Reply to: New laptop recommendations - I like the Dell XPS 13

[TheFaQQer]

Just over a year ago, feeling disappointed that Apple's focus was on who looks the coolest in Starbucks rather than building a laptop with more than 16GB of RAM I went for the Lenovo P50. After shortlisting HP, Dell 5510 and the ThinkPad I ended up going for the chunky P50 as it was the only one offering 64GB of RAM and PCIe RAID option.

Battery life is only about 3 hours give or take but this Xeon powered monster is more of a mobile workstation than a laptop.

And crazily priced, having just looked on their website

[stek]

3D invoices and expenses spreadsheets the norm now?

[zazou]

Just over a year ago, feeling disappointed that Apple's focus was on who looks the coolest in Starbucks rather than building a laptop with more than 16GB of RAM I went for the Lenovo P50. After shortlisting HP, Dell 5510 and the ThinkPad I ended up going for the chunky P50 as it was the only one offering 64GB of RAM and PCIe RAID option.

Battery life is only about 3 hours give or take but this Xeon powered monster is more of a mobile workstation than a laptop.

I always have mine custom built from PC Specialist - nowhere else hits the requirements that I usually have (eg where else can you find a laptop with 64Gb RAM?)

[sal]

Make sure to check the cashback deals if you go SB - Quidco has 7% on Microsoft store and it works (I used it when i got my SB1)

[Guesstimator]

I bought the SB 1 when it came out in UK, went for the top spec, manly to go over 2k and reclaim VAT

Very pleased with it, not used it much in a detached tablet mode, as when I use it for "tablety" stuff it's usually in bed on my lap/knees and end up just inverting the screen over the keyboard bit to keep all the battery life and insulate against heat. speaking of which, when used as laptop in your lap it's great because most of the heat is behind the display not scorching your knees.

My only gripe is that it's a bit hard to open, since the majority of the weight is in the top bit you can't just lift the screen bit with one hand like a normal laptop, since the bottom is so light it just lifts wit h the top and you need to pry it open with both hands or by squeezing one finger in the gap and shacking it.

Never thought about it as a gaming/VR platform, as I have a triple GPU desktop for that, but even the somewhat dated GPU in the SB1 is good enough for most games on modest details/resolution. If this is going to be important for you, definitely go for the SB2 and updated GPU

Thanks very much for that.

I'm wanting the moon on a stick in expecting a thin laptop form factor to be able to do what I want for work (some pretty heavy lifting for the data I have in mind) but in reality the SB2 would be good enough for proof of concept/demo.

I know the VR ability is always going to be a compromise (despite being quad core, it's obvs not a desktop CPU) but I'm still annoyed on the lack of TB3 ...just a bit of weird oversight IMO.

[woohoo]

I was looking at the XPS 13 and then just seen the SB2 is being released next month. Now I am wondering is if the SB2 is worth the price tag or is it worth getting the SB1 at a lower cost?

The SB1 is a good laptop. The SB2 looks better, improved graphics card, improved cpu and battery life.

I'm not too fussed on graphics card or battery life. The SB1 battery life means I can work in the kitchen say for most of the day without plugging in.

The i5 is pretty fast, I would probably go for the i7 and a large SSD, given the choice.

So, for me I would be hard pressed to justify the upgrade to SB2.

[woohoo]

Ace, thanks for the info.
Is the tablet mode easy, comfortable?

Tablet mode is easy, often use it to take notes with onenote and the pen.
Occasionally read the kindle on it, in portrait mode.

[MonkeysUncle]

I am in the same predicament, need a new laptop...not sure what to get.
I have the original surface pro, as much as i love the laptop and the touch keyboard the biggest gripe was trying to use it when it is resting on my lap, it just didnt work.

I was looking at the XPS 13 and then just seen the SB2 is being released next month. Now I am wondering is if the SB2 is worth the price tag or is it worth getting the SB1 at a lower cost?

The other laptop i was looking at was the HP Spectre, anyone used this?

[SeanT]

I looked at the XPS but then stumbled across a well specified Precision (quad core, 4k, etc.) on the Dell Outlet. Sadly it was less than £2k so I had to buy the wife an XPS to do the accounts on at the same time.

[sal]

I bought the SB 1 when it came out in UK, went for the top spec, manly to go over 2k and reclaim VAT

Very pleased with it, not used it much in a detached tablet mode, as when I use it for "tablety" stuff it's usually in bed on my lap/knees and end up just inverting the screen over the keyboard bit to keep all the battery life and insulate against heat. speaking of which, when used as laptop in your lap it's great because most of the heat is behind the display not scorching your knees.

My only gripe is that it's a bit hard to open, since the majority of the weight is in the top bit you can't just lift the screen bit with one hand like a normal laptop, since the bottom is so light it just lifts wit h the top and you need to pry it open with both hands or by squeezing one finger in the gap and shacking it.

Never thought about it as a gaming/VR platform, as I have a triple GPU desktop for that, but even the somewhat dated GPU in the SB1 is good enough for most games on modest details/resolution. If this is going to be important for you, definitely go for the SB2 and updated GPU

[Guesstimator]

Ace, thanks for the info.
Is the tablet mode easy, comfortable?

I'd have been all in for the SB2 except they've well and truly shot themselves in the foot by not including TB3...kinda a deal breaker for me for VR use (eGPU)..though I might be swayed by the 1060 that's in it.

[woohoo]

Have you ordered the new Surface Book 2?
Or have the SB 1 now dropped in price with the arrival of the SB2?

I have the SB 1, which are a lot cheaper now - the ms website is showing the SB 1 reduced in price. I bought my SB 1 in the US when the pound-dollar was a little better.

SB 2 looks good - but more than happy with my SB 1.

Only negative is the SSD, you can't upgrade it, so make sure you are happy with the size before buying.

[Guesstimator]

Have you ordered the new Surface Book 2?
Or have the SB 1 now dropped in price with the arrival of the SB2?

[woohoo]

Did you go for the 8gb or 16gb model?

I went for the 8gb model - I have a all dancing main PC for most of my work, but I also like to move around the house and work/travel.

It's not easy to replace the SSD, though you can extend the available space with a micro sd card.

[doconline]

I've got the surface book, went for the i5.

It's a great laptop, good keyboard and pretty fast.

I often run a couple of instances of VS2017 and SQL Management studio etc on it, without any problems.

Did you go for the 8gb or 16gb model?