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StarBook 14-inch

starlabs.systems

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Re: StarBook 14-inch

#71

Post by derefr »

X-Istence wrote: post #64

Why only a single USB-C port? Almost everything I buy these days has only USB-C ports/cables/charging. It's gotten to the point now that I am increasingly frustrated with the fact that there are no good USB-C capable hubs that take a USB-C USB 4 and turn it into an 8 port USB-C hub. With a mix of 10 Gbps/5 Gbps/480 Mbps speeds. I can get plenty of USB-C to USB-A hubs, but that is not what I want.

I believe that when companies do this, it's because there's only a single Thunderbolt controller on-board the host, and they think that giving people two USB-C ports, where either port can do Thunderbolt, but you can't use two Thunderbolt devices (in actual Thunderbolt mode, where you're passing through PCIe lanes) at once, would be too confusing. So they force you to buy a hub or dock — pushing the consumer's blame for this confusing quagmire onto the peripheral manufacturer.

> 8 port USB-C hub

And I believe a major reason for the lack of these, is that, if a dock/hub/etc. that consumes a USB4/Thunderbolt host port, wants to be able to expose a full-speed USB4/Thunderbolt downstream port of its own, then that port isn't going to work for peripherals that are picky about speeds/lanes if you have any other USB devices plugged into the hub. So vendors choose "the ability to plug a single Thunderbolt device in, plus other things" over "the ability to plug a bunch of USB4/3.2 devices in."

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#72

Post by kragen »

X-Istence wrote: post #64

Why only a single USB-C port? Almost everything I buy these days has only USB-C ports/cables/charging. It's gotten to the point now that I am increasingly frustrated with the fact that there are no good USB-C capable hubs that take a USB-C USB 4 and turn it into an 8 port USB-C hub. With a mix of 10 Gbps/5 Gbps/480 Mbps speeds. I can get plenty of USB-C to USB-A hubs, but that is not what I want.

On the plus side it does have three USB A ports, and it has a barrel charging port instead of one of those shitty USB-C ports for power. And you can plug USB-C-charging things into a USB A port with just an adaptor cable.

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#73

Post by kragen »

kajaktum wrote: post #62

Damn, I wished I had bought the mini-PC from them instead! I really don't understand the appeal of laptops, it only makes sense for the people that is really on the move like university students or blogger. Even then, they only need cheap laptop for browsing (cue memory hod jokes). That or you prefer to do your work at public spaces like libraries or cafes. What's the point of spending huge sums of money on a laptop…

I'm using this laptop in bed right now, and I took it over to my in-laws' house the other day. And yeah maybe I'll go to a cafe tomorrow, that sounds great.

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#74

Post by rabuse »

PhileasNietzche wrote: post #36
2muchcoffeeman wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing compares to the Apple track pad. My XPS 17 from 2020 has a worse trackpad than my 2012 MB Air.

Absolutely. Nothing (that is $600+ cheaper) compares to the Apple touchpad (at least to my knowledge).

The surface laptops are the closest I've felt.

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#75

Post by shalmanese »

leeoniya wrote: post #68

1920x1080 on a 14" display is unfortunately not something i will be okay with anymore. i feel like 2k resolution is the sweet spot for this size display. EDIT: sorry, i meant QHD (1440p) (2560x1440)

2K resolution is 1920 x something. Both 1920x1080 and 1920x1200 are 2K.

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#76

Post by stagger87 »

leeoniya wrote: post #68

1920x1080 on a 14" display is unfortunately not something i will be okay with anymore. i feel like 2k resolution is the sweet spot for this size display. EDIT: sorry, i meant QHD (1440p) (2560x1440)

1920x1080 is 2k BTW.

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#77

Post by carlycue »

Apple Silicon MacBooks instantly made high end Windows laptops become paperweight. Why buy $1000+ Windows laptops with loud fans and much worse battery life, build quality and trackpad? Desktop PC's are a different story.

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#78

Post by goosedragons »

carlycue wrote: post #77

Apple Silicon MacBooks instantly made high end Windows laptops become paperweight. Why buy $1000+ Windows laptops with loud fans and much worse battery life, build quality and trackpad? Desktop PC's are a different story.

You don't have to run macOS. There's full support for Windows and Linux and x86 applications. This is also upgradable. Run out of storage? You can replace the drive! Add more RAM! Choice is good.

Re: StarBook 14-inch

#80

Post by kelnos »

Gah, I like nearly everything about this, except that a single USB-C port is a showstopper for me. I've gone whole-hog USB-C over the past 4-5 years, and at this point I only have one thing (an old mouse) that connects via USB-A (I've permanently connected an adapter to it, so it's fine with USB-C as well).

The other thing is the 1080p screen. I have that on my XPS 13, and it's... fine, but not great. The laptop I had before it had a higher-res screen, and I liked it much better, though I'm sure it negatively affected battery life.

The price point is pretty decent, though. Spec'd the way I'd want it, it comes to around $1550 pre-tax. Shame about the USB ports, though.

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