Looking for a new laptop, what is best?

sn0zb0z

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Oct 29, 2013
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I'm looking for a new laptop and I'm hoping people can give me some suggestions on what's best to buy.

Windows is always crashing on me and I really dislike Windows 8. I've considered the Macbook Air but they're not exactly cheap and I believe if they go wrong it's hard/expensive to repair.

I want good quality hardware and a decent operating system (ideally something other than Windows).

I plan to use it for video editing and just general use (e.g. surfing the web, microsoft office etc).

I also really want a laptop that's (pretty) light.

I'd prefer it to be £700 or less, but £500 or less would be even better.

I'm happy to buy an Operating System and put that on (if it comes with Windows 8). I'd rather not be messing with the hardware though.

What laptop am I best off buying? Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Solution
Well... the more you spend the better your chances of high build quality (in general). There is a reason Apple does not sell dirt cheap products. Dell's new XPS 13 should be a good fit... I do not believe its actually out right now though. Samsung/Acer (newest models) have had good reviews. You probably want something around $1000 if your looking for reliable high quality build construction

USAFRet

Illustrious
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Windows is always crashing on me

Why?
That is an unusual scenario.
I haven't had a BSOD in the year+ that I've been running Win8, and very, very rarely before that. Win7 and Server2008.

For the OS, you have pretty much 3 choices. Windows, Apple, or Linux.
Which one will do what you need, and run the applications you need?
 

sn0zb0z

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Oct 29, 2013
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I've used many Windows computers over the years. Pretty much every single one has either crashed or done something really weird/glitchy at some point, even if it has been one I've only been using for a few hours. Not been doing anything odd, I use computers all the time so I know what I'm doing; just been using Office, editing a video/photo, surfing the web etc. I mean, my main desktop and laptop don't crash all the time or anything but they have their moments where they just decide they don't feel like working anymore and I've always had that problem with my main computers (all of which have been Windows).

I don't mind which I use. I have a Windows desktop if I need anything just Windows based and don't have that on the laptop.

I just need a video editing programme and a web browser and some form of Word, Excel etc.
 

sn0zb0z

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Oct 29, 2013
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I feel I should point out that, despite the weird problems and unexpected crashes, at some point the computers do generally decide to work again (at least for a while) usually without being repaired in any way and I do use them for years.

The one thing they've all had in common is the Operating System which is why, to bring this back on topic, I think for some things I'd rather try a different OS (or perhaps running 2 may be any option?). I'm open to suggestions for any good quality laptop though really.
 

lightsong

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Jan 27, 2013
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uh... there is really only 2 operating systems... Windows and mac. I mean you could put a varient of linux on it, but if you can't keep your computer from crashing running windows... i'm not sure that's such a good idea.
 

sn0zb0z

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Oct 29, 2013
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Well if I had a really good quality Windows laptop I'm hoping I'd have less problems as hardware has let me down in the past. Surely even if it had Windows if I was using another OS most of the time there would be less chance of it crashing?

So aside from buying a mac, would there be any way of putting the mac OS on a Windows laptop?

Or is there any really good quality Windows laptop with a very low rate of failure and a good spec?
 

lightsong

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Jan 27, 2013
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Well... the more you spend the better your chances of high build quality (in general). There is a reason Apple does not sell dirt cheap products. Dell's new XPS 13 should be a good fit... I do not believe its actually out right now though. Samsung/Acer (newest models) have had good reviews. You probably want something around $1000 if your looking for reliable high quality build construction
 
Solution

sn0zb0z

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Oct 29, 2013
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Thanks. I'll check out the Samsungs. $1000 would work out alright in UK pounds, but electronics cost more over here so a $1000 laptop to you is probably well over my budget.