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Thread ID: 69451	2006-06-02 03:06:00	Can you help me pick a laptop?	mallowpuff (10486)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
459910	2006-06-02 19:04:00	You can't go past Dick Smiths' prices for laptops. I've bought two in the last year. Bangs for bucks Asus and Acer give you more for your money. TradeMe's worth a look too. Asus tech support is lousy, but most people don't need it. I bought an Acer a couple of days ago as a desktop replacement. It's a grunty machine at a good price with dedicated graphics memory but Asus build quality is better. I'd recommend a 15.4" WXGA screen minimum. You pay a premium to squint at a smaller screen. What's an extra pound or two? Note for Ubuntu Linux users. Everything I needed, including wireless, worked on first install with Asus (except the built-in webcam). And the 64 bit version works, which is more than Windows can manage. I have a Windows 64 bit CD but can't get a graphics driver. Another useful bit of info. If you call M$ on 0800 800 004 after purchase, they'll supply you with a Windows CD to replace the petilential restoration disc. They'll want a copy of your receipt and Product key sticker plus $49.95.	Vallis (8886)
459911	2006-06-03 05:31:00	I'll give you my 0 cents worth now... What native said about Intel processors is utterly misleading in this context. For laptops, Intel Pentium M, and in your case, Core Solo/Duo are superior to AMD (although AMD is cheaper). Anyway, on to the more important things: That Toshiba is nice, but I'd like to suggest 3 alternatives: -Lenovo 3000 N100; Makers of IBM Thinkpad (bought it off IBM); 1.66Ghz Dual Core (will be faster than siingle core, because you always have background programmes running, eg Anti-virus; 512MB Ram, plenty; 60GB HD, should be enough unless you plan on heavy music and video storage; 14.1" WXGA widescreen, good for movies, good portable size; Integrated Intel Graphics, not good for games, fine for everyday use; DVD Writer; Intel Wireless a/b/g and Bluetooth, connect to pretty much anything wirelessly; XP Home, not as good as Pro but good enough; 2.53kg, a little heavy for a 14.1" but it is a good price at just under $2000; battery life, expect around 3 hours, though I'm not sure, only guessing. -HP nx7400 Core Duo T2400 Business laptop; 1.83Ghz Dual Core, more than you will need, 512MB Ram, plenty; 80GB HD, good size if you need it for videos, music etc; 15.4" WXGA widescreen, good for movies, good size for carrying around home, but could become a pain if you need to carry it around other places (I have the same size nx8220, nice build, a tad annoying carrying around Uni, would like a 14.1" for Uni but its bearable); Intel Integrated Graphics, as Lenovo; DVD Writer; Intel Wireless a/b/g and Bluetooth, as Lenovo; XP Pro, better for networking, my preference; 2.54kg, very light for a 15.4" (lighter than mine); a tad expensive for you at around $2400; battery life, expect around 4hrs. Note: You can get a slightly cheaper nx7400 which comes without the DVD burner (CDRW/DVD player), 60GB HD and T2300 1.66Ghz Dual core for around $2100, but you specified DVD burner, so I listed the above one instead. -Toshiba Tecra A6 Core Duo T2300 Business Laptop; 1.66Ghz Dual Core, as Lenovo, 512MB Ram, plenty; 60GB HD, as Lenovo; 14.1" WXGA Widescreen, as Lenovo; ATI X1400 Graphics, plenty powerful for moderate games and anything else which needs a real graphics card, recommended over Integrated graphics; DVD Writer; Intel Wireless a/b/g and Bluetooth, as both above; XP Pro, as HP; 2.26kg, definately more acceptable for a 14.1" , nice weight, easily portable; around $2200-$2300, stretching it possibly; 6 cell battery life of around 3 hours, I definately recommend the 9 cell as an extra for around 5-6 hours on the single charge if you are planning on taking it where you don't have power plugs. As you can see, I prefer business laptops, but thats because they come with less 'crap' and are better built (imho). They may not come with 'play DVD's without booting up' technologies, but thats up to you. Hope thats of some help :)	Marmion (9274)
459912	2006-06-03 05:54:00	Being an AMD fanboy, I would look at the Intel powered Laptops first, they make superior laptop CPU's.	Metla (12)
459913	2006-06-06 07:41:00	Wow, thanks for all the great feedback. Gives me lots to think about. There was a suggestion to check out a specialist dealer. Any reccommendation of one in Wellington? Thanks again. Feeling much more confident now. :D	mallowpuff (10486)
459914	2006-06-06 07:52:00	Wow, thanks for all the great feedback. Gives me lots to think about. There was a suggestion to check out a specialist dealer. Any reccommendation of one in Wellington? Thanks again. Feeling much more confident now. :D If you are afer an apple check out magnum mac in vivian street, for all others there is a laptop specialist in featherston street somewhere but the name eludes me	plod (107)
459915	2006-06-06 08:32:00	My boss got me to look over a few budget laptops for his daughter (I don't know what she will use it for - probably just the usual Word, email, net, music & DVDs). The Dell Inspiron 1300 looked the best on paper, but I'm wondering if that is what I should have reccomended? The other options were a compaq from Warehouse stationary, a toshiba from I forget where, and an acer (With AMD sempron CPU) from DSE. They were all less powerful than the Dell, and only had 256mb of RAM. I think that the Dell was only $100 more expensive, and was the only one to give on-site support. EDIT: sorry for hijacking your thread, but it looks like you are done with it :thumbs:	Greven (91)
459916	2006-06-06 11:32:00	If you are afer an apple check out magnum mac in vivian street, for all others there is a laptop specialist in featherston street somewhere but the name eludes me Don't expect much service though ;) But seriously in the 5 and a half years I have worked in retail we STILL get customers coming in buying Mac's & going out of there way to say how shocking the vivian st Magnum Mac is for customer service.......I really would have thought 5 years is time enough to lift the customer service skills, if people complain to us Im sure they must get there fair share in writing. There was a suggestion to check out a specialist dealer. Any reccommendation of one in Wellington? Noel Leeming Technology is around the corner from Magnum Mac in Vivian & specialise in laptops, pc's and general pc equipment. You have the Harvey Normans "Technology" store down the road in Tory as well, and DSE again in Vivian. Noel Leeming Tech & Harvey's would have a larger range than DSE & can offer the same Mac equipment at usually better finance/leasing deals the MM. Im with Marmion on this one....the more business oriented machines offer more punch with usually just XP Pro and none of the "crap" to slow it down......I know a few people who have brought the Business laptops mentioned through Noel Leeming Tech if that helps. Cheers KiwiMR2	KiwiMR2 (6464)
459917	2006-06-06 11:58:00	Don't expect much service though ;) But seriously in the 5 and a half years I have worked in retail we STILL get customers coming in buying Mac's & going out of there way to say how shocking the vivian st Magnum Mac is for customer service . . . . . . . I really would have thought 5 years is time enough to lift the customer service skills, if people complain to us Im sure they must get there fair share in writing . Noel Leeming Technology is around the corner from Magnum Mac in Vivian & specialise in laptops, pc's and general pc equipment . You have the Harvey Normans "Technology" store down the road in Tory as well, and DSE again in Vivian . Noel Leeming Tech & Harvey's would have a larger range than DSE & can offer the same Mac equipment at usually better finance/leasing deals the MM . Im with Marmion on this one . . . . the more business oriented machines offer more punch with usually just XP Pro and none of the "crap" to slow it down . . . . . . I know a few people who have brought the Business laptops mentioned through Noel Leeming Tech if that helps . Cheers KiwiMR2 may I ask where you work? I have always found the staff at magnum mac very helpful, when you can get hold of one . Never brought anything off them as the major retailers have better finance . But the major retailers just don't jack **** about macs and really have no interest in them either .	plod (107)
459918	2006-06-06 19:55:00	may I ask where you work? I have always found the staff at magnum mac very helpful, when you can get hold of one. Never brought anything off them as the major retailers have better finance. But the major retailers just don't jack **** about macs and really have no interest in them either. I'd rather not say to be honest. But your right......the knowledge & probably the support for a mac won't be as good at most of the others mentioned :) Cheers KiwiMR2	KiwiMR2 (6464)
459919	2006-09-22 20:31:00	Thanks everyone for all your advice! I am typing this on my Toshiba Satellite M100. Got a good deal from DSE. ($1,600) The were pretty helpful. Put in some extra RAM and explained the differences between models in understandable language, even if the guy didn't look a day over 14. All the jargon still confuses me but so far it's doing everything I want and it's become a part of the family. :) Thanks again, Happy computing MP :p	mallowpuff (10486)
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