Laptops - advice on buying one

loxxr6 · 02-09-2005, 12:57 AM

Can anyone recommend any in or around the $1600 mark (or maybe even up to $2k).

Its mainly gonna be used by the evil half for uni but if there's any tips on decent brands and what possible features I can squeeze into this price range (eg dvd burner/better graphics etc) then I'd be interested.

What I wouldn't mind feature wise is the ability to be able to plug it up to my adsl connection. Are ethernet connections standard in most laptops ?

I've had a look at the Dell site to begin with but I'm sure there's got to be other worthwhile places to check out.

02-09-2005, 06:02 AM

Sort of depends what your after. If you use it for games, or other graphic intensive things, you should buy one with a decent video card, ram etc. (But if you were using it for games, you would prob buy a desktop anyway...)

Re. ethernet connections, the lappies work buy for us come with ethernet connection, and no modem, so yeah you can buy em...

My (works) laptop is a HP Compaq nc6000, really good for games, cd burner, bluetooth etc, but was about $3000 new.

Heres just a few from Dell:
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod..._au&l=en&s=dhs

The InspironTM 6000UMA, looks to be a good one for you.

Never used one (Dell), but never heard anything bad about them...

EDIT:: Whoops, just realised you said you already looked on the dell site!

Steffo · 02-09-2005, 07:40 AM

http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_p...tegory_id]=188

That's not too bad for the money. Only thing that bothers me is the 256MB RAM, but its upgradeable to 2GB.

ZC-Cruiser · 02-09-2005, 07:50 AM

Check ou the Apple iBooks - $1600 upwards

http://store.apple.com/133-622/WebOb...ustraliastore/

The PowerBooks are also good but start at $2399

paul7v7 · 02-09-2005, 08:03 AM

i am actually looking at a Fujitsu one but they're a little more expensive...
my advice is steer clear of Dell.

Ghiadude · 02-09-2005, 08:35 AM

ive got a toshiba-p4, an acer p-3, a dell p-3 and an IBM p-2....

my fave is the acer cause its the smallest and lightest of the lot... big heavy laptops suck ***... thats my advice... go the most compact

ZC-Cruiser · 02-09-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tx3dude

big heavy laptops suck... thats my advice... go the most compact

Good advice - toting a big heay surfboard of a notebook gets old very quickly...

chippa6 · 02-09-2005, 09:06 AM

Ok a couple of things that i've picked up from selling new and refurb computers for a while now.

specs, at least Pentium M (mobile), 256 -512 ram, 40-80gb, hard drive, DVD Burner (or a combo as a tradeoff for faster machine or separate graphics adapter) are a few things to look for.

Branding is extremely important ie.
Toshiba satellite and IBM thinkpad (brickpad) are still the best, although the toshiba's have a cheaper line of less build quality.

If looking for a Dell, don't touch an inspiron if you can help it, their latitude range is much better quality and performance.

sometimes you can pick up near new ex demo models for a cheaper cost still with manufacturers warranty. I.E IBM thinkpad PM1.3 40gb 786 ram XPPro titanium case $1299.

Don't go for one of the cheapies from big w or harvey for less than $1000, these laptops are made for this price point (rather than being made to sell at $1500 and then being discounted for end of range) their quality is appalling.

like what has been said if you want games go for one that has a separate graphics adapter like nvidia or ATI.

Make sure you buy a well known brand that is recognisable, and lastly shop around and don't impulse buy, talk to as many people ie. salespeople work colleagues etc regarding different models and features - once you have done you homework when you find the right one you will know.

Good Luck
Chippa

02-09-2005, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul7v7

my advice is steer clear of Dell.

While I dont disagree, it would be good to the reasons behind the statement...

loxxr6 · 02-09-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Good advice - toting a big heay surfboard of a notebook gets old very quickly...

Whats the definition of heavy in a notebook ? More than 3kg's ?

paul7v7 · 02-09-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hambo_12

While I dont disagree, it would be good to the reasons behind the statement...

i deal with their stuff everyday (servers, deskops and laptops). They are cheap and nasty, the Daewoo of IT.

parawolf · 02-09-2005, 05:31 PM

Apple iBook 12" with 512-1GB ram and a super drive should with student discount should be around $2000.

Try some of the 'reputable' second hand laptop dealers like notebooksrus.com.au or similar (they are here in Melbourne, not sure about Sydney). If you buy a used notebook from such a place, make sure that you get a warranty and that it covers things like the harddisk, logic boards, displays. If I was going second hand i'd probably get an IBM laptop... then perhaps an HP/Compaq.

Paris Hilton · 02-09-2005, 05:40 PM

Go and test out an ibook. you'll never look back.

BlueRaven · 02-09-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul7v7

i deal with their stuff everyday (servers, deskops and laptops). They are cheap and nasty, the Daewoo of IT.

While most companies have bad days, i've noticed the following.

IBM Laptops - Brick. Very strong, very reliable, good support.

Dell Desktops - Generally fairly good, if not poor quality (ie. cheap plastic). We have to replace 44 motherboards from GX270 Desktops at work because they decided to use cheap capacitors - would have been nice if they ordered a recall... but we found out through the support line. We've already replaced at least 10.

I realise that desktops and laptops are very different, however I've delt with Dell as a company through this and I'd say that Dell are more interested in how much they can save then how good the product is.

paul7v7 · 02-09-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

Dell Desktops - Generally fairly good, if not poor quality (ie. cheap plastic). We have to replace 44 motherboards from GX270 Desktops at work because they decided to use cheap capacitors - would have been nice if they ordered a recall... but we found out through the support line. We've already replaced at least 10.

Yep agree, it even goes that further with their servers, for example one of our clients has 115 dell poweredge 1750 servers. Everyday one of them dies, either the motherboard or the disk. Thing is these servers are only 1 or 2 years old and are not even live yet in production so we haven't had too many complaints YET. Their tape libraries are pretty shocking too. In the middle of a backup the drives will just die. *sigh* so that is my advice steer clear of dell...

I would agree with BlueRaven the IBM ones seem to be ok.

**russellw** · 02-09-2005, 11:08 PM

The best value going around at that end of the market at present is a toss up between:

BenQ Joybook S52e-V01 - street price around $1645 + $80 to upgrade it to 512 Mb
Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology (Intel® Pentium® M Processor 350)
Genuine Windows® XP Home
13" Widescreen with 200 nits brightness
BenQ Software Suite
40GB HDD / 256MB RAM
DVD Combo optical drive
Made from tough and durable magnesium alloy
DVD ROM / CD-RW Combo
Intel GMA90 Graphics
4 hour battery life
2.3 kg

Sony Vaio P M 735 1.70GHz VGNB77 - street price also around $1650
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (w/ SP2)
Microprocessor Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology, Intel® Pentium® M Processor 735 (1.70GHz) Processor System Bus 400MHz
Main Memory 512MB DDR-SDRAM (1 SO-DIMM slot unoccupied)
Hard Drive 40GB (C:15GB, D:25GB) Ultra ATA/100
Wireless LAN IEEE802.11b/g
Optical Drive - DVD ROM / CD-RW Combo
Graphic Accelerator Integrated in Intel® 855GME chipset
Video Memory Maximum 64MB (shared with main memory)
Display 14.1" XGA (1024 x 768) colour TFT
Interfaces USB 2.0 x 2, 4-pin i.Link (IEEE1394) S400, PCMCIA Type I/II x 1(Cardbus Support), RJ45 Ethernet, RJ11 Modem, Headphone jack (stereo, mini), Microphone Jack (mono, mini), Monitor HD15, Memory Stick Slot (MS PRO compatible)
Modem V.90/V.92/K56flex compliant
Ethernet 100 Base-TX/10 Base-T
Audio Windows Sound System compatible, AC97 compliant, Software MIDI sound generator, Stereo Speakers
Keyboard/Input Device 19mm pitch / 2mm key stroke, 82 keys, Intelligent Touch pad
Battery Up to 4.5 hours of use with supplied lithium-ion battery (PCGABP2V)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 321.0 x 29.0 (minimum) - 43.2 (maximum) x 255.3mm
Weight Approximately 2.30kg (including supplied battery)

The SONY probably slightly ahead.

Cheers
Russ

04-09-2005, 07:15 PM

Definatly get something that is very light, not bulky, and with a titanium case.

My current HP/Compaq nx6120 laptop is great, cept Id like it in a more compact package, and perhaps 16:9 screen

NC 5ltr · 04-09-2005, 08:34 PM

if its only for uni you dont need anything flash (i presume) so look into a second hand jobby a good one with a 1.5ghz and 20g hard drive can be picked up for $500 and you can always buy a bigger hard drive and more ram if needs be.
cheers

outback_ute · 05-09-2005, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArgonEF

My current HP/Compaq nx6120 laptop is great, cept Id like it in a more compact package, and perhaps 16:9 screen

Aren't those two mutually exclusive? ie wider screen means the whole thing is wider?

xr8ute · 05-09-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback_ute

Aren't those two mutually exclusive? ie wider screen means the whole thing is wider?

Wider in one direction, and narrower in the other. It all evens out in the end ;)

xr8ute · 05-09-2005, 05:40 PM

I have worked with, and supported Dell Servers (Poweredge 2x50), and notebooks (Latitude L/C/D400 and x300) without any significant problems. Dells support however is @#$%er (*&^ing $#!^house.

I've got two non-techy friends with laptops. One with a Sony Vaio, the other with an Apple iBook...both very happy with their purchases.

05-09-2005, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xr8ute

Dells support however is @#$%er (*&^ing $#!^house.

Sir, please to be having your service tag now please?

xr8ute · 05-09-2005, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArgonEF

Sir, please to be having your service tag now please?

LOL, they are absolute bastards...too many painfull memories/stories

:

My account manager showed me how to submit service desk cases via email, and things are much better. They don't follow these up with phonecalls cause it takes too long...they just send the part w/technician the next day

SileNceR · 05-09-2005, 07:11 PM

Acer and Benq service is probably easiest so if you're worried should you have any issues that need covering under warranty (and I handle warranty stuff on laptops and desktop pc's for a living, regardless of brand, you should be worried...)

HP/Compaq outsources their tech support to a bunch of monkey's in india, the most painful phone call you will ever have to go thru; logging a warranty job with them.

Acer/Benq is handled by an australian based group and their warranty jobs can be logged directly by their servicers.

Toshiba stuff has to go to toshiba for repairs - which is ok if you're in a capital city but sucks otherwise.

Not sure but I think intel stuff is worked the same as is Dell, you have to send them away.

Asus notebooks look pretty cool not sure how their warranty stuff goes...

Personally I'd probably buy an Acer just for the peace of mind that it's easy to get it repaired if anything does go wrong.

richo77 · 05-09-2005, 08:52 PM

Just to give another view, i got a dell inspiron 6000 a few months ago, the touchpad recently stuffed up. I followed their warranty process, they gave me clear instructions on how to download the latest software to check it wasnt the software, still no fix so they sent out a contractor to my work a day later, replaced the part in half an hour without quibble and away i went. i'm happy with their service and it hasnt stuffed up since. touch wood.

Steve_T · 05-09-2005, 11:50 PM

Since having got a second hand iBook 12" a while back I'm a big fan of them and my next purchase will be another (latest model) 12" iBook. You can get 'em off the apple website for $1,599 now with free shipping. This includes 512MB RAM and 40GB HDD. You can upgrade ram/hdd for a bit extra - I'd always recommend grabbing as much RAM as you can afford - you'll find a use for it

The latest iBooks now also come with Bluetooth and 54G wireless standard as well as ethernet and modem.

Pik0 · 06-09-2005, 12:40 AM

Can i ask what people think about AMD Turion64's?
Thinking of getting some thing like this: http://www.cworld.com.au/info.php?ID=118541
just looking for some opinions...

98AUXR6 · 06-09-2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippa6

If looking for a Dell, don't touch an inspiron if you can help it, their latitude range is much better quality and performance.

Can't agree with this statement. I have an Inspiron and love it. Unbeatable value for money. Toshiba etc maybe be better, but you will pay for it, IMO, over and above the savings of the Dell.

I also agree with people pushing Apples. They certainly aren't lemons!! Seriously, my brother is a big believer in them and have seen them in action. Very good and will probably be my next purchase.

Brian

krusic · 06-09-2005, 10:09 PM

I just recently bought a Toshiba M40 (2.0GHz Centrino, 1Gb ram, 80GB hdd, 128mb nVidia 6600, DL dvd burner) and it has been fantastic. Bloody quick as well, plays half life 2 @ 1280x800 pretty good. Was a bit more expensive than you are looking at but there are some cheaper models that should be pretty nice.

I also have a Dell Latitude and IBM thinkpad for work and the thinkpad is so much better than the dell in terms of speed and quality. Within about 4 weeks I had to have the keyboard replaced on the Dell.

I would look at Toshiba and IBM, but I think the toshibas have better specs for the cost.

Cheers,

Steve

Steve_T · 07-09-2005, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pik0

Can i ask what people think about AMD Turion64's?
Thinking of getting some thing like this: http://www.cworld.com.au/info.php?ID=118541
just looking for some opinions...

I personally like AMD processors and would chose an AMD over an Intel chip whether it was desktop or laptop etc. I just think the arcitecture of the AMD chips is generally superior and makes 'em better for most tasks and a more efficient processor. I just like 'em

As for people saying Toshiba and IBM are the strongest and best quality notebooks out there, I'd have to agree (along with Apples and things like Toughbooks of course). I personally have a thing for the IBMs after many years of researching and mind changing etc. Before I got my first taste of the Apple ( :hihi: ) I would've got an IBM.