jcarlosjr Loc: Orange County

It is time for a new travel laptop! So I have been shopping for the last few weeks for something light weight with an Intel i7, 16gb and a large storage device, for something up to $2000. Never did I guess this would become the impossible dream!

I have not found any 13-14” laptops with a full size SD slot. 256-512gb SSD drives seem the new normal; with some i7/16gb machines only loaded with 128gb storage. I found a Dell XPS with 1tb, but before I could order it at a fair sale price it was sold out.

Clearly I will need to buy a USB-C to SD reader dongle. Yes it will be faster than the built-in on my Dell 7000, but less convenient – one more thing to forget or misplace. Or I can start buying a collection of micro-SD chips. We travel with 2-3 still cameras and 1-2 video devices, so this is a new expense.

Manufactures don’t say if the SSD can be upgraded or if it is soldered in place. Cloud storage is not practical when in hotels or cruise ships (remember those good old days – big ships like hotels, all meals & entertainment included).

Let me end this rant with a few questions:

1> Is any computer representative reading that can comment on the downsized port?

2> Is any chip manufacturer reading that can comment on SD vs micro SD reliability (yes I know - one additional connection to be concerned about)?

3> Any recommendations for a fast USC-C/thunderbolt to SD reader?

Thanks for reading my unload.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Look at one of the gaming brands like iBuyPower. However about the smallest screens they have out in powerful laptops is 15.6".

jcarlosjr Loc: Orange County

Thanks, I am looking for something close to 3 pounds, most of the gaming machines are over 4.

xposure

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 is an I7 16GB ram 1TB SSD Harddrive, light as a feather, and strong. It is on sale for $1400.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/d/deals/doorbusters?sort=sortBy&currentResultsLayoutType=list&cid=us:sem%7Cse%7Cmsn%7Ciip_nx_lenovo+generic%7Clenovo+generic%7Clenovo%20laptops%7Ce%7C60389935%7C465661874%7Ckwd-5418338081:loc-190%7Ctext%7Cbrand&s_kwcid=AL!4030!3!!e!!o!!lenovo%20laptops!60389935!465661874&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%5Bcampain-name%5D&utm_term=%5Bkeyword%5D&ef_id=:G:s

xposure

the X1 Carbon is the lightest Ultrabook around starting at about 2.4 pounds. Oh and it is $1499 on sale not $1400

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I am about to pull the trigger on something with a similar budget in mind.

My specs are:

9th generation i7 6 core cpu - with unlocked clock so I can mildly overclock it to 4.5 gHz
32 gb user replaceable ram, with the capability of 64 gb
Discreet graphics adapter - mid-range Nvidia with 6 gb vram
3 m.2 NVMe slots - ()1 for network interface and (2) slots for storage devices
(2) 4 TB m.2, NVMe, PCIe SSD drives -
a 2.5" drive bay for additional storage if necessary
USB-C/3.1 Gen 2 - at least 2 slots for connecting external drives, card readers, cameras, etc
15.6" screen IPS with 100% sRGB gamut
Ability to have two active external displays

All memory and storage needs to be user upgradeable. Graphics cards are generally soldered in place.

The total on this machine is just under $2k

I use Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, DXO Photolab and On1 Raw as my core Photo editing apps.

The only impossibility is trying to cram all of this into a 14" or smaller ultralight computer.

Take a look at https://xoticpc.com/ - If you can't get what you want at the price you want to pay, it doesn't exist. I've been using them and recommending them to others for at least 6 yrs, and everyone is happy with the level of customer support, quality of product, and low pricing.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

I went to my local computer store and had him build me exactly what I want. Started with upscale Lenovo. it was about two grand but that was 4 years ago. While I have an card slot I never use it. I simply cable to usb and to hell with the moving cards or reader.

cochese

Check out ASUS. There Zenbook 14 is available with a 256 gb ssd and a 1 tb hard drive. It is super thin and light, well reviewed, has an i7 and 16 gb. It also has been designed to be a 14" screen in the form and size of a typical 13". They usually have them at best buy for around $1200, slightly less from asus directly.

stevesf

I have been happy with a Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon Extreme, but it is heavier than you may like for travel. However, they have similar models, such as the Yoga, that are very light and capable. There are models that have space for another SSD, so they can be installed or removed. Most have Type C ports and USB-2 or -3 ports. The Thinkpad has an SD slot, but external readers are small, light, cheap, and I keep a few in my battery Baggie just in case.

photoman43

I have a Lenovo thinkpad x1 15 inch model with a 1 tb SSD and 32 GB Ram and a video card with its own ram. I have had it for one year with no problems. Win 10 pro. Check out all their models. You may not need the one with max resolution screen.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

My Sandisk USB3 card reader is excellently constructed (and fast), but it’s made of aluminum and requires a type C cable, so not sure if you want to carry that much weight. On the subject of SSDs, I have not seen one soldered in. They typically are a standard size and use a laptop SATA connector (or possibly NVME), so no issue in changing them - usually just takes a couple of minutes and a few screws.

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

1. The trend is toward SSDs of 256-512 GB size, because SSDs are faster to boot and open apps. Very large SSDs, though, are too high-priced compared to hard drives for storage space. Also, thinking you want a huge drive of any kind internal in the computer can lead to keeping your valuable data in the computer for too long. In case of a failure, or loss of the laptop, you lose everything. Better to move valuable data OFF the computer to external storage...hard drives, the cloud, whatever you want, and have MORE THAN ONE copy/backup.

It is common for new desktops to have a small SSD and a large hard drive. You can look for a laptop that has this capability.

2. Reliability of Micro SD vs full-size SSD isn't an issue. What IS an issue is handling of the card...not dropping it, blowing away, just losing it because its so small.

3. Any reader that has the connection you want should suffice. There aren't any active components in a card reader....just printed-circuit-board wiring.

dhughes900

Here are a couple of thoughts. SD slots on laptops seem gone. I bought a couple of adapters. You can find ProGrade Digital adapters at B&H and it is a good match with USB C speed. Also, you might look at reconditioned computers from Lenovo, Dell, etc. You can usually save a few hundred dollars like for like and they come out of the box looking and acting like new. Use the savings to buy adapters.

Ratskinner Loc: Copalis Beach WA

Nearly 2 years ago I purchased an Acer laptop and I am delighted with it. Mine is configured a little differently
than you require, but I checked Amazon and they have one that seems to fit your needs. I bought more RAM and more storage and installed both myself. the only thing I could not verify is the situation re: the SD slot. I
asked the question and am awaiting the the answer. Good luck.