Question:
HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
Hello!
I posted once on here before a few months ago. Since then I've been looking at different laptops online a bit and in the stores and I'm even more confused. I'm going to be leaving the country for France at the end of this month. I'll be abroad for about 5 months, I think. Anyway, I don't have a ton of money but I really want to buy a laptop to bring with me so I won't be without a computer (have HP desktop now). This is my first laptop!
Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks so much!
ps - I bought a Gateway today at Best Buy. The mx5969 I think. But now I'm wondering if I should return it. I've been hearing bad things about Gateway. The total price came to about $1200! (after the warranty, anti-virus, spysweeper, etc etc)
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General Questions
1) What is your budget? $1,000 or just a little over
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
Not sure..I was thinking the 15.4" but now I'm wondering, is it hard to read writing/type on these screens?
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
word processing (I would like to have MS Word on it, instead of Works if possible - don't need excel and all of that stuff that comes with Office), music, burning CDs/DVDs, watching DVDs, doing a lot of stuff with photos and Photoshop (I have photoshop), internet surfing, IM-ing
** I want to be able to multi-task - i.e. listen to music while working on photos or word processing, etc
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Both - taking it some to coffeeshops or places with wireless, but using it at home as well. Also hope to use it for grad school in the near future
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
No games
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
All I've had experience with is HP desktops
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
well, the longer the better
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Not sure
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
USA
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Not sure...if the 15" doesn't distort things or isn't annoying, then wider. Otherwise standard
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.
I'm not sure. b I think. What is the normal/standard resolution?
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
I have problems in general with eyestrain and headaches. I don't want something with glare that will make this worse
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
No, not really (I don't really like some of the shiny black HP pavillions..the border around the screen is glossy/shiny - I don't like that, if you know what I mean)
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
as long as possible! I want to use it for grad school next year
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
enough to store a lot of photos and music
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
yes, to burn CDs and DVDs and to watch DVDs
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Please state any additional features you need. If you don't know how to answer a question or don't care about what it is asking then just say so!
From what I've looked at so far...it seems like a good idea for me to get the fastest Intel Core 2 processor. So I want that. I also want a comfortable keyboard because I have arthritis and issues with my hands/wrists.
Preferences/wants:
fast processor/good performance
enough memory/hard drive
comfortable keyboard
non-glare/annnoying screen for eye comfort
good wireless capability
good battery
Anti-virus (Norton?)
tech support, etc
CD/DVD
I don't need a bunch of other fancy stuff. And if the style is plain and simple; if the computer works great, that's just fine with me. Also, would be helpful if I could do some kind of payment plan..you know, 12 months with no interest or something.
Please let me know your honest opinions/advice. I'd really appreciate it!! I'm supposed to leave for France Dec 28th and I want to get this laptop business sorted out so I don't have to worry about it!
THANKS!
Angela
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
HP is doing one of those 12 month-no payments things with their build-to-order machines, if you qualify. So you may want to check out the HP dv2000t (14 inch) and dv6000t (15.4 inch). I THINK the non-Brightview screen is a matte screen rather than glossy, but not 100% sure on that (All the stores ever seem to carry are the Brightview models)
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
i would suggest the hp nx7400 or nx6325. both will have good quality build b/c they are business notebooks and better than average customer support b/c they are designed for business users. they also usually are matte.
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
thanks for the info/advice! I'm looking at hp.com now. I think ordering from online might actually be better than trying to find what I want in the store....
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
oh actually..it looks like I can't choose to have the matte screen in either of these - hp nx7400 or nx6325..?? hmm
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
hrmmm....it seems that they changed the nx7400 and nx6325 to brightview. you should also check out the the thinkpad r60.
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
how much harder is it to carry around a 15.4" compared to a 14"?? I'm thinking I should order an HP online now. I know it's personal preference, but what do you people think of the wider screen vs 14"? Would it be better to go with the 15"...is it that big of a difference?
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
also - actually I'd really like a Thinkpad. However, there's no payment plan option with that..only if you're a business. I don't want to put $1200 on my visa card now :(
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
you should check out some lenovo resellers. they might have some sort of payment plan. as for 14" vs. 15", it's different for every individual. it's basically a lb difference in weight.
Answer:
Re: HP vs Dell vs Gateway vs...Lenovo?! help!
If possible, go check out a 14 inch and 15 inch machine in a store and see which you like better regarding screen size and weight. It tends to be a very individual thing.
You're not going to find a business-line laptop with one of those payment plan things (at least not for consumers). That's why I pointed you to 2 of HP's consumer models. You get the payment plan, and HPs tend to be VERY solid compared to other consumer models...almost to the point of a business model, which gives you some idea of how good HP's business line machines are. ;)