Model laptops
Published: 01/09/2009 - Filed under: Archive » 2009 » September 2009 » Lifestyle » Features » Features » Lifestyle » Features » Lifestyle » Technology »
Super-slim, ultra-light machines may grab more headlines, but to get the job done you can’t beat a traditional unit. Mark Prigg tries some out.
While the new brand of tiny netbooks and ultra-portable machines have their place in the technological arsenal of the seasoned traveller, for most of us, the reality of a work laptop is still a relatively average, everyday machine, probably costing under £1,000.
In contrast with the ultra-slim and super-small portables at the higher and lower ends of the market, these machines are basic workhorses that will handle all of your day-to-day office needs easily. The latest generation are surprisingly good, and for everyone but the most hardened games player or video editor, the performance will be more than adequate.
These laptops may be slightly more of a pain to lug around, but they remain excellent machines offering the kind of performance that was unthinkable a few years ago. They will work well both as a desktop machine and a travelling companion.
Apple Macbook
From £749
The continued rise of Apple has meant that in the laptop market in particular, the company is now making serious inroads into the corporate sector. This is the firm’s more “consumer” offering, with a white polycarbonate shell.
It’s an iconic design, but one that hides what is in fact a great all-round machine for corporate users, if you can get past the looks – and if you can’t, there’s the slightly more expensive, but more conservative, Macbook Pro (see page 51). The casing can withstand a surprising amount of abuse, although it shows scratches a little more than you’d expect, so invest in a case or sleeve.
The trackpad is an older design and is very basic, although it does work well. The keyboard feels very light and isn’t great for touch typists. Apple’s software, the key to the Mac’s success, is fast and easy to understand, although – like the look of the Macbook – it’s a love or hate thing, so you might want to try it out before you buy it.
On the whole, for those working in a highly corporate environment, the Macbook Pro might be a better option. But if you want to embrace the cult of Apple and make a statement, then the Macbook is a great everyday machine.
PROS The cheapest way to get on the Mac laptop ladder
CONS Marmite-like appearance and software – you’ll either love it or hate it
Dell Studio XPS 13
From £749
The XPS 13 is Dell’s answer to the growing popularity of Apple laptops in the corporate market. It’s an attempt to move away from the bland PC of old, and Dell’s approach seems to have been to make it as shiny as possible.
Its glossy black exterior makes it a fingerprint magnet, but get past this and you’ll find it a surprisingly good all-rounder. It’s got everything you could ask of an everyday machine, although spreadsheet addicts might balk at the slightly smaller than average, although good quality, 13.3-inch display.
The small screen means the XPS 13, weighing 2.2kg, is more portable than some of the other machines here. It has a built-in DVD drive, so it’s certainly worth a look if you’re going to be travelling a lot and need your film fix.
The Intel Core 2 Duo processor manages to pack in enough power for almost all day-to-day tasks. The design might grate a little, but overall this is a great everyday machine and good value for money.
PROS Good value for money
CONS Uninspiring design
Asus B50A
£750
These days, Asus is known for its slightly wacky, off-the-wall ideas – this is the firm that single-handedly kick-started the netbook market, after all – so an everyday laptop from them is an intriguing idea.
It’s a reasonably good-looking machine and has been designed for long periods of use on a desk. The keyboard has a trackpad and fingerprint scanner in front of it and, like the Sony (see above right), has a spill-proof coating to protect it from office water fights. It’s comfortable to use and feels solidly put together.
The 15-inch screen is good – it has a webcam above it for video-conferencing and an anti-glare coating – and the keyboard has a back light, meaning you can type easily in dimmed meeting rooms. Asus has also built a neat feature called Express Gate, which allows the machine to boot up in eight seconds. The built-in DVD drive performs well and the battery life is about five hours.
The B50A is an accomplished all-rounder, but it seems to lack the edge of some of its competitors. It’s dependable but a little uninspiring.
PROS Provides all the standard features you might be looking for
CONS Unimaginative specifications
Sony Vaio BZ
From £793
Sony has built a reputation for producing slick designer laptops, but the BZ range focuses squarely on the corporate market with its rather bland black casing and subdued appearance. Looks apart, it’s well built and a magnesium alloy chassis should help it to survive life on the road. However, it’s no lightweight, at a smidgen under 2.6kg.
The fingerprint scanner works well, the keyboard is sensibly spaced, and it has a neat anti-spill coating, which Sony says should save it were you to chuck a cup of coffee at it. The 15.4-inch screen is sharp and clear, and is great for watching DVDs on. Overall, the BZ is a good, dependable machine. Performance-wise, it’s average but boasts a solid build quality and a keyboard that will win it many friends in the corporate environment.
PROS Dependable with a decent keyboard
CONS Looks chunky
Lenovo Thinkpad R500
£593
Lenovo, the firm that bought IBM’s Thinkpad line, has done a sterling job of creating well-built, dependable machines, and this workhorse laptop is no different.
It’s a little chunky, and the design could be (generously) described as Volvo-esque, owing to its boxy frame. But the build quality is stunning, and by far the best you’ll find. It’s solid and the keyboard is superb, almost as good as that with a dedicated desktop.
With a 15.4-inch screen, it’s also the perfect spreadsheet cruncher, and while performance isn’t great for running games, it’s good enough for day-to-day tasks at home or on the move.
For the security conscious, there’s a built-in fingerprint scanner, and it has several battery options ranging from five to ten hours’ use per charge. There’s a decent trackpad, but also a brilliant trackpoint in the middle of the keyboard for getting about.
The R500 isn’t going to win any awards for innovation, but it’s a superb example of an everyday laptop, one that you can rely on, both at home and away, to get the job done. The old saying of “nobody ever got fired for buying IBM” definitely continues with Lenovo.
PROS Amazing build quality, solid and dependable
CONS Not the most stylish design
HP Touchsmart TX2
£799
At first glance, HP’s TX2 is a pretty average, if rather chunky, 12.1-inch notebook. However, beneath the chubby exterior is a full touchscreen, a radical feature that none of the other laptops tested here have. It also boasts a neat party trick – you can twist the screen around and use the TX2 like a tablet.
The touchscreen is accurate when used with the supplied stylus, although a little less so when using your fingers. Surprisingly, doing the latter doesn’t seem to clog up the screen with grime either.
There is also a normal keyboard, which is great, and the keys have a good, solid feel. The design of the machine is a little wacky, with tattoo-like graphics on the casing, but they are reasonably subtle.
Although the TX2 is one of the lightest machines here, at just over 1.9kg, it’s a bit bulky compared with the others. But for people who need to do a lot of relatively simple data entry while out and about, this is a superb unit, as you’re effectively getting both a data-entry tablet and a laptop PC in one.
When Microsoft introduces Windows 7 later this year, it will become a lot more useful, as the new software includes better support for touchscreens, making it easier to navigate. But for now, the TX2 is more of a curiosity than a real day-to-day machine.
PROS Touchscreen interface
CONS Bulky design
Macbook Pro 13-inch
£899
The Macbook Pro is part of Apple’s high-end laptop line, but this relatively new model with a 13.3-inch screen is rapidly attracting a corporate following thanks to its relatively low price.
The design, as you’d expect, is impeccable – it’s milled from a single piece of aluminium, using a heavily patented process Apple spent years developing. This, according to the company, makes the machine both sturdier and lighter than its rivals –the machine does indeed feel very durable.
The trackpad hides all manner of special features, so make sure you check out the manual to get the best out of it. The multi-touch facility means you can use multiple fingers to trigger commands. This is great for picture editing, as you can “pinch” or “pull apart” images to change their size.
The display is LED backlit, so uses far less energy than traditional screens. It’s also super-glossy, something that has divided buyers – I thought it worked well, and despite showing up fingerprints a little more than expected, was definitely an improvement over “normal” backlit screens.
One potential pitfall is how your IT department will feel about it – despite Apple’s best efforts, there are still issues with some email systems, and many IT teams won’t support you should you have problems.
With previous generations, Apple has made some good laptops, but they have been marginalised by Apple’s “arty” image. With this latest range, that has changed. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but this is a machine that proves Apple can be as at home in the boardroom as it is in a web designer’s studio.
PROS Powerful all-rounder
CONS Only a 13.3-inch screen
TRAVEL ADAPTORS
- Fuji’s Worldwide Travel Plug Adaptor is well known to most frequent travellers, but the latest version is even better thanks to the addition of a USB slot. This means iPods, some phones and lots of other gadgets can be taken on a trip without their power adaptors – a huge step forward. From £17, amazon.co.uk
- Kensington’s Wall Notebook Power Adaptor (pictured above) is the Rolls-Royce of replacement power supplies, with tips for all the major notebooks and a USB port for phones and other gadgets. It works with most airline power sockets, and even has a car adaptor. It’s pricey, but incredibly useful. £115, uk.kensington.com
- Solio’s fan-like solar charger is great if you’re visiting sunnier climes, as it uses solar power to charge an internal battery, which can then be used to power a laptop or phone. The Solio Magnesium Edition is a useful gadget to have in your bag, even if it’s only for emergencies. £103, solio.com
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