[SRS]

Originally Posted by navin

Thanks. I sent these links to IT, and they said these are Windows Home machines, and I would need to upgrade them to Windows Pro.

Does the "990 gram" machine come with Windows Pro? If so, do you have a link for it? Thanks.

This was the one, but it also has Windows 11 Home, Getting a sub 1 kg laptop with Windows 11 Pro and decent specs is quite a tough ask. Although there are models, most of them don't seem to be in stock.

These Dell Latitude Laptops (ultralight versions) weigh 990 grams, have Windows 11 Pro and have decent specs, but are pricey:

https://www.dell.com/en-in/shop/busi.../al7350detgcto

https://www.dell.com/en-in/shop/cty/...hspecs_section

[navin]

Originally Posted by SRS

These Dell Latitude Laptops (ultralight versions) weigh 990 grams, have Windows 11 Pro and have decent specs, but are pricey

Thanks so much. The first one looks like my big (I think it is 13" or 14") iPad with a detachable keyboard, but the second one looks like a proper laptop.

Great, so now I have 3 options (in order of preference):
The Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 13 (linked in a previous post)
Latitude 7350 Laptop (which you just linked to)
The ASUS B9 ExpertBook (link below)
https://www.asus.com/in/laptops/for-...4aAmwnEALw_wcB

Thanks again.

[SRS]

Originally Posted by navin

Thanks so much. The first one looks like my big (I think it is 13" or 14") iPad with a detachable keyboard, but the second one looks like a proper laptop.

Great, so now I have 3 options (in order of preference):
The Lenovo X1 Carbon Gen 13 (linked in a previous post)
Latitude 7350 Laptop (which you just linked to)
The ASUS B9 ExpertBook (link below)
https://www.asus.com/in/laptops/for-...4aAmwnEALw_wcB

Thanks again.

Great to see you finally have a few options to choose from. I had noticed the ExpertBook B9 during my search, but most of them were Windows 11 Home, and while there were a few with Windows 11 Pro, they were out of stock. If you can get your hands on this one with Windows 11 Pro, it is certainly a good buy, and at 990 grams for a pure work-oriented laptop, I think it's a great deal. If you end up purchasing any one of these, do let me know where you got it from and how much you got it for, as I am also in search of a light laptop for my cousin.

[navin]

Originally Posted by SRS

If you can get your hands on this one with Windows 11 Pro, it is certainly a good buy, and at 990 grams for a pure work-oriented laptop, I think it's a great deal.

The Asus person came to my office today carrying the laptop. He dropped it on the floor to prove how tough it was and asked me to stand on it. I refused.

The model he had was the "B9403CVAR-KM1274X: AS EXPERTBOOK". He is expected to send me a commercial quote tomorrow, and I will be happy to share it as soon as I get it.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by navin

The ASUS B9 ExpertBook (link below)

With Asus, you can turn the touch-pad into dedicated numpad which is missed in the keyboards of the smaller laptops.

If you can find Expertbook then its all good, otherwise Zenbooks with the same MIL-810 grade build quality are widely available.

That ProArt detachable model actually has Snapdragon X processor so probably got fan-less passive cooling system which is more efficient than the x86 systems. Non-detachable laptops are also available with the ARM processors.

You just need to make sure all of your apps are properly supported by the ARM based system, if so then its better choice since you can further reduce the weight by detaching the keyboard when needed and can use in portrait form. Imagine editing A4 Word document which is fully visible in proper portrait layout on the high resolution gorgeous OLED screen of your laptop-tablet.

Windows 11 is getting better for the touch based usages day by day. I have been using a Zenbook Flip since 2022 and occasionally use some sketching apps with it's pen which run fine, though I have to flip the keyboard backside. I wish I had potent detachable options like this ProArt available back then.

My main work OS is Linux though but the Linux OS produce very weird and inaccurate colors on the 10 bit OLED screens. since I use this Zenbook occasionally for the client presentations or light usages, Windows serves me fine.

[ads11]

Originally Posted by SRS

https://www.dell.com/en-in/shop/cty/...hspecs_section

This is close to the Latitude I've been rocking as my work daily driver for about 2 years now. Not the most premium feeling of devices but reasonably lightweight and can take abuse, I use it plenty outdoors in the field when connecting up to sensors etc. Few niggles though, does occasionally heat up as Dells are want to do and the deck can be warped so build quality isn't amazing. Certainly not as nice as the ThinkPad Carbon. Oh and the webcam is utter dross but for what you're after navin it'll do just fine.

LG Gram is a great shout. Seen the 15 inch model in the wild and it's featherweight for it's size is really something. That lightness feels less shocking on the smaller models though.

[navin]

Originally Posted by tbppjpr

With Asus, you can turn the touch-pad into dedicated numpad which is missed in the keyboards of the smaller laptops.

You just need to make sure all of your apps are properly supported by the ARM based system, if so then its better choice since you can further reduce the weight by detaching the keyboard when needed and can use in portrait form. Imagine editing A4 Word document which is fully visible in proper portrait layout on the high resolution gorgeous OLED screen of your laptop-tablet.

Windows 11 is getting better for the touch based usages day by day. .

A lot of your post went over my head.

I did see the touchpad turn into a number pad feature, but I doubt I will ever use it. I grew up with the 84-key keyboard and rarely see the number pad on the more modern 105-key keyboards my IT team gives me. I only use the arrow keys.

Are you saying the B9 uses an ARM processor? I think the machine I saw had an Intel Core 7 with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Maybe there are several versions, but I will stick to Intel for old times' sake (my son is an AMD Ryzen/Nvidia fan, but I don't have, nor will I ever reach, his level of expertise in this lifetime).

After using a laptop in landscape mode for 30+ years, I doubt I will ever use portrait mode. I use my iPad exclusively in landscape mode. That reminds me of the last time I used a touchscreen, when Angry Birds was popular. About 12 years ago, IT fixed a 27" Lenovo A720 all-in-one in our bedroom. It could flip from vertical to horizontal (like a table), and my wife used to play some games on it, but we soon got bored with the games. They recently upgraded that all-in-one too because the old machine wasn't Windows 10 compatible.

I think Microsoft and Intel are taking advantage of us by alternately upgrading hardware and software (feigning obsolescence) without a real increase in productivity. I haven't seen my productivity improve since WFWG (Windows for Workgroups, aka Windows 3.11).

Originally Posted by ads11

This is close to the Latitude I've been rocking as my work daily driver for about 2 years now. Certainly not as nice as the ThinkPad Carbon.

Thanks. It's good to know the Latitude is reliable.

The Carbon is on the top of my list. Would you rank the Asus B9 over the Dell?

Thank you again, everyone. This kind of feedback is invaluable and truly amazing. My apologies for subjecting you to my silly questions.

[GTO]

Navin, forget about on-paper specs. Get the Macbook Air in whatever screen size you prefer (13 or 15). Install Parallels (I can meet you and install it for you) and run Windows on it. That's what I do. Best Windows laptop ever - am typing this post from a Macbook Air 15 & Windows OS. ZERO heat, killer keyboard + display, 8 - 10 hour battery life (I literally never check battery levels anymore) and top class reliability. It just works! I am a Macbook Air convert for life, but with it running Windows OS. I tried Mac OS but just couldn't get the hang of it. I have 24 GB RAM on mine, and the 2025 ones have even faster chips & 32 GB RAM options.

Start here & build your laptop. It's the ultimate productivity tool.

[ads11]

Originally Posted by navin

Thanks. It's good to know the Latitude is reliable.

The Carbon is on the top of my list. Would you rank the Asus B9 over the Dell?

Thank you again, everyone. This kind of feedback is invaluable and truly amazing. My apologies for subjecting you to my silly questions.

I'm afraid I don't have much personal experience with the Expertbook lineup, but I have owned Zenbooks by Asus in the past and they've been solid devices at reasonable prices. Have friends who've stuck with Asus laptops for 15 years now so I think you won't go wrong with them either.

Was waiting for GTO to pipe in suggesting the Air running a Windows virtual machine. I'm yet to see someone I know rocking a Windows laptop with the ARM type chips from Qualcomm instead of the typical X86 ones (your Intel and AMD chips). But the promise (at least in my understanding) was that ARM chip Windows laptops would have the battery life and attendant benefits Apple gets on its own silicon laptops. @GTO on Parallels does it let you override some of the built in Mac specific keyboard and trackpad shortcuts and gestures for Windows ones? Guess that familiarity with Windows mores is key for @navin.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by ads11

@GTO on Parallels does it let you override some of the built in Mac specific keyboard and trackpad shortcuts and gestures for Windows ones? Guess that familiarity with Windows mores is key for @navin.

It's a Windows environment. I have set it up exactly as my Dell Latitude running Windows natively. No difference. Same shortcuts, keyboard, gestures...everything. I love Windows & I hate Mac OS. No dearth of horsepower either - when I'm picking the "hot threads" for Team-BHP early in the morning, I sometimes have 125 - 150 tabs in Chrome open (alongside my other Windows programs). Parallels team makes an effort to improve things with time, and I tweaked my settings based on their feedback.

[tbppjpr]

Originally Posted by navin

Are you saying the B9 uses an ARM processor?

The ProArt model suggested by SRS uses Snapdragon processor which comes with detachable keyboard and passive cooling. Although I am not sure if the keyboard experience of this detachable ProArt laptop is as good as the Zenbooks or Expertbooks which come with chunky keys having very good travel distance providing satisfying feedback.

Many other laptops from other brands are also coming with Snapdragon these days. Microsoft Surface series is also one of them.

Asus ProArt series is more oriented towards creators and artists. Expertbook is business series and Zenbook is premium general purpose series with the same toughness of Expertbook but less upgrade friendly.

For eg I can upgrade the SSD but can't upgrade the RAM in my Zenbook. Wheras an Expertbook with similar specifications offers upgradable RAM slot as well, its more repair friendly and also comes with more variety of I/O ports.

It could flip from vertical to horizontal

By 'flip' I mean the Asus Flip models where the keyboard section flips/rotates 360 degrees and folds at the back of the screen. It remains disabled in the flip state eliminating any risk of accidental key presses. This way the laptop turns into tablet without detaching the keyboard.

The Zenbook Flip I am running is equipped with AMD 5600 which is also known for efficiency in the x86 space and its has provided me around 8-12 hours of backup during my initial tests which was kind of surprising for a lightweight Windows laptop. Since I don't use it regularly, I have to charge it a few times in a month only so I am not able to track the regular battery backup.

If you are careful while choosing the chipset and the cooling system, you can easily pick an efficient and practical Windows laptop.

Notebookcheck is good website which carries out some tests on the new laptops providing good insight on various factors including performance benchmarks, screen quality, cooling system and repairability etc.

Whichever models you shortlist, make sure to check them with Notebookcheck.

[navin]

Originally Posted by GTO

Navin, forget about on-paper specs. Get the Macbook Air in whatever screen size you prefer (13 or 15).

At 1.24 kg, the 13" MacBook Air is relatively chunky compared to the Carbon or Asus.

Isn't it better to have an OS that is native to the system than having a Microsoft OS running over an Apple OS (aka iOS)?

Several decades ago (before TCP/IP became the default standard for PC networking), I worked with Apple's token-ring based "Apple Talk Network" (another technology Apple "stole" from Xerox). The system used to hiccup often enough, and the handshaking wasn't 100% consistent when connecting to a mix of plugged-in Apple and PC devices. My experience with Apple Talk has forever coloured my view about blending ecosystems.

Originally Posted by ads11

Have friends who've stuck with Asus laptops for 15 years now so I think you won't go wrong with them either.

I'm yet to see someone I know rocking a Windows laptop with the ARM type chips from Qualcomm instead of the typical X86 ones (your Intel and AMD chips).

Guess that familiarity with Windows mores is key for @navin.

15 years is superb. I would be very happy to be able to use my next laptop for 15 years.

I see it this way: ARM/AMD/Intel architectures all seem to fill different niches. You pick your "required applications," then pick the shell (OS) your applications run best in, and finally, pick the hardware for which that OS was natively designed.

For example, one can always stick a Sony Lens on a Canon Camera Body, but when everything is native, the inter-part communications are more consistent. This is why the Apple ecosystem is so smooth. The hardware, OS, and applications (Final Cut, Logic Pro, iPhotos, iTunes, etc) are all well integrated.

Originally Posted by GTO

It's a Windows environment. I have set it up exactly as my Dell Latitude running Windows natively. No difference.

I sometimes have 125 - 150 tabs in Chrome open

Hmm, your first statement gives me food for thought.

You have 125-150 tabs! I have a 34" wide screen, and 30 tabs look too much. After about 35 tabs, they start getting too small to differentiate which tab to click. I guess 1977 was a better year than 1963.

Originally Posted by tbppjpr

Expertbooks which come with chunky keys having very good travel distance providing satisfying feedback.

Notebookcheck is good website.

Coming from the era of using an IBM Selectric, having a well-engineered keyboard is high on my list. I was never fond of the "chicklet type" keyboards that offered little, if any, tactile feedback.

Thanks for the "Notebookcheck" tip!

[ach1lles]

Originally Posted by navin

Hmm, your first statement gives me food for thought.

You have 125-150 tabs! I have a 34" wide screen, and 30 tabs look too much. After about 35 tabs, they start getting too small to differentiate which tab to click. I guess 1977 was a better year than 1963.

I'd say, as long as you're open to it, get the Mac and try MacOS. It could come down to inertia and preference, but MacOS just does so many things so much better. Go to an Apple Store and spend a couple of hours with it. Try your usual workflow.
To me it's much more intuitive, even though I'd been using windows for along while before I got my first Mac. That was in 2005.

The machine today is an insane powerhouse. Forget 150 tabs. With browser profiles and tab groups, I have anywhere from 700-900 tabs in memory, and the machine and OS move along as if to say, "bring it on"!. A smooth operator, this is.

The battery is astonishing. 20+ hours and I have now removed the battery indicator entirely.

The machine does not age. My 8 year old machine looks like it could have come out of the showroom a month ago. If I clean it right, I can make three more weeks go away.

The trackpad is the best you'll ever use, and the display is great. Get the Pro and you can opt for the nano-texture display, which is nearly as vibrant as the reflective but no reflections. If you spend a lot of time on your screen, this is really that thing you'll realise you won't do without after you get it.

Get the smaller size for portability, and dock it to a monitor when at your workplace, use it with the chunkiest, clickiest keyboard you like.

The only thing I do not like about the MBP today is the aesthetic, the feel of the shape is a step back to two decades ago. The last version, 2019-20 intel MBP still looks and feels more modern. It can't hold a candle in performance though.

[navin]

Originally Posted by SRS

If you end up purchasing any one of these, do let me know where you got it from and how much you got it for, as I am also in search of a light laptop for my cousin.

After much deliberation, I chose the ASUS B9 Expertbook. The version I am getting has an Intel Core 7 150U with 1TB and 16GB RAM for Rs. 137,000+GST. I have asked him to offer a price for 32GB as well.

Thank you, everyone.

[SRS]

Originally Posted by navin

After much deliberation, I chose the ASUS B9 Expertbook. The version I am getting has an Intel Core 7 150U with 1TB and 16GB RAM for Rs. 137,000+GST. I have asked him to offer a price for 32GB as well.

Thank you, everyone.

Congratulations on the ExpertBook B9, It will surely fulfill all your requirements and then some, it is a business laptop with enough power and proceessing capabilities and should be good to go for a long time.