How to choose a laptop that suits you.

O.K so I want to buy a laptop to upgrade from my 11 year old desktop. It’s old but very valuable since it has helped me discover this online world. Thus upgrading it doesn’t mean I’d be getting rid of it! Looking at the various options in the market has left me flabbergasted!! From luxury brands like Sony’s Viao and Samsung, to enthusiast’s gaming monstrosities like Titan 17 from Maingear and M18x from Alienware… to the usual brands like Hp, Toshiba, Apple and Dell, to the new Chrome-books from Google not forgetting the amazing Fujitsu… mind you I have not mentioned all the players. This has left me at a loss. Which one of them all do I take home with?

I realize that I will have to write down some guidelines to point me towards my ideal machine. If you are in the same predicament, let’s discover together!

Firstly, I’m on the internet for a big chunk of my time in front of a computer, so I need a computer that gives me fast connectivity options like Bluetooth Wi-fi and Ethernet. While I’m at it, I might need to communicate with my clients and friends or family when I’m away using Skype or attend a video conference so a quality Webcam is necessary. I prefer great visual quality for my media (that is why I’m having trouble letting go of my beloved CRT) therefore my laptop must have decent to great graphics. I’m so in love with video games right now (The Sims3 to be precise). My laptop has to be able to do some decent gaming!! I wouldn’tmind an 18” power-house but since mobility is an issue(that’s why I’m getting a laptop in the first place right?), I’ll just settle for a 13”-15” machine (sadly “sniff”).

I have also be moving around quite a lot lately, so portability and battery life will be crucial. The gaming and media plus a huge work load demand that I have large and quality memory (especially RAM). Lastly but by no means the least, how much are you willing to spend on your laptop? As for me, for now, I’m willing to spend not more than $1100. The above parameters are just mine. And with a little research, I have found that the Dell XPS 15z (with alot of pain and hagling comparing it to the Macbook Pro, HP Envy 14 and Lenovo Thinkpad x220) is the best machine for me at the moment.

This baby is cool, no?

Dell’s XPS 15z

 

I would not have mind owning the little monster that is the M11x but the 11″ screen… Plus, I’m not a hard-core gamer yet! Of course I had to sacrifice some things over others like performance over battery life, but it’s not far off from my expectations. Do you think I made the right choice? Well, I’d also like to know your feelings. Please take part in the poll(s) below. Remember, your views and insight is highly valued here. In doing so you help others (me included :D) get better. Let’s do this!!

Until next time…