Question:
Apple MacBook Pro / Sony Vaio AR Series / HP dv9000t
Hi !
I am Rohit..I am looking forward to buying a new laptop..I have shortlisted 3..Here they are with their CUSTOMISED configurations..I currently reside in India..I will be getting the laptop through my friends in USA / Singapore..I will be using it in New Zealand..Please have a look and advice..
1) Apple MacBook Pro
17" Widescreen (1680*1050)
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz
160GB SATA HDD @ 5400rpm
3GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM (1*2 GB, 1*1 GB)
SuperDrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 256MB SDRAM
2) HP Pavilion dv9000t
17" WSXGA + BrightView Widescreen (1680*1050)
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz
240GB SATA Dual HDD @ 5400rpm (120GB*2)
2GB DDR2 SDRAM (2*1GB)
HD-DVD ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600
3) Sony Vaio VGN-AR270 with Blu-ray
17" WUXGA TFT with XBRITE Technology
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz
240GB SATA Dual HDD @ 5400rpm (120GB*2)
2GB 533 DDR2 SDRAM (2*1GB)
DVD+-R Double Layer DVD+-RW Drive with Blu-Ray Disc Support
NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 GT
Here is the FAQ..I have written the answers..
1) What is your budget?
Upto $4000
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Music, movies, internet, the usual project presentations, games (mostly car-racing..not the ones like
F.E.A.R or DOOM 3 which require high graphics)
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Will be taking it to the University..But 17" screen and the size won't be a problem..
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
mostly car-racing..i am not a big fan of games like Doom 3 or F.E.A.R.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I prefer Apple, Sony Vaio, HP..nothing else..
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Anything above 2 hours would be fine..
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
My friends would be buying it in USA / Singapore and then bring it to India..
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
India..my friends will be buying it in USA / Singapore..Though i will be using it in New Zealand..
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Either of the 3 given below..
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 strictly want a matte/non-glossy screen..
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
yes..to some extent..
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
anytime in november or december..i will be using it for around 3 years maximum..
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
anything above 100GB..and speed no less then 5400rpm..
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
I need a DVD-RW
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro / Sony Vaio AR Series / HP dv9000t
First and foremost, I would suggest completing our FAQ so we have a better idea of what you need.
There are some significant differences between the laptops you selected, mostly in pricing.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro / Sony Vaio AR Series / HP dv9000t
Rohit,
Make sure that your warranty is international... or you may end up sending the laptop back and forth with your friends.
Check out Dells program for example:
Dell Warranty
IMHO, shelling out more for a HD DVD or Bluray is not a good idea just yet. Wait till one(or both) of the format wins.
You haven't filled out the FAQ, but of the configs you have suggested, I think the HP has the most bang for the buck.
I too shortlisted these 3 laptops (and the Dell e1705) but settled on the HP 9000t.Buying HP from Costco gives you a 6 month period where you can return it. (Not sure if this matters to you)
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro / Sony Vaio AR Series / HP dv9000t
Just to let you know, getting more than the T7200(2.0ghz) is a waste of money. The performance increase is hardly noticable, unless you do completely processor dependend applications, and still you will only save a few seconds, and the money saved from not going any higher can be used to increase your performance other places, or something for you to keep in your pocket.
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro / Sony Vaio AR Series / HP dv9000t
Just to let you know, getting more than the T7200(2.0ghz) is a waste of money. The performance increase is hardly noticable, unless you do completely processor dependend applications, and still you will only save a few seconds, and the money saved from not going any higher can be used to increase your performance other places, or something for you to keep in your pocket.
What do you suggest in case of Processor . Among all the given processor which one do u think is better
Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2250 (1.73 GHz)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5200 (1.60 GHz)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5500 (1.66 GHz)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5600 (1.83 GHz)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.0 GHz)
Thanks Rajiv Gupta:)
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro / Sony Vaio AR Series / HP dv9000t
Either the T5600 or the T7200, I wouldn't go any higher or any lower, thats the sweet spot right there. I would shy away from the Mac (but thats just me) and between the HP and the Sony the Sony wins hands down (the HP puts up a good fight, but the sony has better build quality, a little better gpu, and the whole blue-ray thing is kinda cool).
Answer:
Re: Apple MacBook Pro / Sony Vaio AR Series / HP dv9000t
Man... you really must have some money. Please, fill out a faq though. I don't personally suggest 17" notebooks, especially if you will be taking it with you a lot.
Does OS X interest you at all? If you don't plan to use it, I would dump the MBP. But it does have good international warranty coverage though.
The sony, I wouldn't pay for blu-ray support. It's not looking too good right now and I'm not confident that it will really catch on.
But yeah, fill out a faq. We need to know what you want to use it for.