Sorry for a) quite a detailed post and b) any glaring naivete/stupidity.
Anyway, would hugely appreciate your help if you have time!
Considering buying a high spec laptop or ultrabook that's waaay better than I need, so that I won't need to replace it for a long time (maybe 6yrs).
Have looked at custom built laptops and ultrabooks, leaning towards these specs: Intel i7 quad core, 16GB RAM, approx 250GB SSD (possibly could stretch to 500GB). Would like a full HD screen or better. (I've listed other requirements/preferences/usage etc below my questions). This would be my sole computer.
My questions are:
1. Is this a stupid strategy (ie should I spend less and replace sooner) and if so, why?
2. If I did go for it, what do you think of the specs - are they unbalanced, eg should I add more/less or something?
3. What do you think of these base models (to then be customised to specs already mentioned) -?
Utopia SABRE-13 | Compact Custom Gaming Laptop | The Compact Assassin
PCSPECIALIST - OptimusV 13 Laptops, OptimusV 13 Gaming Laptops, Build Your Own OptimusV 13 Laptop
Chillblast - The UK's most awarded Custom PC builder - Cheap PCs - Gaming PCs - Workstations
Pegasus 13.3" GTX 765M Laptop - Laptops
Schenker S413 14" Slim Laptop
4. Is there any reason not to go for a custom built laptop/ultrabook? I thought it would give the best quality and specs for my money, but maybe I'm wrong. Originally looked at a Macbook Pro but decided a custom built laptop could give the same quality with better specs for the same price. Also looked at Asus Zenbooks.
My usage and requirements:
Budget - £1000
Usage - internet browsing, fair bit of streaming, some photo editing, lots and lots of word processing. No gaming whatsoever.
Portability - Medium - eg won't just be on my desk, want to use at various places around the house. In early stages of journalism career so may need to carry about more at some point. Would prefer lighter and thinner just because they're nicer to have, aesthetically!
Battery life - Pretty important
Storage - Reasonable number of high res photos, but not loads and loads (from an SLR+ expensive lens) and some videos but not loads, medium number of documents, not many programs I need or want, not many films
Size - 13"-15" (torn between portability and price of 13" and the better size for streaming of a 15", but leaning towards 13". Suppose there are some 14" available as compromise)
Operating system - Windows 8.1
Refurbished versions - maybe but prefer not unless can get excellent warranty/aftercare
Thank you so much for your help!
Anyway, would hugely appreciate your help if you have time!
Considering buying a high spec laptop or ultrabook that's waaay better than I need, so that I won't need to replace it for a long time (maybe 6yrs).
Have looked at custom built laptops and ultrabooks, leaning towards these specs: Intel i7 quad core, 16GB RAM, approx 250GB SSD (possibly could stretch to 500GB). Would like a full HD screen or better. (I've listed other requirements/preferences/usage etc below my questions). This would be my sole computer.
My questions are:
1. Is this a stupid strategy (ie should I spend less and replace sooner) and if so, why?
2. If I did go for it, what do you think of the specs - are they unbalanced, eg should I add more/less or something?
3. What do you think of these base models (to then be customised to specs already mentioned) -?
Utopia SABRE-13 | Compact Custom Gaming Laptop | The Compact Assassin
PCSPECIALIST - OptimusV 13 Laptops, OptimusV 13 Gaming Laptops, Build Your Own OptimusV 13 Laptop
Chillblast - The UK's most awarded Custom PC builder - Cheap PCs - Gaming PCs - Workstations
Pegasus 13.3" GTX 765M Laptop - Laptops
Schenker S413 14" Slim Laptop
4. Is there any reason not to go for a custom built laptop/ultrabook? I thought it would give the best quality and specs for my money, but maybe I'm wrong. Originally looked at a Macbook Pro but decided a custom built laptop could give the same quality with better specs for the same price. Also looked at Asus Zenbooks.
My usage and requirements:
Budget - £1000
Usage - internet browsing, fair bit of streaming, some photo editing, lots and lots of word processing. No gaming whatsoever.
Portability - Medium - eg won't just be on my desk, want to use at various places around the house. In early stages of journalism career so may need to carry about more at some point. Would prefer lighter and thinner just because they're nicer to have, aesthetically!
Battery life - Pretty important
Storage - Reasonable number of high res photos, but not loads and loads (from an SLR+ expensive lens) and some videos but not loads, medium number of documents, not many programs I need or want, not many films
Size - 13"-15" (torn between portability and price of 13" and the better size for streaming of a 15", but leaning towards 13". Suppose there are some 14" available as compromise)
Operating system - Windows 8.1
Refurbished versions - maybe but prefer not unless can get excellent warranty/aftercare
Thank you so much for your help!