I refuse to pay this kind of Money for a laptop ... Find me one as good as this one, for Cheaper !

[Betallsports]

For the 2 Current Best models on the X1 Carbon ( Both with a Fingerprint reader ) They have a Ship date of 11/7

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptop...ThinLight_0-6_MC&RRID=223787430&esrc=NETMINNG

 

[motowner]

For the 2 Current Best models on the X1 Carbon ( Both with a Fingerprint reader ) They have a Ship date of 11/7

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptop...ThinLight_0-6_MC&RRID=223787430&esrc=NETMINNG

yeah, the X1 Carbon is the current model (Ivy Bridge) and it's been out for over a year.

but the X3 is the Haswell version (and will replace the X1 Carbon). there's just no info yet about the X3 pricing or release date. it's not even on the Lenovo website yet either. that spec sheet i pasted was leaked by an IBM worker on the notebook forum.

so if it's not a Samsung or Asus, the X3 would likely be it for me if i must have Haswell.

 

[motowner]

bump

this ASUS Haswell is a good value at $999 on sale:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...51T-Touchscreen-Ultrabook/productID.288024700

it's an i5, but comes with 8GB RAM and AC WiFi which are both great to have. unless you're a power user, an i5 should be fast enough. it's got a nice 1080p IPS screen, which might be better than having to deal with a super high res. early adopters are saying it gets between 7-8 hrs battery, and they love the build quality, keyboard, and trackpad.

if i needed something now and my budget was $1K firm, i'd likely get this one. after that, it's a big leap to around the $1.8-$2.2K range for other models with the 'QHD' screens and i7's.

 

[Betallsports]

bump

this ASUS Haswell is a good value at $999 on sale:

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...51T-Touchscreen-Ultrabook/productID.288024700

it's an i5, but comes with 8GB RAM and AC WiFi which are both great to have. unless you're a power user, an i5 should be fast enough. it's got a nice 1080p IPS screen, which might be better than having to deal with a super high res. early adopters are saying it gets between 7-8 hrs battery, and they love the build quality, keyboard, and trackpad.

if i needed something now and my budget was $1K firm, i'd likely get this one. after that, it's a big leap to around the $1.8-$2.2K range for other models with the 'QHD' screens and i7's.

Thanks for the Bump.

What's your take on Asus ??

I was never a fan.. but to be honest, never paid much attention

 

[STACKSONDECK]

whats the best laptop just for searching the net having like 10 windows open.. watching games on first row.. and with the biggest screen?

 

[STACKSONDECK]

whats the best laptop just for searching the net having like 10 windows open.. watching games on first row.. and with the biggest screen?

do you guys recommend a laptop or tablet for this?

 

[motowner]

Thanks for the Bump.

What's your take on Asus ??

I was never a fan.. but to be honest, never paid much attention

i use to hold them in the same regard as Acer (essentially a re-brander), up until about 2 years ago. then they started in-house designing many solid devices across the product line. they use to have some big QC issues, but they've seemed to iron that out for the most part. they're known now for sleek designs and great screens, and their Zenbook ultrabook line has been really successful.. this is their 4th gen now.

the two areas they don't do well are marketing and supply chain. i don't mind the lack of marketing because i follow the industry enough independently and it keeps their new releases relatively quiet, but their supply chain can be annoying. they have a lot to learn from Apple in this regard. instead, they like to announce new models like 4-6 months before they finally trickle out in very small batches. then it seems like forever for them to restock.

i'm guessing that as the brand continues to expand, the larger their initial production runs will be. they need to spend a lot more on marketing though to really reach that level. as it is, they have a pretty solid following (many of which are gamers), but business users have been coming along as well. they make good tablets as well.

 

[Betallsports]

do you guys recommend a laptop or tablet for this?

10 Windows Up ?? you mean Tabs ?

 

[Betallsports]

The Microsoft store is where I screwed up and didn't buy the Samsung 9 for $999

Thought it was a mistake at first... but it wasn't... could kick myself in the @ss for not pulling the trigger.

 

[STACKSONDECK]

10 Windows Up ?? you mean Tabs ?

haha yeah.. sorry... you know sports forums, sports books and scores.. typical sat afternoon stuff

 

[motowner]

whats the best laptop just for searching the net having like 10 windows open.. watching games on first row.. and with the biggest screen?

that's a tougher question to answer than it may seem. you also asked if it's better to have a tablet for such usage instead. in that regard, does that mean you value portability over raw horsepower? the largest pure tablet is only 10" though, so i'm not sure if you consider that big enough?

these days, 15" laptops are considered big, but the number of different 15" models have been dwindling. whereas 15" use to be mid-range and 17" laptops were the big ones.

if you're literally just browsing the net and streaming video though (no word or spreadsheet processing, photoshop, gaming, etc.), something like a Chromebook might actually work for you. they're super cheap, but you must realize their limitations going in.

there's also 2-in-1 convertibles, where the screen can detach from the keyboard and then function like a tablet. best advice is to get out to the stores and look at the different range of devices. you kinda need to get your hands on the various form factors and then consider how your usage would play into that.

 

[STACKSONDECK]

that's a tougher question to answer than it may seem. you also asked if it's better to have a tablet for such usage instead. in that regard, does that mean you value portability over raw horsepower? the largest pure tablet is only 10" though, so i'm not sure if you consider that big enough?

these days, 15" laptops are considered big, but the number of different 15" models have been dwindling. whereas 15" use to be mid-range and 17" laptops were the big ones.

if you're literally just browsing the net and streaming video though (no word or spreadsheet processing, photoshop, gaming, etc.), something like a Chromebook might actually work for you. they're super cheap, but you must realize their limitations going in.

there's also 2-in-1 convertibles, where the screen can detach from the keyboard and then function like a tablet. best advice is to get out to the stores and look at the different range of devices. you kinda need to get your hands on the various form factors and then consider how your usage would play into that.

thanks man.. that makes sense.. yeah only thing i would use it for is to be on the rx, other sports forums and putting in bets.. also having my email open, twitter and maybe watching a game... speed is important i guess so im not loading forever when im surfing an trying to get bets in on time

 

[motowner]

I was thinking the same.

but I always find that they Don't have what I want on Black Friday

I screwed up a few weeks ago when I wanted this one http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/pcs/NP900X3E-A02US

Microsoft shop had it for $999 when everyone still had it at $1399

that same model is back for $999 again, this time at Best Buy..

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung...lack/8486385.p?id=1218877697110&skuId=8486385

they're clearing it out since the new Haswell model will be coming in the next month or so. there will be an i5 Haswell version for $1,399 and an i7 Haswell version for $1,699.

so this older i7 version for $999 is a pretty solid buy if your budget is $1K firm. it only has 4GB RAM however and that's not expandable (soldered on motherboard), whereas the new Haswell versions will come standard with 8GB RAM plus improved battery life and an AC wifi card.

 

[Betallsports]

that same model is back for $999 again, this time at Best Buy..

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung...lack/8486385.p?id=1218877697110&skuId=8486385

they're clearing it out since the new Haswell model will be coming in the next month or so. there will be an i5 Haswell version for $1,399 and an i7 Haswell version for $1,699.

so this older i7 version for $999 is a pretty solid buy if your budget is $1K firm. it only has 4GB RAM however and that's not expandable (soldered on motherboard), whereas the new Haswell versions will come standard with 8GB RAM plus improved battery life and an AC wifi card.

Not the same one... But... Microsoft Store has it for $200 Off the $1799 http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...5US-Touchscreen-Ultrabook/productID.289564800

Remember... Samsung changed the "Series" Models to "Book" The Series ones are the older models...

Not sure if this link will work.... But they came out with a 2nd Model of the Book 9 Plus http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/pcs/compare

 

[Betallsports]

also, the only thing different between the two is the one on the left ( the one on sale at Microsoft ) is that it has a Trusted Platform Module. A security chip that generates an encrypted key to prevent hacking.

I think I'm going to pull the trigger ..... Don't think I can wait another month... lol

 

[motowner]

Not the same one... But... Microsoft Store has it for $200 Off the $1799 http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...5US-Touchscreen-Ultrabook/productID.289564800

Remember... Samsung changed the "Series" Models to "Book" The Series ones are the older models...

Not sure if this link will work.... But they came out with a 2nd Model of the Book 9 Plus http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/pcs/compare

yeah, they're all called ATIV books now.

$1,599 is the best price i've seen for the i7/8/256 ATIV 9 Plus, so if you're cool with the touch screen, it probably won't get better than that for a while. once the MS Store sells out of a model, they never seem to carry it again. it comes with an N wifi card, not AC.. but you should be able to upgrade to an AC card on your own if you take off the back.

i've been waiting for this new ATIV 9 with Haswell though because of the non-touch matte screen. it's still an excellent FHD display where you can work with it under any light conditions, which is key for me. i'm not thrilled with the $1,399 price for the base i5 version though, so i might wait until it's been out for a bit to see if it gets discounted by $200 or so.

yeah, that newer model of the 9 Plus isn't much of a difference.. basically adds the TPM chip. Samsung will likely do a bigger update of the 9 Plus again in 3 or 4 months with an AC card, a better graphics card, and maybe something else. but yeah, the waiting game gets very old.

 

[motowner]

don't forget, you can get an additional 10% off at the MS Store if you can get someone with an student ID (or .edu email address) to buy it for you.

 

[Betallsports]

yeah, they're all called ATIV books now.

$1,599 is the best price i've seen for the i7/8/256 ATIV 9 Plus, so if you're cool with the touch screen, it probably won't get better than that for a while. once the MS Store sells out of a model, they never seem to carry it again. it comes with an N wifi card, not AC.. but you should be able to upgrade to an AC card on your own if you take off the back.

i've been waiting for this new ATIV 9 with Haswell though because of the non-touch matte screen. it's still an excellent FHD display where you can work with it under any light conditions, which is key for me. i'm not thrilled with the $1,399 price for the base i5 version though, so i might wait until it's been out for a bit to see if it gets discounted by $200 or so.

yeah, that newer model of the 9 Plus isn't much of a difference.. basically adds the TPM chip. Samsung will likely do a bigger update of the 9 Plus again in 3 or 4 months with an AC card, a better graphics card, and maybe something else. but yeah, the waiting game gets very old.

You know Damn well once I buy this one, the fuking New one will come out !!

 

[Betallsports]

don't forget, you can get an additional 10% off at the MS Store if you can get someone with an student ID (or .edu email address) to buy it for you.

hmm, didn't know that...

I know a few teachers that are friends..

 

[motowner]

You know Damn well once I buy this one, the fuking New one will come out !!

hah, it's a never ending game.

hmm, didn't know that...

I know a few teachers that are friends..

that'll work