New Laptop vs. Tablet

[meep15]

I'll need to replace my laptop before grad school begins, since my current one has deteriorated significantly (in performance and some damage on the outside) in the last few months. 

Any recommendations on laptops or tablets? I'm looking for a model that can do word-processing, netflex, etc., and handle a few games on steam. 

I don't see a need for a Macbook Pro, but am willing to consider almost anything else.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

Get a Windows Surface Pro 2. Best hybrid laptop/tablet on the market. Touchscreen, foldable keyboard, Microsoft Office, and as powerful as the top laptops.

[themmases]

I personally wouldn't get a tablet to be my main computer. I have an iPad, and it's the perfect size for renting textbooks and never printing another PDF again. But even already-basic things like Google Drive are stripped-down on it, and increasingly slow after a couple of years of not very demanding ownership. Also, the iPad has some great games but nothing you will really play for a long time like a computer game, and lots of games ruined by in-app purchases. I'm not as familiar with the Surface, but I did try one in the store and even the display model was laggy and unimpressive.

 

Personally, I decided to rent ebooks/never print PDFs and try to get the most computer I could for 5 lbs. or less (well, I ended up with 5.1 lbs. with battery). It was very hard for me to find a laptop with a dedicated graphics card that they shouldn't have been paying me to take off their hands, but integrated graphics are more useful than they used to be if you get a current processor. I ended up with this through an employee purchase program, and love it so far: http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/ASUS-X550LA-DH71-15.6in-Core-i7-4500U-Windows-8-64-bit-8-GB-RAM-1/3213453.aspx#TS

 

It's not worth the money to track down a Windows 7 computer-- you'll end up overpaying for the components just because it has Windows 7. If you don't like Windows 8, the UI can be modified effectively and for free with programs like Classic Shell, which I use and love. You might want to wait until you're enrolled to get Office and any other applications you'll need (although Office 365 for students is $80 for a 4-year license even if your school doesn't give you a deal-- you just must have a .edu address to activate). My school offered us all a free copy of Office and the Windows version appeared to be better than the Mac one, if you think you'll be using those applications a lot.

[shortstack51]

I personally wouldn't get a tablet to be my main computer. I have an iPad, and it's the perfect size for renting textbooks and never printing another PDF again. But even already-basic things like Google Drive are stripped-down on it, and increasingly slow after a couple of years of not very demanding ownership. Also, the iPad has some great games but nothing you will really play for a long time like a computer game, and lots of games ruined by in-app purchases. I'm not as familiar with the Surface, but I did try one in the store and even the display model was laggy and unimpressive.

 

Personally, I decided to rent ebooks/never print PDFs and try to get the most computer I could for 5 lbs. or less (well, I ended up with 5.1 lbs. with battery). It was very hard for me to find a laptop with a dedicated graphics card that they shouldn't have been paying me to take off their hands, but integrated graphics are more useful than they used to be if you get a current processor. I ended up with this through an employee purchase program, and love it so far: http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/ASUS-X550LA-DH71-15.6in-Core-i7-4500U-Windows-8-64-bit-8-GB-RAM-1/3213453.aspx#TS

 

It's not worth the money to track down a Windows 7 computer-- you'll end up overpaying for the components just because it has Windows 7. If you don't like Windows 8, the UI can be modified effectively and for free with programs like Classic Shell, which I use and love. You might want to wait until you're enrolled to get Office and any other applications you'll need (although Office 365 for students is $80 for a 4-year license even if your school doesn't give you a deal-- you just must have a .edu address to activate). My school offered us all a free copy of Office and the Windows version appeared to be better than the Mac one, if you think you'll be using those applications a lot.

 

The Windows version of Office is indeed better; I saw a quote by a Microsoft rep (in a newspaper article or something) that said they intentionally made the Windows version better.

 

In any case, I have both a tablet and computer. I have a macbook, but I got it through my undergrad, which had a laptop program. It got annoying lugging my computer around if I didn't want to spend $20 printing PDFs, so I got a tablet. I also agree that Windows 8 is very sluggish, pretty counter-intuitive, and if you're using a Surface, more often than not the dual touchscreen and computer function seem to actually confuse you more than help. If I had a dollar for the number of times my students point to their screen to show me something and end up deleting/moving something...

 

Anyway, my guess is the games you have on Steam would probably need something more powerful anyway, particularly since Steam isn't supported on tablets. My macbook pro from 2010 still has trouble with some Steam games--max payne 3 needs to get restarted every so often, team fortress 2 crashes on the first open (unless that was fixed in a recent update--haven't played in 6 months). The ASUS suggestion above may be your best bet if you need something more affordable that can also support gaming. I have a friend with one and he games on it all the time and mostly has no complaints.

Edited March 13, 2014 by shortstack51

[deci:belle]

I was thinking about getting the Surface just because it's a pain to lug my Mac around everywhere. And it has all the important functions for note taking, and the USB port is so clutch. But I do plan on using my Mac at home, because I'm not sure if I could rely completely on a tablet alone to survive (first world problems much?). So my point is i guess - If you don't mind lugging stuff around: Laptop. If you do: Tablet 

[meep15]

I was thinking of the surface pro 2, which I can apparently play simcity on (which was the only game that I care about still playing), and it can have the full version of windows, etc. 

Although the sleek laptops don't seem that bad either. There's just so many out there...

[overworkedta]

Ultrabooks are a good combination but they will cost you.  If I had to have one machine, that's what I would go for.  I currently have three - a Dell Studio XPS that is POS now used only as my home computer, a ASUS 15'' laptop, and a Surface Pro tablet that is my everyday go to work computer.  I have  dongle so I can work my monitor off of it at work.  The size and weight are great for every day.  I'm currently using my ASUS.  It's my go-to laptop.  I like having two machines at least, though, it can be very handy in that one doesn't get too abused.  I'm also a bit of a tech freak and like toys.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

Ultrabooks are a good combination but they will cost you.

I disagree. Most ultrabooks I've come across are cheaper than laptops with comparable specs because they usually don't include stuff like optical drives and ethernet ports. Personally, I'll take half the weight over a damn CD drive. I got an ultrabook for real cheap. Lenovo, 14 inch, 2 lb, i7, 1 TB hdd, 8 GB ram for $650. The comparable laptops were about a grand. But I also saved like $200 because it was on sale. 

[overworkedta]

I won't ever spend that chunk of change on a laptop.  $500.00 or less for something with decent specs that can run my stats software.  I don't game and I replace my computers every couple of years.  I don't buy into warranties either because I can fix a lot of things myself and have been totally screwed by Dell on waiting for a computer for 6+ weeks because of their screw ups.  This is what my computer scientist ex taught me.  It's about the only thing redeemable about him.

 

Now, if I was to get back into doing photography or graphics on the side, I would upgrade.  But, yes, you can find a decent laptop for less than $600.00.  I have a 3 year old ASUS that fits the bill just fine.  I just upgraded to a new battery but other than that, she's perfect.

[themmases]

I disagree. Most ultrabooks I've come across are cheaper than laptops with comparable specs because they usually don't include stuff like optical drives and ethernet ports. Personally, I'll take half the weight over a damn CD drive. I got an ultrabook for real cheap. Lenovo, 14 inch, 2 lb, i7, 1 TB hdd, 8 GB ram for $650. The comparable laptops were about a grand. But I also saved like $200 because it was on sale. 

 

I agree, there are actually some good deals out there on computers with those specs. I just advised my aunt on one similar to that, but she wanted something much bigger-- like 17"-- because it's a desktop replacement. But I was surprised at the deal she was able to find on that, she ended up not really needing my help.

 

What I saw during my own computer buying was that many "sale" laptops were actually just hiding the discount in an old processor with a name that disguised the fact-- for example, an i7 in an ad that doesn't mention what generation it is. I'd recommend anyone who's not 100% sure what they want to choose their computer online where they can just check out those components and know if they're looking at a good deal or not (I used Notebook Check for that). I found mine by filtering for the size and processor I wanted, then sorting by price. You could also get your computer fund together, follow sales, google the processor, then pounce.

[babycakes]

Call me a tool for buying into the apple hype, but I vouch for the MacBook Air. It has the portability of a tablet yet with function on par with a MacBook Pro but cheaper. Ever minute problem I've ever had with it, I just go to the apple store and they fix it- never bad to pay a cent for it. Everything from slight cosmetic damage to a weird screen problem solved without an interrogation. And the extended warranty was only like a little under 200 dollars on top of the computer price so you get that back easily with the amount of service you get. SURE, you're paying 3x the amount of a 500 dollar PC laptop but at the end of the day, your satisfaction (little to no viruses, not constantly crashing, no bloatware, lightning fast processors, 101 in person service) and the longevity of the product far exceeds the price of buying a new PC laptop every (other) year. My computer froze a whopping TWO times within the last three years and it was all definitely my fault (I have like 5 active screens at a given time running full on programs... I suck I know).

I went through three 500 dollar PC laptops in undergrad before I turned to Mac and I haven't bought a new computer in three years. I know that sounds ridiculous but my first computer blue-screen of deathed every other week, my second computer I admit I spilled water on (don't put a flimsy 32 oz soda cup of water on the shelf above your desk guis) and the third it just slowly fell apart ethin the first year and when I dropped it a whole chunk of the plastic casing straight up fell off and my hinge was slowly deteriorating due to above impact.

[overworkedta]

I don't think apple is a bad product at all if you have apple care.  Their customer service is excellent.  I love my iPhone and my iPod ran forever but they are very, very expensive machines - especially for somoene who always wants an upgrade.  Likewise, they aren't the best choice for everyone depending on the software you are expected to run for a given program/programs.  I can't stand dealing with STATA on Mac OS and several other program aren't supported by Mac or are downright buggy as all get out.

 

And your "no viruses" thing may or may not continue as Macs proliferate, so I don't really consider that a selling point (or at least I wouldn't rely on it).  Macs may not get malware - yet.  I also have never, ever gotten a devastating virus on a computer in all of my years of owning one.  People that do don't realize how to scan their machines or avoid bad areas of the internet.  Anytime someone brings this up, I'm like "really?" because it's never happened to me.  Maybe I am lucky or just better with computers but I think people tend to just know nothing about programming or computers when these things happen.

 

Also, for someone doing things on the cheap, buying something with a cheaper processor - what does it matter?  In two years, you will want to replace it anyhow.  Most people don't need a hugely demanding processor to use computers as internet boxes.  That's why many people are working on tablets these days.  I mean, maybe you ARE the type who keeps a computer for 4 years and never wants an upgrade but I know more people than I don't know that want to upgrade every 2 years and spend way more than they need to in those cases.

 

Again, YMMV.

[themmases]

This is definitely a YMMV thing, because everyone I know keeps their computer a long time and shops with the goal of at least having that as an option.

 

However, I also think people going into masters programs should definitely plan on getting something they could use for a long time, because most of us don't know if we will have an income or what it will be. Sure, we might know the answer to that in 2 years for a nice quick upgrade, but I doubt most people would want their computer limping to the finish line when they're writing their thesis. Even in a 4-year time period, I'd rather spend $700 once than $500 twice.

[overworkedta]

Maybe I just know a lot of people who like to upgrade tech once every other year.  Everyone I know SAYS they are going to let something last 4 years and then they never do.  Most of my machines end up making it about 4 years but I rotate them out so I don't ever have to rely on only one.  I keep most things on the cloud.  My teaching stuff is there exclusively just in case - as were all my comps materials.  Again, I could be weird but the idea of having one and one only (even if the other one is just a brick at home) is frightening since I have had so many people have their computers crash - HD's, motherboards, you name it - in the middle of a finals week or comps.  My ex had his mac crash in the middle of finals two years ago and I had to loan him my desktop replacement computer.

 

ETA: I think people should tread carefully when "buying up" with PC's.  The brick I keep talking about is the second replacement for the original Dell my parents paid $2500.00 for in 2008 when my 4 year old hunk of a Dell kicked the bucket and wouldn't tolerate a memory upgrade.  We went for the fastest, nicest thing we could get and it bit the dust in about 6 months, then was replaced by another model that had electrical and power issues and finally this one.  4 years later, it has had several keyboards, several mother boards, and a new hard drive, so maybe my experience with "expensive" PC's is just awful and I don't see the point in buying anything that costs a ton unless it is a Mac.

Edited March 15, 2014 by overworkedta

[shaketheshock]

I have to say I use my Macbook pro for everything - even though I built my own custom desktop PC (I just don't game anymore so it collects dust for the most part - never thought I'd be saying that!). I wouldn't have bought the Mac for roughly $1200 though because of the quality of ultrabook or laptop pc you can get for that same price, I got it as a student with a disability. I also agree that microsoft office is not as good on the Mac and confusing at times, for ex. even though I have excel and office on my Mac, I was not able to do my stats work on it and had to borrow someone's netbook.

 

Anyway ... it seems you've already chosen a pc rather than a Mac so I'll stop blathering - I just wanted to let you know some very good websites to order computers/computer parts from (I use the Canadian versions of their sites, but I've linked the American ones): http://www.newegg.com and http://www.ncixus.com - I have custom built multiple pcs using their parts. Also if you're getting a pre-built laptop that you're not planning on replacing the HD or anything, I would suggest an Asus.

 

Cheers and good luck Let us know what you choose!

 

Also just for reference, these are the prerequisites for playing SimCity:

 

What will my Windows PC need to get SimCity running so I can build the best city in the world?

• SimCity on PC will run on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.
• Intel players will need, minimally, a 2.0 GHz Core2Duo, while our AMD players will need at least an Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+
• At least 2GB of RAM
• 10 GB of hard drive space
• A DVD-ROM drive
• At least a 512 MB video card featuring either an NVIDIA 7800 or better, an AMD chipset of at least an ATI Radeon HD 2x00 or better, or Intel Series 4 integrated graphics or better.