# Choosing a New Laptop By [Continuations](https://continuations.com) · 2017-01-09 laptop, apple, windows, dell, asus, acer --- Seems that roughly every 4 years I consider which laptop to buy and use. In 2008 I [switched from a Panasonic CF-W2 to a Macbook Air](http://continuations.com/post/27838211/thinking-about-a-new-laptop).  At the time I was on my second Panasonic and I had been using each for roughly 4 years. The CF-W2s were lightweight, rugged and chock full of features. In 2012 I considered switching from my Macbook Air but [instead bought a replacement one](http://continuations.com/post/27488140845/thinking-about-my-next-laptop). That was four years ago and I have now been on a Macbook for 8 years. My current Macbook Air is showing signs of aging. The T key cap keeps popping off. The battery needs maintenance. The camera occasionally flakes out. The lid doesn’t quite close from that one time I dropped the machine (onto the street, so I was happy that this was all the damage there was). I am definitely getting ready to buy a new laptop. Last time in 2012 I had expressed my interest in an “experiment, which would be to find the nicest non Apple laptop and run Linux + Chrome/Firefox on it.” I didn’t go through with at the time, but my interest in a potential experiment has grown. It seems, however, that the more likely candidate for my next laptop would be a Windows 10 machine.  The ones I have started to look at include the [Dell XPS 13 2-in-1](http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/dell-xps-13-2-in-1), the [Asus Zenbook 3](http://www.pcmag.com/review/348453/asus-zenbook-3-ux390ua-xh74-bl), and the [Acer Swift 7](http://www.pcworld.com/article/3139340/computers/acer-swift-7-review-the-worlds-thinnest-laptop-is-starving-for-power.html). These machines are in size and weight closer to the [Macbook](http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/macbook), which I am also considering. Since I take my laptop with me everywhere I travel, lobbing off nearly another pound of weight makes a big difference. If I go with a Windows 10 machine, I will most likely run a virtual environment for development work, probably using [Vagrant](https://www.vagrantup.com/) (and I might start doing that on Mac OS in any case). If you have experience with any of the above machines, or have another recommendation, I would love to hear from you! There is of course also the default option of just buying another Macbook Air (and if you are firmly in that camp I would like to hear the argument for that also). Thanks! --- *Originally published on [Continuations](https://continuations.com/choosing-a-new-laptop)*