thin and light Windows laptops

[haven]

Lots of people would love to find a thin and light Windows computer for travel, and maybe as a primary computer. Netbooks lack the screen resolution and processor firepower, and Android tablets usually don't run the software you need for money-making projects. Traditional notebooks are big and bulky, and just too clunky.

Intel continues to develop processors that use less power, which means less heat to dissipate, and a smaller battery needed for a full day of computing. Computer manufacturers are updating their designs to take advantage. The result is a new class of thin and light Windows laptops.

 

[haven]

Lenovo Thinkpad X1

Case in point:

Lenovo ThinkPad X1
13.4 inch 1366×768 LED backlit display
2.5 GHz Intel Core i5-2520M
(Sandy Bridge architecture, 32 nm technology)
(Core i7 coming soon)
2 GB to 8 GB RAM
320 GB hard drive
(160 GB SSD available)
magnesium alloy frame with shock-absorbing internal support
water-resistant keyboard
Gorilla Glass screen
Windows 7 Pro OS, 64-bit
HDMI output
USB 3.0 port
eSATA port for external HD
4 in 1 card reader
13.3 x 9.1 x .84 inches
battery charges from flat to 80% in 30 minutes
weight 3.85 pounds
Price as configured: about $1400

 

[haven]

Samsung Series 9

Looking for a lighter package than the X1? How about this:

Samsung Series 9

13.3 inch 1366 x 768 display
Intel Core i5-2537M (1.4GHz)
128GB SSD
4GB RAM
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
aluminum case
micro HDMI port
one USB 2.0, 1x USB 3.0
WiFi and 10Base-T LAN (needs dongle)
MicroSD card reader
backlit keyboard
6-cell battery
12.9" W x 8.9" D x 0.62"
weight 2.8 lb
price as configured $1550

A Series 9 with 11 inch screen and Core i3 processor is available
for about $1200.

 

[haven]

here's another example of a thin and light Windows notebook, the type that Intel calls "ultrabooks."

http://www.jr.com/samsung/pe/SAM_NP...are&SiteID=JkW7rNrREF8-urJJuARYglPXqApl5weMsA

This Samsung Series 3 notebook has a 2.3 GHz Intel i5 Sandy Bridge processor, 4GB RAM, a 500 GB drive and a 12 inch, 1366 x 768 display, and Windows 7 Home Premium. Weight 3.1 lbs, price < $800. That's $200 less than the least expensive MacBook Air, even though the processor speed and RAM are uprated.

 

[theksmith]

the fujitsu lifebook series has had some tiny laptops with good specs off and on for a few years

 

[jgeck90]

You don't really need a crazy set up. Something with decent specs and most of all something that fits Your needs is what people should look for. I know (I) will use mine for in the Jeep only so why go spend 12-1400 on a laptop? If it was going to be for home use too then that's a total different story...

 

[Gvisconty]

MacBook air. Apple really does make the best hardware, and it runs Windows just fine.

 

[haven]

Here's an example of a new Samsung laptop that runs the latest Intel 2nd generation i5 processor and weighs about 3 lbs, but costs only $750. It substitutes a 500 GB conventional hard drive for the solid state drive in the latest ultralight models. This makes me very interested to see the new generation of reasonably priced laptops from companies like Dell and Lenovo.

http://www.jr.com/samsung/pe/SAM_NP350U2BA01/

 

[nwoods]

I've been going back and forth on what I want. I really want a Macbook Air, but when you add the Core i7 chip, 256GB SSD and 13" screen, plus warranty and dongles, it's $2100. I can get a 13" MBP for the same price or a little cheaper, and it has an appreciable increase in power and capacity (though with spinning disks).

I looked hard at the Samsung 9 series, but I find it underpowered, though pretty nice shell. I was not impressed with the slow i5 chip and tiny 128GB SSD for $1700.
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/laptops/NP900X3A-A03US-specs

Anyone have any opinions on the 13" Toshiba Satellite L730-BT4N11?
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetland.to?poid=2000005922

It can be configured to pretty nice specs and its half the price of the MBA...why I wonder...?