Recommend me a phone/tablet/netbook/laptop

[Dominus Atheos]

Stay with me here, because this gets complicated.

• My phone is eligible for an upgrade.
• My last laptop broke and I need a new one.
• People have told me I need a tablet because they are "super awesome".
• I generally don't like simplistic OSs like Android and iOS for real computing.
• If I get a Motorola Android smartphone like the Bionic or RAZR MAXX, I can purchase a Lapdock that can turn said phones into netbooks, including a full desktop version of Firefox and RDP apps.
• If I buy an iPhone 5, I can avoid that software upgrade bullshit every other smartphone manufacturer is pulling.
• I'm not really sure what the point of an "ultrabook" is, if I get a laptop it will probably be 15''.
• Microsoft is coming out with an x86 Windows tablet, but it will probably be close to $1,000.
• I really only need about 4 hours of battery life out of a laptop.
• I really don't want a product that "makes a statement" or anything like that. I don't care about brands or labels and in fact, if a product is too "flashy" I'll probably feel like a douchebag when I pull it out in public.

So, what combination of the four things should I get, and which model/specs? My price limit is whatever is the lower end of mid-range, which is what I think is the best price/utility point. But if I think I will get more then twice as much utility out of one product versus one that is half as much, I'll buy the more expensive one.

Help?

[Zaune]

Personally, I'd vote with a ten-inch netbook, which combines the portability of a tablet with a proper OS and no need to buy a keyboard separately. Expect to pay $200 to $250.
Phone-wise, I suppose it depends on what your existing cellphone plan is like, but some of those ten-inch laptops I mentioned have started coming with built-in 3G capability; a data-only plan plus Skype's premium services might end up working out cheaper.

[General Zod]

I'd say avoid the tablet altogether, unless the notebook you wind up with is heavy and you want something a bit lighter for casual use. It would be easier to recommend a laptop if you could mention what you use it for, since that's going to have the biggest impact on options.

[Dominus Atheos]

Not a damn thing. Internet browsing, video watching, and remote desktoping into my main workstation. Just so long as I can do that for as long as 4 hours without needing to plug it in, I'm good.

And I don't need a specific laptop recommendation, just general specs is fine. Mostly I just want to know if I should get an Intel Core i3/i5 or if a bargain basement AMD processor will suit me fine, with regards to battery life.

[General Zod]

A core i3 would work just as well as an i5, then. Though a solid state drive would make it incredibly snappy and responsive if you want to go that route.

[xthetenth]

I'd say try to get a laptop with a good screen for as cheap as you can and put an SSD in it, because for the uses you're talking about that's going to be what determines whether your computer feels fast or not and you'll be using the screen for everything. The CPU can definitely be "fast enough" without you noticing for those uses, an AMD would likely be able to get the job done, and an i3 would probably be fast enough for you for sure.

[General Zod]

Also, I know you said no specific brands, but here's a couple of recommendations anyway:

The Samsung Chrome-Book, and the Dell XPS Ultrabook might be just the right machines without breaking the bank.

[The Kernel]

Ok, I'll make this pretty simple for you.

Phone

Two options as I see it:

• iPhone 5: Known quantity, if you like iOS then this will serve you fine.
• Samsung Galaxy SIII: This is a lovely device but its burdened with being locked into the bullshit carrier upgrade crap. Fortunately it's easy to root and put Cyanogen 10 on it--in fact I've been running that for the last couple weeks on this device with no trouble. If you are buying off contract and want to save some money then the Galaxy Nexus is a decent device which is "Google Pure" out of the box, although I still like the flexibility that Cyanogen 10 gives me. These guys are no fly-by-night operation--someone is giving them serious backing.

Forget the stupid "lapdocks", they are garbage. Get yourself a proper laptop.

Tablet

• Nexus 7: At $200 this is an easy choice. It's also the perfect size for someone who wants it for reading/browsing but doesn't expect to do serious work. The new Kindle Fire (announced next week) might be a contender but the Nexus 7 is a good device and I don't see Amazon or Apple posing a serious threat to its value proposition if what you want is just a nice media tablet without any other bullshit.

Laptop

This is where I would spend your money if I were you. Recommendations are pretty easy here since you say you like a big screen and aren't so worried about battery life. I'm assuming you are also a PC guy since if you were Apple you wouldn't need advice (their stuff is pretty straightforward).

• If you don't game much and want something rugged and professional, get a Lenovo ThinkPad T530 and customize it to your liking. A few upgrades I highly recommend would be: SSD, Full HD Display and at least 8GB of memory. The SSD and Mem you can do aftermarket if you like as they are pretty easy to do yourself for much cheaper.
• If you want to game? HP Envy 15 with the Radiance full HD display upgrade and an SSD. Memory loadout in the 8GB+ range is good too.

Do not skimp on the display or on getting a proper SSD. They make all the difference in the world.

[Executor32]

If your phone is on Verizon and you aren't concerned about losing unlimited data (if you still have it), then the Galaxy Nexus is still an excellent choice for saving money because Best Buy has the Verizon version for a penny. I kind of wish I had waited to get mine, since I paid $299 for it in April, but then again I would have been forced into a tiered data plan if I had upgraded later. Like The Kernel, I'm rocking CyanogenMod 10 because I was tired of waiting for Verizon to get done dragging ass and update it to Jelly Bean.

EDIT: Speaking of CM10, I have a question for you, Kernel: If you go to Settings -> Lock screen -> Slider shortcuts, and click the save icon at the bottom right, does Settings force close on you? I'm curious if it's just something that doesn't work right yet in CM10, or if it's something specific to my device that I should submit a bug report over.

[Terralthra]

I third the Galaxy Nexus. I got it right after Christmas, have it rooted and flashed (not to CyanogenMod, but another custom JB ROM), and love it.

[JLTucker]

Wait on the Nexus 7. There are numerous accounts of the screen rising on the left side of the device. It happened to me and I was going to get a replacement, but I read reports of those too suffering the same problem. Plus, I'm not letting Google put a $270 hold on my bank account to make sure they get the device. It appears the back cover is fucking with something. I removed mine and the screen rise, along with the creaking, stopped. I replaced it and it started up again. If it happens after the 15 day return window, you're fucked unless you can sweet talk Google. The issue doesn't mess with the device's amazing functionality, so if you want to risk it, go ahead. But I'd say wait a bit to see if Google addresses the issue.

[The Kernel]

Speaking of CM10, I have a question for you, Kernel: If you go to Settings -> Lock screen -> Slider shortcuts, and click the save icon at the bottom right, does Settings force close on you? I'm curious if it's just something that doesn't work right yet in CM10, or if it's something specific to my device that I should submit a bug report over.

No, my slider shortcuts work fine on the latest nightlies. Probably specific to Toro. I am using the Verizon Galaxy SIII as well so we are on the same network.

I have a Galaxy Nexus and its a fine device but after having the Galaxy SIII for a couple weeks I would take it over the Galaxy Nexus in a heartbeat on the condition that you are going to root it and install Cyanogen Mod 10 (which at this point every Android user should be doing anyway to get rid of carrier bloatware and upgrade restrictions). The SIII has some huge advantages including:

• Much better screen. I don't know what Samsung did but the improvements are noticeable.
• Much faster processor with double the memory. The Qualcomm S4 is a fantastic little chip and the speed improvements are noticeable.
• SD card slot for memory expansion.
• Hardware buttons for back, menu and home so you aren't using screen real estate for it.
• Improved touchscreen sensitivity thanks to the Gorilla Glass 2. Yes it really is noticeable.
• Battery life seems improved though I haven't run any scientific tests.
• Form factor feels a lot nicer (although I ordered a metal battery cover for $10 to replace the slick plastic back--one thing that I don't like about it).

Both are good phones though as far as Android goes.

[The Kernel]

Double Post

[Terralthra]

I like the soft buttons, especially in JB. The icon on the buttons changes depending on context, e.g. when "back" would close the OSK, it switches from the back arrow to a symbol signifying the keyboard retracting. When the OSK is out, but the back button is still back, instead of retract OSK, the icon correctly indicates that. The three-dot menu soft button only appears when it does something, as another example. And lastly, the soft buttons rotate to match screen orientation, which is nice, if not essential.

[Dominus Atheos]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

I'm looking at these laptops. I'm concerned that they are so cheap, but their MSRPs place them into the lower mid range, so I assume Newegg and Lenovo are really interested in clearing out their Windows 7 laptops and/or it's a last minute back to school sale, or something. Are these prices too good to be true? Will these laptops suit my needs?

And of course, I'll drop something like and OCZ Vertex 4 in there.

Edit: Apparently the url is too long for the board software. Weird, but here it is again:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productco ... 246-496-TS

Edit 2: WTF? Anyway, here's the direct links:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834246490

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834246498

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834246496

[General Zod]

Looks legitimate, but I won't order Newegg again after having to deal with their fascist credit card processing rules.

[General Zod]

Because it's too late to edit, consider that a warning.

[JLTucker]

What do you find faulty in their credit card rules?

[General Zod]

Their verification system (next to TIger Direct) is one of the most absurd I've ever seen. It was more like filling out forms for a security clearance than buying some electronics.

[JLTucker]

That doesn't tell me anything, dood. What do they do? I've had no problems with any orders I've made. The most I've had to do was answer a phone call from my bank to confirm a purchase and thyat was because the total was high.

[General Zod]

It's been a few years since I ordered so I doubt I could get more specific than that without going through the whole process again.

[Terralthra]

That's bizarre. I put in my credit card info - number, verification code, billing address, and clicked "buy."

[The Kernel]

Do not get either of those AMD laptops, they are Brazos based and slow as hell. Even that Core i3 you linked to is ridiculously faster.

Ultimately you know your budget best but I think you'll find you get more life spending a bit more. Granted you could do a lot worse but the under $500 laptop market is full of very cheap stuff that cuts corners or just a bit too much for my taste.

[The Kernel]

I like the soft buttons, especially in JB. The icon on the buttons changes depending on context, e.g. when "back" would close the OSK, it switches from the back arrow to a symbol signifying the keyboard retracting. When the OSK is out, but the back button is still back, instead of retract OSK, the icon correctly indicates that. The three-dot menu soft button only appears when it does something, as another example. And lastly, the soft buttons rotate to match screen orientation, which is nice, if not essential.

I'm aware that's how Google wanted it to work but giving up that much screen real estate is stupid just for dynamic buttons that almost never change anyway.

[Terralthra]

I like the soft buttons, especially in JB. The icon on the buttons changes depending on context, e.g. when "back" would close the OSK, it switches from the back arrow to a symbol signifying the keyboard retracting. When the OSK is out, but the back button is still back, instead of retract OSK, the icon correctly indicates that. The three-dot menu soft button only appears when it does something, as another example. And lastly, the soft buttons rotate to match screen orientation, which is nice, if not essential.

I'm aware that's how Google wanted it to work but giving up that much screen real estate is stupid just for dynamic buttons that almost never change anyway.

:: 30 pixels out of 1280 vertical. It doesn't bother me that much, and the usability win of context-sensitive buttons showing that they are, in fact, context-sensitive is worth it.