2011 laptop: the features to look for

[TheForce]

The most fun item I had on my Dell XPS M1210 was a built in Verizon wireless EVDO Rev A card. As opposed to the dongle variety, the built in card had an extra large antenna and I could go anywhere in the country, turn on the laptop and be connected to the internet with broadband. Always brought a smile when I traveled.

The second thing you should add to the new laptop is a BluRay player. I wish I had one for mine. Not that it is Full HD capable on the small screen but I also have the little Dell DLP 1080P projector for setting up a mobile hotel room theater. Works great for DVD but I can never play my BluRay collection.

But to be truthful, as time passes, my use for a road warrior laptop has been greatly reduced with the use of the ipad and wireless connectivity. Just about everything I need can be done these days with the ipad, and I can watch a huge library of videos from Netflix on the road, so with that you may not need a Bluray player in your new laptop.

I also have BT with the laptop but I really never use it. Thought it would be cool to have but other than test it out, there was noting I could use it for. Wireless Mouse? Tried it once but between carrying AAA batteries and not being able to use it aboard an airplane, I returned to the mini retractable USB mouse as much more convenient.

Good luck with your selection. Buy wisely and it should last for many years.

 

[Ilya]

The most fun item I had on my Dell XPS M1210 was a built in Verizon wireless EVDO Rev A card. As opposed to the dongle variety, the built in card had an extra large antenna and I could go anywhere in the country, turn on the laptop and be connected to the internet with broadband. Always brought a smile when I traveled.

I have a built-in AT&T 3G broadband in my current laptop. And it's been working great! In many cases, I even preferred it to using Wi-Fi! I found it to be often more stable than a hotel Wi-Fi connection, especially when connecting over a VPN. Hotel Wi-Fi's would often drop my VPN connection every few minutes, while the 3G connection would stay up for hours. That's not always the case, of course: in some cities the 3G reception is not that great.

But as you mentioned yourself, these days, I can do so many things on the iPhone, that I am not sure I need the broadband in my laptop any more! Perhaps Wi-Fi might be enough. Also, in some Dell laptops the mini-card slot occupied by the broadband modem can be used for a small SSD drive! And that might be a more attractive use of that slot.

The second thing you should add to the new laptop is a BluRay player. I wish I had one for mine.

I've been thinking about that, but I don't think I can justify the price (almost $500!) I can count on my fingers how many times I used the DVD drive in my laptop to play a movie. I don't expect this to be much different with Blu-ray. Especially with Netflix, SlingBox, and other ways available for video streaming. And for occasional in-flight viewing, I think a DVD will suffice. Although sometime in the future I might consider a Blu-ray burner or something.

 

[diogen]

It is expected that Sandy Bridge computers will be announced at CES and may hit the market just days after.

That can happen but I wouldn't bet on that. especially on the laptop side of things.
Also, I'd prefer to read a few reviews about this technology and its implementation before I jump...

But it does have all the "ingredients" to be a success...

Diogen.

 

[Ilya]

That can happen but I wouldn't bet on that. especially on the laptop side of things.

This was the case this year, when the first Core i5 laptops and such, were released right after CES. The hopes are high that the story will repeat itself next year. Of course, there is always a risk of delays. But in the worst case, I think I can wait till March or April if required. Hope, I won't have to.

 

[TheForce]

Ilya- Re the wireless broadband card- I agree with all your experiences on the card and hotel wifi. I should add that since I have successfully figured out how to tether my cell phone, I canceled my separate broadband service. The secret is using a better wifi mobile router software as opposed to the free ones that were too unstable. If you have an iphone, you may not be able to tether unless you jail break but I'm using a wm 6.1 device and Verizon permits tethering either with their service or with your own software. If you can tether, might as well save the money and not do the separate laptop service. Only annoying thing is the several steps you'll need to do to get connected.

 

[Ilya]

The new Dell XPS 15 comes very close to my target specs.
It has USB 3.0, Bluetooth 3.0, SDXC card reader, and even things like HDMI 1.4, 3D-capable NVIDIA graphics, and HD webcam for Skype HD conferencing (first laptop to offer this!). Though it is still limited to 8GB RAM.

Dell XPS 15 Review - A Review of the Dell XPS 15

I am still waiting to see new Latitude and Precision notebooks.

 

[diogen]

Another reason to wait for Sandy Bridge
Google Translate

It might not utilize all features from the start, especially on notebooks, but this feature alone might justify the wait

UEFI initiates computer components in parallel as opposed to BIOS sequential order. Phoenix, for example, showed up computer system that initiates the start of the operating system in as little as 1.37 seconds.

The installed OS might also need some adjustments.
For example, MacMini uses UFI for a while but both OS X and (especially!) Windows 7 need a really long time to boot up...

Diogen.

 

[Steve Mehs]

I’ve never owned a laptop, always felt a decent laptop was always inferior to a decent desktop specwise, now I’m looking at getting one soon as well. I also plan to wait for the Sandy Bridge CPUs, I’m looking at spending upwards of $2500-3000. I’m an HP fanboy so that’s all I will consider. I really like the DV7T series. I briefly looked into the Envy line but while it has a 1080p display, it lacks the option of a Blu Ray burner, but the optical drive on the Envy is slot loaded which I think is cool. It does have one USB 3.0 port. This is more of a boutique laptop line that is designed to compete with Apple. I won’t be taking the laptop to Starbucks where I can pretend to write a novel wipe sipping on overpriced lattes and other coffee related crap so I don’t need boutique.

If there’s one thing I recommended, if you order online before checking out, if there’s an option for a coupon code, USE IT! Take the 5 minutes and use Google to look for discount codes. You can save hundreds of dollars as I’m about to show you

I want a 17” beast if I were to buy this very second:
HP Pavilion DV7T

Standard Features
4 USB 2.0 Ports
Integrated 5 in 1 Memory Card Reader
VGA Out
HDMI Out
Beats Premium Audio

Customizable Features
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64 Bit
Intel Core i7-840QM @ 1.86GHz
1 GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 Graphic Card
8 GB DDR 3 RAM
640 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Blu Ray Disc Burner (Reads and Writes just about all CD, DVD & BD formats)
Intel Wireless N Card w/Bluetooth
17.3” LED BrightView Infinity Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
HP Truevision Webcam and Fingerprint Reader
No Restore Media
No Extended Protection Plans

Accessories
1 Standard 6 Cell Battery & 1 Oversized 9 Cell Battery
HP AC/Auto/Air Power Adaptor
HP 17" Professional Series Top Load Case
HP Wireless 3 Button Optical Mouse


$2484.21 + 217.37 Tax = $2701.58 Total

A while I found a website that lists a bunch of discount coupon codes online, they change every week. Current code discount is a $400 nonstackable discount, meaning the laptop is already $150 off so I either take the instant $150 rebate or the $400 coupon, no brainier there. Net savings of $250, which is usually what’s offered.


After the coupon is applied, $2264.69 + 198.19 Tax = $2364.14 Total

$337.44 total savings just for entering a code

As I said, I’m waiting for the Sandy Bridge Core i7s. Hopefully Intel releases then soon and HP picks them up shortly after. Whatever the fastest Core i7 offered is I’ll buy it. I’m hoping by then they will offer 1080p displays in this product line as well, and while 8GB of RAM is plenty for now, a boost to 12GB or 16GB would be great too. After this thing arrives on my door step, first thing I’m doing is heading out to the Sprint store and getting a USB air card (probably the Sprint U600), no relying on free WIFI for me and no tethering either.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

You are the first HP fanboy I have ever seen. Indeed, I didn't even realize there were HP fan boys, but that said, your specs are spectacular, BUT man, that is a LOT of money to spend on a laptop given that you can get a very good laptop for probably half that price. One of the things I have found is that expensive laptops (I have had a $2000 Fujitsu Tablet) break down just as frequently as lesser expensive ones, and its just a lot of cash to invest in a machine. And I am not certain what the need is for the fastest Core i7 on a laptop.

The other thing is a question of size. Given the desire for 1080p, I can see the 17" laptops, but for me, I don't ever want more than a 14" screen. Those desktop replacement machines are "mobile" but dang, they are heavy and not fun to travel with.

 

[Steve Mehs]

I was actually a Compaq fanboy, but yeah, I don't have to explain anything else Money really isn’t an issue, happiness is. I have more than enough cash to buy the machine and a few more, this very second, but I know in about 3 months I won’t be happy when the Sandy Bridge CPUs come out. I’m no stranger to spending money on computers. My desktop I'm using right now cost more than that. If I remember right it was just under $3000, including the monitor. My way of looking at computers is get the best I can for around $3K, keep them for 4-5 years as my main machine then replace. I know some people will buy a new $700 computer every two or three years, me I’d rather keep it for a longer period of time, and build it up so that it will be able to run whatever the future throws at it.

HP Pavilion 5000T I bought it June of 2008, all of the components were the best HP offered at the time.

Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Processor @ 2.83 GHz (HP just starting offering machine with this processor a week before I configured this system)
8 GB DDR2 RAM
1 TB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Blu Ray Disc Burner/HD DVD-ROM Drive
16x Secondary DVD-ROM Drive
15 in 1 Memory Card Reader
NVidia GeForce 8800GTS Video Card
Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Audio Card
Dual Tuner ATSC Card
HP Premium Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Optical Mouse
HP 22” 16 x 10 Widescreen Display (Replaced two months ago with an HP 23” 16 x 9 1080p display)

This machine is truly kickass. The machine that this replaced was a Compaq Presario 8000T that I configured in December of 2003. That machine is still going strong and in use every day. I paid $2600 for it and 7 years later it can handle just about anything. Intel Pentium 4HT Processor at 3.20 GHz, 2 GB of PC3200 DDR RAM and I forget the rest off the top of my head. When Vista first came out people complained that their computers that were as little as a year old not being able to handle it. On that computer, Vista runs a million times better and smoother then XP ever did, but then again, I had the hardware to enable it to do so.

Anyhow, this laptop will be more of a desktop replacement then for travel. I don’t travel much, and prior to this past May I haven’t left the state in a few years. And I want to sit at the café in Wegman’s Supermarkets with my laptop and surf the net as I sip on an Arizona Iced Tea Close friend of mine from high school came back into my life at the beginning of the year, we took quite a few weekend road trips, many times I wanted internet access on a real computer, not just my phone. The one thing every computer I ever owned has had was the fastest processor available from Intel’s flagship line. Just something I always go for. Again not really looking to save a buck while getting a lesser system.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

Have fun with it!

I had good luck with compaq pre HP merger. My only HP laptop (pre-merger) was not so hot.

I can appreciate that mind-set, but for me my approach has NOT been to have the fastest machine available due to the extra cost premium, and the fact that in two years there is always something much faster. But even more because I beat on my laptop something fierce, so I expect to only get 2 years out of it. I last longer with desktop pc's.

Of course it is always fun getting a super fast state of the art machine.

 

[TheForce]

I last longer with desktop pc's.

So how long do you last with your desktop pc before your desktop pc replaces you? The machines have already taken over at Rocky's house!

 

[Foxbat]

I used to use a 17" HP nx9600 as my primary PC. That sucker was billed as a portable workstation (3.0 GHz P4, up to 2 GB of RAM, 64 MB ATI x300 graphics). This was all circa 2004/2005. The IT group said that all Unit Admins should have a portable system that could double as a DC in an emergency. Nowadays, everything is virtual, so that isn't a requirement anymore. But lugging around an 8 lb, 2 inch thick slab of a "laptop" was hardly worth it on a trip.

The best feature was the built-in coffee cup warmer: The P4 put out so much heat that I could park my coffee cup in the CPU exhaust and keep my coffee at the perfect drinking temperature!

 

[rockymtnhigh]

So how long do you last with your desktop pc before your desktop pc replaces you? The machines have already taken over at Rocky's house!

Yup. The machines have risen up. My only hope is for John Connor to lead the resistance.

 

[Ilya]

Well, the wait is almost over. In less than 2 weeks from now the new Sandy Bridge laptops will be announced and perhaps even released.

Some of the upcoming models have been already leaked. Like Dell Latitude E6420 and E6520: USB 3.0, LED display, 3.2 MP webcam, optional 21Mbps broadband module - all sounds good to me!

 

[diogen]

Some of the upcoming models have been already leaked.

ASUS will have its own lineup...
ASUS looks set to release five Sandy Bridge laptops, all with serious horsepower -- Engadget

Diogen.

 

[navychop]

I've concluded that my next laptop will have to have at least 4, and preferably 6, USB 2 ports. Maybe some USB 3 on top of that.

3G dongle, printer, keyboard, mouse, thumb drive, EHDD.

 

[JAG72]

I've concluded that my next laptop will have to have at least 4, and preferably 6, USB 2 ports. Maybe some USB 3 on top of that.

3G dongle, printer, keyboard, mouse, thumb drive, EHDD.

At that point why would you just not purchase a port replicator for the laptop. This way you only have one connection to the laptop. I would hate having that many items plugged into it.

 

[Ilya]

SSD

While we are still waiting for the next week's announcements, I'd like to continue discussing specific features.

The biggest nail-biter for me right now is SSD. I really want to go with SSD for my next laptop, but there are two problems: the price and the capacity. Even though I might be able to afford a 256GB SSD (under $600), it's not big enough for my purposes. I currently have a 500 GB 7200 RPM drive in my old laptop and I don't want to go any smaller than that. Audio, video and raw photo files take a lot of space. And virtual machines, which I have a few, eat disk space like crazy!

What I am seriously thinking about is a two-drive configuration: a smaller system SSD drive and a bigger hard drive for storage. This is now possible in many new laptops, even if they don't have a second hard drive bay. Here are the two options I am considering:

1. Some laptops have a removable DVD drive, which can be replaced with a second hard drive. For example, this is possible with all Dell Latitudes. Other manufacturers have that too.

2. Some laptops have internal mini-card ports which are often used for wireless broadband modems, etc. There might be a possibility to use these ports for smaller SSD drives. For example Dell already offers this as an option on their 15" Precision laptops. Chances are good we'll see this option in other laptops too.

Intel has just announced their new 40 and 80 GB compact m-SATA SSD drives (310 series) just for that very purpose:
Intel® Solid-State Drive 310 Series - Overview

Another interesting thing to look for in 2011: SSD drives that take full advantage of the 6Gb/s SATA-III. Crucial already offers 6Gb/s SATA drives (RealSSD C300), but faster drives are about to be introduced. Perhaps even next week.

 

[diogen]

What I am seriously thinking about is a two-drive configuration: a smaller system SSD drive and a bigger hard drive for storage.

I run my desktops like this for about a year and like it. SSDs are nice but I would not go SSD-only.

SSDs are a game changer when using an old and slow machine: it will give it another lease of life.
As a system drive (e.g. Lat 4200) it is fast and noticeably so. My main desktop dual-boots with a 60GB SSD split in half.

As a data drive, I don't see performance boost when compared with a 7200rpm drive.
It might be dependent on what you do, but I don't notice it.
And definitely doesn't justify the exorbitant price...

Diogen.