Laptops for people who aren't idiots? Where did all the useful features go?

[reallyscrued]

So I just spilled water all over my XPS M1330 and I got to thinking...this laptop can go at anytime..

This is my first laptop, I've had it since 2007, and I'm absolutely in love with but I need a contingency plan, if this were to stop working tomorrow, what would I go out and get? A quick look at Bestbuy.com and Newegg/Amazon gave me a fright...there's nothing I can find that meets my needs. Am I missing something? Are laptop manufacturers only making machines for grandmas, "gamers", and no one in between?

Here's what I'd like:

1. Cool and quiet running. i5 at the most, i3 preferred. No serious processing needs apply.

2. Intel GMA graphics (or equivalent), goes with first point. Most overheating laptops have dedicated cards and get the worst battery life; I have a desktop to game and I've never seen the appeal of gaming on a laptop, this will purely be a machine for productivity.

3. TRADITIONAL KEYBOARD KEYCAPS. No spaces between the keys please, no chicklet crap, no MacBook style island layouts; I need to be able to TYPE consistently. Tap and pray pecking is extremely detrimental to any sort of progress; seamless integration of my fingers to the input devices on the keyboard are...well...key.

4. Webcam, headphone jack, and mic-in jack. Why isn't this trio standard? How do people use a headset these days without a mic-in jack? I don't understand why that's an antiquated notion, is everyone using USB headsets all of a sudden?

5. VGA + HDMI out. I want to be able to connect to any projector, display, etc, that I might come across for presentations. MiniDisplay port + VGA is fine as well.

6. Ethernet (RJ45) jack.


Optional but would be a nice luxury:

A. User removable battery. Obvious reasons.
B. Gigabit Ethernet

These are all currently features my M1330 ALREADY HAS.

And that's it. That's all I want. I DON'T need it to be ultra thin, I don't need it to have an i7, I don't need it to have a blu-ray drive, I don't need 6 USB ports, I don't need to be able to read proprietary memory sticks, I don't need a touchscreen, AND I don't need 16 Gigs of RAM or a solid state hard drive. (If it's got it, that's great, otherwise I'll put those in myself as I see fit).

I just want a portable work machine. I want to be able to bang out code as fast as possible, record a quality tutorial with minimal amount of effort, and take my laptop anywhere and be assured it will be compatible with a number of displays.


The Lenovo T410 seemed like a good compromise until I realized it had no Mic jack...but if I have to get a USB headset, I will...but really, is that my only choice?

 

[smakme7757]

Dell 6530 with 15" full HD screen. By far the best laptop i've ever owned. Wonderful responsive keyboard (not an island layout). The only thing it doesn't have on your list is a microphone jack and being super thin. I've had about 5 laptops in the last 2 years and it's the best, by far. You can of course customize it at Dells website.

http://ryrieoffice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/dell-6530.jpg

 

[reallyscrued]

Dell 6530 with 15" full HD screen. By far the best laptop i've ever owned. Wonderful responsive keyboard (not an island layout). The only thing it doesn't have on your list is a microphone jack and being super thin. I've had about 5 laptops in the last 2 years and it's the best, by far. You can of course customize it at Dells website.

http://ryrieoffice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/dell-6530.jpg

Super thin is not one of my requirements, I'd actually like it to be thicker so it can have a proper keyboard. *EDIT: Sry, i left out a word. I do *not* need it to be ultra thin*

And from the looks of it, I'd enjoy the Lenovo's keyboard more. The D6530 (which my friend has) is horrid to type on, and a review on Amazon seems to agree with me. It seems to try to imitate the feel of a chicklet keyboard while leaving no spaces between the keys...and it crams in the full numpad on the right hand in a 15 inch model...very odd design.

Plus if it's missing the headphone jack...well it's on par with the T410, in which case the Lenovo beats it out.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[DaveSimmons]

VGA is old old tech, and requires a large connector. Many / most modern laptops have regular or mini displayport or HDMI, and offer VGA using adapters.

Yes, most people just get a USB headset these days.

 

[crashtech]

I thought the newer T-series Lenovos used that 1/8" combo mic/headphone jack with 4-ring connector. That's what the T430 has, anyway, I'm pretty sure. I've always had good luck with my own Thinkpads, and never had anyone be disappointed when recommending them. I need to upgrade my T60p, but it's like an old pal now, never has failed me...

 

[reallyscrued]

VGA is old old tech, and requires a large connector. Many / most modern laptops have regular or mini displayport or HDMI, and offer VGA using adapters.

Yes, most people just get a USB headset these days.

HDMI to VGA adapters? Would those be active converter dongles? I might as well get a USB soundcard while I'm at it to continue to use the quality headsets I've invested in.

*sigh*

I can make peace with a VGA converter, that's fair, scratch that off my list of Reqs, any laptops with Mic-Ins?

 

[crashtech]

Do you have an issue with the 4 conductor jack?

 

[reallyscrued]

Do you have an issue with the 4 conductor jack?

The only issue I'd have is that I'd need a yet another external adapter, this time a splitter to connect my traditional headset?

I'm sure this one will be inexpensive, I understand there won't be any DACing going on and it'd be a straight physical split of TRRS connector into 2 1/8 TRS rings, but it still irks me that in many ways, most of my options in mobile computing seems like a step back from a laptop I've owned since 2007.

I guess I'm the odd one out, seeing as how I'm the only one with these concerns. Sucks to be me I suppose.

 

[386user]

Laptops for people who aren't idiots? Where did all the useful features go?

So I just spilled water all over my XPS

a revelation

 

[386user]

just kidding man..i recommend anything apple

especially that amazing watch supposedly in the works

 

[reallyscrued]

a revelation

Hahahha, that's totally fair.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

The only issue I'd have is that I'd need a yet another external adapter, this time a splitter to connect my traditional headset?

I'm sure this one will be inexpensive, I understand there won't be any DACing going on and it'd be a straight physical split of TRRS connector into 2 1/8 TRS rings, but it still irks me that in many ways, most of my options in mobile computing seems like a step back from a laptop I've owned since 2007.

I guess I'm the odd one out, seeing as how I'm the only one with these concerns. Sucks to be me I suppose.

Hardly the only person. If you've got money invested in quality peripherals, adapters for legacy I/O are usually available. USB headsets have been popular enough, long enough, that manufacturers are saving the board space.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812186035

Something like that would probably solve your analog headset issue neatly.

Otherwise, yeah, Thinkpads still have the best keyboards.

 

[Anubis]

my dell inspiron 15R has all of what you want besides the keyboard i think

headphones and mic
vga & HDMI
built in camera that can be used for webcam
GigE
removable battery

you can get one with lower specs this one has a BR drive and a slightly more powerful CPU/GPU then what you are looking for

honestly the keyboard is going to prob be the hardest one to find. seems everyone has gone to the chick-lets. i in general do not like them but they are not so bad. actually better than the standard one on my shitty HP work laptop

 

[BuffaloChuck]

I still prefer the old Square Display screens instead of the widescreen, small-verticals. And I don't know what this "6Gb RAM" crap is about - does everyone set up a 2Gb RAMdisk suddenly? Did everyone discover old old 2Gb sticks laying around in parts-bins and they're dumping them onto the notebook market?

 

[biostud]

HP probook 6470b or 6570b? (although it has displayport instead of HDMI)

http://shopping1.hp.com/is-bin/INTE...se?CatalogCategoryID=Gg0Q7hacJFUAAAE2UJtObPSe

 

[Zap]

I just want a portable work machine.

Look into business models. They tend to still have older ports such as VGA outputs, and are more conservative on the keyboards. Lenovos are probably good. Look into Dell Vostro and Latitude lines.

And I don't know what this "6Gb RAM" crap is about

It came about with socket 1366 several years back. That was the high end platform for a while, and used triple channel memory. The hot ticket was having three 2GB sticks, for 6GB total. Computer makers glommed onto the fact that for a while 6GB was considered high end, and from then have started offering everything as 6GB. Heck, my Dell Vostro 3360 that I just bought came with 6GB. Stupid? Yes. I'd rather have 8GB. :awe:

 

[StrangerGuy]

Those who would spend $1000+ on a laptop went Apple. The rest don't give a crap as long as it can run Office and a browser for the lowest price. So, yeah.

 

[CFP]

What is this regressive nonsense?

I for one want a 13 incher that is as thin as an ultrabook but with a dedicated display card that does NOT overheat quickly, as well as switchable graphics to integrated to save battery. I want this laptop to be able to run something like PS2 at medium details. Hopefully APU's develop to a point where ondie GPU's equal low-end discrete GPUs, or better.

I have a Sony Vaio Z1 - it's 13.3 inches, less than an inch thick, and has a (downclocked) 330m as well as VGA and HDMI output.

I can play Tribes: Ascend or ME3 on it at lowest details fluidly, and do so when I have to travel with the laptop. It's a downclocked 330m!!! We're at the 700 series now.

It's fucking awesome that it has lasted this long. It's light. It's portable. It's got a great screen that's almost too bright at full brightness, with very good colours.

OP: I don't really understand what you're saying. A high-end ultrabook would fit your needs.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Those who would spend $1000+ on a laptop went Apple. The rest don't give a crap as long as it can run Office and a browser for the lowest price. So, yeah.

As an Apple Fanboy, I'll still admit that there are more comfortable typing keyboards out there (mostly high end Thinkpads, in my experience.)

And OP was pretty anti-chiclet-KB, so... yeah.

I might think Apple is the Awesomesteriffic, but it's not the best for everybody all the time.

 

[lakedude]

I DON'T need it to be ultra thin

Me either! Although I do understand that this is a feature some would prefer. Thin laptops are marvels of technology but they cost too much.

I've never seen the appeal of gaming on a laptop

Different strokes. When I'm home I use a home system, when I'm away I want a laptop that functions as a full desktop replacement including the ability to game. I'm a man and don't really care about thin and light but I do want a powerful gaming capable system.

One of my peeves is the glossy screen, hate em. For a while there any laptop with a decent GPU had a glossy screen.

I should think a laptop like you want should be easy to find. Laptops that lack a GPU are much more common than gaming laptops.


Since your old one has everything you want, why not just keep/fix that or get another one like it?

 

[reallyscrued]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'm really not trying to be an unreasonable SOB but I really thought a laptop like mine would be easier to find.

Anubis, I'm very anti-chicklet. You could say that's my most wanted feature, adapters and dongles are a quick, yet annoying fix, but a keyboard that doesn't allow me to keep up my wpm average is just nonsense. I don't know any other way to put it.

Biostud, chicklet. But thanks.

Zap, that's exactly what I've been doing. I personally wouldn't like to take an Inspiron anyway, too home-user-y. You can tell from how the touchpads and palm rests were designed, but somehow Dell managed to filter down the chicklet keyboards to their business lines. All of their business laptops have island style keys!!

I'm close to walking into Dell headquarters and be all

What is this regressive nonsense?

<snip>

I have a Sony Vaio Z1 - it's 13.3 inches, less than an inch thick, and has a (downclocked) 330m as well as VGA and HDMI output.

<snip>

OP: I don't really understand what you're saying. A high-end ultrabook would fit your needs.

Thanks for the suggestion, seems like the Z1 is no longer being sold however

http://store.sony.com/p/Z1 Series/en/p/Z1SERIES

And no, the average "high-end" ultrabook doesn't fit any of my needs. They all come with chicklet keyboards, no mic-in, no analog/digital display out, and they force you to deal with non-removable batteries. I'd like to stay as far away from "ultrabooks" as possible.

Different strokes. When I'm home I use a home system, when I'm away I want a laptop that functions as a full desktop replacement including the ability to game. I'm a man and don't really about thin and light but I do want a powerful gaming capable system.

One of my peeves is the glossy screen, hate em.

I should think a laptop like you want should be easy to find. Laptops that lack a GPU are much more common than gaming laptops.

I don't mind glossy screens, not picky one way or another on that. And different strokes indeed, I don't travel enough to have the need to game on-the-go, so lack of dedicated graphics is seriously a non-issue.

Since your old one has everything you want, why not just keep/fix that or get another one like it?

...Yeah...looks like that'll be the way I'm going. This laptop is falling apart though now, the labels are coming unglued, the case is being chipped, I've got a few dents in the aluminum-brushed palm rest.

Plus, it's just getting plain long-in-the-tooth. I get a tad bit envious when my girlfriend's VAIO T13 starts up in half a second and she can open the whole office suite before I have a chance to even launch Eclipse. That laptop...ugh, besides the chicklet keyboard, would be perfect. Ultra book, removable battery, one SSD and one traditional HDD, VGA HDMI out...yet no mic-in but it might be a combo jack. But damn that chicklet keyboard.

I guess I'll throw in another 2 gigs of RAM, grab an SSD and a new outershell and just ride it out. Man, I'm gonna be sad when dual cores won't cut it anymore. Shit, I'm already at 50-60% CPU usage constant when using another display and having an IDE on one screen and a flash video on the other.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Look into business models. They tend to still have older ports such as VGA outputs, and are more conservative on the keyboards. Lenovos are probably good. Look into Dell Vostro and Latitude lines.

This. The Dell I have from work (which I think is about a year old, E5420) has all of the features you request. It is a good unit, so much so that I ditched my personal laptop. When I'm on trips or vacation and want to use the laptop for pleasure, I just boot ubuntu live USB stick.

 

[lakedude]

I was looking at the t430 and saw this:

headphone/microphone combo jack

Maybe the t410 is similar?

EDIT: I see now that is what they were talking about earlier with the 4 conductor jack. It didn't register until I saw it spelled out in plain English.

 

[reallyscrued]

This. The Dell I have from work (which I think is about a year old, E5420) has all of the features you request. It is a good unit, so much so that I ditched my personal laptop. When I'm on trips or vacation and want to use the laptop for pleasure, I just boot ubuntu live USB stick.

Yeah, those latitudes use a combination traditional style/chickelet style keyboards which I abhor. Honestly, it looks like they share every aspect of the Inspiron line, what's the point of getting the "business class" machine from Dell now anyway? In attempts at cost-cutting, it looks like they share a lot of the same parts, including keyboards.

Man, I just remembered another feature I'd be giving up if the laptop has simply one HDMI out

http://bit.ly/soXT3C

I was looking at the t430 and saw this:

Maybe the t410 is similar?

Yeah, the T410 seems to be the winner here.

or the X220

http://amzn.to/143DHhD

Man, just look at that keyboard. I bet the distance of those key throws will be perfect. IPS screen, i7 proc, 9 cell battery, no fancy vid card, VGA plus displayport out, usb3.0...eSATA? jeezus...this is like a mirage. Now that's a freaking business machine. I'd lose a little bit of screen real estate but that's an acceptable loss.

 

[ThePolarSky]

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