Need help choosing laptop

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tonyhughes

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#19508 19-Feb-2008 22:03

I have a $2k budget for a laptop for home use.

Requirements:

Home Premium, Business, Ultimate or XP
2GB
WiFi
Bluetooth
15.4" or 17" widescreen
Large HDD
DVDRW
Card reader (SD at least)
Built in mic
Built in webcam
Good performance
Dock capability would be nice but not essential
PCMCIA slot as above

Any opinions on the following 17" models?

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/47ba8fbb00adfcec273fc0a87f33074e/Product/View/XC4722
http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/47ba8fbb00adfcec273fc0a87f33074e/Product/View/XC5802

I realise that my specs are available in ~$1000 notebooks too, so I dont have to spend the whole $2k !! (Or could spend on memory upgrades etc)

This will probably become our main PC at home, and portability isnt a huge priority, and is expected to last a long time (spending most of its life on the coffee table).

Not used for top end gaming.

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#111716 19-Feb-2008 22:39

mmmm Macbook.

Opinions? I would require parallels or dual boot for XP. I would need webcam and bluetooth working under XP - any issue?

rscole86

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#111721 19-Feb-2008 22:49

http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/47ba8fbb00adfcec273fc0a87f33074e/Product/View/XC5819

How does one of those look?

alanwright

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#111722 19-Feb-2008 22:50

as much as i hate to admit it (might have said a few things in previous posts) ... i donjt think you can beat this

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/featuresdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1530?c=nz&l=en&s=dhs&cs=nzdhs1&~lt=popup&~tab=highlighttab

$1999

chakkaradeep

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#111725 19-Feb-2008 22:57

tonyhughes: mmmm Macbook.

Opinions? I would require parallels or dual boot for XP. I would need webcam and bluetooth working under XP - any issue?

I would also recommend to look into Macbook Pro which is still the best system out there and you do get the added benefit of running Mac OSX,Vista (if you have Vista RTM) and Linux! One problem though is the keyboard layout which is quite different than that found in normal Laptops.

If not Macbook, Dell XPS!

I wouldn't look other than Dell for OEMs......

Regards,
Chaks

Desktop : Intel Quad Core Q9400 2.66GHz - 8GB RAM - 500 GB + 500 GB HDD - NVidia GeForce 9800GT - LG246WH Flatron Display - Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise with Hyper-V
Virtual Machine : Powered by Hyper-V and VMWare Workstation
Laptop: HP dv7-3004TX Entertainment Notebook PC | HP Touchsmart tx2 1119au - Windows 7 Ultimate x64
Mac: iMac 21.5" Snow Leopard
Mobile : iPhone 3GS

Milts

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#111726 19-Feb-2008 22:58

rscole86: http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/47ba8fbb00adfcec273fc0a87f33074e/Product/View/XC5819

How does one of those look?

Watch out for SSS (Shiny Screen Syndrome). I went into the Latopshop in Wellington today and was looking at mostly business laptops with matte screens (non-reflective), and I commented on how nearly all the DSE laptops had super reflective screens, making it very hard to see much when there are lights behind you. The guy there said many consumer end laptops have shiny screens on the grounds that most people who don't know what to look for in a PC are attracted to shiny objects, and they are actually a pain in the a$$ to work with.

As you may have seen in my other posts I'm also in the market for a new laptop and I've decided to go with Lenovo (IBM in disguise) and I'll get a thinkpad: ugly as sin but very (!) durable and designed for performance.

http://www-604.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10000554&catalogId=-554&langId=554&categoryId=4611686018425096207&seriesid=2137107

http://www-604.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10000554&catalogId=-554&langId=554&categoryId=4611686018425096207&seriesid=2056940

Be aware prices exclude GST.

I have also found this site to be most helpfull in my search for a good laptop.

alanwright

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#111732 19-Feb-2008 23:12

As you may have seen in my other posts I'm also in the market for a new laptop and I've decided to go with Lenovo (IBM in disguise) and I'll get a thinkpad: ugly as sin but very (!) durable and designed for performance.

i am insulted! (they arent ugly) i am typing this on my T60 LENOVO and it is the nicest laptop i have ever owned .... well built, keyboard is full sized and unmatched - better than my "ms natural" at work ... good weight, speed, gfx good enough for games .... battery kicks ... and lenovo driver update is the best i have seen ....

yes you pay LOTS for lenovo - worth every penny if you ask me ...

tonyhughes

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#111736 19-Feb-2008 23:31

i am really leaning towards a macbook, will see how i feel in the morning...

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chakkaradeep

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#111737 19-Feb-2008 23:35

tonyhughes: i am really leaning towards a macbook, will see how i feel in the morning...

not a bad choice...why not get it

tonyhughes

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#111842 20-Feb-2008 13:07

I have just ordered a 2.20GHz White Macbook from DSE. Will be here tomorrow afternoon.

I see the DSE site says its 10.4 (Which I believe is Tiger), and not 10.5 (Leopard). I would expect that a new/current model of a premium brand notebook would have the latest OS, so it remains to be seen whether it was a typo, and 10.5 is loaded, or a 10.5 upgrade is included, or if they are trying to stiff me, and there is only 10.4.

I see the 2.16GHz and 2.0GHz machines are on clearance and quite a bit cheaper - but I guess if I am going to shell out some not-insignificant $$ on a notebook, I might as well get the latest one...

I nearly bought this, and probably still will if I don't like the Mac.

Kudos to DSE for offering me a 14 day right of return on a laptop if I don't like it. You just secured my purchase!!

chakkaradeep

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#111847 20-Feb-2008 13:49

tonyhughes:

I see the DSE site says its 10.4 (Which I believe is Tiger), and not 10.5 (Leopard). I would expect that a new/current model of a premium brand notebook would have the latest OS, so it remains to be seen whether it was a typo, and 10.5 is loaded, or a 10.5 upgrade is included, or if they are trying to stiff me, and there is only 10.4.

Apple had recently upgraded all their Macbook and Macbook Pro and loaded Leopard in it. I wouldn't get a Macbook preloaded with Tiger. I am sure they would be old models then! Do check it...

tonyhughes

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#111848 20-Feb-2008 13:52

Like I said, I am hoping its a typo. If not, I will send it back, and ask for a current model.

tonyhughes

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#112086 21-Feb-2008 14:46

Well, the macbook did not arrive today, very disappointing. Especially after the sales rep at DSE phoned the manager of another store, who committed right there and then to courier it that day.

When I went in to pick it up today, it wasn't there, and they phoned the other store, to be told that "Sorry, did not send it".

They had five hours to get it organised yesterday :-(

If it arrives tomorrow, I will take it, but I really want something soon, and am likely to spend my $ elsewhere if it doesn't turn up.

chakkaradeep

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#112087 21-Feb-2008 15:07

Do you have Student IT at your place? (Currently its open at Auckland, ChristChurch and Dunedin). They are really good with Mac products.

freitasm

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#112088 21-Feb-2008 15:16

I bought a Mac mini from the Apple NZ online store on Thursday 3pm. It arrived here on Friday 12pm.

It was sent out of their warehouse in Sydney, Australia.

I did this because the Wellington DSE did not allow to transfer their stock to the Johnsonville store.

Next time think online.

tonyhughes

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#112090 21-Feb-2008 15:27

I phoned the online store - no stock, and nothing for another 4 - 5 days.

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