Thread: Help me with a new laptop

As soon as we get our tax return I'm going to get a laptop. I've never had a laptop before so I need some advice. What should I get? :slaugh:

We have a good connection where we can get good prices on a Dell, so we'll probably go that way. I probably won't be doing any games on it or anything, but I will need enough memory for lots of music & pictures. And it will have to be able to run Vista, iTunes, photoshop, yahoo messenger, and DP at the same time. :swink:

Any suggestions?

I like the idea of Dell, how you can customize it and get exactly what you want, I believe Grim does it that way, I haven't myself but it's an option.

I have 2 Dells, they are 'ok' but right now you can get a pretty damn good notebook at tigerdirect for $599

Yeah, but I don't even know what to look for!

Give me some specs. What do I need?

IMO it doesn't need to be anything powerful, harddrive space sounds to be a must. I'd go for a dual core cpu with 2 gigs of ram minimum.

GRIM added 1 Minutes and 8 Seconds later...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...sku=A180-15003

So something like this?

2GB DDR2 memory for multitasking power, expandable to 4GB

Intel® Core?2 Duo mobile processor T5450 with 667MHz frontside bus, 2MB L2 cache and 1.66GHz processor speed

Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media

1 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface and 4 high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer

250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)

8-in-1 digital media reader supports Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Density, Secure Digital High Capacity, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD-Picture Card and SDIO formats

Built-in 2.0-megapixel Web cam to liven up Internet chat, instant messaging and blogs with color photos and video

Built-in Dell 1390 wireless networking mini-card (802.11b/g); Dell's advanced antenna design features 3 antennas to find and connect to networks with ease, delivering enhanced wireless reception; standard Wi-Fi Catcher to quickly locate wireless hotspots

Glossy 14.1" WXGA high-definition widescreen display with 1280 x 800 resolution

Integrated 10/100 Ethernet network card; 56 Kbps modem

Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Centrino, Core, Viiv, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 integrated graphics; high-definition 2.0 audio; S-video output

Learn more about Windows Vista

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium operating system preinstalled; software package included with Microsoft Works 8 and Roxio Creator Basic

The next-generation Intel® Core?2 Duo processor is based on the innovative Intel® Core? microarchitecture, so it runs faster and is more energy-efficient for cooler, quieter operation

Top-side media buttons to easily play, pause, stop, fast-forward and rewind at the touch of a button; travel remote included

Weighs 5.4 lbs. and measures 1.25"?1.5" thin for easy portability; 6-cell lithium-ion battery

You might want a bigger display, but it should do you just fine.

http://www.dell.com/content/products...tab=bundlestab

I'd say the third or fourth on over on this page...

what kind of budget are you looking at?

Originally Posted by Stax

http://www.dell.com/content/products...tab=bundlestab

I'd say the third or fourth on over on this page...

what kind of budget are you looking at?

Well, our tax return will more than cover it, so price isn't a huge issue. But I won't get crazy just for the sake of spending money... :sroll:

I'm expecting it to be around $800 or so....

Check the small business laptops

I'm getting one of these Dell Latitude D830 Laptop Product Details

Don't do the 14" screen. Go at least "15

The hard drive you spec'd out above is a 5400 RPM drive.
I would suggest a 7200 RPM drive. They are smaller in size (largest currently available is 200GB), but faster.
You have to make a decision...

Do you want a 250GB drive that you have to wait longer for to do anything or a 160GB-200GB drive that won't make you wait as often?
And get a 17 inch screen if you can. I have one and I wouldn never (now) get a 15 incher. :P

What ever you do I would not get a toshiba. I have one now and I hate it...I have had many laptops to compare with. I think my favorite Laptop I have even had was my Powerbook. It was strong, and great. I just didnt like it because it was before I used linux and it still had apple G4 processor. Now i think I might get another because I can run linux on a powerbook. Also You should looking sony and MSI. If you have a big budget (around 2000) you could always get the best....Alien Ware!

14"? 15"? are you people kidding me? I have 19" and I'm thinking it's too small. She wants to see the photos, not look at thumbnails.

I've got 3gs in my vista and even running only my security programs, avg and spybot, I'm using 50% of memory. I would absolutely say 3 or 4gbs on ram. Rom? you'll be needing 250gb or more. and dual core is the way to go for multiple program running.

Originally Posted by WikicyloN

14"? 15"? are you people kidding me? I have 19" and I'm thinking it's too small. She wants to see the photos, not look at thumbnails.

I've got 3gs in my vista and even running only my security programs, avg and spybot, I'm using 50% of memory. I would absolutely say 3 or 4gbs on ram. Rom? you'll be needing 250gb or more. and dual core is the way to go for multiple program running.

You have a 19 inch notebook????

15.4" notebook is fine IMHO. It's smaller, lighter and the battery will last longer

No matter the size hard drive you get, simply get a USB external HD for extra space, and or network to a main system for added storage

How bout an apple?

Macbook

Or you could take a risk on ebay.

Hey do tiger direct ship outside usa?

Originally Posted by Halobitt

How bout an apple?

Macbook

Or you could take a risk on ebay.

No apples.

hxxp://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-New-DELL-XPS-M1530_W0QQitemZ180216405072QQihZ008QQcategoryZ1400 80QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

this one!! replace hxxp by http

Originally Posted by Zap

You have a 19 inch notebook????

it ain't the only thing I got that is 19 inches

Originally Posted by WikicyloN

it ain't the only thing I got that is 19 inches

Herpes scar? :sshocked:

What about the new Lenovo ThinkPad X300, Is thinner better? The ThinkPad X300 challenges the MacBook Air

Dude. I'm gettin' a Dell...... Ordered it this morning. :love:

XPS M1530 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2MB cache/2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
System Color Tuxedo Black Casing XPS M1530
Memory 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
LCD, Color and camera High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
Video Card 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
Hard Drives Speed: 250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
Software - Adobe Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
Combo or DVD+RW Drive Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
Sound Card Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition
Wireless Networking Cards Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Productivity No Microsoft Office
Software - Antivirus Norton Internet Security 2008, 15-Month
Primary Battery 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Warranty & Service 2Yr In-Home Service, Parts Labor, 24x7 Phone Support
Accident and Theft Protection Add Accidental Damage and LoJack Theft Protection to 2Yr Warr.
Dial-Up Internet Access 6 Months Risk-Free Trial AOL Advantage Internet Access
SECURITY Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
Bluetooth and Wireless USB Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
Doms Camera and Color High Resolution,Black glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900)&2MP Cam
Processor Branding Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
Dell Printer Driver Windows Vista™ Premium
DataSafe Online Backup Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr

Did I do good?

Originally Posted by Red Hot Mama

Did I do good?

I'd say so

Originally Posted by Red Hot Mama

Dude. I'm gettin' a Dell...... Ordered it this morning. :love:



Did I do good?

When does it arrive?

Originally Posted by Kalina

When does it arrive?

Estimated Ship Date: 05/12/2008

Originally Posted by Red Hot Mama

Estimated Ship Date: 05/12/2008

That's a long wait :eek: I think you did great with your specs, I really like the idea of 7200 RPM hard drives in a laptop. I notice the lag with the 5400 RPM HD in mine, sometimes it seems as if the processor is just waiting for information to process. The real question is how much you paid for it.. Every where I looked Dell was more expensive than anything else for comparables off the shelf. Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, and even Dell's own website.

If I read this thread before hand, I would've suggested the model I just bought. I've had it a little over a month and could not be more satisfied. Acer 5920; Intel Centrino Dual core @ 1.66 Ghz, 3 GB RAM, Vista Home Premium, integrated wireless & blue tooth. Built in webcam and microphones, 4 USB ports, and I even think there's a firewire port on there some where. I paid just little over $700 with tax and all... Walmart.com : Acer 15.4" Aspire 5920-6864 Laptop PC w/ Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 Processor : Computers in fact the price dropped a bit since I bought it



Good luck with your new laptop, they're lots of fun.

Originally Posted by Big Dan

That's a long wait :eek: I think you did great with your specs, I really like the idea of 7200 RPM hard drives in a laptop. I notice the lag with the 5400 RPM HD in mine, sometimes it seems as if the processor is just waiting for information to process. The real question is how much you paid for it.. Every where I looked Dell was more expensive than anything else for comparables off the shelf. Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Best Buy, and even Dell's own website.

If I read this thread before hand, I would've suggested the model I got, I've had it a little over a month and could not be more satisfied. Acer 5920; Intel Centrino Dual core @ 1.66 Ghz, 3 GB RAM, Vista Home Premium, intergrated wireless & bluetooth. Built in webcam and microphones, 4 USB ports, and I even think there's a firewire port on there some where. I paid just little over $700 with tax and all... Walmart.com : Acer 15.4" Aspire 5920-6864 Laptop PC w/ Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 Processor : Computers in fact the price dropped a bit since I bought it



Good luck with your new laptop, they're lots of fun.

Thanks Dan. I have a special hookup where I get some really sweet deals on Dell. I always buy Dell. And buying it "off the shelf" I wouldn't have been able to buy it through my business. I don't have a checking account, or credit card for my business yet. I just have paypal.

Originally Posted by Red Hot Mama

Thanks Dan. I have a special hookup where I get some really sweet deals on Dell. I always buy Dell. And buying it "off the shelf" I wouldn't have been able to buy it through my business. I don't have a checking account, or credit card for my business yet. I just have paypal.

You can use your personal account for business purchases, I do all the time.

Originally Posted by GRIM

You can use your personal account for business purchases, I do all the time.

Yeah, I know, but this way it's easier to track when tax season comes around again.

guess we'll be seeing RHMCam soon. that's cool

Hope you enjoy your new laptop. I've had recommended a HP to you, I've got one (Pavilion Entertainment PC, DV something or other) and its really nice.
Oh well, Dell are pretty good too!

Dell XPS is best deal for you. . .

You can chose the best laptop computers and buying process easier, http://www.procompare.com/best-laptops/ categorizes the best laptop based on hundreds of reviews by users and helps to find the best way to buy it.

i suggest you to buy DELL laptop
it has more life and its backup is also quite good

Backup depends on the backup software you use - it has nothing to do with the make of computer. As far as life, Dells don't last any longer than any other make. Dell doesn't make the parts, they just put them together. You're still getting the same video chips, the same memory chips, the same hard drives, etc. But with a Dell, you are paying a bit more just for the name.

I think core7 of HP will be perfect selection for you. But it greatly depend on your personal choice.

IMO it doesn't need to be anything powerful, harddrive space sounds to be a must. I'd go for a dual core cpu with 2 gigs of ram minimum.

Don't just go by the brand than. See the configuration which meets your requirement. Dell is good. you can also consider Toshiba, Fujitsu