£350 was mooted. Yet now you are looking at a £550 machine..

Would you consider lowering your sights so that you and the good sibling could have a laptop each?

Can't believe anyone is still taking this poster seriously.

Perhaps you missed;

Sony Vaio VPCSB1X9E/s 13.3" - £900
Would I be getting a lot (enough for my money)?
Would I be better off spending that kind of money on a Mac?

from the very first post.

Here it is again in case you missed it.

Spend

asbokid wrote: »

I don't understand your finances, Spend!

Last week you wanted a cheap laptop to share with your sibling..

A cost of ~£250-£350 was mooted. Yet now you are looking at a £550 machine..

Would you consider lowering your sights so that you and the good sibling could have a laptop each?

Fair play..

The other day I was undecided between larger size laptop, which, to fit our requirements I knew I wouldnt need to spend more than £350 on. I did mention a few times that I didn't mind spending more for a smaller size as this is what I knew we both preferred. And after a visit to a couple of shops, we are both sure we want the 13-14".

So, we started focussing on that, and to be realistic, set a realistic budget for this range and so I started the new thread to avoid any confusion..

For this budget(s), a laptop each means either a netbook each or a 15" each, so thats no good and we dont mind sharing for the time being. I will be putting in more than her, and she will probably go for a Mac a few months down the line when she moves out, and I will keep this.

So really, its just as if I alone have said budget, am after a medium size screen, and dont need 2 laptops (I considered the one 15" and one netbook option - not for me)..

Spend

stilltheone wrote: »

Can't believe anyone is still taking this poster seriously.

Perhaps you missed; from the very first post.

Here it is again in case you missed it.

I don't quite understand what you have against me or my posts.

It's funny how you chose to leave out the line directly above that quote which reads:

Spend wrote: »

If I wanted to go all out and get this (for heavy use, long life and reliability):

It seems you will only be happy if I am complaining of not being able to afford x, y, or z and complaining that everything is too expensive. It doesnt matter if you have a penny or a million in the bank account- you can still (and should) always try to save where possible and not throw money down the drain,

So what is exactly is so wrong with saying: I have the freedom and flexibility to buy either a netbook, a 15.6" or 13-14" laptop, but am undecided. Compare prices, compare value for money and then decide which is best for me.

As asbokid clearly noticed, they were a little confused about my change in budget. But when I was looking for a 15.6" a set a realistic maximum of £350 and now that I am looking at a more expensive range, I have re-adjusted my budget accordingly.

Hope that clears it up for you, and that you will avoid making those kind of comments, because I really do need some help in choosing a laptop and some of the other members have been very helpful indeed so far.

So I kindly request that you refrain from posting these kinds of (unhelpful) comments, making it seem like I am wasting anyones time..

Spend

stilltheone wrote: »

Can't believe anyone is still taking this poster seriously.

Perhaps you missed; from the very first post.

Here it is again in case you missed it.

Also,

From my post in this thread (post #6):

Spend wrote: »

and out of budget (but probably worth the money), but if helpful for anyone reading:

Toshiba Satellite Pro L830-143 13.3" - £730

I was just pointing out what is out there, for anyone who might be interested - you know just helping other members out. Should I not have done this either? Or is there a strict rule that says I have to only stick to my own budget and cant discuss on the forum any other laptop at any other price?

So I hope that clarifies things, and we can get back to the topic at hand. I would really apprecite any input anyone can give