What laptop would you recommend?

[UpsideDown]

:confused: Hi.

My hand-me-down Dell latitude is dying a slow death here.

I would like to get a new one for myself plus something suitable for the kids (high school).
I have heard great things about Sony Vaio, Apple Mac and Toshiba. This all gets a bit confusing if you are as technically challenged as I am.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Budget per laptop is $1500 or under.

Cheers

UpsideDown:

[ladas]

Most of the time its horses for courses.

However before you go for a Microsoft or Apple based PC for a schoolchild it may be worth checking out what they use at the school.

Most propriatry brands are as good as the next - and some have features which suit some - but not others.

I have always been comfortable with HP/Compaq - but thats personal choice - and all mine are windows based.

[Blknight.aus]

much to my chagrin at that budget for optimal speed you would be looking at a dell/acer IMHO they are the toyotas of the laptop world but there are some toshibas at that price.

the toshiba is more like our beloved landy, not usually as pretty to look at but they are better where it counts.

last time I checked a dells were marketed via their storage conditions (lets say max temp of 60 degrees) and the same number on a toshiba was what it would still operate under.


asus also have some good bargin laptops and sometimes aldi let some pretty spec competative laptops go for $999.


I only buy toshiba laptops, never had one fail yet and ive got some really ancient ones still plugging away when i need them to one of them even predates cdroms and USB.

[Handbrake hates Camping]

You can save yourself some money on a bang for your buck basis and look at an ASUS notebook. They are just as good on a technical and reliability standpoint and you save hundreds of dollars in the process. You won't find them in your nearest Harvey Norman but certainly some of your local computer stores will be able to source them for you. Maybe Incisor could also source it for you (not sure if you are nearby to where he is). But look around and bargain hard. You can get some really good specifications for that that kind of $$$ especially in comparison to Toshiba and HP.

PM me if you want model numbers and ideas of what you should pay, only happy to help out.

Doc

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I would without question buy the macbook, either the entry level one or the one up (1499 or 1799). I know that's on the bleeding edge of your budget, but if it's for a school kid you qualify for the education discount which gives you about 10% off. Also with a mac you'll get cheaper office type software, and never have to buy nortons or the likes.

Also you'll have a lifetime of no viruses, no spyware, no rebuilds etc. The Apple OS is much better. It will deliver you several years of hassle free operation unlike the competition. :) But if you like pain go vista :D

[loanrangie]

My toshiba is serving well and i think it looks pretty with its nice brushed ss cover . Vista, hell no- try PCLOS2007 a linux derivative that works with endless amounts of free software.

[Blknight.aus]

totally forgot about the mac stuff.....

love em but I cnat use em as all the software that I need to use for work stuff is


yup. windoze

[Hoges]

A spare Dell Latitude makes a great platform for RAVE /GPS Navigation /Black Box Software etc :D

If it has sufficient RAM, get rid of the MS OS load it with LINUX and it can suddenly assume a new life!

cheers

Hoges

[EchiDna]

I'm too far away to let any of you in on this deal, but I get a corporate buyers discount of 56% off IBM's and we are allowed to buy 1 per month for personal use - current model is the T62 with 120gb HDD, 2gb memory, 17 inch widescreen, DVD writer for S$1700 (less than A$1400 at the moment).

try and find someone who can get this kind of thing in Australia - must be someone in your family?

[abaddonxi]

Went shopping for a friend's daughter this week. She was looking at a Dell for $799, found the same specs in a Asus or Acer for around $500. Not enough ram in them, and hard drives are smallish 60-80Gb.

$1500 buy three, make sure they've got XP on them, put another stick of ram in each of them and you've got one each. When you run out of hard drive space buy some little network box, whatever it is it'll be cheaper in six month's time. When they get dropped or stolen or break you're not too heartbroken.

Hmm, just a thought.;)

Cheers
Simon

[HangOver]

IMHO
Toshiba has always had a good reputation. Owned one about 10 years ago it was OK.
Sony = show pony ;) paying for the name
Dell, reputation for being expensive but if you are not going for top end stuff they aren't really.

Entering the MAC/Microsoft debate will confuse and take too long........

NB: WHAT EVER BRAND YOU GET BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND GOLD/PREMIUM SUPPORT if you are not confident with computers it will save you heartache !

In todays market when it comes down to it a PC is a PC is a PC, (yes even Apple) choose your notebook on the following criteria, (in order).
1. Length of Warranty
2. Length of support, and what support you get.
Take it from me there is nothing more frustrating than calling a help line that closed 20 mins ago, get 24x7 assistance it's worth it.
3. CPU speed < hard to upgrade in a notebook
4. Graphics capability < hard to upgrade in a notebook
5. Size of hard drive / amount of ram, both pretty cheap and easy to upgrade so don't worry too much about them
6. display bigger = better also = heavier
if you intend to carry it around a lot don't get a 19" they are quite heavy, stick to a 15" or 17"
7. Colour, well you have to give the kids some consideration:cool:
8.
9.
10. what computer your neighbour bought that he says was a bargain.;)

I can't comment too much about other brands but I buy Dell's at work.
The prices are cheaper than other brands if you compair exact systems taking in account warranty etc.

The sales service is terrible BUT the after sales service and support is IMO second to none. But, and I keep saying it, get the premium or gold support.
The Dells I have used, (models from Inspiron to XPS) all seem quite robust. In the past 4 years we have only had one notebook die and tat was due to a faulty docking station. Dell where onsite next day and fixed it.
Don't buy one straight away check out the special offers. Mostly stuff like free RAM or HDD or CPU upgrades etc. Check the site once every couple of days for a few weeks.
Last year they had a one day offer, buy 2 get 1 free ! but I would be happy with extra ram or whatever.

**p.s. I don't work for Dell :)

[incisor]

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

all i can say, sorry.

just keep shipping them jobs elsewhere ....

[HangOver]

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

all i can say, sorry.

just keep shipping them jobs elsewhere ....


HangOver = Confused ?

[Disco_owner]

I've been really impressed with my Toshiba Protege Laptop,have owned it for over 2 years , it has everything on it that I need , Yellowtooth , Wifi , DVDRW, SD Slot, Ethernet , 3 USB slots etc , but what has impressed me the most is it's reliability, I previously owned an Acer laptop, and the battery in it didn't last too long.

[bruiser69]

The best value laptop under $1500 currently would have to be the ASUS F3SG-AS046C
ITS Direct ITSdirect – Buy Systems & Parts at Australia’s Only Service Based Online Computer Superstore! (http://www.itsdirect.com.au) has these for $1379.4 Inc GST. You may be able to buy same or even cheaper by shopping around.
Specs-

Intel Core2 Duo T8300 2.4GHZ 800Mhz FSB
2G DDR2 667mhz Ram (Max 4Gb)
250Gb SATA HDD, DVD DL durner
15.4 Widescreen Hires display
NVIDIA G9300M GS/250Mb Video card
Wireless 802.11 ABG&N
Lan 10/100/1000mbs
Bluetooth V2.0
Vista home Premium

Even more info on ASUS site.
Some laptops over $2K cant match these specs,

Cheers..bruiser:)

[RonMcGr]

I just bought a Dell Latitude from Evilbay, for $495.00.

It is a 1.86Ghz/1gb RAM /60gb HDD/WIN XP WIFI Dell D610 laptop, with a Dell warranty that expires in Nov 2008.

It works like a champion :D

[HangOver]

sounds like a reasonable price, well done.
here's a tip though, find the Dell Service Tag number on the bottom of the notebook. It'll look something like DG374CN or simmilar.

Enter the service tag number here: (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/my_systems_info/en/details?c=us&l=en&s=hied&%7Eck=mn)

It'll show you all the info Dell have about your notebook, CPU, RAM, Video, any repairs, upgrades, length of warranty, support etc etc.

I looked mine up about 3 months ago and found out I still have 2 years of support left, I think they slipped up ;)

[juddy]

I have had a HP Pavillion dv9000 since they first came out last year, Running Vista Pro, very good machine, with built in webcam, etc, and a very nice wide screen, iam sure a newer model may have come out by now..

[bruiser69]

I just bought a Dell Latitude from Evilbay, for $495.00.

It is a 1.86Ghz/1gb RAM /60gb HDD/WIN XP WIFI Dell D610 laptop, with a Dell warranty that expires in Nov 2008.

It works like a champion :D

Hi Ron,

Sounds like a real bargain! I am after a second laptop for field service work.
Does your Dell have serial port (9 pin socket)? I need this as most of the gear I need to connect to uses serial, and I've found the USB to serial converters a bit 'hit& miss'
You mentioned buying laptop from EvilBay. Was this thru a US site? If so how much was delivery. and is warranty honoured in Aust?

cheers..Bruiser

[pommie]

And if your employer has a salary sacrifice scheme, you can get the tax back (on a laptop only) soon after purchase. I have done this twice now.... works well.

There have been some FBT changes in the last budget (don't get me started :twisted:) which means that you have to show that the laptop is for business use. I am going through the process again now....

Oh BTW - Apple Macs - even the basic Macbook will do 95% of everything you could ever need. A pleasure to use, more reliable, and start-up and shut-down speeds are so much quicker than Windows. They are more $$$$ than the lower end PC for the same functionality though.

[Dougal]

I'm on my second dell in 4 years (still have the first), each time I go looking (whether it's for me or friends/relatives) I always end up with a dell that beats everything else for performance/price.
My experiences with sony and toshiba have not been good. The toshiba was from the short time when they were experimenting with different types of lead-free solder. Intermittent problems which they warranty guys could not find and would not fix.

For the kids I'd get them a Dell Vostro. Cheap, basic and they can buy add-ons if they need them.

Don't buy more ram from the computer sellers, it's getting cheaper every day. I got 4gb of ram two weeks ago for $150. 6 months ago from Dell it would have cost me $700.

[sclarke]

you have heard everyones opinion and here is mine....

1st, what do you use it for???
if its only basic stuff like net, email, word ect... then get the cheapest entry level lappy on the market.... as it will do everything you want and with the cash backs on offer then you will score one for about $500-600

i bought a Compaq Presario C731TU with 1gb ram and 80gb Hdd for $550 with cash back from DSE

i use it for Net, email, GPS and other smaller crap....

It's perfect....

[Stepho_62]

ASUS F3JP

The one I'm using is great and ASUS make a heap of stuff for other brands (Chassis, cooling fans, MB, etc) I'm about to buy another one for Mrs Possum.

A

[samuelclarke]

Get a MacBook - and if you don't like the Mac OS put Windows on it. All Mac's from 2006 use Intel CPU's, so you can run Mac OS or any other OS - Windows, Linux...

I'm a designer/photographer and love both the Mac hardware and operating system. I only use Windows for testing websites in Internet Explorer and for 1 piece of software that isn't for Mac OS X yet.

Anyway, that's my opinion as a professional user...I currently have Apple's 17" MacBook Pro ($4000) and it's my mobile office - if I'm out on a shoot or traveling no other laptop comes close to it. It's like the difference between driving a Land Rover and a Jap 4WD - except it's a perfect LR that never breaks down.

However, if you're looking at brands other than Apple, stick with a good brand and don't go for an acme brand. Some of the better ones (though they're all about the same on the cheaper end) are: Sony, Toshiba, ASUS, Lenovo Thinkpad (use to be IBM) and Dell (though quality can be a problem with them).

[Loaded]

NEC Laptops are they any good. I know they are a bit pricy but are there goods reliable.

[Tombie]

Get a MacBook - and if you don't like the Mac OS put Windows on it. All Mac's from 2006 use Intel CPU's, so you can run Mac OS or any other OS - Windows, Linux...

I'm a designer/photographer and love both the Mac hardware and operating system. I only use Windows for testing websites in Internet Explorer and for 1 piece of software that isn't for Mac OS X yet.

Anyway, that's my opinion as a professional user...I currently have Apple's 17" MacBook Pro ($4000) and it's my mobile office - if I'm out on a shoot or traveling no other laptop comes close to it. It's like the difference between driving a Land Rover and a Jap 4WD - except it's a perfect LR that never breaks down.

However, if you're looking at brands other than Apple, stick with a good brand and don't go for an acme brand. Some of the better ones (though they're all about the same on the cheaper end) are: Sony, Toshiba, ASUS, Lenovo Thinkpad (use to be IBM) and Dell (though quality can be a problem with them).

Exactly...

I have my MBP running here now, Wireless NextG, it just works and does it well...

I have 2 pieces of software that are Win based and use Parallels to run them.. I've even tested the parallels version with a couple of games and it does fine (although native Mac versions perform far better)

Go the Mac, strong, reliable and intuitive.... Plus comes with almost everything you need out of the box.

[abaddonxi]

Well in our household its Acer and Asus

My Acer is pushing 6yrs old now. Cost a bomb when I bought it. Still going strong although the DVD player is a bit dodgy these days

Numpty our eldest child have Asus...they have had good service from them also but they are only just over 12mnths old.

Can't complain about either

Asus you can buy at the "Good Guys" easy enough. Hardly Normal had some cheap deals recently on other brands

Numpty is the name of your eldest child?

Your eldest child is just over 12 months old?

Or is Numpty named for his father?

Enquiring minds want to know.:eek:

Cheers
Simon

[numpty]

And for such a youngster, my intelligence even surprises me:eek:

[CraigE]

Currently I have a Toshiba A200. Got it for $1100 on special, then salary sacrificed it. Its not a bad unit but needs more RAM. Said I would not buy another Toshiba after my last A10. 3 hardrives, modem u/s, dvd drive replaced, sound card u/s, screen invertor replaced, screen us, USB ports faulty and of course all this started a month after warranty ran out. But most techies reckon Toshibas are the least worked on or returned notebooks.
I bought my wife a Sony Vaio which is not bad either.

[RonMcGr]

Hi Ron,

Sounds like a real bargain! I am after a second laptop for field service work.
Does your Dell have serial port (9 pin socket)? I need this as most of the gear I need to connect to uses serial, and I've found the USB to serial converters a bit 'hit& miss'
You mentioned buying laptop from EvilBay. Was this thru a US site? If so how much was delivery. and is warranty honoured in Aust?

cheers..Bruiser

Sorry for taking so long to reply, yes it does :D

Ron

[Dougal]

Hi Ron,

Sounds like a real bargain! I am after a second laptop for field service work.
Does your Dell have serial port (9 pin socket)? I need this as most of the gear I need to connect to uses serial, and I've found the USB to serial converters a bit 'hit& miss'
You mentioned buying laptop from EvilBay. Was this thru a US site? If so how much was delivery. and is warranty honoured in Aust?

cheers..Bruiser

There's a whole slew of Dell D600's on TradeMe - New Zealand Online Auctions and Classifieds (http://www.trademe.co.nz) at the moment. They're about 4 years old and ex-lease, all have serial ports but the spec varies.
Mind you, my brand new Dell precision also has a serial port.

[DRS]

sounds like a reasonable price, well done.
here's a tip though, find the Dell Service Tag number on the bottom of the notebook. It'll look something like DG374CN or simmilar.

Enter the service tag number here: (http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/my_systems_info/en/details?c=us&l=en&s=hied&%7Eck=mn)

It'll show you all the info Dell have about your notebook, CPU, RAM, Video, any repairs, upgrades, length of warranty, support etc etc.

I looked mine up about 3 months ago and found out I still have 2 years of support left, I think they slipped up ;)


Great advice,

I checked my dell inspiron I purchased in 12/04.
Still have warranty until 12/10.
Computer has been great. Only a couple of minor switch faults whcih dell sent parts and I fitted myself. ( I am no computer tech either)
I got a virus and reloaded the whole system. Works fine again.

As I use this for photos and movies I think next one will be a mac. I have attempted a few times on mac, a little frustrating learning again but believe it will be worth it in the long run.

Dave

[PhilipA]

In answer to the question re NEC, I have a P7200 which I bought for 1499? about 2 years ago.
I am very happy with it and no probs so far.
Except my wife's makeup on her fingers which takes the paint off the keys.
Recently took along the Strezlecki, and use outside.
Regards Philip A

[350RRC]

Black macBook. 160 or 250 gb hd. just sensational. about $2g. Less about $300 if you really want a white one.

Comes loaded with wik, utube google map, yahoo, itunes, iphoto, garage band, imovie, etc, etc. Pretty much plug and play.

The disclaimer is that I've only ever used Macs and struggle to use a pc. I have never used a 'mouse' for example.

HTH