Best Laptop when working outside

Steadyon · 02-08-2011, 06:29 PM

Hi,

Does anyone have any information about which laptop has the best screen when working outdoors?

Neither of my current laptops are easy to work with outside. Their screens are too reflective and make them hard to read, especially when it is bright outside. Even when working in the shade.

As the weather is soon to get warmer (hopefully), I want to be able to write articles and work outside from time to time.

Are there any laptops specifically made to cater for this?

Thanks.

Sam

Kevin Hill · 02-08-2011, 06:36 PM

Get a laptop that has a matte screen so there is no reflection...you can get a Macbook Pro that has this...although it is a small upgrade.

Kevin

QuickSurf · 02-08-2011, 07:57 PM

Macbook Pro 15/17 or HP Envy Line, both companies have hi-res matte screen options that look excellent. I have a Macbook Pro 13, which uses a glass screen, and absolutely hate the reflections, drives me f'n nutz lol. Should have gotten a 15, but liked the size and portability of the 13 however Apple doesn't offer a matte option on the 13 (nice lil gimmick to make you step up to the 15 lol)

The HP Envy line I love, you can spec the heck out of them, dual SSD's etc. The HP's are really good on battery life for a windows computer, but the Mac's are still the best... I love being on a plane and watching a couple movies no problem.

RichKent · 02-08-2011, 08:01 PM

Yep, I use and travel with a Macbook Pro 17 with the High-res anti-glare screen. It's a thing of beauty! But costs a ton.

The other option is to buy and anti-glare screen protector. You can get them on Amazon - that's what my wife uses, but it's not as good by a long shot. Still better than the standard glare screen all computers come with these days.

tj · 02-08-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadyon

Hi,

Does anyone have any information about which laptop has the best screen when working outdoors?

Neither of my current laptops are easy to work with outside. Their screens are too reflective and make them hard to read, especially when it is bright outside. Even when working in the shade.

As the weather is soon to get warmer (hopefully), I want to be able to write articles and work outside from time to time.

Are there any laptops specifically made to cater for this?

Thanks.

Sam

Try this solutions before you get a new notebook:

Amazon.com: Think Tank Pixel Sunscreen V2.0, Pop...

Amazon.com: Compushade Laptop Visor: Electronics

Amazon.com: Hoodman HOODPC Hood for 14-Inch to...
Laptop Notebook 12" to 17" Universal Sun Privacy Screen Shade

PC SHADE - Laptop Screen Glare Stopper

Timo

QuickSurf · 02-09-2011, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichKent

The other option is to buy and anti-glare screen protector. You can get them on Amazon - that's what my wife uses, but it's not as good by a long shot. Still better than the standard glare screen all computers come with these days.

Yeh the anti-glare protectors suck, even more annoying as gives the screen a sorta fuzzy look with text and sometimes different colors... like something is "off" with the screen lol.

Damn you apple for not offering hi-res anti glare on the 13" Pro

barath13 · 02-09-2011, 12:33 AM

Macbook Pro 17 is the best which my brother is using he used to travel lot with that, thing is is bit costly but it worth the money.

paulie888 · 02-09-2011, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuickSurf

Yeh the anti-glare protectors suck, even more annoying as gives the screen a sorta fuzzy look with text and sometimes different colors... like something is "off" with the screen lol.

Damn you apple for not offering hi-res anti glare on the 13" Pro

Yes, I've seen laptops with the anti-glare film, and the text and graphics typically end up being "smudged" and blurry, and the sharpness that should be there is lost. It's just unsatisfying (to lose screen clarity that is intrinsically there) and probably also detrimental to your eyes to have to deal with this on a daily basis, whether you're outdoors or indoors.

If your budget can stomach it, I'd recommend getting a Lenovo Thinkpad with a high-nit (nits measure brightness) and high resolution matte screen. These displays are pretty much available across their entire T-series line of laptops, if I'm not mistaken.

Billy Rey · 02-09-2011, 01:34 AM

yep go with a mac with matte.

Go out and work in style

DireStraits · 02-09-2011, 01:39 AM

Laptops with a reflective screen are obviously a no-no. Matte is the way to go.

I have a Lenovo Thinkpad X201 which has always been fairly good outside, whatever the conditions - much better than my old Acer laptop (which also had a matte screen).

I think some of their tablet laptops (such as the tablet version of the X201) also have special screens manufactured specifically for readability in strong sunlight, too, but these are slightly more expensive.

DIGITALCHAMELEON · 02-09-2011, 01:59 AM

Apple Macbook Unibody for me...

bareket57 · 02-09-2011, 02:11 AM

Personally, I like Toshiba and the new LG which has a special high quality screen. Here in Israel only graphic artists have a Mac in addition to PC because Microsoft has the most powerful RTL language support.

iYingHang · 02-09-2011, 02:20 AM

I'm currently using Macbook Pro 13 Inch. I bring it anywhere with me, Japan, Singapore, any place you name it.

Cheers!

A P Geofrey · 02-09-2011, 05:37 AM

Well I guess a screen shade should do the trick. Just check it out first before thinking of buying a new notebook.

blue_sky · 02-09-2011, 06:11 AM

Quote:

PC SHADE - Laptop Screen Glare Stopper

looks a bit strange - people will suspect that you watch porn or such LOL

bytheway anyone here using a toughbook from toshiba???????

Steadyon · 02-09-2011, 06:34 AM

Thanks all for the replies everyone.

It seems that higher end macs may do the trick. I will look into these, but I have never used a mac before.

Does anyone know of any good windows laptop alternatives that can be used in bright sunshine?

I have tried the wrap around screens with my existing laptops and they improve things a little, but the overall result is still poor due to the shiny screens on my current laptops.

Kind regards,

Sam

bareket57 · 02-09-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_sky

bytheway anyone here using a toughbook from toshiba???????

I have a Toshiba Satellite since Dec. 2009. Thank God I have no reason to complain. I don't know the newer models available today.

Good Luck with your search

QuickSurf · 02-09-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadyon

Does anyone know of any good windows laptop alternatives that can be used in bright sunshine?

Look at my 1st post, HP Envy line (they only have a 14 and 17 now, no more 15 for right now). Aluminum build like unibody Mac's, and both are powerhouses for laptops, and you can spec the heck out of them for far cheaper then a Mac (the 15" you used to be able to get dual SSDs for cheaper then aftermarket). And they have an anti-glare screen option that imo is a tad nicer then the Mac's anti-glare.

If I didn't have my Macbook Pro 13 I would go for an HP Envy 14 or 17, I don't think I could ever use an other "plastic" laptop again lol, the solidness of the aluminum is insane. And both have excellent keyboards with the chiclet key layout and backlit keys.

Mac's still win in the trackpad department though, but the Envy line is the closest compared to any other laptop in regards to that.

Heres the HP Envy Line, you can customize and option the way you want, looks like the new 3D 17" just came out http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...tegory&v1=ENVY

paulie888 · 02-09-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steadyon

Thanks all for the replies everyone.

It seems that higher end macs may do the trick. I will look into these, but I have never used a mac before.

Does anyone know of any good windows laptop alternatives that can be used in bright sunshine?

I have tried the wrap around screens with my existing laptops and they improve things a little, but the overall result is still poor due to the shiny screens on my current laptops.

Kind regards,

Sam

Sam, as I mentioned earlier the Lenovo displays (on the high end T and X series Thinkpad laptops) are all matte, and they are pretty bright as well. Overall, these Lenovos are much tougher than the Macs (all the Lenovo Thinkpads pass Military-Spec testing, meaning they are subjected to all kinds of shock, vibration, moisture, dust and other durability testing). Since you're going to be using your laptop outdoors, you might as well get something that's tough and can stand up to being outside.

Paul

02-08-2011, 06:29 PM	#1
Steadyon Gone fishing War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida, USA and Sussex, United Kingdom Posts: 766 Thanks: 147 Thanked 115 Times in 81 Posts	Best Laptop when working outside Hi, Does anyone have any information about which laptop has the best screen when working outdoors? Neither of my current laptops are easy to work with outside. Their screens are too reflective and make them hard to read, especially when it is bright outside. Even when working in the shade. As the weather is soon to get warmer (hopefully), I want to be able to write articles and work outside from time to time. Are there any laptops specifically made to cater for this? Thanks. Sam

02-08-2011, 06:36 PM	#2
Kevin Hill Prof. Of High Response War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 163 Thanks: 77 Thanked 59 Times in 40 Posts Social Networking	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Get a laptop that has a matte screen so there is no reflection...you can get a Macbook Pro that has this...although it is a small upgrade. Kevin

02-08-2011, 07:57 PM	#3
QuickSurf HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 305 Thanks: 65 Thanked 64 Times in 57 Posts	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Macbook Pro 15/17 or HP Envy Line, both companies have hi-res matte screen options that look excellent. I have a Macbook Pro 13, which uses a glass screen, and absolutely hate the reflections, drives me f'n nutz lol. Should have gotten a 15, but liked the size and portability of the 13 however Apple doesn't offer a matte option on the 13 (nice lil gimmick to make you step up to the 15 lol) The HP Envy line I love, you can spec the heck out of them, dual SSD's etc. The HP's are really good on battery life for a windows computer, but the Mac's are still the best... I love being on a plane and watching a couple movies no problem.

02-08-2011, 08:01 PM	#4
RichKent Web Designer/Marketer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 250 Thanks: 9 Thanked 54 Times in 50 Posts Social Networking	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Yep, I use and travel with a Macbook Pro 17 with the High-res anti-glare screen. It's a thing of beauty! But costs a ton. The other option is to buy and anti-glare screen protector. You can get them on Amazon - that's what my wife uses, but it's not as good by a long shot. Still better than the standard glare screen all computers come with these days.

02-09-2011, 12:33 AM	#7
barath13 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 189 Thanks: 17 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Macbook Pro 17 is the best which my brother is using he used to travel lot with that, thing is is bit costly but it worth the money.

02-09-2011, 01:34 AM	#9
Billy Rey Hoist King War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 780 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 5 Thanked 51 Times in 44 Posts Social Networking	Re: Best Laptop when working outside yep go with a mac with matte. Go out and work in style

02-09-2011, 01:39 AM	#10
DireStraits Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Yorkshire, UK Posts: 1,829 Thanks: 653 Thanked 979 Times in 647 Posts	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Laptops with a reflective screen are obviously a no-no. Matte is the way to go. I have a Lenovo Thinkpad X201 which has always been fairly good outside, whatever the conditions - much better than my old Acer laptop (which also had a matte screen). I think some of their tablet laptops (such as the tablet version of the X201) also have special screens manufactured specifically for readability in strong sunlight, too, but these are slightly more expensive.

02-09-2011, 01:59 AM	#11
DIGITALCHAMELEON HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kentucky, Trimble City Posts: 392 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Apple Macbook Unibody for me...

02-09-2011, 02:11 AM	#12
bareket57 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Beloved ♥ Israel Posts: 209 Thanks: 25 Thanked 51 Times in 40 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Personally, I like Toshiba and the new LG which has a special high quality screen. Here in Israel only graphic artists have a Mac in addition to PC because Microsoft has the most powerful RTL language support.

02-09-2011, 02:20 AM	#13
iYingHang Fanatic Marketer War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Malaysia Posts: 291 Thanks: 47 Thanked 25 Times in 25 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Best Laptop when working outside I'm currently using Macbook Pro 13 Inch. I bring it anywhere with me, Japan, Singapore, any place you name it. Cheers!

02-09-2011, 05:37 AM	#14
A P Geofrey HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Shanghai Posts: 131 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts Contact Info	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Well I guess a screen shade should do the trick. Just check it out first before thinking of buying a new notebook.

02-09-2011, 06:34 AM	#16
Steadyon Gone fishing War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Florida, USA and Sussex, United Kingdom Posts: 766 Thanks: 147 Thanked 115 Times in 81 Posts	Re: Best Laptop when working outside Thanks all for the replies everyone. It seems that higher end macs may do the trick. I will look into these, but I have never used a mac before. Does anyone know of any good windows laptop alternatives that can be used in bright sunshine? I have tried the wrap around screens with my existing laptops and they improve things a little, but the overall result is still poor due to the shiny screens on my current laptops. Kind regards, Sam