Opinions please for buying a budget laptop

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ahmad

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#18174 31-Dec-2007 09:09

This is currently on sale for $900

Lenovo 3000n100 series
Intel Dual Core 2080 1.7GHz
1Gb RAM (probably using all the slots)
120Gb HDD
DVD burner
15" widescreen
Intel 950 Graphics (not stated but I presume shared)

The budget is really tight but might stretch to $1000 for this:
1.46GHz Pentium Dual Core Processor
120GB Hard Drive
1GB DDR2 Ram
15.4" Widescreen Display
Windows Vista Home Basic
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Super multi DVD Drive

I'm obviously not needing a workhorse, just basic tasks. I have looked 2nd hand but the prices are horrendous compared to these sale prices.

Is the Lenovo reasonable? Or do you have a suggestion for a different sub-$1000 laptop?

muppet

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#102362 31-Dec-2007 09:36

For a "Basic Tasks" PC, memory is the most important thing.
Because of that, if you can get a PC with 1gig without Vista (XP Instead) you will be much happier.
Otherwise look at dropping CPU/HardDisk down a little to get more memory, Vista is quite the suck with only 1Gig of RAM.

With that aside though, either of those two would be great for just web browsing and word processing. NOT games though, if that is at all important.

Lenovo are I believe quite good, but do some searching to see other people's opinions.

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ahmad

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#102363 31-Dec-2007 09:56

Thanks for those thoughts. Definitely not gaming. Internet, email, and word processing.

I'm needing a temporary solution while I have lost access to my older laptop that runs XP that I'm very happy with (build/design/etc.).

I've had to fall back onto my 10 year old desktop P-II 400 with 384Mb RAM running Windows 2000. I was happy for a while but the lag is starting to kill me (click, pause, type, pause, click, pause, load, pause... you get the idea).

I'm not intending on keeping it forever so that's why cheaper is better. With the Boxing Day sales I thought I might be able to pick up something to use in the mean time but not lose too much in depreciation when I come around to selling it (obviously the more I pay the more I stand to lose).

XP is only pre-installed on more expensive laptops at the moment. Thus I have Vista forced upon me. The price seems quite good for the specs? The "original price" of $1299 is inflated (it's stayed the same since launch many months ago), but the sale price of $900 still seems cheapish?

The Lenovo is sold at the Warehouse where I've never had issues with after-sales service (at the retailer level - if they tell me to take it up with Lenovo and I have no luck, I'll be pressing the CGA on the Warehouse). Whereas the Compaq is at B&B/Noel Leeming, with questionable after-sales support.

chiefie

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#102370 31-Dec-2007 11:06

Why not just get Asus EEEPC. sure it's not the grunty house laptop but it's a basic internet laptop. Check out DSE and search for EEEPC.

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rattler

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#102376 31-Dec-2007 11:49

Lenovo is good.. very good if you happen to have to reinstall the os etc as the website will download all the drivers and software for your specific laptop.. very handy i think.

but...

i would agree with chiefie.. the EEEPC would be an execelent choice.. they are about $600 i think.. and the cd that comes with it has all the xp drivers if you decided to install xp (comes with a flavour of linux on it).

if you search the net for comments on the eeepc (from asus) i dont think you will find anything bad at all..

ahmad

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#102382 31-Dec-2007 12:50

Thanks everyone. I ended up getting the Lenovo - the only problem was that it doesn't have a 56k modem, which I only found out after purchase (because the store didn't have a display, nor any information about the full specs). Can't remember when I last used a 56k modem but I would have expected it on a laptop in case I need it on the road. Guess I'll need to stay at hotel/motels with broadband access in future.

Thanks for the EEE PC suggestion - it was considered and was a strong contender. However I passed it for a couple reasons:

1. This machine will be a desktop replacement, and be the primary home computer - EEE PC screen and keyboard is too small for heavy everyday use.

2. EEE PC is 1st generation hardware and I don't like buying 1st gen - will definitely be interested in the next few years!

I hear people already asking why I opted for a laptop instead of a desktop for a home PC. Basically this is a temporary solution for us and we will look to resell in the year or so. Thus the cheaper the better (less depreciation), and I also feel that laptops have better resale value (might be wrong there).

muppet

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#102449 1-Jan-2008 09:24

Get yourself a USB Modem, they're cheap as chips these days because no one uses modems anymore.

I got one (for free!) with my new laptop, and I've not used it thus far with wireless. Though I am travelling to large cities, dialup would be an option no doubt in smaller places.

ahmad

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#102455 1-Jan-2008 09:57

I'm surprised that a moderately high end machine like the MacBooks have taken out the 56k modem - I mean I know we all use broadband but it *is* a laptop...

I actually checked on TradeMe and the cheapest was about $35 in expired, and there is one currently running with no disclosed reserve. Dick Smith sells them for about $80.

Anyway to cut a long story short last night I stumbled upon 2 ports hidden away at the back of the laptop which pleased me immensely. First was a modem jack (surprised me because I didn't notice it at first and there was no phone cable in the box to let me know that one was on board) as well as an S-video plug (I wouldn't have paid for one but it's nice to have it).

rscole86

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#102465 1-Jan-2008 12:05

By hidden do you mean covered by a piece of plastic or a rubber bung?

Becuase if they were, chances are they are just dummy holes. And the case is just a standard that they use for a few different models of laptops.

ahmad

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#102466 1-Jan-2008 12:20

No, hidden as in I didn't look there :p

I am used to it being next to the 10/100 jack, and it wasn't there (although the 1394 port was a pleasant surprise). All the ports on the left and right are labelled, and there was no label for a modem. And there wasn't a cable in the box, so I gave up.

Then when I was feeling around the back for the place to plug the power adaptor in, I discovered 2 more ports at the back that were not labelled on the front of the laptop, but just beside the ports - one modem jack and one S-video :) The S-video works (tried it last night) and the modem jack has copper contact inside.