need help with deciding on ultraportable laptop

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wildpig1234

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Aug 22, 2016
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I know this is not exactly server or xeon related. but just want to see what everyone thinks.

So i recently got a dell inspiron 13 7370 ($650) from MS.. It has i5-8250u, 8GB of soldiered ram, 256GB M2 SATA (but can also use nvme)., USB type C with displayport 4K and HDMI 2.0 port.

Buy Dell Inspiron 13 i7370-5593SLV-PUS Laptop - Microsoft Store

The big problem is the ram in the 7000 series is soldiered and non upgradable.

inspiron 13 5000 series ($600) also has i5-8250u. Comes with 8gb ram but it has 2 sodimm slots for max of 32gb ram. comes with 1TB spinner sata with no M2 slot. also only have regular usb 3.1 (not type C) as well as only having HDMI 1.4a.

Buy Dell Inspiron 13 i5379-5296GRY-PUS 2 in 1 PC - Microsoft Store

I have specific software that i was planning to use with a ramdisk set up so was really bumped that the inspiron 13 7000 series has only soldiered on ram with the max configuration at $750 only have 16gb ram.

So how many of you guys would forgo the series 7000 and gives up the M2 slot, HDMI 2.0, usb type c with the true 4K 60hz output so that you can have up to 32gb ram but have to live with only sata hdd, HDMI 1.4a in a series 5000?

If anyone else has another ultraportable 13 in suggestion that have upgradable ram slot, usb type c and M2 slot with nvme capability, let me know. thanks.
 

Evan

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Jan 6, 2016
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You will be looking for a unicorn, the more portable generally less upgradable. The recent deal on HP units certainly had the power side covered and upgradable.

I am afraid I have just accepted the downsides of the dark side (Apple), but they do have mighty sleek machines in the ultra portable space.
 

wildpig1234

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Aug 22, 2016
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the question is would you forgo the m2 nvme slot, hdmi 2.0, usb type c to have the ability to get to 32gb ram?

I could spend $100 more over the inspiron 13 7000 to get the next step up model that comes with 16gb ram (still soldered on) with i7-8550u and that would be the max ram configuration avail for inspiron 13 7000 series.

if i go with the older inspiron 13 5000 series, i would still get the i5-8250u, gain the ability to use 2x 16gb sodimm but lose out on the hdmi2.0 and usb type c true 4k 60hz display output....

Thinking about just spending another $100 for the next upmodel of inspiron 13 7000 but it just sucks that 16gb is the absolute max...
 

Joel

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Jan 30, 2015
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Probably your best bet is the XPS 15 or Precision 5520. Display is thin bezel so it's a 15.6" monitor in a 14" chassis. Ticks most of your boxes except the size. Probably blows the budget a bit though, but it also has a quad core processor and dedicated graphics.

EDIT: Stepping up to this class also opens up the HP Zbook studio or Lenovo P51s.
 

Joel

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Jan 30, 2015
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Maybe Lenovo T470?

-14", 3.5lb, <1" thick
-1x USB-C
-32GB support (2 sodimm slots)
-nvme

Not 8th gen though, but if you're willing to wait, the T480 will certainly have it.
 

Peanuthead

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Jun 12, 2015
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I have a Lenovo yoga 2 pro I don't need as I am graduating this weekend. I7, 8gb ram, msata. Great laptop in a small package.

Ask yourseld if you are looking for power, speed, portability or whatever and go from there.
 
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Joel

Active Member
Jan 30, 2015
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I have a Lenovo yoga 2 pro I don't need as I am graduating this weekend. I7, 8gb ram, msata. Great laptop in a small package.

Ask yourseld if you are looking for power, speed, portability or whatever and go from there.
The classic joke about wanting X, Y, and Z and being able to pick two comes to mind.

In OP's case it's portability, expandability, and price.
 

anoother

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Dec 2, 2016
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Oddball suggestion (if you can find one) - Broadwell (i7-5700hq) revision of the MSI GS30.

45W quad-core is likely faster than the 15W 8th gen quads. Doesn't have NVMe, but does have 2 RAIDable SATA m.2 slots. And supports 2x 16GB DIMMs as long as you get the Broadwell version.

I have the Haswell version, and it's great: super light, good screen and a real workhorse - puts my desktop too shame perf wise. Poor battery life and trackpad, though. The graphics dock with a Vega 64 installed makes up for that ;)
 
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wildpig1234

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Aug 22, 2016
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So far the offering from Lenovo has real good battery life of 10+ hrs.

I just bought a special deal Lenovo flex 5 14 inch with 8gb ram (1 sodimm), 128gb nvme ssd, i5-8250u, 58wh batt (10+ hrs), 1080p touchscreen with pen. all for $500+tax. but there is no 4K 60hz since it only have HDMI 1.4a

I am considering getting a Lenovo 720s 14 inch. has 8gb ram (1 sodimm), 256gb nvme ssd, i5-8250u, 55wh batt (10hr). But only 1080p IPS nontouch, but it does have NVidia mx120 which is like a Pascal 1030 from what I heard. Also have 1 thunderbolt with DP 1.2 capability. I think this is as close as it gets.....This goes for $750

I am having more doubt that I will ever find an 8th gen i5 portable (13-14inch) with 2 sodimm as well as HDMI 2.0 and or thunderbolt DP capability.

I just got an inspiron 13 7373 2 in 1 to test out tonite. 16gb ram soldered, 256gb nvme, HDMI 2.0 AND thunderbolt, 1080p 13 in touchscreen, but the batt is only 38wh (prob no more than 5-6 hr).... This goes for $750 also....

So it seems having thunderbolt or 4K 60hz output is what raises the price into $750+?
 

Diavuno

Active Member
Older thread... but I'm just seeing it!
Yes the old pick X,Y,Z pick 2 comes up...

I also wanted something portable, with good battery and lots of ports(ideally with ethernet!) I also needed lots of horsepower!
Apple was a no go... I cant stand the army of dongles (light/slim laptops with an equal size bag of dongle?? yeah.. no!)

Not many options are there... and you will pay a premium...
I ended up getting the GS63VR (I7-7700HQ, 32GB ram 8GB 1060 500GB NVME (I upgraded the ram and SSD myself) as well as a 1TB spinner)
Close runner up was the aero14 and aero15. both are almost identical to what I ended up with...
Those have 2x the battery (15 comes with 2x NVME slots) neither have a 2.5" slot

Why the GS63VR then?
I wanted the Aero 15... but the MSI was a tad lighter and a tad thinner.
Aero also has intel LAN instead of "killer nic" (id rather have intel.)
BUT the GS looks more professional, and better for my company image.
I was pretty sold on the Aero for the 95KWH battery.... then I found a guy in my town bought the GS63VR to play Warcraft... played it for a week decided he didnt like games anymore, went of vacation.... I practically stole it for only $1000. (with a 40 day old recpeit from best buy)
 

wildpig1234

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Aug 22, 2016
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Well I was hoping to get a lot of that in a compact sub 15inch package but I couldnt find anything that has everything.... finally settled on dell xps 13 vs lenovo 720s... both has only 16gb ram but both has the thunderbolt 4k 60hz output and both are less than 4 lb with i7 or i5 8th gen ... test driving both right now