Team-BHP - The Laptop Thread: Configs, deals & questions

Quote:

Originally Posted by cargirl (Post 1452427)

Hi guys, I need to buy a new laptop soon. Need advice on which is the best among the following brands. Among other things, my main criteria is that it should last me at least 3 years (my current IBM Thinkpad celebrates its 5th anniversary this October!), and should not give any problems, coz I don't have the time and patience to go to service centres. Here's my shortlist (in random order):

1. Lenovo
2. Dell
3. HP Compaq

Thanks in advance.

No brainer.
1.Dell
2.Hp
3.Lenova.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefanm (Post 1450725)

This one looks good, definatly will consider this one, thanks.

Stefanm, have a look at this link. It'll give you the HP models available here along with the prices in Dubai.
http://jumbocorp.com/prd_listing.asp?bbrd=42&bcat=23

If you have any specific requirements on the configuration, let me know. I keep visiting these places with my cousin who has been looking at laptops for the past 3 - 4 months. So I'll be able to check it up for you and update you with the prices.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cargirl (Post 1452427)

If it's build and toughness i would rate Lenovo Thinkpad > HP >= Dell > Compaq.

Choose Dell for the service center that comes to you. Thinkpad is what i would go for for build.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cargirl (Post 1452427)

Cargirl, since you are used to the Thinkpad, why don't you check out the Thinkpad SL 400? It has the reliability and backing of the Thinkpad series and the functionality of a good multimedia laptop at a very affordable price (AED 3000 here which is approx Rs40000).

Config as below:
• Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T6570 (2.10 GHz)
• Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
• Microsoft Office® Ready PC
• 14.1 inch WXGA TFT (1440 x 900)
• 320GB HDD, 3GB RAM
• Integrated Fingerprint Reader and Camera
• HDMI, HD Audio

Thanks for the inputs so far, I have pretty much decided to go for a dell studio 15, having checked out their pricing in the US with regards to my required upgrades, the pricing is almost the same, I will probably book the machine tomorrow. The reason for going for dell is 1:Great service and 2: Great options for my requirements and 3: The build quality and performance of the monitor are superior to the Acer that I was considering. I have increased my budget due to the fact that I no longer require to invest in a showroom and will be working predominantly from my home to start with. I have chosen the base model which retails at Rs 41,999 and added extras mostly based on performance, the specs are as follows.
1: Colour, Plum Purple (wifes choice)
2: Intel C2D T6500 (Std)
3: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit (Std)
4: 1 Year Accidental Damage Cover
5: FULL HD Display (1920x1080) - (I require hi res and if required I can hook up to LCD TV's & Monitors)
6: 4GB Ram (Std. is 3GB)
7: 320GB Hard Drive 7200RPM (Need for speed)
8: Std DVD writer
9: ATI 512MB Radeon HD4570 (Again need for speed)
10: Creative Sound Blaster X-FI MB Software (Not sure why I ticked this option, please advise?)
11: Std network wi-fi card
12: Std Palmrest
13: Belkin Backpack
14: Std Keyboard (Don't see the need for backlighting?)
15: McAfee A/v 15 months (Is this worth it?, I have been using free software with no probs for a long time, Zonealarm, Avira, Spybot and Malwarebytes)
16: The total price comes to Rs 51,905.70+900bucks for delivery within 7 days:Shockked:

How does this spec sound guys? Please advise on my options.

Cheers,

Stefan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sankar (Post 1452633)

If it's build and toughness i would rate Lenovo Thinkpad > HP >= Dell > Compaq.

Choose Dell for the service center that comes to you. Thinkpad is what i would go for for build.

:thumbs up Nothing to beat the Lenovo on built quality. Even the S10 feels solid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefanm (Post 1455614)

Opt for the free Windows & upgrade . Vista doesnt support 4GB and hence you will only see 3GB!

And isnt this costly? IIRC Sankar got similar spec for 45-47k.

And standard writer? A dual one right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk (Post 1455625)

Just got an Acer Timeline 3810T. Absolute beauty, 13", no DVD, 2GB, Core 2 Solo, 3MB cache, Vista Home Premium... 1.6kg, 8 hour battery life, runs COOOOL.

They also have 4810T (14"), and 5810 (15") both with DVD. About 1.9kg.

Beats my old HP6226 hollow.

Saw one. Its pretty slim and light.4810 costs 35l with bill. Solo processor though. How much did this cost?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkdas (Post 1455636)

3810 comes with Core 2 and Solo option right?

No the entire family is Core 2 Solo. This a a single core ultra low voltage design of Intel. The 3MB cache (against 2MB in Core 2 Duo) helps. I do see 100% CPU utilisation more often but performance is more than adequate. I have run a movie and CorelDraw editing with no glitches. 5810 has 3GB RAM and 320GB HDD and numeric keypad. Others are 2GB + 250GB!

As for 4GB RAM I have a Zenith Quad Core (Intel motherboard) with 32-bit Vista Home Premium OS.

JK the standard writer is dual layer, the upgrade is for blueray, not interest at the moment with blueray as i have an Oppo dvd player which gives an awsome upscale, only trouble is that there is nowhere here to rent pukka quality dvd's! the upgrades i have gone for are 2.1k for the monitor, 643 for the colour, 843 for the damage cover, 1k for the extra Gb ram, 750 for the harddrive upgrade, 1.1k for the upgrade on the graphics to 512mb, 428 for soundblaster software, 1.1k for the 9cell battery upgrade, Mcafee software 1.2k and 1.1k for the carrycase. W7 upgrade is standard I believe? This seems to work out as the best price for my requirements, i could have made the pricing much less, but perfermance vs. Paise has to be balanced, Lenovo's pricing is higher I believe and what i have seen was similar spec to the Acer 5738G with a smaller screen for the same as my dell configuration.

The reason I'm opting for 32bit vista is i need to network and tranfer software from my desktop which is running xp 32bit.