I need help buying my first laptop

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Gin

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#13512 14-May-2007 13:36

Hi all,

I need help! I am new to the world of computers and after a weekend excursion to find the laptop of my dreams i am now laptopless and frustrated at my inability to understand what the sales people were talking about! and what is really best for me.

Ideally I need a laptop to surf the net, manage all my music and do a little bit work stuff using word etc. After my trip into town i had 3 people tell me i needed completely different things - so here is my question.

The debate i am having is around the CPU - the laptop i like has this: AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-56 (1.8 GHz) and the person at the store told me i shouldn't get anything other than an Intel core 2 duo 1.73ghz processor which will probably cost me about another $800. my ideal budget is under $2k.

Can anyone out there answer my probably breally basic question???

Gins

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4973 posts

Uber Geek

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#70648 14-May-2007 13:42

Any laptop will suit your needs, it looks like it will come down the size of HDD you need. How much music do you have?

That salesperson would have been telling you to buy INTEL over AMD becuase thats what they would do.

You should be able to get a laptop that suits your needs for no more than $1500.

Gin

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70651 14-May-2007 13:50

Thanks so much for getting back to me so fast!!

They did say the Intel core 2 duo was the best but he tried to say I needed to spend $2500. The laptop I initially feel in love with was the Compaq V6302AU - I liked the look of it (what a chick thing to say!) It had

120GB 5400RPM

1024MB DDR2 (2 Dimms)

which I thought looked good although I was told it would be outdated far to quickly. Would I be better spending more money and getting the intel CPU or will the compac last the distance?

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#70652 14-May-2007 13:52

Go for the cheapest laptop that will meet your needs.

You should be able to get one in that category for under $1000.

bcourtney

652 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#70655 14-May-2007 14:00

zaptor: Go for the cheapest laptop that will meet your needs.

You should be able to get one in that category for under $1000.

Super helpful that... I think what the OP is having trouble with is determing what specs WOULD meet her needs.

The Compaq V6302 will more than meet your needs so if you like the look of it and are able to get it at a good price (well under $2k) then I'd go for it if I were you.

The AMD v Intel decision comes down to personal preference usually and in your case (for the needs that you have suggested) the AMD will be more than enough for you. It is only when you get in to some really processor-intensive computer usage that you see the Intel chips creep slightly ahead in performance (and even then, not with all applications or processes).

Hope this helps

Packdaddy

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70656 14-May-2007 14:14

Hi All

I am considering buying a new laptop as well. I am unsure about getting vista as i have heard this will limit what i can download off p2p and torrent sharing programmes. Is this true and if so is it easy enough to get xp?

zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#70658 14-May-2007 14:20

bcourtney:
zaptor: Go for the cheapest laptop that will meet your needs.

You should be able to get one in that category for under $1000.

Super helpful that... I think what the OP is having trouble with is determing what specs WOULD meet her needs.

Hmmm....

I do believe rscole86 basically said the same thing, only the price was $500 more:

rscole86:

You should be able to get a laptop that suits your needs for no more than $1500.

But, since we're all trying to be helpful, I should probably provide some links:-

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4647c01400ea61a62740c0a87f3306b4/Product/View/XC3914
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4647c01400ea61a62740c0a87f3306b4/Product/View/XC3871
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4647c01400ea61a62740c0a87f3306b4/Product/View/XC3872P
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4647c01400ea61a62740c0a87f3306b4/Product/View/XC3901

Based on what the OP said what they needed a laptop for (surf the net, manage music, do some Word), I was simply making a suggestion. The surplus cash could be used for other things.

rscole86

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#70660 14-May-2007 14:21

Packdaddy: Hi All

I am considering buying a new laptop as well. I am unsure about getting vista as i have heard this will limit what i can download off p2p and torrent sharing programmes. Is this true and if so is it easy enough to get xp?

No this is not true from my experience, I am usign Azureus on Vista 64bit edition, and I have no problems.

I would say go for vista, it will be very difficult to find a brand new laptop with XP from a major retailer.

You should still be able to get them from your smaller more "personal" computer companies.

Equinox IT

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zaptor

745 posts

Ultimate Geek

#70661 14-May-2007 14:30

rscole86:
Packdaddy: Hi All

I am considering buying a new laptop as well. I am unsure about getting vista as i have heard this will limit what i can download off p2p and torrent sharing programmes. Is this true and if so is it easy enough to get xp?

I would say go for vista, it will be very difficult to find a brand new laptop with XP from a major retailer.

Actually, I believe Dell still sell their laptops with Windows XP (and Vista).

pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#70663 14-May-2007 15:06

Gin

I've never met a salesperson that's been helpful selling laptops, I think you've done well to walk away and ask for advice. For what you stated that Compaq V6302AU will be more than satisfactory and has everything you need.

On a said note, the thing about my non-geek friends that have bought laptops is that they always went for what aestheitcally pleased them, I think you've already said you like the look so i'd say you'd be more than happy with it.

My $0.02

Carl

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
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#70675 14-May-2007 17:10

Gin: Ideally I need a laptop to surf the net, manage all my music and do a little bit work stuff using word etc.

Heres my 2 cents worth.

Any brand new laptop will meet your needs quite happily, but, you can extract maximum value by:

Getting one with more ram (512MB for XP, or 1GB for Vista).
If you get a Vista machine, get "home premium", not "home basic".
Get the biggest hard drive you can - add up the size of your music collection (e.g. 30GB), and double it at least. If you dont have all your music on your PC yet, then just get a 100GB or bigger drive.
Feel free to list any potential purchase here before paying out - we are happy to help.

You probably need to spend around $1500 to get one with a large drive, home premium, and lots of ram.

Dont worry about AMD vs. Intel - in my not so humble opinion, for what you describe you want to do, it will make zero difference.

Gin

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70726 15-May-2007 08:26

Gin

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#70727 15-May-2007 08:26

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say a big thanks for all your help - I feel a lot more confident venturing back to the shop!!!

One last quaestion - with my new laptop soon to be in my hands I thought it might be a good idea to get wireless broadband at home - I have heard conflicting reports around this regarding security etc - is wireless to high risk?

Gin

pando

235 posts

Master Geek

#70728 15-May-2007 08:44

Hi Gin

We run both wired and wireless LAN at home as i'm hooked up with my neighbour. Wireless is very handy if you're using a laptop and it's very secure in my opinion (IMO) so long as you set up an encryption password. A new wireless broadband router package from telstra or xtra will explain how to set this up so i'd assume the other ISP's would aswell.

Carl

Saptha

35 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#71224 19-May-2007 00:21

i had AMD 64 X2 few months back its a ACER Ferrari 5300Wli i was working with XP, Vista and oracle DB and adobe PS CS2 and many huge applications never had a problem , acer is bit cheaper than outer brands. ferarri is bit expensive but normal acer you will be able to get it around 1000-1500US$ i guess.

Lipex666

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#71231 19-May-2007 09:08

Just add 5 cents here as well. It is confusing what to do with lappy's - what specs and the cost.

The main thing is they are not cheap or if at all upgradable if you decide you want more power or graphics later on as 1 GB memory upgrade if upgradable could be 200 - 300 dollars etc.

Do you want inbuilt wireless or just lan is another thing to look at, better to get a inbuilt card.

I found dells web site a wealth of info as you can mix and match parts and build a lappy and see what the different costs are. Then you can go to your computer store well armed with info and cost for comparison.

I just brought a new lappy a Asus G1 last weekend and my budget was 2K will I walked out spending 4k with a 22 LCD screen as well anyway.

I went to lappy superstore in Auckland PB tech who had a full range of laptops and was able to find one that met my requirements.

1. Must be 1GB one stick upgradable to 2 GB - I went for 2GB ram to run vista and vid and photo software
2. Dedicated Graphics card Nvida 7700 512mb card to run some games and to have the power to do vid editing and streaming
3. As much power as I could afford and that was a Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz
4. Screen size - 15.4 min size wide screen preferred. I ended up with 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
5. looked good

What I now have a is a desktop replacement that will meet my needs for the next few years. I spent more money than my budget to future proof my needs.

So think about what you needs are and what you may want to do with it. If its just for email and web surfing some amd models are priced anywhere from $700 and cheaper and Dont forget to check pricespy for a comparison of prices. Plus warranty and support

"The only way to learn some- thing is to do it"

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