13" laptop recommendation

[ryan_khoo]

IPS screen has greater viewing angles so images won't be washed out when you are viewing from the side. IPS panel is pretty much the standard criteria for a decent screen so unless you have a tight budget or you simply don't care about the quality of the screen, just go with one with IPS panel.

As for resolution, simply means that the higher the resolution, the clearer the image quality. I personally will never go below 1920×1080 be it computer or handphone screen.

You see this X260 from NTU is $1.3K
http://www3.ntu.edu.sg/CITS2/computerdeals/NB_detail_16.asp?sn=20168

But it is only 12.5" HD 1366 x 768.

But if you upgrade to 12.5" FHD IPS 1890 x 1080, it becomes $2.2K, a whopping difference $900 because it is not part of the lineup.

Anything non-standard is becomes like street price oredi ... hence I asked here if the difference is a ok, whether a non-IPS 1366 x 768 display is ok ...

Thanks

 

[BeanFarmer]

You see this X260 from NTU is $1.3Khttp://www3.ntu.edu.sg/CITS2/computerdeals/NB_detail_16.asp?sn=20168

But it is only 12.5" HD 1366 x 768.

But if you upgrade to 12.5" FHD IPS 1890 x 1080, it becomes $2.2K, a whopping difference $900 because it is not part of the lineup.

Anything non-standard is becomes like street price oredi ... hence I asked here if the difference is a ok, whether a non-IPS 1366 x 768 display is ok ...

Thanks

The $850 top gets you a X1 Carbon, not an upgraded x260.

 

[ryan_khoo]

The $850 top gets you a X1 Carbon, not an upgraded x260.

Yes BeanFarmer, top up $850 can get X1 Carbon.

But I don't want to spend so much on a laptop so i go for X260. But the default display for x260 is non-IPS 1366 x 768. For clarification, I called the NTU computer room to check how much to upgrade the screen in x260 to fhd ips 1920x1080 & they said it will be $2.2K bcos it deviates from their tender lineup and the upgrade that I requested was also not in the list of their upgrade (their listed upgrade is X1 Carbon).

Thus, i posted my question of whether there's noticeable difference between a 12.5" HD 1366x768 vs 12.5" FHD IPS 1920x1080.

Trust the above clarifies.

Thanks

 

[firezero10]

Yes BeanFarmer, top up $850 can get X1 Carbon.

But I don't want to spend so much on a laptop so i go for X260. But the default display for x260 is non-IPS 1366 x 768. For clarification, I called the NTU computer room to check how much to upgrade the screen in x260 to fhd ips 1920x1080 & they said it will be $2.2K bcos it deviates from their tender lineup and the upgrade that I requested was also not in the list of their upgrade (their listed upgrade is X1 Carbon).

Thus, i posted my question of whether there's noticeable difference between a 12.5" HD 1366x768 vs 12.5" FHD IPS 1920x1080.

Trust the above clarifies.

Thanks

Laptop vendors very inflexible because they only provide certain models approved. That said X1 is a very competent machine and outside price is definitely a lot higher than NTU pricing. I would have considered X1 more because my budget is higher lol. If you are looking something in between then look at Lenovo's education store. They provide a lot more models with quite significant student discount. Only downside is that you have to get your machine serviced at their service centres instead of within the campus should problems surface.

Also, if you are not used to high resolution then just go for their X260 lol. Go down their roadshow and see if you can tell a difference. I have used IPS FHD monitor since like 5 years ago and definitely won't want to compromise my viewing experience.

 

[ryan_khoo]

Laptop vendors very inflexible because they only provide certain models approved. That said X1 is a very competent machine and outside price is definitely a lot higher than NTU pricing. I would have considered X1 more because my budget is higher lol. If you are looking something in between then look at Lenovo's education store. They provide a lot more models with quite significant student discount. Only downside is that you have to get your machine serviced at their service centres instead of within the campus should problems surface.

Also, if you are not used to high resolution then just go for their X260 lol. Go down their roadshow and see if you can tell a difference. I have used IPS FHD monitor since like 5 years ago and definitely won't want to compromise my viewing experience.

Thanks firezero10 for the tips.

I will goto Lenovo website and take a look at their educational pricing.

But then hor, I have gone to Apple Educational website, their 13" Macbook Air is only about $1,250. And the only concern I have is whether a flashdrive of only 128gb is enough ? (an upgrade to 256gb will burs my budget of 1.5K).

Also, the display screen in Macbook Air is only 1440 x 900 and not 1920 x 1080. Not sure if it is IPS or non-IPS though. Do you know ?

So, is 128gb flashdrive enough ? I am prepared to carry an external 1TB portable HDD

Thanks

 

[firezero10]

Thanks firezero10 for the tips.

I will goto Lenovo website and take a look at their educational pricing.

But then hor, I have gone to Apple Educational website, their 13" Macbook Air is only about $1,250. And the only concern I have is whether a flashdrive of only 128gb is enough ? (an upgrade to 256gb will burs my budget of 1.5K).

Also, the display screen in Macbook Air is only 1440 x 900 and not 1920 x 1080. Not sure if it is IPS or non-IPS though. Do you know ?

So, is 128gb flashdrive enough ? I am prepared to carry an external 1TB portable HDD

Thanks

Do you foresee yourself using Windows application? If yes, then you need at 256 Gb only Mac to run bootcamp for Windows. Macbook Air do not have IPS screen, only rMBP has. If you don't mind heavier weight, you can get rMBP 13 @1558 from Apple store and get Beats headphone for free, it's more powerful and have a 2560x1600 IPS screen.

For Lenovo, I feel that ideapad 710s not bad and you can customize your configuration quite a bit.

 

[ryan_khoo]

Do you foresee yourself using Windows application? If yes, then you need at 256 Gb only Mac to run bootcamp for Windows. Macbook Air do not have IPS screen, only rMBP has. If you don't mind heavier weight, you can get rMBP 13 @1558 from Apple store and get Beats headphone for free, it's more powerful and have a 2560x1600 IPS screen.

Thanks bro,

Not switching to Windows, purely running on Mac. So don't need bootcamp.

QUESTION 1:
So, will 128gb flashdrive suffice ?

QUESTION 2:
Let's also do the maths for 13" Macbook Air.

Buy from Apple:
Educational price: $1,258
Apple Care: $278
Total: $1,536

Buy from NTU Tender LineUp:
Price with 3 years warranty: $1,529.03

Since, the price are virtually the same, what incentive is there to buy from NTU ?

Is the 3 years warranty from NTU the same a Apple Care ? Which warranty is better ?

Thanks

 

[firezero10]

Thanks bro,

Not switching to Windows, purely running on Mac. So don't need bootcamp.

QUESTION 1:
So, will 128gb flashdrive suffice ?

QUESTION 2:
Let's also do the maths for 13" Macbook Air.

Buy from Apple:
Educational price: $1,258
Apple Care: $278
Total: $1,536

Buy from NTU Tender LineUp:
Price with 3 years warranty: $1,529.03

Since, the price are virtually the same, what incentive is there to buy from NTU ?

Is the 3 years warranty from NTU the same a Apple Care ? Which warranty is better ?

Thanks

Depends on your usage. With the OS, you will be left with about 100Gb of free space for your programs. See if you will install programs more than that.

"Apple MacBooks purchased from NTU can be serviced at any of the authorised Apple service centre during the 3 years warranty period. It is covered under Apple-Care Protection Plan. However, for repair of battery (ie. battery that is unable to retain less than half an hour of charge) & power adapter, customers are to visit campus computer shop or service centres."

I guess there's not much difference but you do get a Beats headphones if you get from the Apple Store, which cost like 300+ outside.

 

[deepblue_82]

After using 710s for about 2 days.. Watching vid and YouTube... IPs is superb... For long term useage ... 256 is the least size u would be looking at... Put it in view... Would a iPhone 16gb good for 2 years... ?

 

[geckoSG]

Two weeks back saw a display set Alienware 13" selling at $1299 from $1999 at Courts Woodlands. Didn't buy cos I bought aftershock PC 14" a week earlier.

 

[Dark Sumo]

Two weeks back saw a display set Alienware 13" selling at $1299 from $1999 at Courts Woodlands. Didn't buy cos I bought aftershock PC 14" a week earlier.

Alienware too heavy

Sent from Renraku Kraftwerk-1 within the Matrix using GAGT

 

[deepblue_82]

after playing with X260 it looks smaller then S710

 

[BeanFarmer]

Any idea if vendors @ NTU will check if you are still a student? Graduated last year but would like to get a laptop

 

[jeffrey745]

I tried out lenovo 710s, quite like the screen n design... bt when lifting up the screen it seems flimsy and can b twisted,scared break easily=-O

 

[deepblue_82]

I tried out lenovo 710s, quite like the screen n design... bt when lifting up the screen it seems flimsy and can b twisted,scared break easily=-O

yes.. the screen and design.. top end..
but its abit on the soft side..
but to me over all.. the buy is great!

 

[sesame246]

after playing with X260 it looks smaller then S710

finally i managed to look at the real X260 at bugis junction. It looks exactly like X240. but i dont think its smaller than 710s, though the latter is thinner.

overall X260 feels sturdy. But 710s so good-looking, especially the gold one...

anyway, hv ordered X260 from school as the discount is attractive.

 

[deepblue_82]

finally i managed to look at the real X260 at bugis junction. It looks exactly like X240. but i dont think its smaller than 710s, though the latter is thinner.

overall X260 feels sturdy. But 710s so good-looking, especially the gold one...

anyway, hv ordered X260 from school as the discount is attractive.

ya for sure.. ibm are sturdy... x260 has more ports too..

 

[WhiteFox]

Where to get Inspiron 13 7000?

 

[jameshong]

Where to get Inspiron 13 7000?

Dell store at plaza singapura or best denki.

 

[jeffrey745]

yes.. the screen and design.. top end..
but its abit on the soft side..
but to me over all.. the buy is great!

How is the lenovo 710s quality as compared to asus ux305? And also the after sales services,repair centre etc