Specific requirements for a laptop

[Derek Smith]

I know it’s been asked before on here many times, but I’ve got specific needs, one of which is not wanting to pay for something I don’t need.

I want a solid body, for the computer as well. Preferably metal as I carry it around a bit. Weight is not a major concern although it needs to be ‘comfortable’.

The other essential feature is a decent keyboard. I’m a touch typist and need a keystroke where you can feel a click. Everything else is secondary.

For the rest:

Minimum 14” HD screen and minimum 8gig RAM, with 16 a pleasant bonus.

Win10, Home/Pro, I’m not fussed. I’ll use it mainly for writing with Word, browsing, YouTube, watching NOW! and BT TV on occasion, mainly specific sports. No games. None at all.

I update websites and have a couple on localhost to practice/experiment with.

I use Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher, but little other software.

I will use it to download and check through images I’ve taken at an event, and then save the residual to USB sticks. I have a portable 500gig external SSD, courtesy of a defunct ASUS laptop, so I reckon 500gig SSD internally is max.

I’ve tried PCWorld but most appear a bit flimsy at my price. I’ve got an old Dell Lattitude, 2008, and it’s lasted as a second laptop for years, despite being taken everywhere. My 5-year-old ASUS case has just cracked.

I checked through a lot on line, but feel and robustness are not mentioned much. Anyone with specific experience or advice? It’d be much appreciated as I’m going around in circles.

Around £500 tops.

Thanks for reading so far.

[devnull]

A secondhand thinkpad is exactly what you need. Something like a T450, x1Carbon etc.

Arguably the best keyboards in the business.

500 quid doesn’t get you much new laptop if longevity is on the agenda.

Edited by devnull on Tuesday 9th July 18:01

Edited by devnull on Tuesday 9th July 18:02

[Derek Smith]

devnull said:

A secondhand thinkpad is exactly what you need. Something like a T450, x1Carbon etc.

Arguably the best keyboards in the business.

500 quid doesn’t get you much new laptop if longevity is on the agenda.

Edited by devnull on Tuesday 9th July 18:01

Edited by devnull on Tuesday 9th July 18:02

Thanks for that. I'd like something similar without the weight advantage and tech spec.

It's the chassis that's the requirement.

[irocfan]

Interesting thread tbh - I'm in a similar boat. Looking to get my current lappy serviced (it's getting too hot after prolonged PH'ing and various webpages suddenly crash) but curious as to the cost of just getting a new one. Only thing I'd like different would be a 17" screen

[The_Jackal]

The spec you want and what you will use it for are nothing special, any old laptop can deal with that.
What you will need to do is find and choose the laptop with the special keyboard you want then extend your budget to whatever it costs.
£500 laptops are not robust or solidly built with the type of keyboard you want.

[rxtx]

Do any laptops have tactile keyboards? None that I know of and certainly not at the budget end, that's the domain of mechanical keyboards with Cherry/Gateron/Kailh etc switches, you won't find those on a laptop for obvious reasons.

You won't get a metal-bodied laptop at that price either. Second hand is your best bet, with an external mechanical keyboard.