Im getting a laptop and need advice???

1197 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by merlin, Dec 23, 2002

kappa

Discussion Starter · Dec 19, 2002

OK.........I currently have a fairly new desktop, but with going to college next year and just wanting a laptop in general simply because I can take it with me places.........My current desktop consists of.........

1.6 Ghz P4
Asus motherboard
256 Mb ram
MX200 video vard
Windows XP
the sound card is attathced to the motherboard

I paid $2100 for this system and I fealt i could have done better for the price? what you think? and what do u suggest in laptops???........what i need to know is what brands should i look at and which ones should I stray from? and which are overpriced? Also is it possible to uprgrade sound and video cards in laptops??? BTW I do play the odd higher end games like GTA and TOM clancy games so video card is prob important.....thanks...

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Drifters

· #2 · Dec 19, 2002

I would get an IBM, Sony, or Toshiba. I would stay away from HP or Compaq.

Go to www.pcmall.com or www.overstock.com and you can find some pretty good ones there at very decent prices.

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Pseudocyber

· #3 · Dec 19, 2002

I have a Dell from work. In the past, I've used IBM, Compaq, and Toshiba.

Couple factors in laptops:

1.) Screen rules - of all the features, a good screen is critical. If you skimp on it, you will regret it.

2.) Weight - the more weight, the more features. The less weight the less features. You decide.

3.) Battery life - Stick with Lithium Ion. Get an extra battery, or two.

4.) Can you upgrade sound and video - not likely. Sound, no biggie anyway. Video, no biggie unless you're a gamer and need 3D - but you're going to school and should be studying!

5.) Consider built in Wi-Fi. Read about whole campuses going wireless - WFC (Wicked F'n Cool).

6.) Get a docking station!

7.) Look at the device bays - how easy is it to change them on the fly? Dell and Toshiba had releases on the bottom of the laptop which is a pain in the ****. Compaq was great about this.

8.) Some laptops (IBM) are able to plug in a bottom which has extra battery, CD/DVD, etc. When you want to lose the weight, you unplug it. Very Cool.

It's really up to you - Of the laptops mentioned, the Dell has given me the most problems with equipment breaking. But above all else - STICK WITH A NAME BRAND. If you go cheap and unknown, you will regret it.

HTH

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Der Rabe

· #4 · Dec 19, 2002

You are right you probably got ripped with your desktop.. I would buy a Dell laptop at the drop of a hat they have one of the best support services I have ever worked with. Plus they are very reliable.

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Doonz

· #5 · Dec 19, 2002 (Edited)

IBM is the caddy of laptops

Kappa...in all fairness....when did you buy the desktop....if you paid $2100 for it 3 months ago...yeah you got ripped off...if you paid 2100 for it 2 years ago...you got a highend system....I have/had client that ***** that there server that paid $5000 for 6 years ago is obsolete today...with that said...

Spend the $200 on a Xbox or PS2....your probley get better prefomance for games on them then the laptop...use the laptop for the improtant stuff....look for coed.....:no: wont go there...

®£Ðß£@®Ð is right......dell might have the best support service...they get ALOT of practice....ALOT of practice...not as much as gateway but I love when a client "saves money with a DELL" after all I have a service business...I know people that became Dell authorized and thats ALL they do....and if you consider reading form a flip card great service....no offnse to the tech support guys/girls out there...but could you add some life to it...on TV the interns are having so much fun...

Reseller hat on...

HP's were good laptops for the price...the sad part is the omnibooks are giving way to the garbage that calls itself Compaq... (perdiction- HP's final analysis of meger ...loss of $$)

IBM....youll $$ money for them but if you do you wont know how you got along without it....great specs great machines....I only sell them to people who want the best and are willing to pay for it...cause thats what the IBM's (highend ...not the sub $1800 models) delivers....if you can afford it...go with IBM...I have seen thinkpads (rarely and then it is usally the low end models) go bad but when they do IBM's service will give Dell a run for thier money....

Reseller hat off

Sony and Toshiba are propitery....where Dell HP and IBM you can go to an authorized repair depot...no luck with SOny and toshiba...at least under warranty...had a client that bought a toshiba and they had to SHIP it back to toshiba....and sony is worse cause it is Propirtery (spelling sucks but means) Sony parts for sony parts models

Did I mention ...IBM makes a great laptop....:bandit:

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kappa

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 20, 2002

Re: IBM is the caddy of laptops

Doonz said:
Kappa...in all fairness....when did you buy the desktop....if you paid $2100 for it 3 months ago...yeah you got ripped off...if you paid 2100 for it 2 years ago...you got a highend system....I have/had client that ***** that there server that paid $5000 for 6 years ago is obsolete today...with that said...

Spend the $200 on a Xbox or PS2....your probley get better prefomance for games on them then the laptop...use the laptop for the improtant stuff....look for coed.....:no: wont go there...

®£Ðß£@®Ð is right......dell might have the best support service...they get ALOT of practice....ALOT of practice...not as much as gateway but I love when a client "saves money with a DELL" after all I have a service business...I know people that became Dell authorized and thats ALL they do....and if you consider reading form a flip card great service....no offnse to the tech support guys/girls out there...but could you add some life to it...on TV the interns are having so much fun...

Reseller hat on...

HP's were good laptops for the price...the sad part is the omnibooks are giving way to the garbage that calls itself Compaq... (perdiction- HP's final analysis of meger ...loss of $$)

IBM....youll $$ money for them but if you do you wont know how you got along without it....great specs great machines....I only sell them to people who want the best and are willing to pay for it...cause thats what the IBM's (highend ...not the sub $1800 models) delivers....if you can afford it...go with IBM...I have seen thinkpads (rarely and then it is usally the low end models) go bad but when they do IBM's service will give Dell a run for thier money....

Reseller hat off

Sony and Toshiba are propitery....where Dell HP and IBM you can go to an authorized repair depot...no luck with SOny and toshiba...at least under warranty...had a client that bought a toshiba and they had to SHIP it back to toshiba....and sony is worse cause it is Propirtery (spelling sucks but means) Sony parts for sony parts models

Did I mention ...IBM makes a great laptop....:bandit:

thanks allot..........I forgot to mention thats in canadian dollars, so maybe i didnt get that bad of a deal.....Anywho, my mom and dad both own toshiba satellites and never had problems, I will definitly look into IBM but I cant really afford over $2500 canadian. Your prob rigth about the ps2 or xbox, plus I should be doing school when im playing games :winking:

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Doonz

· #7 · Dec 20, 2002

No...games like Vice city can show you why its good to get a college education....and not earn your keep on the street...and alot can be said for a young lady who can hold her own in Ultimate fighting champions...:winkgrin:

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merlin

· #8 · Dec 23, 2002

hey...whos talkin' trash about gateway laptops !!!! LOL, just messin with you guys. I havent had any problems with mine. I had it for months now and put it throught some tests....running smooth with xp and red hat 8.0 on it...but, what you get is your cup o' tea...IBM is nice...

later

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