Going mobile


Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
So my desktop is far too bulky now at the university, also It's having many issues and a recently expired warranty...anywho, I'm looking for a laptop replacement, my iPad just doesn't use all the software I need.


I was taking a looksie at a Macbook Pro, but the build quality is super offset by the ~$1600 price tag...oh and no dedicated GFX other than an iris 5100...I hate window with a passion, but it seems the only route is a win8 Laptop that I'll downgrade to 7...I want NO touchscreens, they eat RAM and suck to boot in a laptop, and personally I would like it to be more bulky, I hate ultrabooks.

Big question: Anyone know a high build quality manufacturer that's not going to out me $1100 for an i7 laptop?
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Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
way too much compared with compatibility for software, Macbook for roughly same price and software that I already have the keys for.  I had a run in with linux 6 months back..I love Crunchbang. I don't do much programming work these days, and I'm cool with Mac for now :D  I got a great deal with financing, AC, and a $200 discount for school
CinderBlockStudios's avatar
well you can always pick up an older refurbished model too if you want to save on price.
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
That's true, but usually financing is for newer models, plus it's a win since it builds my credit.
CinderBlockStudios's avatar
well then enjoy I suppose.
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
I shall.  

addendum: I can't believe my old copy of Mac Descent reads and works x.x awesome
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
*bump

Ended up going with a rMPB, was expensive but they let me finance it for only $100 more after interest over 4 years with 4 of coverage since I"m a student :D

gotta say it's more impressive than the last laptop I've owned
PR-Imagery's avatar
Eww. Specs and price?
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
Intel i5 2.6Ghz, 8Gb RAM, intel Iris with 1.5-2.0GB VRam 256Gb SSD

and 4 years of Apple Care $1600.  Builds my credit, already working fine  so far it's smoother than my Win8.1 Desktop that had an i7 - 8Gb Ram, Nvidia GT630 with 3Gb Vram.  

I gotta say though, even though it's super expensive I'm happy with it, I'm probably going to have a Workstation out of college that will run Linux, Windows, and OSX (yeah it's possible) on 3 Fusion drives for all my work.  I love the OSX environment.
Godzillinois's avatar
I know you said no Windows and you wanted i7, but this is a pretty good deal for a 4th gen i5 with 8GB RAM and 1024 levels of Wacom pressure:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FRLY…
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
That's pretty neat as well, but If I were to get that I'd have no need for my Note or iPad...hmm...could potentially make money there...but I also need financing, I'm at university and broke AF XD

I wish Wacom could finance a Hybrid or something for me..or Msoft with the surface Pro 2
Godzillinois's avatar
Well, the Hybrid is now $1100 - but then it's only Android OS

store.wacom.com/us/en/product/…
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
*sigh* I wish apple price were cheaper

I've already got android products... man and windows hasn't been good since 7...debatable to xp. 

Then lenovo Y40 looked really nice at 600$ for a quad core Nvidia 840 rig....sadly they don't do financing
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
*Bump* The school I attend agreed to give me $1,000 USD towards a laptop....my desires for power have increased x.x

though our school would like to see me get a mac x.x  grr decisions
PR-Imagery's avatar
What's your total budget?
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
well since school is giving me $1,000, and RBS can give me ~600...I figure $1200-1300, I really only like 13" laptops, 17" is too pricey even for basics.   and I really want something that's not a windows experience.....8.1 has been a living hell for me to use, sucks up ram like a MF and crashes alot.  

I just wish apple had better prices x.x I love OSX as an operating system...plus they're tech support would actually fix or get me another mac should mine break in 4 years (I've had many ASUS laptops break in a short 6 month span, and them and Lenovo have the worst tech support I've ever dealt with).

I don't need a gaming monstrosity...unless of course $1300 would net me one hell of a 13" machine...
PR-Imagery's avatar
Either of the Sager laptops I recommended above would be perfect then, or this www.sagernotebook.com/index.ph… or for a 13" www.sagernotebook.com/index.ph…
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
Holy geezus that's awesome! definitely looking at these.  Currently our school runs a financing offer on some computers to help build student credit, I'll see if something like this is covered.
pyrohmstr's avatar
Look into HP Envys. I have an i7 with dedicated GPU for ~$800. Solidly Built and is basically a knock-off MBP (which isn't a bad thing)

Also, you can probably get a fair discount if you have it shipped to school and call it a business purchase. I got $200 off by having the thing shipped to work instead of my house :meow: it's worth calling the company on any laptop and talking to a rep instead of just using the online configuration tool.
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
Cool, I don't game much ('cept for halflife 2) I usually do music and am working on my art minor.. Our school uses almost Mac only .-.  so damn expensive
pyrohmstr's avatar
:shrug: you get what you pay for
Easle-Darkpaws's avatar
I do love my iPad x.x

man I love the future