Laptop recommendation

PaulinMyrBch

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I need a light weight laptop for travel. I won't be using it except 1-2 times a month when I'm away from my desk. So its not a main computer for me or anything, just need the best lightweight computer for low money. Refurb is fine, etc. I didn't know if Chromebooks are an option as I don't know much about them.

Here is what I need when I'm working remotely. Internet access (Chrome preferred), Microsoft office, gmail, PDF programs, dropbox. Everything is stored in dropbox, so not much will be on the hard drive. I'm guessing I have to have Windows 10 since 7 won't be supported next year.

I see some refurbs on Bestbuy, but don't really know what I need. I'd like something in the 13"-14" range, around 3 lbs. I've got a 17" but its older and heavy. I'm sick of traveling with it.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 

Huntington Avenue Grounds

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Chromebooks can work if you don't need Windows/Mac programs running. I've got one that I use for travel b/c it's light and the battery lasts forever. It does 90% of what I need on a day to day basis, which is great until you are facing that 10%. Been tempted to go full time and figure out how to deal, but there are other drawbacks on the Chromebook if you want to do photo editing and what not. From your description it might be an option worth looking into.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
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B H Kim

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Not necessarily the right answer for everyone and it’s not cheap compared to base model laptops, but I’ve basically stopped carrying my laptop and replaced it with an iPad Pro with a Brydge keyboard. It does everything you listed just fine and the two combined are around 2 pounds.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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Money isn't that big of a deal but since it would be limited use, I was looking to go cheap.

However, I've got 2 ipad Pros, the small and big one. I tried using the ipad pro for travel but ran into trouble because when I responded to email in gmail I couldn't attached documents I had prepared that were in dropbox. I could go to dropbox, open the doc, then email it from there. But I couldn't attach it if I was replying to an email or something.

I don't have microsoft office on ipads (not sure if that is an option) so I was thinking I needed to get something with Windows as an OS so it matched what I use on my desktops.

So if the ipad pro is a true option, maybe I just need to learn what it can do.
 

Bowhemian

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I just bought a Lenovo lappy at Best Buy. $479 with a 15.6" screen. It's not going to win you any games, but it should get the job done. 1TB hard drive, 12 g RAM I believe. It's very new but so far it seems pretty slick.
I'm pretty sure its this one
 

B H Kim

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Money isn't that big of a deal but since it would be limited use, I was looking to go cheap.

However, I've got 2 ipad Pros, the small and big one. I tried using the ipad pro for travel but ran into trouble because when I responded to email in gmail I couldn't attached documents I had prepared that were in dropbox. I could go to dropbox, open the doc, then email it from there. But I couldn't attach it if I was replying to an email or something.

I don't have microsoft office on ipads (not sure if that is an option) so I was thinking I needed to get something with Windows as an OS so it matched what I use on my desktops.

So if the ipad pro is a true option, maybe I just need to learn what it can do.
When you select “add attachment” in a new email in iOS, click on the “edit” button on the top and that lets you add Dropbox as a source for attachments. And Office for iOS is available. It’s not as full featured as for Windows or MacOS, but it does just about everything I need.

(EDIT: That’s for gmail sent from the Mail app. I don’t use the gmail app or web interface, so I don’t know if the workflow is different there.)
 

PaulinMyrBch

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I'm going to try this before buying a laptop. I essentially fill an excel sheet with info, print sheets as docs in PDF form, email them, etc. So that is the doc attachment usage. I create some worddocs, convert to PDF, and email those. So advanced excel features are probably not needed. It's pretty basic stuff.

I'll play with that tip about editing and adding Dropbox as a source. Provided that works, I should be good.

I was using the gmail app, but I'll try it from the mail app later. I couldn't solve it within the gmail app.

Thanks for the quick response.
 
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bohous

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I have a Lenovo Flex 14" that I use as a couch/travel laptop that I have been really happy with. I don't really use it as a tablet much, but a nice option. No problems connecting to my VM.


Edit: this Asus VivoBook popped up on Slickdeals. Not the greatest specs but a good value and seems to check your boxes.
 
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Max Power

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PaulinMyrBch

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That's what I'm talking about. I think I might do that. I'm going to mess around with the ipad some, but I think I'd be better off with something that has the same OS as the desk station computers. I'm just not that versed at figuring work arounds on the fly and when I'm traveling, efficiency is important. I don't want to work much remotely, but for the necessary stuff, I want to do it fast.