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New to Laptops

post #1 of 17
8/30/06 at 11:49am
Thread Starter 
Ok, so here is another set of laptop questions. I am in the market for a laptop. I have never owned a laptop before and pretty much know nothing about what I may or may not need for said laptop. I will be using it mostly for word processing apps (ie word, excel, etc.), watching movies while away, and maybe some gaming (though nothing hard core, no high frame rates needed). I am looking to spend no more than $2k, and financing this is a must, as I need it within the next couple of months and I just can't come up with $2k off the bat. What I am certain of is that I want an Intel core2 duo processor (this coming from a hard core AMD fan), 1gb of ram, and atleast an 80gb HD. The biggest thing I know nothing about is whether I should be looking for a stand alone vid card or just go with the integrated chipset. I am not new to computer composition, I have built my last 3 desktops. I am also at a loss as to what is a better operating system for it. Whether I should go with XP Pro or XP Media Center. I also do some photography, but would only use the laptop for storage of photos while in the field, not for editing those photos. I have been looking at the Dell Inspirion E1705 and the Alienware Area-51 M5750. Any suggestions? Don't bother with mentioning gateway, I figure that company is on it's last leg. I am mostly concerened about any company problems with tech support and financing issues.
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post #2 of 17
8/30/06 at 12:41pm
I think the first thing you have to decide is the size of the laptop. The more you plan to carry the thing around the smaller notebook you need. 17" laptops are mostly desktop replacements. They are not meant to be used that much on the move (but can be used if need be). They are little too big for that. 15-15.4" laptops are pretty much a norm for a balance between mobility and power, and 14" and less size laptops are meant for very mobile users and they sacrifice power in favor of lesser weight.
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post #3 of 17
8/30/06 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
I was just noticing that myself, after I posted that and was doing more research. I was looking at the Dell Inspirion E1505, pretty much maxed out, or close to it. And maybe the alienware area-51 m5550.
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post #4 of 17
8/30/06 at 3:02pm
the 1505 sounds good for what you want to do. the x1400 can do moderate gaming. at 15" it's fairly portable, and the components in it should give you good performance for what you want to do. make sure you get accidental damage protection. a well configured 1505 will be well below 2k. ask around the Dell forums here for latest cupon deals to save you some cash.
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post #5 of 17
8/30/06 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
I happen to have a $150 off coupon for dell. though if anyone has a % off coupon that would be better.
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post #6 of 17
8/30/06 at 6:03pm
Thread Starter 

another option??

I was doing more research in my quest to find the best bang for my buck in a laptop and came across the toshiba direct website and started browsing. Since I like being able to customize to my specific needs I was looking at the Satellite A100-S8111TD and the Tecra A7-ST5112. Now the Satellite is starting at $720 so I can pretty much max out just about everything, including trubrite, 1GB Ram, 120GB HD and the 2.0Ghz Core Duo. Not bad for under $2k I think. I was reading some reviews and it looked pretty good. Any comments?? I haven't heard much about their tech support though. And I don't know Toshiba's reputaion with their laptops, though i think it is good.


P.S.: The reviews i have been looking at are from www.notebookreview.com
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post #7 of 17
8/30/06 at 7:32pm
Go with dell if your gonna finace........and make sure to get the on site 24 hour warenty 3 years or more if you can, its amazing, my dell 6000d i had, had a scratch in the lcd, i called up dell said hey yo my lcd is scratched, ok sir youll have a replacement and a tech come out to change it with in 24 hours of this phone call (this was around 4pm) next day around 11am, ring ring, hello im wondering where you live cause i cant find your house, im here to replace the lcd

3 weeks later, i get bad backlighting, hey yo, my lcd has backlighting issues, ok sir 24 hours youll have a replacement, this lcd was a refurb, but none the less looked tons better, first replacement was new

then the pain wore off where palms rest, call em up, 24 hour got a refurbed palm rest put in

its such a wonderfull thing not having to fix crap or ship crap off and wait a week or 3 weeks or worse



with that said, get a dell 15 inch wxga, duo core, get the x1400 vid card, you can light game on it, if the option for a wsxga truelife is avil get it, my 6000d had a matte finish, its the devil, so nasty! glossy coating ftw!!!

good luck and hope that my misspelt words makes you want to strangle 3 kittens today!

soulsaver
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post #8 of 17
8/30/06 at 9:53pm
Thread Starter 
Well, the real question is, do i need a stand alone vid card or can I get by with the integrated graphics? Also, should I go for XP Pro, or XP Media Center Edition?
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post #9 of 17
8/30/06 at 10:15pm
Thread Starter 

so far

Here is what I have found so far:

Toshiba Tecra A7-ST5112:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
Nvidia Quadro NVS 300m 128MB
TrueBrite
120GB HDD
3 YR Warranty
$1974

Toshiba Satellite A100-S8111TD:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
Nvidia GeForce Go 7300 128MB
TrueBrite
120GB HDD
3 YR Warranty
$1495

Alienware Area 51 M5550:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
ATI X1400 128MB
120GB HDD
2 Yr Online Support/On Site Service
$1830

Dell Inspirion E1505:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
ATI X1400 256MB
SXGA
120GB HDD
4 YR service Pakage
$1938


Decisions Decisions
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post #10 of 17
8/30/06 at 11:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadz78
Well, the real question is, do i need a stand alone vid card or can I get by with the integrated graphics? Also, should I go for XP Pro, or XP Media Center Edition?

Well integrated means you are stuck with it for ever and it wont handle high definition video as well as the ati card, but it should be a bit better when it comes to battery life.
For various reasons I'd go with a dedicated("stand alone" as you say) card.
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post #11 of 17
8/30/06 at 11:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shadz78
Here is what I have found so far:

Toshiba Tecra A7-ST5112:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
Nvidia Quadro NVS 300m 128MB
TrueBrite
120GB HDD
3 YR Warranty
$1974

Toshiba Satellite A100-S8111TD:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
Nvidia GeForce Go 7300 128MB
TrueBrite
120GB HDD
3 YR Warranty
$1495

Alienware Area 51 M5550:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
ATI X1400 128MB
120GB HDD
2 Yr Online Support/On Site Service
$1830

Dell Inspirion E1505:
Intel core2 duo 2Ghz
1GB Ram
ATI X1400 256MB
SXGA
120GB HDD
4 YR service Pakage
$1938


Decisions Decisions

4 years might be a bit long. You probably wont have the laptop anymore in 4 years.
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post #12 of 17
8/31/06 at 1:16pm
Thread Starter 

misinformation

I just happen to realize a misprint in the laptop list I put out. The 2 toshiba laptops that are listed are only using the Intel Core Duo, not the core 2 duo. And the Dell and Alienware are using the Core 2 Duo. I am wondering if there is much of a performance difference and would that cause anyone else to go with the core 2 duo over the core duo with the prices being so close?
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post #13 of 17
8/31/06 at 2:08pm
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post #14 of 17
8/31/06 at 5:58pm
core 2 duo also produces less heat. If they are the same price you should get the '2' - it's worth it!

After monitor size, what needs to be decided next? I too am in the market for a laptop. Is it possible to generalize laptops by brand? Like Dell = performance/value, toshiba = ? HP = entertainment?
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post #15 of 17
8/31/06 at 6:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chrispycrunch
core 2 duo also produces less heat. If they are the same price you should get the '2' - it's worth it!

After monitor size, what needs to be decided next? I too am in the market for a laptop. Is it possible to generalize laptops by brand? Like Dell = performance/value, toshiba = ? HP = entertainment?


So far in my quest to find the perfect laptop, I have noticed one constant. Everyone has different expectations for a laptop. So you can't really generalize a brand for say entertainment or something to that effect. What you truly need to do is make a list of the things you are going to use your laptop for, and do some homework on the mobile parts that will server your particular work load well. Then, shop around and look for good deals. Especially try keeping the configuration you are looking for as constant as possible (i.e. the same processor you choose to configure a dell system with, look for that same processor in alienware, HP, Toshiba, etc.). That way you can see what you are getting for your money straight up across the board.
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post #16 of 17
9/4/06 at 1:33am
Thread Starter 

Thank You All!!!

I want to thank everyone that posted on this thread. You have helped me a great deal. I have decided to go with the Alienware Area51 M5550. Specs as follows:
Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz
OS: Windows XP Pro w/ SP2
Ram: 1GB
HDD: 120GB 5400RPM
CD/DVD: 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software MPEG2 Decoder
Sound: Integrated
Video: Radeon Mobility X1400 128MB
Warranty: 2 Yrs.
Price: $1650

I am probably going to order it in the next couple of days. Again, Thanks for all your help.
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post #17 of 17
9/9/06 at 2:49am
You will not be dissapointed! Good choice.
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