Due to a mishap with Lenovo Outlet, I'm the proud owner of a 500gb SSD and a 8gb SO-DIMM, so I'd like an upgradable laptop I can put these parts into and make into a good all around machine (some work, some gaming). My criteria:
1. Haswell - I'm commuting a lot so I'd like good battery life, although I don't personally believe i5 vs i7 will be that big a difference for me.
2. Lighter is better - so I'm looking at 14" models mainly
3. Under $1100
4. I can't resell the parts I replace - they're going to a friend of mine.
5. Ships soon - I don't want to wait three weeks for my laptop.
Here are my two candidates so far:
1. Alienware 14 (R2)
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-14/pd.aspx
Pros: I've heard good things about Alienware, CNET likes these models, seems easy to upgrade, has a dedicated video card
Cons: A little heavy (over 6 lbs.)
2. HP Envy Touchsmart
http://www.amazon.com/HP-14-k120us-TouchSmart-Ultrabook-T-Mobile/dp/B00HEAAZL8/ref=sr_1_15?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1394284997&sr=1-15&keywords=hp+laptop
Pros: Light, touchscreen? (is touchscreen is a feature people use on work laptops?)
Cons: I have no idea how good HP/Compaq laptops are these days;the last thing I bought from HP was a LaserJet 4 (which, to be fair, was awesome); hard to find a review of them.
What say you? Feel free to nominate another model, with the caveat that I won't buy Asus, Acer, Lenovo, or MSI. Thanks.
1. Haswell - I'm commuting a lot so I'd like good battery life, although I don't personally believe i5 vs i7 will be that big a difference for me.
2. Lighter is better - so I'm looking at 14" models mainly
3. Under $1100
4. I can't resell the parts I replace - they're going to a friend of mine.
5. Ships soon - I don't want to wait three weeks for my laptop.
Here are my two candidates so far:
1. Alienware 14 (R2)
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-14/pd.aspx
Pros: I've heard good things about Alienware, CNET likes these models, seems easy to upgrade, has a dedicated video card
Cons: A little heavy (over 6 lbs.)
2. HP Envy Touchsmart
http://www.amazon.com/HP-14-k120us-TouchSmart-Ultrabook-T-Mobile/dp/B00HEAAZL8/ref=sr_1_15?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1394284997&sr=1-15&keywords=hp+laptop
Pros: Light, touchscreen? (is touchscreen is a feature people use on work laptops?)
Cons: I have no idea how good HP/Compaq laptops are these days;the last thing I bought from HP was a LaserJet 4 (which, to be fair, was awesome); hard to find a review of them.
What say you? Feel free to nominate another model, with the caveat that I won't buy Asus, Acer, Lenovo, or MSI. Thanks.
