Which Laptop?

[CVByrne]

I've a Series 9 and the boot times are absurdly fast. I'll upgrade to Blue when it's out for the battery and performance gains. I'm perfectly happy with Windows.

[The_Rev]

Haswell chipsets out soon.  By all accounts this will be quite a big deal for laptops. 

[CVByrne]

Yes I've been reading about them. Very big graphics performance boost. I'm holding off buying a NUC until Intel bring out a Haswell one soon.

[The_Rev]

It's the battery life improvements which I think will be the biggest deal.  

 

Modern CPU power management involves cutting power to large chunks of the processor when it makes sense to do so, based on whatever tasks you're asking your device to do. Intel can manage power almost to the transistor level by using a special processing unit built directly inside the main CPU--Intel calls it the Power Control Unit. The PCU looks at which parts of the processor aren't being used, and can turn individual parts on and off as needed.

The problem, though, isn't putting parts of the CPU to sleep. The problem is waking up the processor fast enough to be useful. After all, if you had to wait a minute every time your laptop went to sleep, you'd probably throw it against the wall in frustration. Intel CPUs up to Ivy Bridge have had two main states: active and sleep. (It's more complicated than that, but that's the general idea.) Over the years, Intel has steadily decreased the amount of time it takes to wake a sleeping CPU. The current Ivy Bridge processor takes several seconds to wake up from a deep sleep state. Several seconds is still not quite "instant on" though.

The solution in Haswell is to add a third power state, something Intel designers call "Active Idle." Active Idle, also labeled SOix, is an extremely low-power active state that uses 20 times less power than Ivy Bridge. The PC system itself thinks it's awake, but the CPU is still mostly asleep. This trick translates into wake times of, at worst, a few hundred milliseconds. A worst-case wake up time of a half second is considerably better from the user perspective than the several seconds current CPUs take to wake up. Haswell is almost always in this "instant resume" state when running...

 

...Haswell adds new C-states [power states, ie "active idle"] for more granular power management. This delivers longer battery life because your CPU won't constantly be waking up a part of the CPU it doesn't need in order to wake up some part of the CPU it does need.

Intel also took a look at how CPU power usage interfaces with a system's display. Indeed, one thing that takes a long time to wake up in today's systems are LCD panels, so Haswell processors will include panel self-refresh. So, for example, if you're just sitting there staring at your screen, a Haswell CPU will go to sleep, with only a tiny part staying awake to refresh the monitor. As soon as you move the mouse or press a key, the CPU wakes up. You don't notice the wake-up time, because the display never went to sleep.

(full article)

 

 

 

 

It's going to be a few months before they are widely available, but it wouldn't surprise me if we see ultrabooks with "retina" (sorry Limpid) pixel density and ten hour battery life before the year is out.   The new Macbook Air will probably be a huge leap over the current one. 

Edited May 10, 2013 by The_Rev

[CVByrne]

Do we need that high detail screens? I'd prefer a 1080p screen instead and maximise the battery life. I hope Samsung stay true to the design of the Series 9 with the Haswell.

I know they'll put in a touch screen panel. But I want at the least the design to remain the same, footprint, weight, battery. The Series 9 is the best piece of electronics hardware ever built in my opinion. They need to maintain it's high standards.

I and many are happy to pay the premium over the Air to get the absolute best. If they stay true to it then I'll happily upgrade in September this year.

[The_Rev]

People want those screens because they look awesome. I know I do.   I think 300ppi is where it will plateau (5" 1080p screens with 450ppi is overkill I feel) but as I understand it Haswell will be able to handle that because it can allocate its power demands.   As I understand it there will be multiple levels of the chipset, split into two camps.  The cheaper ones will be branded Intel HD, the more expensive ones will be labelled Intel Iris.  I think it's pretty obvious from the branding which chipsets will be powering ≤1080p displays and which will be doing the 300ppi stuff. 

[CVByrne]

Isn't there 3 chips? One for laptops and 2 for desktops?

I'm happy to take high res screens as long as the battery life is still an increase over older ivy bridge lower res screens.

But a reduction in battery life to facilitate higher res screen isn't a good trade off for me to upgrade from what I've got.

[The_Rev]

There are five SKUs, but they fall into two camps.  HD and Iris.  There is a bit of a discussion on it here if you are interested. 

[CVByrne]

Cheers I'll have a listen to that this weekend.

[CVByrne]

My younger brothers laptop finally bit the dust. I think I'll buy him a new one, nothing fancy but suggestions on a £300-400 laptop.

I'm not that good at picking value devices. So help appreciated.

[limpid]

My younger brothers laptop finally bit the dust. I think I'll buy him a new one, nothing fancy but suggestions on a £300-400 laptop.

I'm not that good at picking value devices. So help appreciated.

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/genesisIV/

 

Deselect Windows, change to a 128MB SSD, 1x8GB RAM = £405

 

There are many other options on that site.

[CVByrne]

Cheers Limpid. They all seem to have optical drives something I'd rather not have as nobody needs them. Old relic from a now gone era.

Any of those optical drive free?

[piav_k4]

Afternoon!

 

I need some help please...

 

What is the difference other than being able to collect one tonight and having to wait 2 weeks! Thanks

 

http://goo.gl/hHLNV

 

 

Chassis & Display Optimus Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080) Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-3630QM (2.40GHz) 6MB Memory (RAM) 8GB SAMSUNG 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB) Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M - 2.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11 2^nd Graphics Card NONE Memory - 1^st Hard Disk 250GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD2500BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm) 2^nd Hard Disk NONE RAID NONE 1^st DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW) Memory Card Reader Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo) Thermal Paste STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack Network Facilities GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® N135 802.11N (150Mbps) + BLUETOOTH USB Options 3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD Floppy Disk Drive NONE Battery Optimus Series 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (5,200 mAh/76.96WH) Power Lead & Adaptor 1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor Operating System NO OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIRED Office Software NO OFFICE SOFTWARE Anti-Virus NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE Laptop Cooling Stands NONE Carry Case NONE Monitor NONE Keyboard & Mouse INTEGRATED UK KEYBOARD WITH NUMBER PAD Mouse INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE Gaming Mouse Pad NONE Speakers NONE Webcam INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM Headsets NONE Surge Protection NONE Printer NONE External Hard Drive NONE Warranty 3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) Home Installation NONE Dead Pixel Guarantee NONE Intel Anti-Theft Technology FREE 90 Day Intel Anti-Theft Trial - Prevent Data Access upon Theft Insurance 1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft Data Recovery NONE Delivery STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI) Build Time Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days Pricing Information

 

Price (excluding VAT) £587.50 Price £705.00 Order Quantity 1 Bulk Discount £0.00 Total Order price (Ex VAT) £587.50 Total Order Price £705.00 P/O Number - Edit P/O Number

Sorry that it's posted horribly...

[limpid]

Bluray and huge difference in screen resolution. The linked one in 720p, the pasted one is 1080p.

[darrenm]

Just bought this for the kid: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290913346408 Tesco direct refurb Dell Q15R for £319

 

Brand Dell Built-In Webcam Yes Hard Drive Capacity 750GB HDD Hard Drive Type 2.5" SATA 5400rpm with 8MB Cache Laptop Colour Black Memory Size 4GB Number of USB Ports 3 Operating System Windows 7 Processor Yes Processor Model Number Intel Core I5-2430M Screen size 15.6" Screen Type LED Wired Networking Port Yes Wireless Built In Yes Memory Type DDR3 Condition Refurbished

 

 

Good all round spec, reputable vendor.

[piav_k4]

Thanks Limpid. I'm just worried about spending a lot of cash and not get value. I want something that can handle a good few Leagues on FM and that will do for a few years. Will Haswell reduce the price of mobile i7s and is it worth waiting? Cheers again.

[limpid]

No idea about prices, but usually new tech costs more initially.

 

My thinking on tech spending is this: If you are ready to buy, buy. There is always something better or cheaper around the corner, buy something that does what you want and don't worry about it, otherwise you'll be waiting forever.

[CVByrne]

People want those screens because they look awesome. I know I do. I think 300ppi is where it will plateau (5" 1080p screens with 450ppi is overkill I feel) but as I understand it Haswell will be able to handle that because it can allocate its power demands. As I understand it there will be multiple levels of the chipset, split into two camps. The cheaper ones will be branded Intel HD, the more expensive ones will be labelled Intel Iris. I think it's pretty obvious from the branding which chipsets will be powering ≤1080p displays and which will be doing the 300ppi stuff.

Read the Kirabook review on the verge. I know it's not Haswell chip but it explains why we are not ready for super high res screens. 1080p will do me on a 13.3 inch screen as the performance and battery life benefits outweigh the benefits of the super high res screen.

I love the screen on my Series 9 and it's 1600x900 and a small bump from that is all I need on a 13.3 inch screen at the moment. Battery life is the core thing I need improved.

I worry all the new Ultra books this summer will be super high res and no headline device will plump for 1080p

[CVByrne]

I think I've found the laptop for my brother. Lenovo Ideapad U410. Think I'll nab one of the two up on ebay for a bargain.

[CVByrne]

I got the U410 for shade under £300 on eBay. Brand new aside from some damage to the box. Bargain, so mailed it to Ireland, proper surprise tomorrow or Friday when he gets it.