New Laptop... What would you get?

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by LaFemmeMichele, Jan 3, 2007.

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  1. LaFemmeMichele

    LaFemmeMichele Registered Member

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    Gurus of Wilders,

    I want input! I'm very interested in your choices.

    :) If you were to purchase a new notebook, what would it be? :)

    Please include your OS of choice as well as your tech level & any rationale you care to share!

    Merci!
     
  2. WSFuser

    WSFuser Registered Member

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    id probably get a laptop from VoodooPC, Velocity Micro, or Falcon Northwest. Although a gaming laptop may not be as portable, i would enjoy the power i get.

    for OS, id get Windows (XP/Vista) for teh same reason: gaming.
     
  3. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,

    I would definitely go around until I found the vendor willing to sell me a laptop without a preinstalled OS. Then I would most likely install and dual boot XP and Ubuntu or just Ubuntu.

    Specs? I'd prolly take a dual core, 1 or 2GB RAM, a hard disk as large as possible, DVD burner, and a solid graphic card.

    I hate preinstalled computers and especially hate the recovery partitions. Many vendors will try to convince you that's the latest hit and that you need all the crap they bundle.

    For less savvy, they could simply go with a blank PC, install XP alone, including all the drivers.

    Mrk
     
  4. lucas1985

    lucas1985 Retired Moderator

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    I like IBM/Lenovo ThinkPads. They are expensive, but generally they are worth each dollar.
    Look for reviews on Digit-Life, X-bit Labs, Laptop Logic, Trusted Reviews, etc.
     
  5. LaFemmeMichele

    LaFemmeMichele Registered Member

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    I don't want to change the direction of the thread to accomodate the less savvy. I want your preferences, although I am asking because I need a new box! Your'e familiar with my level! You guys are what's making my learning curve soar.

    If you care to add a suggestion for a novice plus ;) user without watering down your choice for yourselves, I'm all eyes & ears!
     
  6. LaFemmeMichele

    LaFemmeMichele Registered Member

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    Lucas,
    Wonderful! I can critique PC World's, CNET's, etc "security picks" because I've learned so much from Wilders, now I have alternative best PC sources!!! Great! So glad I posted here!
     
  7. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    You have not mentioned price range. I have looked into several brands. I am leaning towards one of these for my next laptop. http://global.acer.com/ Would also bump up the RAM to a minimum of 1 gig.
     
  8. Rmus

    Rmus Exploit Analyst

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    I've always used Toshiba. My first was a Satellite in Win95 days - never have had a single problem. I've upgraded twice, now to XP.

    EDIT: by upgrade, I mean I purchased a new one. Watch for sales.

    There is a wide range of specifications to fit your needs. I use it

    1) as the other computer on my LAN, mainly for real-time backup

    2) to carry my work to another part of the house

    3) travelling

    -rich
     
  9. NAMOR

    NAMOR Registered Member

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    I might suggest an IBM as well. I personally own a Fujitsu S-series but, after seeing the abuse that the IBM's went through from students at my university they appear to be built like tanks.
     
  10. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    Must admit, they will take a beating. Currently have an old T21 see signature. Have toyed with war driving, as well as it being strapped to the back of my Harley for an occasional visit to a clients house. Guess it all really depends on just what LaFemmeMichele plans are for it.
     
  11. LaFemmeMichele

    LaFemmeMichele Registered Member

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    I've just come from your Acer Ferrari link, ThunderZ! So pretty! I love a black car! My plans... it won't be strapped to the back of a Harley! :)

    I'd like to use it for everything & anything. It would not be an adjunt PC to a desktop, it would be my main box. Not a power user (no games) & it doesn't need to be ultra portable. I don't have to compromise due to financial considerations. Strong is good. I want to be able to really use it, & learn all there is to know! I don't want to be held back! :)

    Namor & Rmus, I'm taking notes!
     
  12. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

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    I would second Velocity Micro as a choice. The only install software YOU want, so you start with a clean machine. Also their service is truly outstanding. That is not a trivial consideration.

    Pete
     
  13. Long View

    Long View Registered Member

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    I bought a Samsung Q35 before Christmas for my wife.

    Now I don't know how rare this is but I was able to remove all the crap they had installed, get rid of the hidden partitions and start again. Samsung provided a copy of windows Xp and then a drivers disk which allowed me to not install the Norton like junk - but to only install what I wanted and needed.

    Based upon my previous experience this was just like working with a desk machine and so far removed from Dell type machines - wonderful.
     
  14. Menorcaman

    Menorcaman Retired Moderator

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  15. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    make sure you dont get one with tons of crap installed.
    dells install lots of crap and so do HP.
    acer laptops dont installl much rubbish.
    alienware install no rubbish.
    its annoying uninstalling the crap just to make it run at the speed its meant to.
    so my advise is get a laptop that has just the OS and no extra software.
    if i was to get a laptop it would have to be a alienware or one from rockdirect but probably alienware.
    they use the finest components and dont install crap.

    lodore
     
  16. bigc73542

    bigc73542 Retired Moderator

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    I would have to go with Acer
     
  17. C.S.J

    C.S.J Massive Poster

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    this forum is biased!
    ive just bought a new laptop, its a dell.

    having just moved from acer, i can safely say that dell notebooks are made alot better, no flimsy parts.

    ----------

    as for specs to the poster, i choose to get one for vista, and here is what i got:

    Inspiron 1501 Turion 64 X2 TL56 (1.8GHz, 512K)
    15.4" Wide Screen XGA TFT Display with TrueLife 1280x800
    Memory Dual-Channel 2048MB (2x1024) 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM
    Hard Drive 80GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM)
    ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 256MB HyperMemory
    Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including Software
    Battery Primary 9 cell 80W/HR LI-ION

    the truelife screen really is worth the 'little bit extra', the quality is amazing if you choose dell, this is a must... also the 9cell battery is a must.

    and my dell free vista upgrade is on its way, well... february :)

    good luck,
     
  18. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    did you get a xp install disc:D ?
    because i belive that dell laptops seem to be well bulti but they come with tons of crap installed so if it comes with a xp install disc you can do a fresh install so its not slow because of all the usless google and other software.
    so i think dell laptop are bulti well but they need to stop installing crap on them.
    my next door neighbour has a dell laptop and its really nice and i wish i had it lol.
    PS nice laptop C.S.J!
    what av on installed on that laptop?
    ive got a dell 19inch monitor for my desktop and its great.
    lodore
     
  19. Ice_Czar

    Ice_Czar Registered Member

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    barring running games, heavy computational number crunching software (science aps, video editing at high res) ect.

    Id be looking for a notebook with the best uptime for its batteries. In other words its computational performance isnt so great as to limit its use and degrade its own environment (heat).

    Id also look for the toughest case and most advanced impact resistant HDD.

    Laptops always lag desktops in pure CPU horsepower because of the challenges of the energy cycle, the processors are substantially different in many cases, and the thermal solutions progressively more creative. Those are the factors that limit its stability and employment. Its unlikely youd be taxing its performance with most common applications so raw horsepower isnt the prime consideration.

    and for you something stylish as well :D

    personally Id wipe the preinstall and load W2K or Linux or both
     
  20. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    dell Inspiron 6400 is quite stylish my neighbor has one.
    and all alienware laptop's are stylish:D
    lodore
     
  21. Pedro

    Pedro Registered Member

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    It will always be a hunt for you, lol, to buy the right pc. But don't buy anything without looking at what Toshiba has to offer. So far no regrets.
     
  22. ThunderZ

    ThunderZ Registered Member

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    Ahhh, another 2k fan. Thought I was the last.
     
  23. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    Windows 2000 pro was a great OS.
    also for the OP the dell XPS M1210 looks a really nice laptop if you dont mind the small screen.
    or if you want better graphics and more power try the dell Inspiron 9400 or 6400.
    or the alienware area 51 m5500
    all nice laptops
    when i first heard dell was buying alienware i freaked thinking there where going to interfear and load crap on to it and lose there main market but they didnt.
    i have learned that dell make well make laptop's and pc's but the weak point is the fact they load so much crap on them.
    lodore
     
  24. LaFemmeMichele

    LaFemmeMichele Registered Member

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    Wow! Look at this thread! The insight! You are going to help many people! :) I'm so grateful for your responses.
     
  25. Ice_Czar

    Ice_Czar Registered Member

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    you bet ;)
    who needs XPs prepackaged eyecandy when you can hack your own up and do a better job? :D
     
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