Laptop suggestions - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brent88 · 01-20-2007, 05:32 PM

Well, all I've ever had is desktops, but mine died(and we've had problems with it quite frequently over the years). I'm on an older one now which isn't doing some things and I'm looking into buying a laptop sometime in the next few weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to spend too much money on one, but I also want to get a good one that will last for awhile. I'm leaning towards a Dell, though I personally have never had any experience with them, I know some family who does, and it seems to be good.

AllIWantIsYourClutch · 01-20-2007, 06:41 PM

I have a Dell Inspiron E1505 and I really like it a lot. The only bad thing is, it's kind of big and heavy if you're planning on taking it somewhere, but it's working pretty well for me. I have a ton of music and pictures and overall CRAP on it and I havent had any problems. *knocks on wood*

I am Roboto · 01-20-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent88

Well, all I've ever had is desktops, but mine died(and we've had problems with it quite frequently over the years). I'm on an older one now which isn't doing some things and I'm looking into buying a laptop sometime in the next few weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to spend too much money on one, but I also want to get a good one that will last for awhile. I'm leaning towards a Dell, though I personally have never had any experience with them, I know some family who does, and it seems to be good.

I've always hated OEM computers, especially DELLs, unfortunately with a laptop you're pretty much stuck with them - though you can custom build stuff at places like www.cyberpowersystem.com which incidentally is where I bought a laptop in 2005.

What type of equipment you should get in it depends largely on what you want to do with the computer - for basic word processing & web browsing, with occasional MP3 playback & video viewing, a Mobile Sempron or Celeron M would be appropriate (contrary to popular belief - the mobile Celerons dont suck like most of their desktop cousins - they are based on a different archiecture and included more cache) - if however, you do video editing, or any sort of gaming really, you will want a mobile Athlon 64, Turion 64, or Intel Core Duo/Solo, Intel Core 2 Duo - of these, the INtel offerings will almost undoudtedly be faster than their AMD rivals, but probably also more expensive. Dual core is also all the rage now - even in laptops - of these you will be able to choose between a Turion 64 X2 (AMD's offering), or an Intel Core Duo or Core 2 Duo - again the Intel offerings will be most likely faster. However you should judge whether you need two processing cores (whether your applications or multitaskin needs are suited for it) now or during the course of the laptop's main lifespan.

Incidentally to clarify as many people are mislead - Centrino is not a processor, but is a platform - "Intel Centrino" refers to an Intel Pentium M or Core Solo processor, intel chipset, and Intel WiFi, while Intel Centrino Duo replaces the Pentium M/Core Solo with a Core Duo or Core 2 Duo.

For memory you will want at bare minimum 512 - if you are gaming you will probably want 1 to 2GB, for Vista, 1GB is minimum (dont buy into MS's 512MB minimum)

Graphics are another area you may want to focus on - if you do no gaming it wont be an issue but if you do, 70% of the laptop's out tehre will disappoint you as they use so-called "Integrated Graphics" which are lousy all around and steal system memory rather than having their own. In this case, for gaming, a 6600 series or better GeForce Go or equivalent Mobility Radeon will probably be sufficent for all but th latest games - you may want to beef that up some for future proofing.

Lastly, you should consider future upgrades one CardBus PC Card slot is a minimum, 2 is great - also a new PCI-Express derivitive called "ExpressCard" is out now and is gradually replacing CardBus; whether or not you should stick with CardBus or jump forward depends on what future upgrades you forsee.

Hope this helps!

Brent88 · 01-20-2007, 09:09 PM

Thanks for the help.

Really the only thing I defintely want is a TV Tuner with some kind of video editing software, everything else I don't really care about. I'm not much into gaming or graphics.

Right now the one I'm most interested in is the one mentioned earlier. I don't plan on taking it anywhere(heck, outside of college I don't go anywhere, lol) so that's not an issue for me. http://www.dell.com/content/products...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn

I am Roboto · 01-20-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent88

Thanks for the help.

Really the only thing I defintely want is a TV Tuner with some kind of video editing software, everything else I don't really care about. I'm not much into gaming or graphics.

Right now the one I'm most interested in is the one mentioned earlier. I don't plan on taking it anywhere(heck, outside of college I don't go anywhere, lol) so that's not an issue for me. http://www.dell.com/content/products...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn

*Cries* Dell makes me cry. In all seriouness, you'll be more then happy wit that for what you want to do. Depending upon what you mean by video editing, you'll probably be fine witht eh integrated GMA950 graphics.

That is...until you get to experience the fun that is a Windows upgrade ! (Vista)

Dutabi84 · 01-21-2007, 02:02 AM

I can also recommend against Dell. The hard drive on my Dell laptop went to crap 2-3 years after I got it. I also have a friend who repairs computers, and he says the majorioty of PCs/laptops he gets are Dells. Apparently they use crappy bottom of the line hardware.

Brieannas21 · 01-21-2007, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent88

Thanks for the help.

Really the only thing I defintely want is a TV Tuner with some kind of video editing software, everything else I don't really care about. I'm not much into gaming or graphics.

Right now the one I'm most interested in is the one mentioned earlier. I don't plan on taking it anywhere(heck, outside of college I don't go anywhere, lol) so that's not an issue for me. http://www.dell.com/content/products...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn

I have 3 laptops and they're all Dell's and I haven't had any problem with them. You can have your's custom made by Dell as well. Last month I bought an E1705 and I LOVE it. I haven't any problems at all.

Brent88 · 01-22-2007, 03:21 PM

Well I got a mailer from Wal-Mart today and they have a laptop from Acer with Windows Vista being offered starting next Tuesday. It's only $498! It's by far the cheapest one I've found but I'm not sure it's a good machine. I went to their website and I think it's this one(everything's the same except it has Vista instead of XP).

AS3690-2196

Intel® Celeron® M Processor 420 (1MB L2 cache, 1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB); 512MB (512/0) DDR2 533 SDRAM; 60GB hard drive; integrated Super-Multi drive (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM); 5-in-1 card reader; 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT display, Acer® CrystalBrite Technology; Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950; 802.11b/g WLAN, 10/100 LAN, V.92 modem

Interestingly, our very first desktop 7 years ago was an Acer.

I am Roboto · 01-22-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent88

Well I got a mailer from Wal-Mart today and they have a laptop from Acer with Windows Vista being offered starting next Tuesday. It's only $498! It's by far the cheapest one I've found but I'm not sure it's a good machine. I went to their website and I think it's this one(everything's the same except it has Vista instead of XP).

AS3690-2196

Intel® Celeron® M Processor 420 (1MB L2 cache, 1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB); 512MB (512/0) DDR2 533 SDRAM; 60GB hard drive; integrated Super-Multi drive (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM); 5-in-1 card reader; 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT display, Acer® CrystalBrite Technology; Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950; 802.11b/g WLAN, 10/100 LAN, V.92 modem

Interestingly, our very first desktop 7 years ago was an Acer.

As long as your not gaming or doing too heavy multitasking you should be fine with that machine - I would definitely move up to a gig of RAM though if it runs Vista - you will be incredibly disappointed with Vista's performance with less than a gig. It loves to eat memory.

Brent88 · 01-22-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I am Roboto

As long as your not gaming or doing too heavy multitasking you should be fine with that machine - I would definitely move up to a gig of RAM though if it runs Vista - you will be incredibly disappointed with Vista's performance with less than a gig. It loves to eat memory.

OK, thanks for the help. I've got a week til I can get it anyway, so I'll keep doing some research.

I am Roboto · 01-22-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent88

OK, thanks for the help. I've got a week til I can get it anyway, so I'll keep doing some research.

No problem - let me know how it turns out! Nothing like the portability a laptop offers - really worthwhile.

Brent88 · 01-26-2007, 03:14 AM

Well I think I have finally decided. I have done more research than ever before on anything and I'm ready to buy.

I found a Toshiba Satellite one at Wal-Mart for about $660 on Wednesday(wasn't really expecting to). It has Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, some kind of duo core processor, an incredible 120 GB hard drive, and more. The Media Center thing is the most impressive for me(I actually didn't know how impressive til I did some research tonight) because I was wanting to do some TV stuff with it anyway. Toshiba was highly recommended on other boards, so I'm 99% certain I'm going with it. Probably going to buy it tomorrow or Saturday at the very latest. I am ready to get this saga over it.

Ultimately Acer had several things against it.

Not being that well-known. The majority of the people who have had it recently think it sucked(which again wasn't many people, but still).

The memory issue, not enough for Vista, would have cost more money to buy more.

Vista itself, being brand new.

and finally, not being avaliable til Tuesday.

Chelsea · 01-26-2007, 03:27 AM

...The first computer I myself ever owned, in 1995, was an Acer. The only computer I ever owned that was better was the desktop I built myself. The thing lasted FIVE YEARS, without complaint, despite my level of abuse (I also later learned that the model I had, with the way it was constructed, despite only shipping with 8 MB of RAM could be upgraded to up to 128MB, among many other things) - this was big at the time.

If I don't buy a Mac laptop, my next machine may very well BE an Acer.
---
Of course, I also wouldn't buy a computer at Wal-Mart if THEY paid ME.

theshark8777 · 01-26-2007, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth

If I don't buy a Mac laptop, my next machine may very well BE an Acer.
---
.

If you do buy a Mac laptop let me know, because I am about to break down and buy some sort of Mac with my tax return. I donno if Im gonna get a Macbook or a iMac though. I am gonna get one of them though, even though I've never used a Mac in my life. I am waiting for Leopard to come out though.

Brent88 · 01-27-2007, 02:11 PM

Well I'm ordering online(don't even get me started on the mess at the "stores" around here), will be getting this one later this afternoon. It's really really nice for only $800

Toshiba Satellite 15.4" Widescreen(A135-S4407)

Windows Vista Home Premium(includes the things from Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005)
Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor 1.6 GHz
1 GB of RAM(upgradeable to 4 GB)
100 GB Hard Drive at 5400RPM
DVD/CD Burner

Should be here Wednesday or Thursday.

01-20-2007, 05:32 PM	#1
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Laptop suggestions Well, all I've ever had is desktops, but mine died(and we've had problems with it quite frequently over the years). I'm on an older one now which isn't doing some things and I'm looking into buying a laptop sometime in the next few weeks. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want to spend too much money on one, but I also want to get a good one that will last for awhile. I'm leaning towards a Dell, though I personally have never had any experience with them, I know some family who does, and it seems to be good.
	__________________ Brent

01-26-2007, 03:27 AM	#13
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	...The first computer I myself ever owned, in 1995, was an Acer. The only computer I ever owned that was better was the desktop I built myself. The thing lasted FIVE YEARS, without complaint, despite my level of abuse (I also later learned that the model I had, with the way it was constructed, despite only shipping with 8 MB of RAM could be upgraded to up to 128MB, among many other things) - this was big at the time. If I don't buy a Mac laptop, my next machine may very well BE an Acer. --- Of course, I also wouldn't buy a computer at Wal-Mart if THEY paid ME.
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

01-20-2007, 06:41 PM	#2
AllIWantIsYourClutch peaceout. Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 02, 2001 Location: Illinois. Posts: 53,424	I have a Dell Inspiron E1505 and I really like it a lot. The only bad thing is, it's kind of big and heavy if you're planning on taking it somewhere, but it's working pretty well for me. I have a ton of music and pictures and overall CRAP on it and I havent had any problems. knocks on wood

01-20-2007, 09:09 PM	#4
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Thanks for the help. Really the only thing I defintely want is a TV Tuner with some kind of video editing software, everything else I don't really care about. I'm not much into gaming or graphics. Right now the one I'm most interested in is the one mentioned earlier. I don't plan on taking it anywhere(heck, outside of college I don't go anywhere, lol) so that's not an issue for me. http://www.dell.com/content/products...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn

01-21-2007, 02:02 AM	#6
Dutabi84 kittens must die Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 22, 2003 Location: MN/TX Posts: 11,026	I can also recommend against Dell. The hard drive on my Dell laptop went to crap 2-3 years after I got it. I also have a friend who repairs computers, and he says the majorioty of PCs/laptops he gets are Dells. Apparently they use crappy bottom of the line hardware.

01-22-2007, 03:21 PM	#8
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Well I got a mailer from Wal-Mart today and they have a laptop from Acer with Windows Vista being offered starting next Tuesday. It's only $498! It's by far the cheapest one I've found but I'm not sure it's a good machine. I went to their website and I think it's this one(everything's the same except it has Vista instead of XP). AS3690-2196 Intel® Celeron® M Processor 420 (1MB L2 cache, 1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB); 512MB (512/0) DDR2 533 SDRAM; 60GB hard drive; integrated Super-Multi drive (DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM); 5-in-1 card reader; 15.4" WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT display, Acer® CrystalBrite Technology; Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950; 802.11b/g WLAN, 10/100 LAN, V.92 modem Interestingly, our very first desktop 7 years ago was an Acer.

01-26-2007, 03:14 AM	#12
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Well I think I have finally decided. I have done more research than ever before on anything and I'm ready to buy. I found a Toshiba Satellite one at Wal-Mart for about $660 on Wednesday(wasn't really expecting to). It has Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, some kind of duo core processor, an incredible 120 GB hard drive, and more. The Media Center thing is the most impressive for me(I actually didn't know how impressive til I did some research tonight) because I was wanting to do some TV stuff with it anyway. Toshiba was highly recommended on other boards, so I'm 99% certain I'm going with it. Probably going to buy it tomorrow or Saturday at the very latest. I am ready to get this saga over it. Ultimately Acer had several things against it. Not being that well-known. The majority of the people who have had it recently think it sucked(which again wasn't many people, but still). The memory issue, not enough for Vista, would have cost more money to buy more. Vista itself, being brand new. and finally, not being avaliable til Tuesday.

01-27-2007, 02:11 PM	#15
Brent88 Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 01, 2003 Location: Alabama Posts: 16,174	Well I'm ordering online(don't even get me started on the mess at the "stores" around here), will be getting this one later this afternoon. It's really really nice for only $800 Toshiba Satellite 15.4" Widescreen(A135-S4407) Windows Vista Home Premium(includes the things from Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005) Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor 1.6 GHz 1 GB of RAM(upgradeable to 4 GB) 100 GB Hard Drive at 5400RPM DVD/CD Burner Should be here Wednesday or Thursday.