rudirautenbach
Senior Member
OK so there seems to be a fair bit of posting happening around with people buying (or wanting to buy) new notebooks/netbooks. Having read through some of them (including my own recent thread where I ended up buying my missus a Packard-Bell Dot MU Red) I am now also in the mood for a new notebook.
At first I looked at the new VAIO Z13-series (which should hit the shelves in the next week or two) but after looking at the price (R25K), specs (a decent specced unit with Core i5-580, 6Gb DDR3 RAM, 2x64Gb SSD in RAID0, Nvidia GT330, buil-in 3G, 13.1 inch wide (WXGA++: 1600x900) display) and what I will be using the machine for, it may be a little over the top.
I will mainly be using the machine when I travel, so the following things are important in choosing:
1. 13" display (no smaller or larger). If I need to I can connect an external display when needed.
2. Processing power ( I sometimes open 3D solidedge models (JT2Go .jt files) and decent graphics to render the 3D models. At least an i5, opinions? An i7 would be nice...
3. Battery life
4. Built-in 3G
5. As light/sleek as possible
This is a difficult combination of requirements. I have looked at other VAIO models, but have to admit that they are a little overpriced for what you get, and spent the whole day today visiting places like IC, Dion Wired, Makro and Sony retail outlets looking for something that would fit the bill, with little success.
I also looked at the Macbooks in the Apple Store in Menlyn, but the 13" Macbook Pro seems a little light on processing power and no 3G. And I don't think I am ready for a Mac yet
Budget is flexible, and I will pay the right money for the right machine that fits the bill, without going over the top in buying a R25K machine that is overkill.
So, in essence, what are my choices in finding the best specced machine in 13" display on shelves in SA? Any suggestions?
At first I looked at the new VAIO Z13-series (which should hit the shelves in the next week or two) but after looking at the price (R25K), specs (a decent specced unit with Core i5-580, 6Gb DDR3 RAM, 2x64Gb SSD in RAID0, Nvidia GT330, buil-in 3G, 13.1 inch wide (WXGA++: 1600x900) display) and what I will be using the machine for, it may be a little over the top.
I will mainly be using the machine when I travel, so the following things are important in choosing:
1. 13" display (no smaller or larger). If I need to I can connect an external display when needed.
2. Processing power ( I sometimes open 3D solidedge models (JT2Go .jt files) and decent graphics to render the 3D models. At least an i5, opinions? An i7 would be nice...
3. Battery life
4. Built-in 3G
5. As light/sleek as possible
This is a difficult combination of requirements. I have looked at other VAIO models, but have to admit that they are a little overpriced for what you get, and spent the whole day today visiting places like IC, Dion Wired, Makro and Sony retail outlets looking for something that would fit the bill, with little success.
I also looked at the Macbooks in the Apple Store in Menlyn, but the 13" Macbook Pro seems a little light on processing power and no 3G. And I don't think I am ready for a Mac yet
Budget is flexible, and I will pay the right money for the right machine that fits the bill, without going over the top in buying a R25K machine that is overkill.
So, in essence, what are my choices in finding the best specced machine in 13" display on shelves in SA? Any suggestions?