Laptops

[slime]

Can anyone offer some advice on buying a new laptop?
There is just so much choice I don't know what to do...

My current computer is a pile of shit so anything will be an upgrade.
But I would be keen for something that runs the latest Photoshop sweet.

[ruff]

Whats your budget?

[slime]

I think $1000-$1500 should be able to get me something decent enough.

[slime]

Any opinion on this:

DELL Inspiron 15 S560627NZ1 Notebook
* Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T6500 (2.1GHz, 800MHz FSB, 2MB Cache)
* 3GB Dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM
* 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500
* Intel High Definition Audio 2.0
* Internal 8X DVD+⁄-RW Optical Drive
* 15.6” 720p LED (1366x768) Display with TrueLife™
* Integrated 1.3 mega pixel web cam
* 7 in 1 Card Reader
* Dell Wireless 1397 802.11b⁄g Half Mini-Card
* Vista Home Premium 32 bit
* McAfee Security Center 30 Day Introductory Offer
* Microsoft Home & Student 60 Day Trial Pre Installed

+
1 x XH1338 DSE Standard notebook bag
1 x XH0632 Microsoft 500 Optical Wired Mouse
and free upgrade to windows 7

$1249

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.filereader?4ab ... MLP0010002

[xSUSPECTx]

netbooks ftw

[Brinn]

That Dell will be getting on the big side at 15.6", 15.4" is already a bit big for me. That's if you're planning to carry it around anyway.
And the graphics chip is a bit lame, pretty much avoid Intel integrated if you can.
It's worth having a look second hand IMO, my Dell Vostro 1500 only cost me $800 on trademe. Better build than that inspiron, more RAM, way better video card, higher res screen, better battery...

[Hamtown Dave]

Yeah, I've had a 15" laptop... too big. It defeats the purpose of having a laptop. 12 inches is ideal. (Phil makes do with 7 or 8.)

[xSUSPECTx]

i have a 9 inch and a 10.5 godboy

[Spots2012]

Yeah, I've had a 15" laptop... too big. It defeats the purpose of having a laptop. 12 inches is ideal. (Phil makes do with 7 or 8.)

I disagree. I'm not much a of laptop person (though I would like to own one, but desktops are just so cheap and powerful). A laptop is just your standard computer that you can move around easily. I like having a big screen. Maybe not ideal for playing on the bus with, but anywhere where theres a nice comfy table, it would fine.

[Spots2012]

I think what I was getting at, is these days laptops are that affordable, that people tend buy them even if they don't really need to portablitity, just because the option is there. It's a fucken hassel unplugging/replugging a desktop.

[xSUSPECTx]

my netbooks have very little barriers as far as usage, if i can play halflife two online and run.. well everything ive so far wanted... whats the problem?

doesnt have cd drive tho, but then it doesnt have a floppy disk drive either.

[hiv-positive]

The smaller netbooks are the business if you've got the extra coin to upgrade the RAM and grab one of those external DVD drives, which shouldn't be that much of an issue considering how cheap they are.

Got an Asus external that goes between my eeebox and eeepc when required. $120 - 150, cheap as chips.

It's a fucken hassel unplugging/replugging a desktop.

It's like 5 plugs man - how ADD do you have to be to find that a hassle?

[Spots2012]

it is most fuckn definatly a hassel.

You can't just take your computer under your arm and walk around to your mates place, or whatever.

[hiv-positive]

Uh...yeah, imagine if a team of government IT scientitians working around the clock 25 hours a day put all their energy and resources into developing a device of sorts that could, like, carry information in some sort of portable format that could be transfered to computers?

Wacky.

PS:





Do what I want.

[xSUSPECTx]

i sorta steered away from those cos they seemed just like a laptop with no screen.

look cool tho, and thats really the main thing.

[hiv-positive]

I really like mine. Silent as, low power consumption, XP, does everything I need it to do... it's sweet.

Sure, I upgraded the RAM because 1 gig is arse, and I wouldn't recommend one if you're a hard out l33t gaming dork or all about the latest graphics programs or anything, but it's perfect for the net and movies.

Just under $700 with a 22" monitor is decent as.

[Hamtown Dave]

If you want a really big screen, then you probably don't actually want a laptop.

[FC]

My laptop is pretty big I guess, but I use it for work and home every day and didnt want some dinky little thing.



Aidan

[FC]

Nah I bought a new one cause that one fell off my bed and the screen cracked.



Aidan

[Dixon Cider A.C.]

jerking off?

[FC]

If only. I was trying to pull off my fitted sheet with my laptop sitting on my bed, and it bounced off and hit the floor.



Aidan

[slime]

This was mildly amusing, but still not much help, I'm still as confused as before.

I think I will go with a notebook over a netbook, for better performance. Size is not an issue, this laptop will replace my desktop pc. I won't be carrying it around with me loads of places, but I will take it with me when I need to work while away. Because I will be doing some work on it (graphic/design) I think a bigger screen would be better anyway.

Does anyone have advice on:
- best place to buy new? (best prices, etc)
- brand? (does it matter? I don't know)

[Brinn]

Best place to buy is online most of the time, cheaper than retail. Not sure about specific places, but most of the time it doesn't get too much cheaper than the manufacturer, and that way you get to customise it too.
Brand: the best is probably Lenovo, but I'm not sure they'll be in your budget. So other than them the Dell Business line machines are pretty decent. The business line ones are built better, usually have a better warranty and usually come without all the crap they install on laptops too.
There's other choices too, just don't go for the junky/plasticy ones, they won't last long.

[kimura]

I would check out PB Technologies http://www.pbtech.co.nz/
they have good pricing and also sell ex-lease computers for next to nothing.

Personally I have a laptop on the larger side (15'6) but really is not that much of a hassle to take around when I travel and I do this often. Even though it has a decent screen I prefer to hook it up to my epic LCD when at home...sweet set up.

[Rizzo]

I've never heard anyone say anything bad about Asus laptops or Thinkpads. Both good. Dell Vostros are good too.
Got myself a Macbook, slightly more expensive but I love it. Instant convert.