I am looking for a new laptop

[carntheeagles]

And I would love some suggestions. At the moment I have an HP Compaq nx 7400 and I want to update. It was my first laptop and it was...well quite frankly a piece of shit. Caused me nothing but problems and was close to outdated from the moment I got it. Its durability has been terrible and I will admit I do thrash my laptops but I expected to last better than it has.

Anyway enough bitching about the old laptop onto looking for the new one. So far my preference is the Dell XPS range particularly the M1530. I don't play games or anything but I hate waiting for stuff to load so I figure this computer will be perfect for my impatience.

If anyone on here does own one of these or knows of someone who does could you please let me know what you think of it especially the durability. Thanks in advance.

 

[Hawkamania!]

As a general rule of mine (based on experience with repair and maintenance issues) Toshiba is the top dog for laptops. Compaq or Asus would be next in line.

I wouldn't recommend Dells or Acers. They tend to have the most problems. Also, avoid Sony laptops at the moment.

 

[DockersMad]

As a general rule of mine (based on experience with repair and maintenance issues) Toshiba is the top dog for laptops. Compaq or Asus would be next in line.

I wouldn't recommend Dells or Acers. They tend to have the most problems. Also, avoid Sony laptops at the moment.

I would agree with most of this, also based on experience (don't ask, but its into the decades). Toshiba is definitely number one in my books for performance and reliability. HP/Compaq are good quality but most are aimed at the office user.

Do not buy a Dell, I can't be any clearer than that.

In my experience Acers are actually ok for a bottom end unit and can be surprisingly good value.

Obviously these are just opinions of particular brands, the actual performance will be determined by the internal architecture (processor/s, HDD, RAM etc) and more grunt generally means more dollars. If things like size and weight are important to you, then smaller/lighter is also going to set you back.

As with most things it comes down to the cost factor. If you are really hard on laptops you can get rugged ones you can practically kick around the yard, but last time I looked they were around the $6K mark.

I see you're in Perth, try my favourite technology store:

http://www.ht.com.au/N/Computers-Notebooks.z/group.hts

 

[DoubleA]

I definitely see where you're all coming from but...I've only had 1 laptop experience with Dell and it was great, I even onsold the Laptop after 9 months of use and the buyer loved it.

Im seriously considering getting the new small Dell laptop that has just been released, good price, great size, just want to wait for a month or two to get other opinions first before I buy it I'd say.

 

[carntheeagles]

Ok I have changed my mind. I have done a fair bit of research and found out a few things about the Dell that have turned me off specifically the age (released July last year) and the processor (only a centrino not a centrino2). Therefore this has put me onto the Lenovo SL500. It has all of the the same specs as the Dell XPS at the same price and is far more up to date in its architecture being Centrino2. Also as above mentioned I thrash my laptops and these seem to be very solidly made which is a big plus in my book. In fact there are probably only two things which i prefer with the dell than the lenovo and thats firstly the look and secondly the lack of accessories. However I can live without these both.

Any other suggestions with a laptop at around $1700?

 

[DockersMad]

Toshiba option for comparable specs/price. You've gotta love the extra 2 years warranty free offer at the moment.

Your Lenovo for comparison.

IBMs used to be the rolls royce but they sat on their hands while the clones took over thinking they could just trade on their name, which slowly turned to shit. Maybe that's why they are marketed under the Lenovo brand. They've had a lot of catching up to do and in my opinion are still behind Toshiba. Having said that, government departments tend to stick with the IBMs.

If you like the look of the Lenovo (all black) you may not like the Toshiba (black/silver), but I prefer the Toshiba's case. I have found the IBM cases to be prone to cracking around the hinges.

Good luck with your decision.

Go Freo.

 

[Team Toshiba]

Make sure you're looking at faster processors and more memory so you won't have to wait for things to load. Also, do you have a preference of screen size or weight?

-TRT
LaptopExperts.net

 

[bigburger]

Make sure you're looking at faster processors and more memory so you won't have to wait for things to load. Also, do you have a preference of screen size or weight?

-TRT
LaptopExperts.net

*Carntheeagles is my mates account i am just on a different computer*

Thanks for the interest TT. Like I said I have done quite a bit of research now and am pretty much convinced that I am gonna get the Lenovo SL500. Its got the centrino2 processor which is quick, durable and up to date (only released this July). Also it is strong and durable with the shock absorbers and water resistant keyboard. The memory is good either 2 or 4 gigs depending on what deal I get. In regards to the screen I am getting the best of both worlds with the 15.4inch screen which has a great resolution (something like 1660X1040 off the top of my head).

Overall I think its a very good deal and I have basically decided on this one unless anyone on here can throw out any last minute info that would stop me buying this notebook?


P.S To Dockersmad with that Toshiba the performace specs aren't anywhere close to the Lenovo. It has a smaller processor, the graphics card is only a 128mbs which may struggle with Vista when heaps of things are running at once.

 

[dmc333]

I would agree with most of this, also based on experience (don't ask, but its into the decades). Toshiba is definitely number one in my books for performance and reliability. HP/Compaq are good quality but most are aimed at the office user.

Do not buy a Dell, I can't be any clearer than that.

In my experience Acers are actually ok for a bottom end unit and can be surprisingly good value.

Obviously these are just opinions of particular brands, the actual performance will be determined by the internal architecture (processor/s, HDD, RAM etc) and more grunt generally means more dollars. If things like size and weight are important to you, then smaller/lighter is also going to set you back.

As with most things it comes down to the cost factor. If you are really hard on laptops you can get rugged ones you can practically kick around the yard, but last time I looked they were around the $6K mark.

I see you're in Perth, try my favourite technology store:

http://www.ht.com.au/N/Computers-Notebooks.z/group.hts

Reasons?

Had one for over 3 years. Only issue- needed a new hard drive.

I've often found it's the person using the computer that contributes to any reliability issues.

 

[carntheeagles]

Ok changed my mind again lol. Going for the Toshiba Tecra A10 that only came out last month in aus. Heres the link.

Toshiba Tecra A10

Built to last, good specs and its an affordable Toshiba.

 

[DockersMad]

Ok changed my mind again lol. Going for the Toshiba Tecra A10 that only came out last month in aus. Heres the link.

Toshiba Tecra A10

Built to last, good specs and its an affordable Toshiba.

Good for you, I hope you enjoy it.

By the way, I wasn't trying to push any particular brand, or shop. Just trying to be helpful, yes, even to an eagles supporter.

 

[DockersMad]

Reasons?

Had one for over 3 years. Only issue- needed a new hard drive.

I've often found it's the person using the computer that contributes to any reliability issues.

I think you've given your own reason here. In 3 years there should be no issue, especially not the hard drive.

Besides, haven't you seen any of the videos of them exploding into flames?

 

[DBAH0]

Get an Alienware.

 

[Homeless]

Toshiba option for comparable specs/price. You've gotta love the extra 2 years warranty free offer at the moment.

Your Lenovo for comparison.

IBMs used to be the rolls royce but they sat on their hands while the clones took over thinking they could just trade on their name, which slowly turned to shit. Maybe that's why they are marketed under the Lenovo brand. They've had a lot of catching up to do and in my opinion are still behind Toshiba. Having said that, government departments tend to stick with the IBMs.

If you like the look of the Lenovo (all black) you may not like the Toshiba (black/silver), but I prefer the Toshiba's case. I have found the IBM cases to be prone to cracking around the hinges.

Good luck with your decision.

Go Freo.

IBM actually sold their laptop division to Lenovo which is a Chinese company anyway as part of the deal they allowed Lenovo to continue using the thinkpad etc name.

 

[dmc333]

I think you've given your own reason here. In 3 years there should be no issue, especially not the hard drive.

Besides, haven't you seen any of the videos of them exploding into flames?

I actually have a theory that I cooked it myself.

It wouldn't be the first company needing a recall. Still, luckily I never had one of those batteries.

 

[FadeAway]

Hi,

Im selling my laptop. Its the Toshiba Portege M700 (3G model). Its a tablet laptop with very high specs. NOTE: IM NOT SELLING IT ANY WHERE NEAR THE RRP PRICE. If anyone is interested private message me.

See specs below:

Portege M700 (3G)
Part No. - PPM70A-0G301G

Pricing
Australian RRP (inc GST) - $4,180.00
New Zealand RRP (inc GST) - $5,686.88

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