Searching for new laptop

[SerialAceTU1]

Although my Lenovo IdeaPad 100S is good enough for me in secondary school,

I need another laptop that is more powerful; like one with a long battery life .

(7 to 10 hours hits the sweet spot for me)

S$1300 is my budget.

Must have an i5-5200U (14nm process, contributes to battery life)

(and i7 laptops are too expensive)

Intel HD 520 GPU (if includes dGPU within budget, i welcome that)

At least 8GB RAM (future-proofing, better performance)

13.3" or 14" (i will be bringing this laptop around, helps if it can be as light as possible)

A 1920x1080 resolution is a NEED to me, i don't need a touchscreen.

500GB or 1TB HDD. 7200rpm variant welcomed, didn't choose SSDs 

as they are very expensive and i need a lot of storage for my stuff

 

Most importantly...

At least 2 USB 3.0 ports.

(USB 3.1 Type C is optional to me)

Doesn't have to be an Ultrabook.

if LAN is built-in, it's okay (don't mind bringing a USB-to-LAN adaptor)

full-sized HDMI needed, don't mind the micro-sized HDMI

 

Hopefully your advice after reading this thread can help me

make an informed decision to get a laptop i need without paying 

for extra performance and/or features i don't need.

 

-Serial

9:15pm

5/5/2016

Thursday

Singapore Time.

 

Edited May 5, 2016 by SerialAceTU1
added not needed stuff

[FishTea]

Brand wise - be careful from HP and Dell - lots of problems and no help from them.
 

 

you can choose here:

 

Quote

he Skylake portable laptops

This section contains all the devices built on Intel’s Skylake-U hardware, with 15W processors like the Core i3-6100U, Core i5 – 6200U/6300U , Core i7-6500U/6600U and all the other further launched iterations. Some Skylake Core M devices are also included.

We’ll start with the most portable options, with screens smaller than 13-inches in diagonal.

Sub 13-inch ultraportables
Model	Type	Screen	Hardware	Battery	Weight	Price(*)
Acer Aspire Swtich 12S	detachable	12.5″ IPS touch FHD or UHD	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	–	1.40 kg / 3.1 lbs	$1199
Dell Inspiron 11 3000 (3153)	convertible	11.6″ TN touch HD	up to Core i3 w/ Intel HD 520	43 Wh	1.40 kg / 3.1 lbs	$549
Dell Latitude 12 7000	detachable	12.5″ IPS touch FHD or UHD	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	30 Wh	1.40 kg / 3.1 lbs	$1049
Dell XPS 12 9250	detachable	12.5″ touch FHD/UHD	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	30 Wh	1.27 kg / 2.8 lbs	$999
HP EliteBook Folio G1	clamshell	12.5″ touch FHD or UHD	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	10 h	0.99 kg / 2.2 lbs	$999
HP EliteBook 820 G3	clamshell	12.5″ FHD or QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	44 Wh	1.26 kg / 2.77 lbs	$949
HP Spectre x2 12	tablet	12″ touch FHD	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	40 Wh	1.22 kg / 2.68 lbs	$699
Lenovo Miix 700	tablet + Folio	12″ touch FHD+	up to Core M7 w/ Intel HD 515	40 Wh	0.77 kg / 1.7 lbs	$749
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 260	convertible	12.5″ touch HD or FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	44 Wh	1.3 kg / 2.9 lbs	$949
Lenovo Yoga 900S	convertible	12.5″ IPS touch QHD	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	10 h	0.99 kg / 2.2 lbs	$1099
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet	tablet+Folio	12.0″ IPS touch FHD or QHD	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	–	1.1 kg / 2.42 lbs	$899
Lenovo ThinkPad X260	clamshell	12.5″ IPS HD or FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	up to 72 Wh	1.3 kg / 2.86 lbs	$999
Microsoft Surface Pro 4	tablet+Folio	12.3″ touch	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	39 Wh	0.77 kg / 1.69 lbs	$899
Razer Blade Stealth	clamshell	12.5″ touch QHD or UHD	Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	45 Wh	1.25 kg / 2.75 lbs	$999
Toshiba Satellite Radius 12	convertible	12″ touch UHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	43 Wh	1.3 kg / 2.9 lbs	$1299

 

1

Quote

13 to 13.9 inch ultrabooks
Model	Type	Screen	Hardware	Battery	Weight	Price(*)
Acer Aspire R13 (R7-372T)	convertible	13.3″ IPS touch QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	48Wh	1.55 kg / 3.5 lbs	$899
Acer Aspire V13 (V3-372T)	clamshell	13.3″ FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	48Wh	1.55 kg / 3.3 lbs	$599
Alienware 13 (R2)	clamshell	13.3″ IPS HD, FHD or QHD+	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia GTX 960M	52 Wh	2.05 kg/4.53 lbs	$999
Asus Flip TP300UA / Q302UA	clamshell	13.3″ IPS FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	48Wh	1.7 kg / 3.75 lbs	$699
Asus Zenbook UX305UA	clamshell	13.3″ IPS FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	56Wh	1.3 kg / 2.86 lbs	$799
Asus Zenbook UX303UA	clamshell	13.3″ IPS FHD touch	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	48Wh	1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs	$799
Asus Zenbook UX303UB	clamshell	13.3″ IPS FHD or QHD+	Core i7 w/ Nvidia 940M	48Wh	1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs	$1299
Dell Inspiron 13 7000 (7359)	convertible	13.3″ IPS touch FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	43Wh	3.7 lbs / 1.66 kg	$549
Dell Latitude 13 7370	clamshell	13.3″ IPS FHD or touch QHD+	up to Core m7 w/ Intel HD 515	–	1.12 kg / 2.48 lbs	$1299
Dell XPS 13 9350	clamshell	13.3″ IPS FHD or touch QHD+	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	52Wh	1.18 kg / 2.6 lbs	$799
HP Pavilion 13 x360	convertible	13.3″ IPS touch FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	44Wh	1.71 kg / 3.77 lbs	$599
HP Spectre x360	convertible	13.3″ IPS touch QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	55Wh	1.48 kg / 3.26 lbs	$999
HP Envy 13	clamshell	13.3″ IPS touch FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	45Wh	1.37 kg / 3.00 lbs	$849
Lenovo IdeaPad 500s 13	convertible	13.3″ touch FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia 920M	35 Wh	1.5 kg / 3.4 lbs	tba
Lenovo IdeaPad 710s 13	convertible	13.3″ matte FHD or QHD+	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	8h	1.16 kg / 2.56 lbs	$799
Lenovo Yoga 900	convertible	13.3″ IPS touch QHD	Core i5 or i7 w/ Intel HD 520	66Wh	1.27 kg / 2.8 lbs	$1199
Microsoft Surface Book	detachable	13.5″ touch	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia graphics	70 Wh	1.57 kg / 3.48 lbs	$1499
Lenovo ThinkPad 13	clamshell	13.3″ HD or touch FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	9 h	1.4 kg / 3.1 lbs	$449

 

 

 

Quote

14 to 14.9-inch ultrabooks
Model	Type	Screen	Hardware	Battery	Weight	Price(*)
Acer Aspire R14 (R5-471T)	convertible	14.0″ IPS touch HD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	48Wh	1.9 kg / 4.2 lbs	$799
Gigabyte P34W v5	clamshell	14.0″ FHD	up to Core i7 HQ w/ Nvidia 970M	61 Wh	1.8 kg / 3.97 lbs	$1499
HP EliteBook 840 G3	clamshell	14.0″ FHD or QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	46 Wh	1.54 kg / 3.4 lbs	$949
HP EliteBook 1040 G3	clamshell	14.0″ FHD or QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	11 h	1.36 kg / 3.0 lbs	$1149
Lenovo IdeaPad 300s 14	clamshell	14.0″ FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia 940M	5 hours	1.8 kg / 3.9 lbs	$479
Lenovo IdeaPad 300 14	clamshell	14.0″ FHD	up to Intel Core i7 w/ Radeon R5 M330	4 hours	2.1 kg / 4.6 lbs	$399
Lenovo IdeaPad 500s 14	convertible	14.0″ touch FHD	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia 940M	4.5 hours	2.1 kg / 4.6 lbs	tba
Lenovo IdeaPad 500 14	clamshell	14.0″ FHD	up to Intel Core i7 w/ Radeon M360 or AMD Carrizo FX-8800P w/ Radeon M330	4 hours	2.1 kg / 4.6 lbs	$399 (AMD), $849 (Intel)
Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 460	convertible	14.0″ touch FHD or QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia 940M	10 hours	1.8 kg / 3.9 lbs	$1049
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2016	convertible	14.0″ IPS FHD or OLED QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Intel HD 520	52 Wh	1.17 kg / 2.6 lbs	$1499
Lenovo ThinkPad T460	clamshell	14.0″ HD, FHD or QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia 940M	14 h	1.7 kg / 3.8 lbs	$909
Lenovo ThinkPad T460P	clamshell	14.0″ IPS QHD	up to Core i7 HQ w/ Nvidia 940M	12 h	1.81 kg / 4.0 lbs	$1249
Lenovo ThinkPad T460S	clamshell	14.0″ QHD	up to Core i7 w/ Nvidia 930M	49 Wh	1.36 kg / 3.0 lbs	$1059

 

 

 

just found some listings... it's your choice to search for more

[DioOmicida]

Look into the Dell XPS 15 line.
They boast good battery life and come in a variety of configurations. 

[SerialAceTU1]

50 minutes ago, DioOmicida said:

Look into the Dell XPS 15 line.
They boast good battery life and come in a variety of configurations. 

 

58 minutes ago, zeraine00 said:

Brand wise - be careful from HP and Dell - lots of problems and no help from them.
 

 

you can choose here:

 

just found some listings... it's your choice to search for more

Wow guys.

The $1400 I have can buy

a budget gaming notebook

like the HP Pavillon 15 Gaming.

 

 

[DioOmicida]

3 minutes ago, SerialAceTU1 said:

 

Wow guys.

The currency difference is very huge.

But never mind -.-

(Singapore dollars................................)

Everyone has had their own experiences with their tech.
I've personally never had any issues with the Dell products I've owned.
Linus did a good review over the XPS 15. Go check it out.

[SerialAceTU1]

2 minutes ago, DioOmicida said:

Everyone has had their own experiences with their tech.
I've personally never had any issues with the Dell products I've owned.
Linus did a good review over the XPS 15. Go check it out.

Watched that.

But out of my budget.

$2900...

[DioOmicida]

1 minute ago, SerialAceTU1 said:

Watched that.

But out of my budget.

$2900...

I misread your comment earlier. If there is that huge of a price disparity, I can't imagine a very high budget in USD. So, there wouldn't be much product differentiation for what you want to drop. Though, he probably reviewed one of the highest tier models and they do come in a variety of setups that make them more affordable the lower down the tier you go. How much is $1300 Singapore Dollar to USD? Google exchange gives me about $950 usd. Is that correct?

[SerialAceTU1]

8 minutes ago, DioOmicida said:

I misread your comment earlier. If there is that huge of a price disparity, I can't imagine a very high budget in USD. So, there wouldn't be much product differentiation for what you want to drop. Though, he probably reviewed one of the highest tier models and they do come in a variety of setups that make them more affordable the lower down the tier you go. How much is $1300 Singapore Dollar to USD? Google exchange gives me about $950 usd. Is that correct?

Please check the XPS 15 with these specs: (in your country)

i7-6700HQ

GTX960 (2GB GDDR5)

16GB RAM

256GB SSD

4K display (touch)

[DioOmicida]

32 minutes ago, SerialAceTU1 said:

Please check the XPS 15 with these specs:

i7-6700HQ

GTX960 (2GB GDDR5)

16GB RAM

256GB SSD

4K display (touch)

Ya, thats a top tier model. If you go here: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-15-9550-laptop/pd They have a model with:
i5-6300HQ , 8gb of Ram, a TB HDD and an SSD for the OS. non touch, a 960m and a 1080p monitor for $1199 USD But even that might be out of your range. The i3 model is 999.

[SerialAceTU1]

21 hours ago, DioOmicida said:

Ya, thats a top tier model. If you go here: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-15-9550-laptop/pd They have a model with:
i5-6300HQ , 8gb of Ram, a TB HDD and an SSD for the OS. non touch, a 960m and a 1080p monitor for $1199 USD But even that might be out of your range. The i3 model is 999.

In other words,

out of my budget.

I've been keeping my eyes on:

the Asus ROG G551JX (with 6th Gen i7-6700HQ)

 

But is there a big difference between a 4th Gen Core i7 and a 6th Gen Core i7 processor?

[DioOmicida]

30 minutes ago, SerialAceTU1 said:

But is there a difference between a 4th Gen Core i7 and a 6th Gen Core i7 processor?

Not really all that much. Between the 4th and 6th gen, they both have their advantages. In a laptop, the 4th gen might even be more advantageous as you wont be overclocking and the 4th gen processors have high boost clocks. 6th gen can support more RAM but you probably wont have more than 32gb in a laptop. While another advantage of the 6th gen is the use of DDR4 ram, a lot of 6th gen intel laptops I've seen still support older generation RAM.
So honestly if you find a 4th gen in your price range, you would not be hurting yourself at all to go that route.