advice on specs ... [Laptop]

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marz

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Topic # 5848 1-Dec-2005 23:54

Ok so I'm buying a laptop, because its impractical for me not to have one when I'm out and about for work. I'm going PC rather than mac, cos I'm not rich :-) I'll be using it for internet, email, and then a few film industry programs such as moviemagic scheduling, etc (which have reasonably low spec requirements so its all good), plus I'll want to use some games on it, like sims2, and will add some strategy games and stuff later, but it won't be a "gaming machine". I work in the film industry, so potentially I could be using it to put stuff on a showreel by way of the dvd burner at some stage.

What I want so far is ...
at least 512 mb ram
at least 80gig hard drive
bluetooth
built in wireless
DVD writer
intel centrino processor
Widescreen

any tips or advice on anything else? or what to steer clear of?
Or any suggestions on brands to look at?

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Reply # 24143 2-Dec-2005 00:01

I would go for at least 1GB RAM.

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tonyhughes

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Reply # 24162 2-Dec-2005 14:51

get the gruntiest processor you can afford.
dont panic too much about HDD, you can always buy a larger capacity afterwards, or use external drives.

absolutely go with 1GB+ of RAM. I do a lot of music and DVD stuff on my computer (we have a DVD handycam, and im a music nut), and 1GB is barely enough these days - i am thinking about a new mobo + ram so i can go 4GB.

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chiefie

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Reply # 24163 2-Dec-2005 15:14

high resolution lcd if you are going to do film related stuff... do not settle for the 1280x800 ... 1680x1050 is more like it :-D

as the other guys said, 1GB ram minimum. get Pentium M 2GHz+ if you can, avoid Celeron M chips. Any GPU would be fine, but if you can find one that has its own GPU unit, and preferrably its own RAM (rather than sharing/hyperram -- which uses main system ram as its partial vram).

DVD+/-RW(+DL)

BTW. what your usage like? will it be operating from battery on odd time? or majority of the time will be on AC power?

What's your budget like?

check these HP models.

zd8000 series (portable-desktop replacement)

nc8200 series (performance series - mid end notebook pc)

nx8200 series (performance series - high end notebook pc)

nw8200 (performance series - mobile workstation)

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marz

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Reply # 24228 4-Dec-2005 23:02

thanks for the advice so far everyone, its been helpful. I'm still looking, decided that rushing a laptop purchase is not something i want to do or i'll just end up making impulse decisions.
It'll be my christmas present to myself :-)

My usage: that depends, if I'm using it at work I'll be plugged into AC power. Same goes for watching dvds I would expect. I will need something that I can use for a good few hours though without a powerpack, and I've noticed some have shocking battery life.

Yeah chiefie, I'll be avoiding celeron chips for sure, i've had too many people warn me against them. thats why im going centrino instead. My budget ... hmm as low as possible but not pathetically low, because you get what you pay for. Ideally I'd like less than $2500 for sure.

Aloha

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Reply # 24231 5-Dec-2005 00:14

Check also Aussie prices as well. I am not against New Zealand's economy, but electronics are quite overpriced here. You can save couple of hundred dollars overseas and all laptop come with international warranty nowadays.

No friends going to OZ or Singapore sometimes?

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jpwise

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Reply # 24235 5-Dec-2005 01:06

PS: Bear in mind however that even if they have international warranties, they can (and will) refuse if it's a parallel import. If it's an overseas machine but your proof of purchase says it was bought in NZ, they'll refer you back to the reseller.

Jp.

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chiefie

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Reply # 24239 5-Dec-2005 07:52

i agree with JP. trying to get internationally bought device to local NZ's service centres can be very very hard and tricky as they are not as willing to provide service as to the devices purchased in NZ..

the electronic gadgets in NZ are definitely overpriced, but some are in similar price range (after exchange rate + air ticket + underlying cost that you haven't not foresee)

Anyhow, Centrino is not a processor chip, Centrino is a class that stands for mobile CPU that is power consumption/battery friendly and with built in connectivity (wireless). The power CPU in mobile/laptop is Pentium M.

Anyhow, if you want to use for few hours on battery and you would mostly want a powerful desktop replacement, then that zd8000 is great. else NW82xx or NX8200 are the power range with battery friendly too.

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marz

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Reply # 24247 5-Dec-2005 13:20

yeah i'll be avoiding parallel imports for sure. I used to work for vodafone and know how much of a hassle it can be dealing with warranties for overseas stuff. No way I'm going there!

daemonx

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Reply # 24488 9-Dec-2005 13:06

Yes u should defintely go for 1GB or more,i find 1 Gig can be slow at times.If ur into video editing and stuff,ud def need high res screen and try to get those new ones which are shiny(mine is an acer aspire 1692 and it uses crystal brite technology) which is great for movies and games.

for the gpu,its always good to have pci exp with at least 128 megs.i use the Ati X700 and its pretty good.

i got mine from singapore since im based there and yes it def a lot cheaper there,and it comes with 1 yr international warranty as standard

as for support,I screwed the BIOS on my laptop and i called up the service centre in auckland.they said no probs,all they needed was proof of purchase. So i sent them the unit,they replaced it and send it back in less than a week(would have been a day less if courier post had not delayed it)

however,if u buy the unit from OZ its not covered by warranty here,uve to ship it back to OZ itself.

so,i'd def recommend acer.

DaemonX

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Reply # 25636 3-Jan-2006 09:29

If you are looking for integrated BlueTooth & WiFi, Sony do a nice job, but buy from Sony direct as they are about 10% cheaper (I found the retailers would not more much on the price). Screen resolution and clarity are excellent but you may need to stretch the budget a little.

the_nurd

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Reply # 27217 26-Jan-2006 08:46

yes, for the specs theese guys are saying you are looking at $5000+
also, you can get a pentium4 3.2ghz or higher in a laptop now, and external usb drives that range from 40 to 800 gb and everywhere in between.
also you want a lot of good graphics specs, secondary monitor and s-video are a must have.

lyonrouge

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Reply # 27223 26-Jan-2006 09:12

The Sony Vaio described is $3 800, purchased direct from Sony Style store (they are more at other retailers). It has integrated Bluetooth and WiFi with good graphics and upper end integration with provides excellent stability. As your requirements outline, it is not a gaming super computer (but it will run heavy weight games like FarCry), but provides a light weight, easy-to-use solution.

I’m sure there are other equally suitable solutions around or near the same price, but my experience to big processor laptops is that they are desktop replacements, with the weight that implies.

my 2 cents.

freitasm

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Reply # 27225 26-Jan-2006 09:14

lyon_rouge: If you are looking for integrated BlueTooth & WiFi, Sony do a nice job, but buy from Sony direct as they are about 10% cheaper (I found the retailers would not more much on the price). Screen resolution and clarity are excellent but you may need to stretch the budget a little.

I actually wouldn't touch a Sony for their Bluetooth - it's not compatible with most of other devices, really.

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freitasm

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Reply # 27226 26-Jan-2006 09:18

the_nurd: yes, for the specs theese guys are saying you are looking at $5000+
also, you can get a pentium4 3.2ghz or higher in a laptop now, and external usb drives that range from 40 to 800 gb and everywhere in between.
also you want a lot of good graphics specs, secondary monitor and s-video are a must have.

You can get a dual core Dell Inspiron 9400, 512MB RAM, 60GB HDD, 17" XGA, DVD R/W for $2998, delivered. This is a good price for a high performance machine for home and business (not heavy multimedia stuff of course).

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lyonrouge

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Reply # 27228 26-Jan-2006 09:31

freitasm:
lyon_rouge: If you are looking for integrated BlueTooth & WiFi, Sony do a nice job, but buy from Sony direct as they are about 10% cheaper (I found the retailers would not more much on the price). Screen resolution and clarity are excellent but you may need to stretch the budget a little.
I actually wouldn't touch a Sony for their Bluetooth - it's not compatible with most of other devices, really.

Interesting comment on the Sony Bluetooth, so far I have connected it to a Palm (T3), Nokia Mobile (6230), SonyEricsson Mobile (T610), Nokia Headset (HS-4W), SonyEricsson Headset(HBH662), DSE Bluetooth Dongle and a Kensington Bluetooth mouse.

What equipment could you not connect to your Sony?

Ps. I’m not a Sony bigot, I also have IBM and Toshiba laptops, with their own strengths and weaknesses, but the Sony has won “primary” status as it runs Bluetooth and Wifi together without problems and weighs in under 2kg.

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