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Laptop for studies and future work
posted in Off Topic
1
#1
0 Frags +

So i am starting uni and need a laptop that can fulfill my needs. I will study computer science and plan on having this laptop for these 4 years+.

My budget is maximum 1100€ and want the screen to be between 13-14", so far i been looking at the Asus Zenbook, HP Envy 13, HP Spectre 13 (Can get student discount on this one). What would you guys recommend? And is it worth paying the extra 200 for a Macbook Pro 13" or Dell XPS 13

So i am starting uni and need a laptop that can fulfill my needs. I will study computer science and plan on having this laptop for these 4 years+.

My budget is maximum 1100€ and want the screen to be between 13-14", so far i been looking at the Asus Zenbook, HP Envy 13, HP Spectre 13 (Can get student discount on this one). What would you guys recommend? And is it worth paying the extra 200 for a Macbook Pro 13" or Dell XPS 13
2
#2
3 Frags +

I personally use the Dell inspiron 13
It has an amazing battery life, really light and fast.
it also $700
Check it out:
https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Dell-Inspiron-13-i7359-8408SLV-Signature-Edition-2-in-1-PC/productID.333089100
edit: I just realized how much this sounds like an ad

I personally use the Dell inspiron 13
It has an amazing battery life, really light and fast.
it also $700
Check it out:
https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Dell-Inspiron-13-i7359-8408SLV-Signature-Edition-2-in-1-PC/productID.333089100
edit: I just realized how much this sounds like an ad
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#3
21 Frags +

*waiting for setsul to descend from heaven above and answer this mans prayers*

*waiting for setsul to descend from heaven above and answer this mans prayers*
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#4
2 Frags +

i got a 13inch dell xps for $850 by price matching at bestbuy and its really sleek

i got a 13inch dell xps for $850 by price matching at bestbuy and its really sleek
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#5
0 Frags +

x

x
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#6
0 Frags +

I highly recommend any rebranded version of the Clevo p640re!
Bought it a few months ago, take it to university almost every day and I am very happy with it :)
It's 14", durable, very powerful (depending on what specs you get) and looks cool.

Detailed test here

Example of fully configurable rebranded versions here or here or here

I highly recommend any rebranded version of the Clevo p640re!
Bought it a few months ago, take it to university almost every day and I am very happy with it :)
It's 14", durable, very powerful (depending on what specs you get) and looks cool.

Detailed test [url=http://www.notebookcheck.net/Schenker-XMG-P406-Clevo-P640RE-Notebook-Review.158239.0.html]here[/url]

Example of fully configurable rebranded versions [url=http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/defianceII-14/]here[/url] or [url=http://www.eurocom.com/ec/configure(3,350,0)ec]here[/url] or [url=https://www.mysn.de/xmg-pro-gaming-notebooks/xmg-p406]here[/url]
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#7
0 Frags +

Frankly if you aren't after gaming performance and just want a machine that will last, honestly I would just find a high spec used T430 or something.

If you're into hardware modding there's a lot that can be done with them. You can replace the keyboard with an older non-chiclet one, and upgrade the screen to a full 1080p IPS one, on top of having both an extended 9 cell battery and a slice battery for DAT BATTERY LIFE.

Frankly if you aren't after gaming performance and just want a machine that will last, honestly I would just find a high spec used T430 or something.

If you're into hardware modding there's a lot that can be done with them. You can replace the keyboard with an older non-chiclet one, and upgrade the screen to a full 1080p IPS one, on top of having both an extended 9 cell battery and a slice battery for DAT BATTERY LIFE.
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#8
0 Frags +

Thanks for all suggestions, forgot to add that i want it to be lightweight also!

DrdeathtfI personally use the Dell inspiron 13

Not available in Sweden, product has expired.

FireXiaomi Notebook Air is what im getting as soon as the 13.3 inch version is coming out. In theory it's $750 but not sold outside of China by xiaomi so you never know how much it will actually cost from internationally shipping Stores.

Sadly i cant really wait for a restock, since classes start at Monday and ill need a laptop then.

zeSIMONI highly recommend any rebranded version of the Clevo p640re!
Bought it a few months ago, take it to university almost every day and I am very happy with it :)
It's 14", durable, very powerful (depending on what specs you get) and looks cool.

Too big for my liking, Max weight would be 1.4kg

yttriumFrankly if you aren't after gaming performance and just want a machine that will last, honestly I would just find a high spec used T430 or something.

Weights too much.

Thanks for all suggestions, forgot to add that i want it to be lightweight also!
[quote=Drdeathtf]I personally use the Dell inspiron 13
[/quote]
Not available in Sweden, product has expired.

[quote=Fire]Xiaomi Notebook Air is what im getting as soon as the 13.3 inch version is coming out. In theory it's $750 but not sold outside of China by xiaomi so you never know how much it will actually cost from internationally shipping Stores.
[/quote]

Sadly i cant really wait for a restock, since classes start at Monday and ill need a laptop then.

[quote=zeSIMON]I highly recommend any rebranded version of the Clevo p640re!
Bought it a few months ago, take it to university almost every day and I am very happy with it :)
It's 14", durable, very powerful (depending on what specs you get) and looks cool.
[/quote]

Too big for my liking, Max weight would be 1.4kg

[quote=yttrium]Frankly if you aren't after gaming performance and just want a machine that will last, honestly I would just find a high spec used T430 or something.
[/quote]

Weights too much.
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#9
-4 Frags +
LuneMax weight would be 1.4kg

My keyboard weighs around 1.3 kg. If anything above 1.4 is heavy for you, consider working out.

[quote=Lune]Max weight would be 1.4kg[/quote]
My keyboard weighs around 1.3 kg. If anything above 1.4 is heavy for you, consider working out.
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#10
-1 Frags +

TBH, if you want something that's under 1.4kg/3lbs and still decent at CS work, you'd be looking at a Macbook Pro/Air with higher RAM (8gb ideal).

There are a few benefits to having one instead of a Windows laptop:

- Super light. Without looking at the other laptops you've listed, I can tell you that Macbook Air/Pro weighs usually around 1.3 - 2 kg depending on the model and screen size. Much lighter than most
- Longer battery life than gaming laptops and such. This comes in handy if you have classes all day and hate lugging around a charger cable, which is also lighter than most other laptops.
- If you ever want to do iOS app development, the iOS SDK is only available on OS X.
- Terminal - Linux has this, but also is clunkier than the OS X version in most cases. Windows CMD is really crappy compared to these two

The only annoying downsides IMO is getting used to OS X, and the teensy storage space. You'll have to get an external hard drive if you don't upgrade the internal, which costs a chunk extra.

I used Windows/Linux for the longest time, but given the opportunity I think a Macbook of any type is much more convenient for students.

TBH, if you want something that's under 1.4kg/3lbs and still decent at CS work, you'd be looking at a Macbook Pro/Air with higher RAM (8gb ideal).

There are a few benefits to having one instead of a Windows laptop:

- Super light. Without looking at the other laptops you've listed, I can tell you that Macbook Air/Pro weighs usually around 1.3 - 2 kg depending on the model and screen size. Much lighter than most
- Longer battery life than gaming laptops and such. This comes in handy if you have classes all day and hate lugging around a charger cable, which is also lighter than most other laptops.
- If you ever want to do iOS app development, the iOS SDK is only available on OS X.
- Terminal - Linux has this, but also is clunkier than the OS X version in most cases. Windows CMD is really crappy compared to these two

The only annoying downsides IMO is getting used to OS X, and the teensy storage space. You'll have to get an external hard drive if you don't upgrade the internal, which costs a chunk extra.

I used Windows/Linux for the longest time, but given the opportunity I think a Macbook of any type is much more convenient for students.
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#11
1 Frags +
LuneAnd is it worth paying the extra 200 for a Macbook Pro 13" or Dell XPS 13

If you're upping your budget to ~$1500 the Aero 14 seems to fit exactly what you want and has way better gaming performance than a macbook or xps. I'm not sure about its availability outside of NA though

[quote=Lune]And is it worth paying the extra 200 for a Macbook Pro 13" or Dell XPS 13[/quote]

If you're upping your budget to ~$1500 the Aero 14 seems to fit exactly what you want and has way better gaming performance than a macbook or xps. I'm not sure about its availability outside of NA though
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#12
0 Frags +

x

x
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#13
0 Frags +

http://www.arrowdirect.se/sv/products/begagnade-baerbara-pc.php

get something that's business oriented and not some consumer laptop. guaranteed build quality and most of them still have hardware more than powerful enough. added bonus is that the older hardware supports linux better (which you will more than likely be using at some point during CS studies). also they're cheap

http://www.arrowdirect.se/sv/products/begagnade-baerbara-pc.php

get something that's business oriented and not some consumer laptop. guaranteed build quality and most of them still have hardware more than powerful enough. added bonus is that the older hardware supports linux better (which you will more than likely be using at some point during CS studies). also they're cheap
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#14
0 Frags +

Sorry did not make it clear that i wont be playing games at all on it so a gaming laptop is not needed.
I found this Lenovo 710S with i7, 8gb ram and 256gb SSD on discount. Anyone got experience with Lenovo?

Sorry did not make it clear that i wont be playing games at all on it so a gaming laptop is not needed.
I found this Lenovo 710S with i7, 8gb ram and 256gb SSD on discount. Anyone got experience with Lenovo?
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#15
0 Frags +
LuneSorry did not make it clear that i wont be playing games at all on it so a gaming laptop is not needed.
I found this Lenovo 710S with i7, 8gb ram and 256gb SSD on discount. Anyone got experience with Lenovo?

In America their shipping is god awful, I didn't get my laptop until three weeks after I bought it. And it wasn't customized just one of the standard options. I had to call them and made them overnight it to me because otherwise It probably would have taken months.

[quote=Lune]Sorry did not make it clear that i wont be playing games at all on it so a gaming laptop is not needed.
I found this Lenovo 710S with i7, 8gb ram and 256gb SSD on discount. Anyone got experience with Lenovo?[/quote]

In America their shipping is god awful, I didn't get my laptop until three weeks after I bought it. And it wasn't customized just one of the standard options. I had to call them and made them overnight it to me because otherwise It probably would have taken months.
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#16
1 Frags +

Lenovo Thinkpad.

Lenovo Thinkpad.
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#17
2 Frags +

I bought a 13" laptop when I was in school and ever time I have to squint at the tiny little screen I want to kill myself, I would recommend something larger. The weight difference isn't really significant

I bought a 13" laptop when I was in school and ever time I have to squint at the tiny little screen I want to kill myself, I would recommend something larger. The weight difference isn't really significant
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#18
0 Frags +

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-x556ua-15-6-laptop-black-10146348-pdt.html

looks like a god laptop for that price, however it's larger than what you were looking for =(

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-x556ua-15-6-laptop-black-10146348-pdt.html


looks like a god laptop for that price, however it's larger than what you were looking for =(
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#19
1 Frags +
LuneyttriumFrankly if you aren't after gaming performance and just want a machine that will last, honestly I would just find a high spec used T430 or something.
Weights too much.

I've owned quite a few laptops and the only one I haven't regretted owning is my T420. Why do you want it to be so light? You're literally throwing away money to shave off weight, frankly you probably won't notice the difference, and you aren't likely to find a thin profile business laptop (which is probably what you want if you're expecting it to last 4+ years).

I don't know if it's the same in Sweden, but you can find them used here for $200-300.

TERRYCREWS- Terminal - Linux has this, but also is clunkier than the OS X version in most cases. Windows CMD is really crappy compared to these two

I don't get this point. You're probably running bash either way, and you have plenty more options outside of that anyways. I don't even know what difference terminal emulators make to the average user, but you have plenty of choices there too.

TERRYCREWS- Longer battery life than gaming laptops and such. This comes in handy if you have classes all day and hate lugging around a charger cable, which is also lighter than most other laptops.

Also if this is a concern to you, thinkpad batteries are rather cheap. I have 2 of the extended batteries that you can easily swap out at any time.

[quote=Lune]
[quote=yttrium]Frankly if you aren't after gaming performance and just want a machine that will last, honestly I would just find a high spec used T430 or something.
[/quote]

Weights too much.[/quote]
I've owned quite a few laptops and the only one I haven't regretted owning is my T420. Why do you want it to be so light? You're literally throwing away money to shave off weight, frankly you probably won't notice the difference, and you aren't likely to find a thin profile business laptop (which is probably what you want if you're expecting it to last 4+ years).

I don't know if it's the same in Sweden, but you can find them used here for $200-300.

[quote=TERRYCREWS]
- Terminal - Linux has this, but also is clunkier than the OS X version in most cases. Windows CMD is really crappy compared to these two
[/quote]
I don't get this point. You're probably running bash either way, and you have plenty more options outside of that anyways. I don't even know what difference terminal emulators make to the average user, but you have plenty of choices there too.
[quote=TERRYCREWS]
- Longer battery life than gaming laptops and such. This comes in handy if you have classes all day and hate lugging around a charger cable, which is also lighter than most other laptops.
[/quote]
Also if this is a concern to you, thinkpad batteries are rather cheap. I have 2 of the extended batteries that you can easily swap out at any time.
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#20
0 Frags +

Hey man, I just bought a new Asus laptop and I think it could be exactly what you need.
It's super thin, light weight, ideal for school work, excellent battery life and overall it looks very clean:

ASUS R516UX-DM166T
256gb ssd
i7-6 gen
Nvidia 950m
8 gb ram
15.6 inch

At first I aimed to buy a 14 inch laptop, mainly for study / business purposes but also with good performance for occasional gaming.
I found good options and also considered 2 in 1's. But most of them are rather expensive compared to 15-inch laptops in terms of specifications.
Shifted my focus to 15 inch laptops with ssd and i7, and found this one. I got it for €999.

It doesn't feel big at all and is actually perfect.
When I am reading pdf's, going through powerpoints or working in excell, the 15inch really makes me feel more comfortable than a smaller 14 inch. Things are easier to see and it's more relaxing for my eyes. Working in MS Office is also better when I have the numpad on my keyboard. 14 Inch doesn't have this. Could be useful in your field of study as well if you work a lot with numbers, but can be personal preference.
Also, if I do have some time to game a 15inch is doable for me to play TF2 and other games.
It runs GTA 5 smoothly and also Battlefield 4 runs perfect.
Since I bought this laptop I've been using it to study a lot, and when I come home from work my dad already claimed it to play gta 5... It doesnt overheat and performance is really good.

Definitely something you could consider.. Good luck

Hey man, I just bought a new Asus laptop and I think it could be exactly what you need.
It's super thin, light weight, ideal for school work, excellent battery life and overall it looks very clean:

ASUS R516UX-DM166T
256gb ssd
i7-6 gen
Nvidia 950m
8 gb ram
15.6 inch

At first I aimed to buy a 14 inch laptop, mainly for study / business purposes but also with good performance for occasional gaming.
I found good options and also considered 2 in 1's. But most of them are rather expensive compared to 15-inch laptops in terms of specifications.
Shifted my focus to 15 inch laptops with ssd and i7, and found this one. I got it for €999.

It doesn't feel big at all and is actually perfect.
When I am reading pdf's, going through powerpoints or working in excell, the 15inch really makes me feel more comfortable than a smaller 14 inch. Things are easier to see and it's more relaxing for my eyes. Working in MS Office is also better when I have the numpad on my keyboard. 14 Inch doesn't have this. Could be useful in your field of study as well if you work a lot with numbers, but can be personal preference.
Also, if I do have some time to game a 15inch is doable for me to play TF2 and other games.
It runs GTA 5 smoothly and also Battlefield 4 runs perfect.
Since I bought this laptop I've been using it to study a lot, and when I come home from work my dad already claimed it to play gta 5... It doesnt overheat and performance is really good.

Definitely something you could consider.. Good luck
21
#21
-3 Frags +

If you can afford it I think macs are better than windows for work for the sole reason of multiple spaces.

If you can afford it I think macs are better than windows for work for the sole reason of multiple spaces.
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#22
5 Frags +

x

x
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#23
0 Frags +
alec_i got a 13inch dell xps for $850 by price matching at bestbuy and its really sleek

I can vouch for the quality of this laptop. I got the touch screen with it, which is super nice.

[quote=alec_]i got a 13inch dell xps for $850 by price matching at bestbuy and its really sleek[/quote]
I can vouch for the quality of this laptop. I got the touch screen with it, which is super nice.
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#24
0 Frags +

You may want to watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Qit4CZ6EU
tldr; you should rather buy a low-to-mid-tier laptop and invest in a good desktop for your homework because laptops tend to be overpriced

If you still want a decent laptop, buy an old Thinkpad T520 and do some upgrades, they're awesome to work with.
edit: the weight isn't a problem with the T420, it also has a smaller 14° screen - I own one myself and have been carrying it in my backpack for a while now, I would recommend just buying one and upgrading it, the total cost is under 500€ and you get a great value out of it

You may want to watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3Qit4CZ6EU
tldr; you should rather buy a low-to-mid-tier laptop and invest in a good desktop for your homework because laptops tend to be overpriced

If you still want a decent laptop, buy an old Thinkpad T520 and do some upgrades, they're awesome to work with.
edit: the weight isn't a problem with the T420, it also has a smaller 14° screen - I own one myself and have been carrying it in my backpack for a while now, I would recommend just buying one and upgrading it, the total cost is under 500€ and you get a great value out of it
25
#25
-4 Frags +

i'd definitely advise the macbook

my 2011 macbook pro just lasted forever. for college you don't need that much of specs, it's trendy and good looking enough to not look dumb, the battery life has always been amazing, it lasts a long time (and the battery still gets 3+ hours streaming twitch, 4-5 just school shit, 5 years later). so worth it. price point might be a bit daunting but the 13" is great but i don't think i can ditch my 15" for anything smaller - you can always go used to like a 2013 rMBP 15" which has an SSD + discrete GPU + quad i7 which should still be more than amazing if you wanted to. I don't know how long antiglare screens were kept around but the image quality + antiglare makes my macbook easily the best laptop screen i've used.

i'd definitely advise the macbook

my 2011 macbook pro just lasted forever. for college you don't need that much of specs, it's trendy and good looking enough to not look dumb, the battery life has always been amazing, it lasts a long time (and the battery still gets 3+ hours streaming twitch, 4-5 just school shit, 5 years later). so worth it. price point might be a bit daunting but the 13" is great but i don't think i can ditch my 15" for anything smaller - you can always go used to like a 2013 rMBP 15" which has an SSD + discrete GPU + quad i7 which should still be more than amazing if you wanted to. I don't know how long antiglare screens were kept around but the image quality + antiglare makes my macbook easily the best laptop screen i've used.
26
#26
-1 Frags +
TERRYCREWS- Terminal - Linux has this, but also is clunkier than the OS X version in most cases. Windows CMD is really crappy compared to these two

this is a true statement however since the anniversary update bash is being integrated into windows 10. the anniversary update has caused a lot of trouble though (i had no issue on my desktop with it) and i'm not sure when there will be a stable release

but for a machine that has windows 10 with the anniversary update, bash works beautifully. i've been successfully using it to ssh to a computing cluster that i do work on

EDIT: that being said i dislike windows laptops lol. i personally use a chromebook with linux

[quote=TERRYCREWS]- Terminal - Linux has this, but also is clunkier than the OS X version in most cases. Windows CMD is really crappy compared to these two[/quote]
this is a true statement however since the anniversary update bash is being integrated into windows 10. the anniversary update has caused a lot of trouble though (i had no issue on my desktop with it) and i'm not sure when there will be a stable release

but for a machine that has windows 10 with the anniversary update, bash works beautifully. i've been successfully using it to ssh to a computing cluster that i do work on

EDIT: that being said i dislike windows laptops lol. i personally use a chromebook with linux
27
#27
0 Frags +

Without reading through the thread first, so someone may also have suggested it - go to the Dell factory outlet site (google search) and buy a business laptop. They are either refurbished or returned laptops (they give details as to why they are being sold again - sometimes they are scratched or something, which I would avoid. Most laptops are 'new', in the sense that they have been returned because a component has not worked, which is then replaced, then they are resold).

Lots of people I know buy laptops through this site, usually the Latitude laptops. When I bought my laptop I checked the site for a few weeks until one I wanted popped up (Latitude E5540 with big solid state hard drive, extra RAM, and a different graphics card). Because they are business laptops, they are often customised to suit the original customer's needs, so different laptops appear all the time). You can save a lot of money buying a laptop through the Outlet and business laptops, according to someone I know who runs an IT company, are more reliable and the components are better quality than personal laptops (and also have considerably less shitware). There isn't always lots of choice, so check a few times for when new laptops pop up.

p.s. Iirc you have to give a business address when you buy the laptop (just give your personal address). I think this is to do with tax things for an actual business, and makes no difference to a single, personal purchase (no one i know has had a problem).

Without reading through the thread first, so someone may also have suggested it - go to the [b]Dell factory outlet site[/b] (google search) and buy a business laptop. They are either refurbished or returned laptops (they give details as to why they are being sold again - sometimes they are scratched or something, which I would avoid. Most laptops are 'new', in the sense that they have been returned because a component has not worked, which is then replaced, then they are resold).

Lots of people I know buy laptops through this site, usually the Latitude laptops. When I bought my laptop I checked the site for a few weeks until one I wanted popped up (Latitude E5540 with big solid state hard drive, extra RAM, and a different graphics card). Because they are business laptops, they are often customised to suit the original customer's needs, so different laptops appear all the time). You can save a lot of money buying a laptop through the Outlet and business laptops, according to someone I know who runs an IT company, are more reliable and the components are better quality than personal laptops (and also have considerably less shitware). There isn't always lots of choice, so check a few times for when new laptops pop up.

p.s. Iirc you have to give a business address when you buy the laptop (just give your personal address). I think this is to do with tax things for an actual business, and makes no difference to a single, personal purchase (no one i know has had a problem).
28
#28
-6 Frags +

Get a MacBook Air
- It's quiet, there aren't any fans
- You can pick it up with 2/3 fingers without fear of dropping it
- Battery life is hella
- User experience
- Apple makes a consistently great product

Get a MacBook Air
- It's quiet, there aren't any fans
- You can pick it up with 2/3 fingers without fear of dropping it
- Battery life is hella
- User experience
- Apple makes a consistently great product
29
#29
-2 Frags +
SteveCGet a MacBook Air
- It's quiet, there aren't any fans
- You can pick it up with 2/3 fingers without fear of dropping it
- Battery life is hella
- User experience
- Apple makes a consistently great product

why did this get so many downfrags, he is right

[quote=SteveC]Get a MacBook Air
- It's quiet, there aren't any fans
- You can pick it up with 2/3 fingers without fear of dropping it
- Battery life is hella
- User experience
- Apple makes a consistently great product[/quote]
why did this get so many downfrags, he is right
30
#30
0 Frags +

x

x
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