Ok, so my current laptop is sick - dying to be more precise. It just really can't stop overheating now and so I have resigned myself to getting a new one.
The big problem is that there is so much choice out there that I end up getting bamboozled with stats and figures. I just can't seem to decide whether I want to invest in a future-proof laptop that will last for a while or go more budget. Eg memory seems to be at a minimum of 2gb right now but there are plenty of 4gb models for more cash. With Vista rumoured to be memory-hungry perhaps 2gb would be a foolish buy.
So, my requirements are simple - solid and reliable with good value for money - no need for the sort of power for high-end gaming or the like.
Any advice? What are your favourite makes and models? Any recommendations?
Cheers.
Originally posted by HindsteinWe recently purchased a Dell Inspiron (I think that is the name). Anyway, it is their no fuss no muss line of of lappy's. I've been very happy with it. I think I spent around $700-$800 on it. Can't remember the memory stats but it was a good value in comparing it to other things available. I've been happy with the customer service as well.
Ok, so my current laptop is sick - dying to be more precise. It just really can't stop overheating now and so I have resigned myself to getting a new one.
The big problem is that there is so much choice out there that I end up getting bamboozled with stats and figures. I just can't seem to decide whether I want to invest in a future-proof laptop that w ...[text shortened]... like.
Any advice? What are your favourite makes and models? Any recommendations?
Cheers.
Originally posted by HindsteinI'm running vista on a HP-Compaq 6715b and 2 GB RAM are enough with vista for daily work. I personally prefer Dell as a brand - my wife has a Latitude D820 and with additional battery is running for 6 hours! My HP last only 2 hours.
Ok, so my current laptop is sick - dying to be more precise. It just really can't stop overheating now and so I have resigned myself to getting a new one.
The big problem is that there is so much choice out there that I end up getting bamboozled with stats and figures. I just can't seem to decide whether I want to invest in a future-proof laptop that w ...[text shortened]... like.
Any advice? What are your favourite makes and models? Any recommendations?
Cheers.
So... Dell and 2GB get my vote.
Originally posted by MrHandMy Inspiron needed three new batteries in less than a year. I changed to Toshiba and haven't had a care in almost two years.
We recently purchased a Dell Inspiron (I think that is the name). Anyway, it is their no fuss no muss line of of lappy's. I've been very happy with it. I think I spent around $700-$800 on it. Can't remember the memory stats but it was a good value in comparing it to other things available. I've been happy with the customer service as well.
Originally posted by PalynkaHaven't had any problems with our battery. Had it since last December. Though I do remember reading a report somewhere about certain era Dell lappys having battery issues. Seems they have fixed that issue.
My Inspiron needed three new batteries in less than a year. I changed to Toshiba and haven't had a care in almost two years.
Had an HP lappy and hated it after 1 yr.
Originally posted by HindsteinAs far as the overheating goes, our lap gets hot (a gateway) when its on a cloth surface because the air intakes are covered up and the whole thing gets hot, once enough to shut down for a while. Have you had anyone just look at the fans and such, are they clean? Are the vents clean? Are they clear? It might be a matter of getting it up in the air an inch or so, like some kind of low platform that allows better air flow. If all of that doesn't help it is probably a design fault and you continue your quest. I don't suppose it is still under warranty? I got a three year warranty for about 300 bucks that covered it even if it got run over by a truck. Of course that is due to expire soon but with two teen age boys who love to wrestle in the living room it was a good hedge bet.
Ok, so my current laptop is sick - dying to be more precise. It just really can't stop overheating now and so I have resigned myself to getting a new one.
The big problem is that there is so much choice out there that I end up getting bamboozled with stats and figures. I just can't seem to decide whether I want to invest in a future-proof laptop that w ...[text shortened]... like.
Any advice? What are your favourite makes and models? Any recommendations?
Cheers.
Originally posted by HindsteinTry one of the new Sony Vaio's.
Ok, so my current laptop is sick - dying to be more precise. It just really can't stop overheating now and so I have resigned myself to getting a new one.
The big problem is that there is so much choice out there that I end up getting bamboozled with stats and figures. I just can't seem to decide whether I want to invest in a future-proof laptop that w ...[text shortened]... like.
Any advice? What are your favourite makes and models? Any recommendations?
Cheers.
Originally posted by sonhouseIt's a 5 year old Toshiba and it has been steadily getting worse over the last few years. We've gone from occasional overheating when absentmindedly leaving it on a carpet for too long, through to more recently having to keep it on stilts suspended about 2-3 inches above the table. That "solution" actually lasted us over a year but now it is just getting too frequent.
As far as the overheating goes, our lap gets hot (a gateway) when its on a cloth surface because the air intakes are covered up and the whole thing gets hot, once enough to shut down for a while. Have you had anyone just look at the fans and such, are they clean? Are the vents clean? Are they clear? It might be a matter of getting it up in the air an inch o ...[text shortened]... oon but with two teen age boys who love to wrestle in the living room it was a good hedge bet.
I've prodded and poked around and all the fans seem to be working. My best diagnosis now is that it crashes quickest when downloading or encoding audio/video. Combined with the recent clunking noises coming on start-up and I think that the hard drive is on it's last legs and has been responsible for a lot of the extra heat in recent months.
It has had a good life though.....
Thanks to all the recommendations so far. I'd forgotten about battery life too. There's another criteria to add to the list....
As far as Dell's go, I hear that they are able performers in the business market, but I just can't seem to get excited about them. They just seem so grey and un-inspiring.
Vaio? Now there's a more interesting brand. It is a shame they are more pricey. Any recommendations for Sony Laptops, Daemon Sin?
Originally posted by HindsteinYou had a Toshiba laptop that lasted 5 years and you want to change brands?
It's a 5 year old Toshiba and it has been steadily getting worse over the last few years. We've gone from occasional overheating when absentmindedly leaving it on a carpet for too long, through to more recently having to keep it on stilts suspended about 2-3 inches above the table. That "solution" actually lasted us over a year but now it is just getting ...[text shortened]... nsible for a lot of the extra heat in recent months.
It has had a good life though.....
If my laptops lasted half of that I would be happy.
I've had Dell, HP, Acer and LG.
All the major brands are usually good quality with very little, for me at least, to differentiate between each other.
For future proofing:
- Make sure you get one of the Intel Core 2 Duo processors.
- I would also go with an NVidia GeForce graphics card for now.
- Probably Windows Vista, but then you should get 4GB RAM and make sure Service Pack 1 is already installed. I still only use XP and if you decide to take XP then 2GB RAM is sufficient.
If battery life is your biggest concern, then the smaller the screen, the better.
These features are almost standard these days, but they are important to me:
- Built-in bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g and possibly n as well) with easily accessible buttons to switch these services on/off as needed.
- Gigabit LAN is a good idea.
- 3 USB ports at the very least. I quickly run out of USB ports and it irritates me no end...
- Built-in 3G/HSDPA modem.
- SD card slot.
- At least 250GB Hard drive.
- Good quality speakers, not those crappy hidden ones under the chassis. This is something that the manufacturers don't put enough effort into in my book, as I use my laptop for everything, including the odd DVD now and then. Even just for YouTube videos some proper speakers are necessary.
Something that really gets me worked up these days, but I don't know if all the manufacturers do this is: the laptop ships with the hard drive partitioned into halves, with one as a 'Recovery Partition'. When you unpack the machine, the first thing you have to do is a backup to this partition and then to disc, and this disc is then your 'Windows disc'. Call me old fashioned, but I like my original Windows disc, even if it is just an OEM version.
It sounds like a good idea, but nobody I know actually uses the recovery partition. I have Linux installed too, so that partition got the boot. I'm sure many users don't even know it's there and it just eats up half the hard drive space.
Originally posted by HindsteinHow much are you looking to spend?
Thanks to all the recommendations so far. I'd forgotten about battery life too. There's another criteria to add to the list....
As far as Dell's go, I hear that they are able performers in the business market, but I just can't seem to get excited about them. They just seem so grey and un-inspiring.
Vaio? Now there's a more interesting brand. It is a shame they are more pricey. Any recommendations for Sony Laptops, Daemon Sin?