Specs for a laptop

Forum Rules

Helios_Multi TPoxygen11final

[Riayn]

I am looking to get a laptop in the coming weeks, but I am really unsure of what kind of specs I should be looking for to ensure that my laptop isn't obsolete within 12 months.  I was thinking a minimum of 2G of RAM should see me through the next 2 years or so.  I am looking to spend between $1,500 to $2,000 and really want to avoid Vista if I can.

Does anyone have any suggestions about not only specs but who has some good deals on laptops at the moment?

[squadron]

I don't think you can go too wrong with a Dell. I bought a Dell Inspiron running XP and Windows Media Centre about 18 months ago and it hasn't missed a beat. It's not light, but it works very reliably.

I've aslo heard ASUS have some good machines.

I think you are right about Vista. I have heard a lot of horror stories.  I've also heard many people are "upgrading" from Vista to XP!

If you want pretty widgets get yourself a bootable USB drive with Linux !

2Gig should be heaps unless you want to play the latest, games.

[Kin]

My Hubby has just ordered a Dell with 4gig RAM  and it only came to $1500 odd.

It was under the small business machines, and it is a little 12inch jobby. I wish I could remember what it was. I think it came with Vista though, but there was an option to go with XP.

hope that helps.

[Gemisht]

Our Dell laptop is 4 years old and still going strong. I can't remember what the specs are but could find them if you are interested.

One point though - we got a widescreen and found it very hard to get it to fit into a laptop bag. But that was 4 years ago and there wasn't much choice in bags then, but could be something to consider, depending on how much you will be taking it with you etc.

And I highly recommend the service/insurance option with Dell. With the laptops there is a premium cover where in the worst case scenario, say you ran over the laptop with the car, you take all the bits to them and they replace it for you. Its not cheap, but still cheaper than a new laptop. (And its happened, my brother ran over his once during an extreme blonde moment)

And they have the option of all sorts of groovy colours too.  Have fun shopping

[Riayn]

I was thinking of going with Dell as my desktop is from Dell and in 5 years it has performed superbly! I am glad to hear that their laptops are as good as their desktops.

[swollenpickles]

I like the Dells. Unfortunately, I got swayed into buying a HP this time around and it's been a mistake. Now just waiting until I can justify replacing it with a Dell!

[MarkSBurgunder]

We have been using ASUS laptops exclusivley for the last 5 years and couldn't be happier. The two times I needed something fixed under warranty, it was a no brainer and fixed quickly. The ASUS support guys in Brisbane are really good.

Generally, I would pick a laptop with at least 2GB memory and an Intel Core 2 Duo processor as fast as fits in your budget. Don't go with an Intel Core processor as the Core 2 is using less power and is actually slightly faster at the same clock speed.

Cheers
Mark

[Gillian]

It really depends what you want it for.  I have an ASUS EEE PC (cost me $499), and it's lovely.  I use it mainly to write* and for the internet, though and I'm happy to use external memory (very happy - it makes transferring material between machines that much easier).  My mother also uses the EEE PC.  Her main uses are for Powerpoint displays (for talks etc - it takes a projector) and for email and games and internet.

*I've written a 400 page document on it and it handled better than my non-laptop.

The biggest avantage of the EEE PC is that it fits in my handbag and weighs almost nothing.  The biggest problem is I have to wear my reading glasses - the screen is tiny.

It uses Linux and Open Office, but is very intuitive and my documents have moved from it to my Windows XP machine with nary a hiccup. 

Gillian

[Ian]

I have connections that can get decent deals on Lenovo (IBM) Thinkpads.  PM me if you want to find out more.

[ShadowKnight]

Depends on your budget but if you are locked into a Windows world then I would recommend asking for an upgrade to Windows XP, Vista sucks.  Sound funny that hey, upgrade to an older O/S.  Guess it shows how pathetic Vista is.  There is nothing there worth salvaging, at least not until they bring out a Service Pack.

Personally since taking the plunge on a MacBook Pro 17" I have not looked back.  Sure its a bit more expensive but it is fast and stable.  Certainly will not be returning to the evil empire in a hurry.

[FormerAdmin]

Hi Riayn,

like SK I bought a MacBook Pro - and I went the 17" because the 15" was ridiculously hard to get hold of in September last year (when I wanted one) and Mac1 had a "buy the 17 at the 15 price" deal.

It does run Vista (I'm using it now, I need some vaguely Microsoft-y OS to get through my working day, at least until Axure and MindManager Pro come out for OSX). I spoke to a friend of a friend who works for Microsoft last year and they'd bought him a Mac as well - best Vista laptop available at the time, apparently

I love my Mac. I wish it were smaller. If time had allowed I would have bought my Eee earlier this week, just as a small note-taking device for meetings and recording client interviews (and reading RSS feeds in bed, but this sounds perverted, don't tell anyone).

Cheers, Andrew

[Kin]

(and reading RSS feeds in bed, but this sounds perverted, don't tell anyone).

Isn't that the only reason to have a laptop

[sebii]

I'm using a a Dell Inspiron 630m and have been for just on 2 years. Don't fall in the trap of planned obsolescence. Unless you plan on playing video game with high end requirements or doing some serious multimedia editing, just about anything released on the market in the last two years should do you.

Also, be careful about bloatware as it can be a real pain in the a***! Steer clear of HP laptops and I would say look at ASUS and Toshiba. Sony & Mac make some great notebooks but they are simply not worth the money generally speaking...

For a competitive price check out http://www.shopbot.com.au to compare, I have found it really useful. As an aside, check out http://www.gamedude.com.au as well...these guys have being going for years and years, and in my experience are about the best value and service available.

[mattpacker]

Unless you're locked into Windoze then it might be worth looking at a MacBook, great laptops with an operating system that is solid and stable.. I made the switch to Apple 3 years ago and never looked back..

[Sueblimely]

My partner, D, is in the PC business and he usually recommends Dells. We have had a couple and they have been great.

However the most recent one we bought for ourselves was from Aldis would you believe - a Medion. A couple of D's clients have these and have been very pleased with them (and D has never had to fix them!). Reviews are good too. We bought because of the reasonable price but the specs are good too. They only come up occasionally at Aldi's and you have to get there pretty early before they sell out.