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General discussion

Trouble deciding on a Laptop

by explosion81 Jul 13, 2008 4:27AM PDT

Im sure this gets asked alot, but im having trouble committing to a brand, I also have a some questions. I have been searching for a laptop for the past 3 weeks, mostly online (chain stores have been very dissapointing) And also scouring the web for reviews and info on the forums. Im looking to spend about $800 on a 15''. Mostly for watching movies surfing the web, streaming, music, nothing too serious but I want a decent laptop. Ideally I want 3g memory, 160-250 hard drive, core duo 2.00, dvd/rw with disc labeling. I really want a hp because of the cost and they look nice. I have heard bad things though, are they really any worse than any other laptop company? I mean dont most pc companies get their parts from the same people, lg, samsung? I just cant seem to win, I look up hp and get all of these horror stories and people say get a sony, so I look up sony and the same thing, or any other pc company.....Ok, Is it worth it to get vista 64 bit? Any info on the subject would be much appreciated, this is a big investment for me. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

10 Posts
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You are going to hear or read
by glb613 Jul 13, 2008 10:42PM PDT

negative comments about every company. I've owned 2 HP notebooks and they've been great.

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Vista 64 is too leading edge today.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 13, 2008 11:00PM PDT

In my honest opinion if you want to "just use" your machine without worry about drivers you'll have better luck with old Vista 32 bit. Besides with only 3GB ram there is no reason to go up to 64 bit today given your uses.

As to bad stories and more. Many I find are those month 13 issues or where I find the owner noticed a problem but didn't have the time to call it in, the warranty expired and they are p.o.'d. There are fine lessons we can learn from the flames and disasters.

Unlike a desktop where repair can be cheap, laptops cost dearly even for what some think is a minor repair. If you are not the one to change hard disks in laptops and more then extend the warranty to its maximum.

Also some don't read the warranty and are upset that the laptop has to be sent away for weeks at a time. If you need a PC 24x7 then you may have to have a spare unit.

Here's the biggy. No one is responsible for your files. If you lose them, you lost them.
Bob

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I have the same issue
by MJM573 Jul 17, 2008 7:58PM PDT

I have a 3 year old Sony VAIO that is just not doing so hot anymore and I just want a new computer. I looked into HP as well and I've heard a lot of complaints and praise as well. Anyone have any ideas on what models to look into and what to stay away from? To tell you the truth I'm not going to program or write any code. I'm not even looking to edit video. I am a somewhat casual user but want something that is stable enough to last me a few years. Anyone have any tips or suggestions? I am also curious to whether or not 3gb is enough to run Vista without any hiccups or slowdowns I've asked around and haven't recieved a straight answer. Also, is there any serious disadvantages from running Vista Home Premium vs. Ultimate. I am not a huge gamer and the only PC game I'm looking forward to is StarCraft II but they haven't released the system requirements. I don't want to spend a huge amount of my budget on a graphics card if I can use one of Intel's GMA sets. Is a discrete card really needed? Any answers to these questions would be absolutly appreciated. Have a good one ladies and gents.

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"Is a discrete card really needed?"
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 17, 2008 8:59PM PDT

A. Only for gaming.

As to laptop life I used to write these were 5 year machines. That's the most on average we got at the office. Today I'm leaning to 3 years. And you can get a 3 year warranty.

Now my own laptops last past 5 years. But they are never dropped, rarely run on battery power (why age the batter), sit on a flat surface so the cooling system works easily and get their yearly cleaning as you see at http://reviews.cnet.com/Clean_up_your_laptop/4660-10165_7-6648292.html

How many laptops do you know that never get that?
Bob

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Extending the life of your laptop
by OttifantSir Jul 18, 2008 9:51PM PDT

Any computer capable of running XP can be upgraded for free (as in free beer) with a GNU/Linux distribution.

I had a VERY old laptop with possibilities and specs equivalent to a high-end smartphone nowadays. It would take five to eight minutes just to boot up XP Home. I installed Ubuntu 6.10, and just like that, I had a machine performing like it was one of today's UltraMobilePCs.

3GB RAM, disc labelling, 160-320GB Harddrive, Core2Duo and 15" on $800 might be a stretch. (Or not. I live in Norway, and prices might differ).

I am quite pleased with my Dell, and with Dell you have the possibility to configure the computer pretty much like you want it.
What is most important to you? 2GB RAM is often listed as a limited-time offer at Dell, disc labelling burners is available as an option (but normally not default), laptop harddrives can be as large as 500GB (cost a lot and usually only high-end laptops), Core2Duo is, in many cases, default for CPU. The screen size is what you go for first, then choose all else.

If you're not going to do video-editing or 3D-modelling or vector graphics or other RAM and CPU-intensive applications, and 3GB RAM is your limit, avoid Vista 64-bit. 64-bit is only needed if you want to have more than 3.5GB RAM, since 32-bit doesn't support more than that.

As for brand: Choose what you want, or what best suits your needs. There really isn't too much of a difference between them.

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Tried Linux...
by MJM573 Jul 22, 2008 12:38PM PDT

I tried installing Ubuntu 8.10 and couldn't do it. I tried burning the iso image CD and the alternative CD at 4x and both failed. I think my laptop is starting to die. Nonetheless, do you have any Linux distros that you'd suggest?

Now I have some minor questions. I know brand names are just marketing tools but I'm just not sure. Cnet themselves gave a Gateway 14.1" mobile notebook rave reviews yet a majority of tech savvy people that I know and many forum posters comment on how Gateway is just rubbish. Is that true because they have a sweet notebook for a great price.

And this I know I mentioned before but I was looking for a more definitive answer. Is there a disadvantage to running Vista Home Premium to Vista Ultimate. I've researched the differences and some of the differences seem as if they don't apply to me yet some of them seem as if they're a big deal.

Another question is the Intel GMA X3100 good enough to run Aero smoothly? Or do I need something heartier?

To be honest, I am just looking for something with a good amount of memory and decent processor so it can last me a few years until I start making some decent bank and can pay for a great desktop. I don't code or do any video editing. I just download a lot of music, write papers, and do research. If I find a stable enough computer I might dabble in some Linux if I can ever find the time to futz around with it. Anywho any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ladies and gents and have a good one.

-Mike

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Not for gamers.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 22, 2008 1:11PM PDT
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2797391 answers that.

If you research this you find "the 965 Express Chipset are more than enough to run Vista Aero smoothly" so you can't just ask about the x3100 but must tell which laptop.

I found the battery time to take a hit with Aero so after the initial tooling around with Aero I eventually turned it off and I haven't bothered to turn it back on.
Bob
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lg
by jbarak Mar 8, 2009 5:38PM PDT

My name kobi Barak
I am a pilot and travel a lot, and I need to be confident in my Notebook..
I have two Notebook Computer type LG LS50, in both of them was spoiled the hard disk number of times ( in one of them twice and in the other three times ) provokes in particular the response of the LG company that it is seems reasonable to them..
Maybe someone will explain to the LG Company that THIS KINDE OF malfunction causes us not to depend on the computer. And without confidence what the computer is worth .Anyway I tray to say politely that it is not resemble that in tow Notebook Computer , AND ASK WAY IT IS HEPENING, answer on this they don’t provide.

Kobi barak
jbarak@actcom.co.il

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Ruggized laptops- tough laptops
by Willy Mar 8, 2009 10:29PM PDT

Kobi, if your laptop even when not in use is handled roughly expect some issues. The HD being the weak link all too often. Besides having a very good travel bag, I found adding some bubble wrap to the laptop bag(roomy bag) does wonders. The buying of a rough handling laptop like "ToughBooks" are pretty good too. If you google for rough service(ruggized) laptops, you'll find some expensive yet hardy laptops that may more readily the knocks and bumps.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Hard disks are not the weak link.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Mar 9, 2009 12:10AM PDT

I see LCD panels break on impact and the hard disk survives.

Those panasonic tough books are still your choice if you have users that are abusive and you can't change the user.
Bob

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