Specific hardware requirements for new laptop

[XMan]

Unfortunately it seems like the features I'm looking for aren't really 'searchable' in the sense that when I look at say, Amazon.com, or Best Buy, it doesn't seem like I'm getting really good information as far as particulars.

Any review site recommendations are appreciated, but basically what I'm looking for is this:

1) Aluminum / metallic frame.

2) Easily accessible CPU/fan heatsink, memory, and hard drive bays. Tired of gutting my Dell to upgrade the RAM or swap out hard drives. Obviously laptops with soldered-in upgradable memory are a no-go; I plan on keeping this for several years so I'd like to be able clean the heatsink easily, and even replace thermal compound if needed.

3) Replaceable battery.

4) Price within ballpark of $1200 or so, preferably less.

And . . . . that's pretty much it. Screen size isn't a huge deal, this will mostly be an office app system so I can always enlarge the text if need be. If it doesn't have an SSD included no worries as I can always swap that out and bump up the memory.

Thanks! I'm currently using an Inspiron M5030 that's older than dirt so I'm definitely ready for something new.

 

[sm625]

2) Easily accessible CPU/fan heatsink

You're not going to have too much luck with that.

 

[kommisar]

Unfortunately it seems like the features I'm looking for aren't really 'searchable' in the sense that when I look at say, Amazon.com, or Best Buy, it doesn't seem like I'm getting really good information as far as particulars.

Any review site recommendations are appreciated, but basically what I'm looking for is this:

1) Aluminum / metallic frame.

2) Easily accessible CPU/fan heatsink, memory, and hard drive bays. Tired of gutting my Dell to upgrade the RAM or swap out hard drives. Obviously laptops with soldered-in upgradable memory are a no-go; I plan on keeping this for several years so I'd like to be able clean the heatsink easily, and even replace thermal compound if needed.

3) Replaceable battery.

4) Price within ballpark of $1200 or so, preferably less.

And . . . . that's pretty much it. Screen size isn't a huge deal, this will mostly be an office app system so I can always enlarge the text if need be. If it doesn't have an SSD included no worries as I can always swap that out and bump up the memory.

Thanks! I'm currently using an Inspiron M5030 that's older than dirt so I'm definitely ready for something new.

Refurb 13" macbook pro from Apple. Can be found here:

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/F...133-inch-macBook-pro-25ghz-dual-core-intel-i5

Disassembly instructions are here:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Battery+Replacement/10365

Not sure if that would be easy enough for you or not.

 

[Kaido]

The only thing I can think of is a used Sager. My old D900F was nearly as easy to work on as a desktop PC was.

 

[XMan]

You're not going to have too much luck with that.

Really? I saw one a while back (got a part time job last Christmas working on computers at a local shop), and am kicking myself for not remembering the brand and model. Had three hatches in the bottom for CPU/fan, memory, and drive.

Refurb 13" macbook pro from Apple. Can be found here:

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/F...133-inch-macBook-pro-25ghz-dual-core-intel-i5

Disassembly instructions are here:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2012+Battery+Replacement/10365

Not sure if that would be easy enough for you or not.

Oh yeah, I love the way the MacBooks are put together . . . definitely tempting.

 

[Stuka87]

The only all aluminum laptop outside of a MBP that I can think of is an HP Envy.

But neither uses HDD's, the MBP does not have upgradeable memory (Unless its an old non-retina model), and neither has a swappable battery.

I like the CarbonFiber chassis on my Precision M3800, its a close second to my 15" rMBP.

 

[XMan]

The only all aluminum laptop outside of a MBP that I can think of is an HP Envy.

But neither uses HDD's, the MBP does not have upgradeable memory (Unless its an old non-retina model), and neither has a swappable battery.

I like the CarbonFiber chassis on my Precision M3800, its a close second to my 15" rMBP.

Interesting. I was looking at Envy on bestbuy.com, they conveniently didn't mention the battery couldn't be replaced. Precision looks nice, but more horsepower than I need and pretty pricy.

 

[Stuka87]

Interesting. I was looking at Envy on bestbuy.com, they conveniently didn't mention the battery couldn't be replaced. Precision looks nice, but more horsepower than I need and pretty pricy.

I'm sorry, I was mistaken. It does have a removable battery. Not sure why I thought it didn't. But the 13, 15, and 17 all have removable batteries.

 

[ggadrian]

Have you looked at the HP Elitebook line? I think they check all the requirements you posted.

 

[XMan]

Have you looked at the HP Elitebook line? I think they check all the requirements you posted.

Easily accessible components but the bottom looks like it's plastic?

 

[ggadrian]

Easily accessible components but the bottom looks like it's plastic?

Yes, the laptop has plastic on it, but it's easy to maintain and easy to get access to all the components, and has a half-decent battery life.

Not my favourite laptop, but gets the job done and checks most of what you asked for.

 

[Harry_Wild]

You are better off picking an business laptop like a Thinkpad T or W series or Dell Latitude line. Make sure it is thick and not thin. "Thin" equals glue and soldered components.

 

[XMan]

Any opinions of the Thinkpad T450S? Looks like impressive battery life with the extended capacity external battery, and I like the M.2 and SATA options for dual drives.

Right now I'm debating between the Thinkpad and a refurb MBP mid-2012 model. Sucks that the newer MBPs have non-upgradable memory and non-standard storage. :\