The Laptop/Notebook thread (slightly O/T)

Triathlon Forum
1

Keeping it under $2000, I’m looking around at notebooks. If I were to really build what I want/need I’d be dropping $2600+, but I don’t have that much, so…I’m trying to find a little more bang for the buck. I’d really like at least a gig of ram, and 1.8+ processing. I’m almost certain I’m going to be buying an external harddrive, so a huge harddrive isn’t really a big concern.
Things this notebook is going to have to do: High-speed internet, word processing, running multiple application. Things I intend to do on it: design/edit websites (possibly a triathlon site in the near future, there, now we’re still on topic.), gaming, and probably video editing in the near future.

Checking Apples, can’t really build up as much ram as I’d like. (And still keep the price down.) I can’t really wait for their new chipset either, so I’m not sold on them.

HP. Not much special. I’d feel better about them, if knew their customer service didn’t involve spending three hours talking to an Indian guy who can’t really speak “american.”

Toshiba. Read some not so great reviews.

Sony. Don’t seem to be built up that well. Weak power.

Acer. Seriously considering. Pretty, reasonably powerful, good warranty, some pretty good reviews.

Alienware. The Sentia intrigues me. Seems like a mean machine. Just a bit more than I was hoping to spend (completely built up.)

Dell. Not really a big fan. Change my mind.

I’d seen Rock Dirrect, and liked their stuff, but I’m not sure how I like the idea of shipping from overseas/converting pounds-dollars.

Are there any systems/companies I’ve missed?
Something else I should be considering?
have you had great/horrible experiences with any of them?
Give me your own personal review. I don’t bite.

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Fujitsu’s are GREAT. I’d HIGHLY recommend checking them out. They often win some of the top prizes at CES, CeBIT and other shows. That’d be my pick for a laptop.

Acer makes a great product. The Ferrari notebook is sharp… Bit of extra cash for flash, but as you are fond of saying, “it’s all about style!”

Alienware is overrated. HIGHLY overrated. Same with Voodoo. Custom laptops are just not worth the money (not that the desktops really are either…).

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I run a computer service and repair business…our techs almost exclusively recommend IBM laptops (no commission to us). They find that they have higher quality parts over all, are better built, and are more durable. Each of our techs has an IBM laptop that they use in the field daily that flies and was less than $1800. On the repair side of our business, we see a lot of Dell’s, HP’s, Compaq’s, Sony’s in here for hardware and case issues. Take that for what it is worth, not the bible, just what these nerds recommend, based on having and working on a lot of them.

Is there a reason you aren’t getting a desktop for all of that? You can get a lot more bang for your buck for all the video and processing power and upgradability in a desktop over a laptop.

4

Slightly off topic?

What about this thread makes it remotely on topic?

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“What about this thread makes it remotely on topic?”

"Things I intend to do on it: design/edit websites (possibly a triathlon site in the near future, there, now we’re still on topic.), ".

6

You’re fired!

Please leave the boardroom.

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HP - Home PC support sucks - business class - second to none - period.

Fujitsu - nice units…ALL warranty repairs are dont locally…in JAPAN! and it takes weeks.

Toshiba - sure you read some not so great reviews. Great systems though, lots of bang for your buck - often have local warranty support like HP has.

Acer - you have to be kidding.

Dell - you are thinking right on line with the rest of the educated business world.

Want a + for HP? www.dell.com comes off an HP server. NYSE - HP, three local hospitals, nothing but HP. HP is #1 in banking and mission critical applications world wide…even Microsoft runs servers.

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My techs would agree…IBM and Toshiba are what they like.

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for the most bang for the buck www.sagernotebooks.com
.

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Take a look at http://www.powernotebooks.com/
.

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Want a + for HP? www.dell.com comes off an HP server.

Wrong.

All of Dell’s online systems run on Dell hardware. Some of the older back office systems run on Tandem equipment, that was purchased by Compaq, that was purchased by HP.

And Dell’s market share, especially in corporations, shows that obviously some business like what we’re selling. Obviously like it a lot more than HP’s stuff.

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Himilaya to be exact…and yes, pre merger. I can name no less than 6 3000+ user companies in a 15 mile radius of me that will not even allow Dell hardware in their buildings due to service and support issues. Dell is all about low cost of purchase - to hell with cost of ownership. Then again, some people like to drive a Kia, others a Mercedes…either will get you to the corner.

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Oh, and please dont confuse “merger” with “purchase”. HP got to keep the name cause they had about a Billion $$$ more than Compaq at the time.

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Well, we are going to have to move this to the Lavender Room soon:) We are no where close to 3000 people but we do run entirely on Dell servers and PCs ( Say 20 servers and 150 PCs) and have had great performance from our hardware and PCs. The tech support (at least for businesses) is great. We have next day support on all our machines and with the exception of one time the onsite repair has been grade A. FWIW

15

Not to sound too offensive, but spending 2k on a laptop is crazy. Check out the computer/electronic sites like newegg.com, pricewatch.com, or buy.com, etc…

Check this out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834114127

$1200 for a laptop with memory expandability to 2 gig. It comes with 512mb, which is enough to run almost anything. I currently use a laptop for my database IT consulting job - running XP Pro, 2 SQL Server 2000 servers, Oracle 9i &10g, IIS, Dreamweaver MX, and a boatload of other applications. (it’s a Sony vaio vgn-s150, and yes I really like it)

A laptop is only going to last you 2-3 years anyway so why spend that kind of money? If you can’t find what you want online, head to you local electronics store (best buy, circuit city, frys, whatever) and ask them for the open-box items. They’re usually discounted a bunch and come with all the standard warranties.

Your call obviously, but I think you can get more than what you’re looking for well under 1,200.

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Again, Dell’s market share is growing, primarilly at HP’s expense. Our customer retention is stellar. That means the majority of corporations out there are idiots - which I don’t believe - or the TCO/quality of Dell equipment is at least as good as anything else in the market place.

Maybe it’s like Shimano vs. Campy. Both work. You can pay more for one, though.

17

“Not to sound too offensive, but spending 2k on a laptop is crazy”

You don’t. Here’s the thing, though.
This system has to last me a minimum three years.
On the toshiba, by the time I upgrade the warranty (to two-three years), the harddrive (or get an external), and the Ram and I’m sitting right under 2000.

18

I’ve worked a lot as a traveling IT consultant and have used a few different brands.

One thing I’ve noticed is that every laptop I’ve owned has eventually needed service at some point. Because of that, I will never again (at least not in the near future) buy anything other than Dell or IBM, because I’ve always gotten kick ass fast service from them.

IF you can afford the extra, IBM laptops, especially their higher end ones, are -reeeaaaly- nice. What I am referring to is the build, the keyboard, etc. So nice. Otherwise, get a Dell.

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Record is right. Dell is about lowest cost (to them). Why else is Dell the ONLY holdout when it comes to offering AMD based products. Don’t even think for 1/2 a second you can claim that the Pentium is better than the Athlon 64 or that the Xeon can even touch the Opteron. Dell builds decent computers and peripherals at a low cost. That’s it. Want something high-end? Shop elsewhere…

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I don’t know what size laptop you’re looking for, but you can pick up a Dell Inspiron 6000, 15.4" widescreen, 1.86ghz processor, 1 gig ram, with a 3 year Complete Care warranty, which covers everything including stuff like dropping the machine or spilling coffee on it, for < $1650 through the Dell Home site. New promos go out every Thursday, so you can check back weekly to see if the unit you want is on sale. You can also sign up for the email deals from the Small Business site, which usually sends out pretty good coupons every couple of weeks.