Question:
Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
Hi all,
My name is Tasha. I am getting ready to buy a laptop in Feb. 2007, but would really appreciate some opinions on which brand I should be looking in to as I am a first time buyer. I have filled out the FAQ and pasted it below. Thanks so much in advance!
Me. :)
1) What is your budget?
Up to $1200 (but hopefully less)
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Between B and C
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Surfing the net, reading/composing emails, listening to/downloading music (iTunes), playing some games (mainly WOW and BF), watching movies...
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Pretty much at home, but may take it to with me to a few places here and there.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
WOW, BF, Halo, etc. (my Hubby's games)
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Dunno really. I've been leaning toward HP for a laptop. I have an old DELL home PC and am just OK with it. Their CS sucks!
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Oh, at least 4+. You know, enough to surf the net and watch a movie.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Yeah, I think so.
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
USA (Bay Area, CA.)
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Standard
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
a- XGA
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.
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?
Um, reflective would be cool
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Yeah, to an extent. But money and making sure I'm getting what I need are the far most important specs. to me.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Sometime next month (late Feb. 2007). I'd like it to last AT LEAST 3-5 years.
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
80GB to 100GB
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Yes, DVD-CD/RW
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
You should look at the Compal HEL80 (a.k.a Sager 2080) for the best performance for your budget.
Reviews for this notebook:
Specifications with $1200 budget:
- Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 (1.66ghz)
- 1024mb DDR2 Corsair
- 100gb 5400rpm SATA
- Super Multi DVD Burner
- Intel Wireless
- Windows XP Media Center 2005
- nVidia Geforce 7600 (256mn dedicated)
:D TOTAL (from Flawless): Approx. $1200
Check it out at:
- www.powernotebooks.com
- www.flawlesscomputers.com
- www.xoticpc.com
I would recommend to get it from Flawless since you have a tight budget, for $1200 you can easily get a fully loaded system through them. Just give them a call to get an even better deal. XoticPC is another great option since they will price-match.
Another good recommendation would also be the Asus ZS96J
Other alternatives (but w/ lower gaming performance) is HP dv6000t and Dell e1505.
Hope this helps,
-Gophn
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
My name is Tasha. I am getting ready to buy a laptop in Feb. 2007, but would really appreciate some opinions on which brand I should be looking in to as I am a first time buyer. I have filled out the FAQ and pasted it below. Thanks so much in advance!
Hi Tasha, welcome to the forums.
If you are waiting until February to get this machine, you should consider waiting another month or two to get a machine. In Q2 of this year, Intel will introduce their next-generation Centrino Pro platform; it will include Windows Vista and a host of other new and upgraded technologies - just put in "Centrino Pro" into the site search in the top right of the page to get more info.
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
If you can wait, it may be worth it to you to wait a little longer for the Santa Rosa notebooks to be released.
If you cannot wait, however, do not fret as current technology is quite powerful as well.
I like the recommendations Gophn made above.
EDIT: The link in my signature, "Finding the right Notebook" has a section dealing with upcoming technologies and expected release dates.
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Dunno really. I've been leaning toward HP for a laptop. I have an old DELL home PC and am just OK with it. Their CS sucks!
HP CS sucks even more.
My neighbors HP laptop had some problem with the power adapter connector in the laptop. He called up HP, sent in the laptop.
They formatted the HDD and did nothing else, laptop was still not taking power from the AC adapter.
He had to send it again.
Now after a couple of months, the screen has conked out.
You can extend the warranty if you buy with an appropriate CC, see my sig
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
Hi all,
Thank you so much for all the replies thus far. I do appreciate it!
I now have yet another question to ask:
IF I do decide to wait on the new Intel Processors (Santa Rosa)/Notebooks to be released in March, will I be able to stay within my price range of no more than $1200? I mean, usually the 'newbies' will be at a higher cost, right? At the same time, however, it should also make most of the other notebooks out there go down in price, correct? So maybe I'm better off waiting either way. Basically I'm buying this laptop with our tax returns which we usually get back by the end of February. IF the new processor/laptops are released in March, I might as well wait a few more days huh? Again though, I just need a lappy that will allow me to surf the net, chat online, read/compose email, watch movies, download/listen to music, play games (from the last 2 years; WOW, BF, etc.), and so on. I'm sure that the laptops out there now will suit me just fine, but if there is something MAJOR that will affect me with the release of the Santa Rosa chips and all else coming up, then please let me know.
Also, I'm going to set up my home for a wireless network. I want to finally be able to be on the net while still being downstairs with my family and such, not stuck on my old school DELL up in the room (there is no phone/DSL jack downstairs except for in the kitchen-UGH!) So yeah, my new lappy will come in very handy.
I LOVE technology, but unfortunately am not too savvy with it. I just read up about it and learn what I can. So the info. you all give in this forum is awesome and so helpful. Keep up the good work! :)
Tasha
PS- I've been hearing/reading a lot about ASUS- A few people have reccomended me to ASUS over HP or DELL, but have not really explained why. Could someone here explain to me why ASUS would suit me better than the HP DV6000t or the DELL E1505? Thanks!
Oops, one more thing (sorry): If I want to get 1G of memory installed, but later want/need to upgrade to 2G for... I don't know... maybe Windows Vista purposes, then will I need to get a 1 DIMM or 2 DIMM so I can easily add? I would think 2 DIMM so I could just add another 1G, but I've read somewhere on here that 1 DIMM is better. I don't understand! Then again, like I said, I'm not too savvy at all this- forgive me. LOL!
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
Regarding Santa Rosa (Centrino Pro): You don't NEED it, but it would be a nice upgrade considering the timing of your intended purchase. You can probably find something like the HP dv6000t or Dell e1505 at around the launch date--except both companies will likely charge some premium for the new technology (as they normally do).
The other companies like Asus and Compal may be a little slower in incorporating Santa Rosa into the systems you might be looking at. So it's possible that there will be nothing suitable available at the time you want to buy from these companies.
You can read up a lot on the Santa Rosa (buy or wait) debate in our Hardware forum. Just search for Santa Rosa and you'll find a number of discussions.
As for the RAM. You will have 2 slots, so if you go with 1 GB, try to get it in 1 DIMM. That way you can just buy 1 more GB stick and add to your existing one. If it's 1 GB (2 DIMM), you'll have to buy 2 single GB sticks to upgrade to 2 GB.
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
Thanks for the reply and for the explaination of DIMM. Boy do I feel dumb-DUH! I should/could have figured that out. But anyway, thanks! :o Unfortunately the laptops I've been looking at only offer 1G in 2 DIMM 2X512). So I would have to either buy a 2G now, or just replace the 1G later with 2 memory mods (1024X2). UGH!
Welllllllll, I am just so lappy confused now-LOL! Right when I think I have it all narrowed down to the HP DV6000t, DV2000t or DELL E1505, I now hear that HP isn't that much better than DELL as most people think and that there are new chipsets (Santa Rosa) and such coming out in March 07, close to the time I'll be purchasing the laptop. Hmmmmm, decisions, decisions! :confused:
I will just keep reading all of your replies and researching to the fullest and will hopefully make the right choice when Feb/Mar arrives.
Thanks so much,
Tasha :)
Answer:
Re: Hi! I'm new and looking for some advice...
To put the info in one place:
When to buy: Wait until Centrino Pro + Windows Vista come out, in March-April for reasons mentioned above.
Pricing: This is unknown at the current time, but I would estimate it will not go up substantially. Perhaps a small premium as Chris said, but nothing drastic. You should be able to stay within your budget and still get a machine.