Laptop

[animatedude]

so i'm planning to buy a Laptop this summer and i'm really not an expert in those things.my laptop is really old...i bought it in 2002/2003.so what should i make sure of if i'm buying a new laptop? to make it easier for you guys,let's start which Brand and what processor?

my Laptop is by Toshiba but i'm thinking maybe i should buy a Sony laptop? i dunno..

[ozzylogic]

Sonys garbage. Go for a nice, light weight (not a girly Netbook) Dell or HP, with at least a Core 2 Duo (they take less power and are fast). You can get a really decent laptop for AED 3500 if you look around at Carrefour, Sharaf DG, etc. Oh wait, you're in KSA< hehe, my bad.

[animatedude]

we have Carrefour over here....i dunno man,i've always had this idea in my mind that Dell and HP are cheap and bad but then again i dunno..

[ozzylogic]

Ok...I had that phobia against Acers, LGs...MSIs...and I was right. I'm against HPs...but theres a workaround, which applies to ALL laptops...uninstall the software they provide. It's bloatware, and slows the crap outta your laptop. Dells are excellent laptops, but always always do your homework. If you're going for a Vista laptop, make sure you have 3GB of RAM, if its XP, 2 GB is excellent. Usually, you get laptops which let you choose between these, but only at the time of buying.

Stay the fuck away from Sony...can't emphasize on how bad and over-rated they really are.

[fizz]

HP is cheap and bad. They don't know what they are making, but they like to call them laptops. Dell is good, but it has issues (like how you feel electricity on their metallic body), but way better than any HP I've ever used. Apparently Toshiba's are very highly rated and since you've used them so long, why not stick to them.

[animatedude]

ok,right now it's:

Toshiba.
3GB of RAM, if its XP, 2 GB.

what about the processor?

[ozzylogic]

Core 2 Duo 2.0 Ghz is the norm these days. Btw, Hp Pavillions are pretty decent these days. Look for the models starting with dv. Toshibas weigh a ton. They're sturdy...but try carrying them around.

[animatedude]

oh thanks for pointing this out...Toshibas weigh a ton indeed.i need a light weight laptop! that's one of the reasons i thought of Sony.

[ozzylogic]

My Sony Vaio is made of carbon fibre, and weighs 1.6 KGs, and is packed with features, but slow. Without the bloatware. And cost 9k. Company paid, doh. Stay away from Vaios. Stick to a nice Dell or a HP.

[shariqq]

I use a Dell Latitude D630, and I'm very happy.

[fizz]

I use a Dell Latitude D630, and I'm very happy.

I second that - I use the exact same model & its near perfect except for the aforementioned electricity problem that I have with its metallic build (mine is probably a one out of a million defect).

[safra23]

I am total Toshiba fan, always bought Toshiba laptops, never ever any problem, I usually get their Satellite series, my vote for Toshiba

[sammy]

Been using the following :
Dell D620 :
Verdict : Satisfactory. Nothing too Wow. I wouldnt but it if it was my money!
I have the same issue as Fizz, get shorted once in a while....(maybe keeps me sane?)
Toshiba M5 Tecra :
Verdict : A little better then the dell. The screen res sucks though (1024x768) and so does the graphic chip for games!
Toshiba A8 Tecra :
Verdict : BIG and Bulky! Battery dies too soon! changed the batter about 3 times! Other than that, a good powerful workhorse.
Apple Macbook Pro 15" :
Verdict : "oooh...shiny" Easy to use OS / windows supported / decently powerful, bragging rights. If you have the money, its pretty good, but a little heavy to lug around

I've used compaq's (before they were HP's) and loved them! Hp's ....not so much..but okay okay.
Ozzy is right about bloatware....almost anything u get will have it!

So far you seem to be on the right track.
Make sure u get a good gfx card...thats one thing u cant change. Same as the proc in most cases.
Ram / HDD are usually upgradable later on. Just make sure it can support upto 4GB ram atleast, and can play full HD smooth.

Times like these, if you just want to make do, you could even pick up pretty powerful second hand ones from the companies going boom

What will u use it for (primarily?)

[animatedude]

ummm the internet?

[ozzylogic]

I guess he's better off with a widescreen laptop then. I mean, I used a Toshiba Satellite with wide screen for approx. 6 months, and it had Dolby sound, etc. and it was absolutely amazing for watching movie, but weighed 3 KGs. I now have a slim Sony Vaio, with a much better graphics card, but the screen is ultra reflective.

Sammy, whats your take on HP Pavilions? The business models usually suck ass, I guess the only reason they cost so much is due to the Care Pack and Vista Business. The Pavilions are actually pretty good...if you go for the high end models.

Safra, list down your needs...and budget! The new Intel graphic cards support Aero pretty easily btw.

Why hasn't anyone mentioned IBMs? I think they're built like a rock! But only the T-series, everything else is shitty Lenovo!