Need some advice on buying a new laptop

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Need some advice on buying a new laptop

nejetaset

1 post

Wannabe Geek

# 19211 9-Feb-2008 16:05

I'm new to this forum, but I know there are a lot of tech-savvy people on here who will be able to help me.

I'm buying myself a new laptop this week, and I can only spend a maximum of $1600 on it.

I would like a laptop that has 2GB of RAM, bluetooth, and XP. I hate Vista with a passion.

I was contemplating buying a Dell Inspiron 1520, as the hardware on the computer appears to meet my needs. However, I did a google search on 'Dell Hell', after a friend advised me against buying one.

I live in Wellington, so was also contemplating buying an Acer Extensa 5620 from Ascent Computers.

I will primarily be using the laptop for uni, as the one I have now isn't that great is about 2 and a half years old (it's a Compaq Presario V2418AU) - it still does the job, and has wireless on it, but not enough RAM (only 256MB) for what I need to run now.

Any advice would be great, including any pros/cons about Dell.

Just need a laptop that is value for money, reliable, and performs well.

Thanks in advance :-)

alanwright

46 posts

Geek

# 109532 9-Feb-2008 18:38

Hi there, not sure where you are studying in Welly, but Cyclone computers (supply computers to most academic institutes in the country) have a website www.lapshop.co.nz they offer pretty decent pricing for uni students - check to see if your institute is on the list.

A quick search (based on your requirements) bought this up http://www.lapshop.co.nz/aut/index.asp?PageID=2145849669 it does only come with 1gig, but it wouldnt cost more than 150$ to upgrade to 2gig.

As far as dells, well you get what you pay for. Not a huge fan, but have recommended them to a few people over the years and they have been happy - apparently there support is no longer "out sourced" and is pretty good (correct me if i am wrong) ..

This machien does come with vista pre-loaded (like all machines now do). I am not sure where/if you can still buy XP? But some one on this board will have more info on this subject than me.

Cheers

Alan

hamo

53 posts

Master Geek

# 109534 9-Feb-2008 19:00

If your current laptop is good otherwise, have you investigated upgrading the RAM? You cuold probably bump it up another GB for under $250? Somewhere like Quay computers should be able to do it for you. Otherwise get out to Harvey Normans tomorrow - there's a good HP with 2Gb for $1499.

Simonm

181 posts

Master Geek

# 109545 9-Feb-2008 21:23

If you send me a message with your email address ill send you a PDF with some nicely priced laptops that will be available soon for students....

Any one else as well, if you have a student ID your also welcome to msg me :)

alasta

4310 posts

Uber Geek
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Subscriber

# 109562 9-Feb-2008 23:24

I bought a Dell Inspiron 1520 in September and so far it has been excellent.

Those who claim that 'you get what you pay for with Dell' should be reminded that Dell are able to offer more competitive pricing than their competitors because their build to order sales model allows them to avoid incurring costs associated with having stock unnecessarily sitting around. Yes, Dells are cheap for a reason but it's not a reason that should be of concern.

Simonm

181 posts

Master Geek

# 109632 10-Feb-2008 13:05

I think Dell have long since lost there edge in the build to order stakes. Everyone has now since copied this idea and other players such as HP have screwed there own prices down. There edge i think still remains in the direct sales model, but under the Dell 2.0 structure this may change.

Dell have to be one of the most irritating PC companies. Its bad enough they fax you all the time, and then when you decide you want say 30 of whats advertised, they say sorry those PCs are only for available in quantitys less than 5, and that you have to go to there other model at a few hundred dollars extra.

weblordpepe

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

# 110141 12-Feb-2008 18:59

Order 6 shipments?

Milts

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 111245 17-Feb-2008 19:08

Hey, not wanting to hijack the OP's thread but I have a near identical question: getting a new laptop for uni in the next week or two, budget is maybe 1300-1400$. I was thinking of something like this, with an extra gig of ram:
http://c1com.co.nz/shop/step1.php?number=12720
But I've done some reading at it seems the screens on those are a bit, well, average. Reading this thread I've had a look at http://www.lapshop.co.nz/all/index.asp?PageID=2145848634 and http://www.lapshop.co.nz/all/index.asp?PageID=2145849669
but I think I could easily use more than 80 gigs of HDD space, and more ram would always be nice. The Dell™ Inspiron™ 1525 (http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_good?c=nz&cs=nzdhs1&l=en&am
p;s=dhs) could be an option, with a few upgrades (RAM and screen), but I'm not really a dell fan (illogical bias, so sue me).
Any other suggestions? Battery life is very important because I will be using it during lectures. I plan on using linux, so I if possible I would like to buy one without all the extras that I don't need, ie windows/antivirus/microsoft software package/webcam/bluetooth etc. Is there anywhere I can actually do this?

manhinli

2483 posts

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# 111265 17-Feb-2008 20:13

If you want a simple laptop with Linux already preinstalled, DSE has got the Acer Aspire 4315 for $698 ($99 cashback available) - but it's very basic at that price.

You really do need to shop around for a laptop these days, as there are plenty of specials around.

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Milts

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 111293 17-Feb-2008 23:04

manhinli: If you want a simple laptop with Linux already preinstalled, DSE has got the Acer Aspire 4315 for $698 ($99 cashback available) - but it's very basic at that price.

You really do need to shop around for a laptop these days, as there are plenty of specials around.

Yeah I saw that laptop, it had a really nice touchpad too, but I'm looking for something with slightly higher specs and maybe a bigger screen.
I was wondering about ordering from here, because you can customise them so much, but I don't know anything about the site (reliability, warantee, etc).
*EDIT* Just found the part on their site where they say they don't ship internationally. Took long enough. Also, they say at the bottom "We live to serve HIM, and you." Wierd.......