| Need help! Which laptop to buy? - Click HERE for Original Thread |
| Redevil |
I'm looking to buy a laptop sometime soon. Right now I'm looking to spend somewhere around $1800 with taxes included. I only plan to use the laptop for Word doc, picture editing, and watching dvd's and internet surfing. I don't play any games so a graphics card is not a must. Please give me some feedback and other laptops that I should look at besides these 3 I had in mind.
The laptops I currently have in mind are:
1) Dell Inspiron 6000d
2) Dell Inspiron 700M
3) Asus A6000Ne
4) Your opinions on others that I should consider |
|
|
| clapbak |
B0o0o to dell.. dell licks sac..
never worked on any asus notebooks.. there boards/cards are good, dunno about notebooks...
Id get the Compaq R4025CA...
Processor 2.0GHz AMD Athlon™64 Processor 3200+
Memory 1024MB DDR SDRAM
Hard Drive 80GB 4200RPM
Display 15.4” WXGA High-Definition BrightView Widescreen
Modem 56K
Network Capable 54g 802.11b/g Wireless, 10/100Base-T Ethernet
CD-RW DVD±R/RW and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double Layer Support
DVD-R DVD±R/RW and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double Layer Support
Blows all that shit above away.. go buy this now.. 1,599.85 Staples..
Go see jason northside store.. or neil.. looking into extended warranty too, if u got some extra money.. (never hurts.. iv seen it all)
(note i was a warranty tech for compaq / toshiba / hp / northgate / aver ...take my advise..)
Only downfall id have to say is there warranty.. When it breaks down bring it to staples.. lookin @ about a week or so for them to look @ it.. then Compaq takes like 1 week to ship parts (toshiba is overnight most of the time) alittle slower on the warrnaty.. But meh.. Overall Compaq's arnt bad.. Id get it.. =) |
|
|
| scooby_dooby |
Athlon 64 is a sick processor...I have a 3000+ with a GB of ram, thing is fast as hell.
btw, don't let anyone tell you different, there's a BIG difference in performance between 512mb and 1000mb of ram. |
|
|
| clapbak |
quote:
Originally posted by scooby_dooby
Athlon 64 is a sick processor...I have a 3000+ with a GB of ram, thing is fast as hell.
btw, don't let anyone tell you different, there's a BIG difference in performance between 512mb and 1000mb of ram.
agreed.. doubleing anything u will notice a diffrent.. except on video cards.. from 128 / 256.. u wont notice much.. :P :D
weeeeeeeeeeeeeee
GO buy it.. now.. lol :bthumbup: :beer: |
|
|
| clapbak |
oh yea, one more downfall to Compaq.. Well to any notebook for that matter.. toshiba does the same thing.. Is the ammount of Shit they load on them when they come out of the box.. amazing iv seen some toshibas out of the box that have like 45-50 background process's LOL thats sick.. So if you have a Windows Disc.. Whipe / Reload with your Windows Xp Home / Pro disk.. DOwnload the Drivers from hp.ca for your notebook.. and install that way.. the system will run way way better..
=)
Or do a quick start - run - msconfig - startup tab - disabled all - or just have norton checked.. :P
just my 2 cents.. =)
if u have questions post / pm me |
|
|
| scooby_dooby |
| ya huge performance increase when you take those preconfigged systems and wipe em clean, 1st thing to do is wipe that sucker. |
|
|
| Jord@n |
| I own a Compaq and haven't had any trouble with it. I have had it over 2 years and it still runs pretty fast. |
|
|
| REFLUX |
Apple iBook or Powerbook
Desktop replacement = bigger the better
If you will take it around with you even if it isn't often, get the thinnest & lightest you can get.
It makes things SO much easier. |
|
|
| Z3r03rr0r |
if you are looking at dells at all and you are considering wanting to watch DVDs on it the inspiron 9300 may be a better option considering the 17 inch screen. I know it is a little more then the stated price range but is well worth it, if I had the coin I would be going for the gen2 xps notebook.
after the dells I would look to toshiba they tend to build a solid notebook as well. personal opinion I would stay clear of the compaq laptops |
|
|
| 3gec |
I will never own a different laptop then a dell. I used to have a Inspiron 5150 which I gave the my brother and now I have the Inspiron 9300. I was going to get the xps gen2 but I don't do that much gameing. I got everything upgraded on my 9300 ended up at 3400 but just the base 9300 would be fine for you as well for 400 more. Also the warranty that Dell offers is unbeatable. You drop your laptop and it breaks into pieces and they will fix / replace it. My old laptop i would send away on monday and would be returned on thursday. They pay all shipping and everything. However with my new one they come to me to fix it this time. The compaq laptop licks balls compaq/hp have to be the worst computers I have ever used in my life never had a good experience with either. After Dell I would go Toshiba but after using a toshiba for a while they are not that great either but would still be my choice after Dell. Just make sure with any new computer just format it as soon as you get it to get rid of all the shit that is preloaded and it will run like a dream.
sum it up :bowdown: DELL:bthumbup: |
|
|
| SilverNeonRacer |
I do worked for Hp/Compaq and an authorized Toshiba repair center.
They're all not bad.. currently I'm considering a Dell InspironTM XPS Gen2... but with the 3yr accidental damage warranty coverage it's almost $4000. but mine would be a desktop replacement.
Personally they only ones I would stay away from is no-name brands, Hp, Dell, Compaq, Toshiba, Asus, IBM are all good, the ones like MDG or whatever I'd run away from.
If your considering a ASUS, maybe go to Bcom and get one custom, might save a little $$, as you get what you want. |
|
|
| TrevorK |
In ~6 years in the IT industry I've yet to see a bad "brand" of laptop when you consider the big brands (Toshiba, HP, IBM, Dell, Compaq, Panasonic Toughbooks, etc...). Some may be better than others, but none would be a bad choice in terms of quality these days.
It all comes down to personal preference - the look and the feel of the laptop, colours, bundled software, warranty (onsite or depot?), etc..... |
|
|
| 3gec |
| I guess I shouldn't knock compaq/hp so bad. It's just every time I used one they always would constantly crash and such and were very slow. But they were not my computer they were always work computer so it may have something to do with the owners of them. Where I always keep mine clean up to date and running good and they don't. But the main reason of buying a dell would be the warranty and service is amazing. |
|
|
| SilverNeonRacer |
| The only bad ones I've seen where the first gen of Sony Vio laptops, they had quite the heat issue, a couple of them burst into flames. |
|
|
| clapbak |
quote:
Originally posted by TrevorK
In ~6 years in the IT industry I've yet to see a bad "brand" of laptop when you consider the big brands (Toshiba, HP, IBM, Dell, Compaq, Panasonic Toughbooks, etc...). Some may be better than others, but none would be a bad choice in terms of quality these days.
It all comes down to personal preference - the look and the feel of the laptop, colours, bundled software, warranty (onsite or depot?), etc.....
I beg to differ.. Toshiba a70 Series The Batch about 2 Months ago.. The Hand rest would short out the motherboard =) thats a bad series of notebooks.. MAJOR MAJOR hush hush on toshiba's part.. Toshiba Quality is slipping since they started to delegate there work to other compaies.. since they cant keep up with the load.. Question is - is the quality control there? I dont think so.. a perfect example, the handrest shorting out.. |
|
|
| Jord@n |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
I beg to differ.. Toshiba a70 Series The Batch about 2 Months ago.. The Hand rest would short out the motherboard =) thats a bad series of notebooks.. MAJOR MAJOR hush hush on toshiba's part.. Toshiba Quality is slipping since they started to delegate there work to other compaies.. since they cant keep up with the load.. Question is - is the quality control there? I dont think so.. a perfect example, the handrest shorting out..
Someone I go to school with had this problem as well.:dunno: |
|
|
| clapbak |
I shouldnt say delegate.. i should have said sub contracting to other compaines.. Since they there have been some issue's.. When toshiba makes the notebook its good.. When others make em.. they are junk..
Yea if u push to hard.. your computer may freeze.. screen may turn colours, or just turn back.. or even shut off.. |
|
|
| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
I beg to differ.. Toshiba a70 Series The Batch about 2 Months ago.. The Hand rest would short out the motherboard =) thats a bad series of notebooks.. MAJOR MAJOR hush hush on toshiba's part.. Toshiba Quality is slipping since they started to delegate there work to other compaies.. since they cant keep up with the load.. Question is - is the quality control there? I dont think so.. a perfect example, the handrest shorting out..
Could happen (and does) with any other brand.
It's just like cars - people love to say "oh look, a GM recall" while they blindly ignore the latest Honda one.
Every manufacturer has them - and buy buying a big brand, you get the support with it. |
|
|
| clapbak |
yea.. true..
i was just stateing that toshiba's quality is slipping.. meh just my 2 cents..
n e ways back on topic..
did u buy it yet? :P haha |
|
|
| Redevil |
the only thing I don't like about the Asus is the fact that the model I'm looking at does not have a TV s-video out. I don't think having one custom made will be as cheap as the A6000ne model.
I still looking but am still debating if a video card is really needed for me in the long run. How is the shared graphics on a laptop with no dedicated video card? |
|
|
| clapbak |
| How is it.. brutal.. compaired to dedicated.. |
|
|
| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Redevil
the only thing I don't like about the Asus is the fact that the model I'm looking at does not have a TV s-video out. I don't think having one custom made will be as cheap as the A6000ne model.
I still looking but am still debating if a video card is really needed for me in the long run. How is the shared graphics on a laptop with no dedicated video card?
For word processing and internet surfing shared graphics is sufficient.
It's measureably slower. But not always noticeable (When doing normal daily tasks like email, word processing, etc..). |
|
|
| Redevil |
I need your opinions on HP dv4030ca it is on sale at BestBuy for $1599.99.
How are HP Laptops? I've been told to stay away from Compaq but is it the same with HP?
HP dv4030ca specs |
|
|
| TrevorK |
quote:
Originally posted by Redevil
I need your opinions on HP dv4030ca it is on sale at BestBuy for $1599.99.
How are HP Laptops? I've been told to stay away from Compaq but is it the same with HP?
HP dv4030ca specs
We have hundreds of HP/Compaq laptops at work - some of the shit that our Forestry students put them through is just incredible.
We rarely submit warranty calls on them. In fact, for this year I think so far we've submitted more calls on their docking stations than laptops... |
|
|
| 3gec |
quote:
Originally posted by Redevil
I need your opinions on HP dv4030ca it is on sale at BestBuy for $1599.99.
How are HP Laptops? I've been told to stay away from Compaq but is it the same with HP?
HP dv4030ca specs
HP and Compaq is the same company now. They merged. My opinion is still stay away from HP and Compaq |
|
|
| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by POX
mac?
Cost too much and are slow. :p |
|
|
| clapbak |
They are all the same to be honest.. Its all about service / specs..
Theres Only a certain amount of companies that makes parts.. (major) toshiba.. hp.. compaq asus.. all thoes notebooks will have either maxtor, western digi.. / major brand hdd's..
SAme thing for motherboards.. LCDs.. Most parts in a Tosh are the same in a Compaq.. Same shit diffrent pile.. U are paying for brand name / specs / service..
Centrino would be the way to go idealy IF u are looking for battery life.. thats about it.. Otherwise if u are looking for proformace id go AMD 64 / P4.. Battery Life Centrino is amazing.. id say a good extra 1 1/2 - 2 hours (* note: depends on what u are doing too)
not a bad deal.. Compaired to the COmpaq u told u about.. The amd compaq would own it proformace wise.. this one would beat it on battery life..
only 512 Mb ram :\ meh.. it will do.. always upgradable down the road too.. Nothing amazing.. Id take that compaq over that n e day :P
3gec - Why would u say that? Dont say stuff like that enless u got something to back it.. Read above.. Its all the same shit.. Same with Hp Computers / Compaired To Custom Pc's.. Chances are a Hp will have a Asus Board in it.. So do some customs (although the customer will be bettery quality in most case's) Sall the same.. |
|
|
| SilverNeonRacer |
K, HP/Compaq/MDG/etc,etc most of them are assembled in the same factory/plant whatever.
Most bottom end machines like HP's walmart bundles the cheap $699 with monitor/printer.everything deal come with Samsung or Maxtor hard drives, I think lite-on or toshiba opticals, samsung floppies. But have Houston Tech or ecs quality boards, the mid range and higher have Asus boards, shoot Compaq sells nforce boards in some systems.
So ya for the most part it's all the same stuff inside, the cases are different and the company that stand behind them. |
|
|
| clapbak |
quote:
Originally posted by SilverNeonRacer
K, HP/Compaq/MDG/etc,etc most of them are assembled in the same factory/plant whatever.
Most bottom end machines like HP's walmart bundles the cheap $699 with monitor/printer.everything deal come with Samsung or Maxtor hard drives, I think lite-on or toshiba opticals, samsung floppies. But have Houston Tech or ecs quality boards, the mid range and higher have Asus boards, shoot Compaq sells nforce boards in some systems.
So ya for the most part it's all the same stuff inside, the cases are different and the company that stand behind them.
we have a winnnar! =) |
|
|
| Redevil |
So what is your opinions on the specific HP model dv4030ca?
If they are all the same, then how are the specs for the model I'm looking at?
I don't want a MAC, and I haven't seen any Toshiba in the price range and specs comparable to the ones I'm looking at. How are Gateway computers? |
|
|
| clapbak |
posted by me a few posts back
Centrino would be the way to go idealy IF u are looking for battery life.. thats about it.. Otherwise if u are looking for proformace id go AMD 64 / P4.. Battery Life Centrino is amazing.. id say a good extra 1 1/2 - 2 hours (* note: depends on what u are doing too)
not a bad deal.. Compaired to the COmpaq u told u about.. The amd compaq would own it proformace wise.. this one would beat it on battery life..
only 512 Mb ram :\ meh.. it will do.. always upgradable down the road too.. Nothing amazing.. Id take that compaq over that n e day :P
Nothing amazing besides the Centrino..(battery life) |
|
|
| SilverNeonRacer |
| That HP is a centrino... if you have no plans of gaming with 512MB ram and 100gb HDD, 15" widescreen, the onboard video pulls 128MB of your ram... they use 2 sticks of 256 in it.. so to upgrade you will need to replace your current ram with new stuff, not just add. It should be fine, depending on where you use it and how you travel you might wanna consider the 3yr accidental damage warranty that HP has. |
|
|
| scooby_dooby |
just go with the 64 man, what's the question?
Amd64 w/ 1gb of ram for 1599 is a great system I really don't know what you're debating over. You won't find a better performign system for that price.
I'd go with thr 1gb of ram even if not gaming, I used to tell peple 512 was plenty but thats until I tried 1gb. It's a noticeable diference in overall speed, especially when opening or closing programs. |
|
|
| clapbak |
quote:
Originally posted by scooby_dooby
just go with the 64 man, what's the question?
Amd64 w/ 1gb of ram for 1599 is a great system I really don't know what you're debating over. You won't find a better performign system for that price.
I'd go with thr 1gb of ram even if not gaming, I used to tell peple 512 was plenty but thats until I tried 1gb. It's a noticeable diference in overall speed, especially when opening or closing programs.
yep great deal.. very good..
also gateway / dells.. add 150 bones for shipping.. i think hidden charges too prob.. |
|
|
| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by clapbak
yep great deal.. very good..
also gateway / dells.. add 150 bones for shipping.. i think hidden charges too prob..
Dell has different promotions every week, last week was free shipping, free printer on orders over $1800, free upgrade to Windows Media center, free upgrade to xxxGB harddrive.
If your looking at a dell wait til the promotion includes Free double your ram.
The wibsite hints that they're dropping shipping fees for good on laptops. |
|
|
| scooby_dooby |
screw dell, they have all these deals that look so great to people that don't know anything about computers.
wow double the ram, sticks of 512 go for $60.
When all's said and done every single person i know who bought a dell payed WAY to much for the machine they got, they always tell me all these "deals' and bonuses the got, but the final price they end up payin is just a joke.
The only reason you should consider dell is their warantee, with a laptop warantee is actually important, with a pc it's not really..just realize you will pay out the ass for it. |
|
|
| SilverNeonRacer |
quote:
Originally posted by scooby_dooby
screw dell, they have all these deals that look so great to people that don't know anything about computers.
wow double the ram, sticks of 512 go for $60.
When all's said and done every single person i know who bought a dell payed WAY to much for the machine they got, they always tell me all these "deals' and bonuses the got, but the final price they end up payin is just a joke.
The only reason you should consider dell is their warantee, with a laptop warantee is actually important, with a pc it's not really..just realize you will pay out the ass for it.
Umm SODIMM PC400 is actually $120 or so from Bcom, yes they jack the "$200 value" thing but of the deals the double the ram is probably the best as that way your not replacing the stick that come in it, IE with that HP, 2 sticks of 256, so if you buy a stick of 512, you only will have 768, not 1024mb. |
|
|
| Z3r03rr0r |
<----- works for Dell
with Dell the complete care warranty is probably the best feature you can get with any of the laptops. as well I have seen some weeks you can get double the ram as well as upgrades to the hard drive on the laptops
the desktops on the other hand you have to consider the deals are not always the best but if you can get double the ram and a free 19in lcd you are doing ok
|
|
|
| Redevil |
| I'm only planning to get a laptop with a Pentium M processor. Dell has no more shipping charges with laptops as well. |
|
|
| scooby_dooby |
quote:
Originally posted by SilverNeonRacer
Umm SODIMM PC400 is actually $120 or so from Bcom, yes they jack the "$200 value" thing but of the deals the double the ram is probably the best as that way your not replacing the stick that come in it, IE with that HP, 2 sticks of 256, so if you buy a stick of 512, you only will have 768, not 1024mb.
Kingston 512MB PC3200 - $65 regular price at memory express,
Kingston 512MB PC/3200 400Mhz DDR RAM - $61 at a-computers,
i was referring to desktop ram, just occured to me laptop ram is probably more expensive. |
|
|
| cparkq |
i love my powerbook :)
i really suggest you just take a look at the macs before you make a conclusion that theyre too slow or inconvenient. |
|
|
| 3gec |
quote:
Originally posted by scooby_dooby
screw dell, they have all these deals that look so great to people that don't know anything about computers.
wow double the ram, sticks of 512 go for $60.
When all's said and done every single person i know who bought a dell payed WAY to much for the machine they got, they always tell me all these "deals' and bonuses the got, but the final price they end up payin is just a joke.
The only reason you should consider dell is their warantee, with a laptop warantee is actually important, with a pc it's not really..just realize you will pay out the ass for it.
I paid $3400 for my new dell laptop that I have to say maybe a lil high for 100gb RAM, P M 2.0 ghz, 266video card and the warranty complete care on site warranty. but hey at least when I throw this thing half way across the room it was an accident and it willl be fixes for free. |
|
|
|
|
|
