Which Brand Laptop? (yes again)

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scuwp

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#101856 10-May-2012 14:09

I have finally resigned my Asus to the scrapheap as it is no longer economical to repair. Looking around there seem to be a variety with very similar specs:

-500 - 640 GB Hd
-Intel i5 (some i7)
-4 Gb Ram (some 8)
-All the usual bells and whistles, HDMI, USB 3 etc.

All for less than $1400 (most around $1200)

My question is not so much on the model, as these seem to change almost weekly, and they are so similar with the same components its almost impossible to differentiate. But what about build quality or support in NZ?

Top of my list is Toshiba, followed by HP, and today had a peek at some nice Samsung models, although don't know much about them. Dell is on the horizon but was looking at the interest free deals as I don't have that much cash to hand over in one go so I guess that's them out.

Still have an old HP DV9000 that was an awesome beast, and use Toshiba for work. Wouldn't touch an Acer, Asus again sorry.

Anyone care to offer an opinion on the brand support for Toshiba vs HP in NZ? (Have heard HP is rubbish)

Open mind hoping for some wise opinions...

Cheers

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#622885 10-May-2012 14:33

I bought a Thinkpad Edge E520 direct from Lenovo for $711 delivered last year. Specs are pretty much what you're looking for and I'm pretty happy with it. The only criticism I have of it is the screen isn't of super quality, fine for most tasks though and plays Batman Arkham City Fine. I added the obligatory extra 4Gb once it arrived which is well worth doing for $50ish.

Specs below:

Processor Intel Core i5-2430M Processor (2.40GHz, 3M Cache)
Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
Operating system language Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 - English
Display type 15.6" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Anti-Glare, Midnight Black
System graphics AMD Mobility Radeon 2GB
Total memory 4 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)
Keyboard Keyboard - US English
Camera 720p HD Camera
Hard drive 500GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
Optical device DVD Recordable
Battery 6 Cell 2.2Ah Li-Ion Battery
Power cord 90W AC Adapter - New Zealand
Bluetooth Broadcom Bluetooth 3.0 with antenna
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters ThinkPad 2x2 a/b/g/n
Language pack Publication - English AP

networkn

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#622904 10-May-2012 15:12

Customer Service wise it's more about what range you buy than what brand I think though I'd take an HP over a Toshiba for general service. If you buy a consumer device, (Typically indicated by the OS installed) then expect a consumer helpdesk and support experience. If you pay extra and get a business product, it will likely be more expensive and have less bells and whistles but have better support and warranties by default.

scuwp

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#623083 10-May-2012 18:22

How do I know if I am looking at a "business" laptop as opposed to a consumer model? I appreciate the likes of Lenovo and some Dell are clearly designed for work more than play, but what about the normal retail outlets (remembering I am looking for an interest free deal)?

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networkn

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#623086 10-May-2012 18:25

Two easy ways.. If it's being sold by a retail chain like Harvey Normans, B&B, DSE etc, it's likely a consumer model. Also if it's running anything less than a Pro or Business edition of Windows, it's a consumer platform device, and generally if it's under $1200, it's a low end device (Unless it's a prior years clearance product or something).

These are generalizations (Except the OS thing) but will give you SOME idea.

If you want Interest Free, you are talking retail chains, and they will LIKELY be consumer models.

lxsw20

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#623090 10-May-2012 18:27

Hp wise the business laptops are all branded elitebook or probook. Pb teh are the only one I can think of that may do some kind of finance deal that sell them.

scuwp

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#623097 10-May-2012 18:32

lxsw20: Hp wise the business laptops are all branded elitebook or probook. Pb teh are the only one I can think of that may do some kind of finance deal that sell them.

Ah, I thought as much. Asked a salesman what was different about a 'sat' and 'sat-pro' the other day and he didn't have a clue. Been into PB Tech a couple of times, but no luck finding someone free to discuss their range and options :-(

May try again tomorrow. Might be able to wrench the cash from the missus for the right deal.

Cheers

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michaelmurfy

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#623125 10-May-2012 19:05

To be honest, I bought a HP and have never regretted my purchase, it's a good laptop for the price I paid for it (after I removed the bloatware that came preinstalled)

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Wade

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#623127 10-May-2012 19:17

You can pickup Dell from JB Hifion interest free terms

On a desperate note my parents just bought a dell 15R from dell online, i7, 1gb graphics, 750gb hdd, bd-rom, win7 Premium for $1167. It was a runout model with gen2 but more than suitable for their needs

Handle9

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#623161 10-May-2012 19:48

The other thing worth watching is the Dell outlet. Currently got a XPS14 for $1099 which is a pretty good deal. They generally have Laititudes on regularly. I've had a couple of Latitudes at work and they're good business class machines.

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/products/quickship/nz/en/xps_notebook?c=nz&l=en&s=dfo

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#623163 10-May-2012 19:49

the very latest dell http://www.dell.com/nz/p/inspiron-15r-se-7520/pd.aspx?&ref=hbn

but not sure about interest free sorry

just a suggestion

networkn

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#623169 10-May-2012 19:58

Eww Dell.

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lxsw20

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#623223 10-May-2012 21:55

joker97: the very latest dell http://www.dell.com/nz/p/inspiron-15r-se-7520/pd.aspx?&ref=hbn

but not sure about interest free sorry

just a suggestion

Look nice enough, personally I'd never buy a laptop with such a low res as 1366x768 on anything larger than a 13" laptop, even then it's pushing it.

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#623245 10-May-2012 22:21

I have a 13.1" Screen with a 1900x1200 resolution.

scuwp

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#623344 11-May-2012 08:13

Thanks for the feedback. Yes saw the Dell 15R special editions, looks like a great deal. May have to look at the bank balance again as nothing in any shop has come close to those specs.

1366 x 768 seems pretty standard on 15" laptops. I have only come across 1 model (Sony) with a full HD screen.

Next problem is my daughter has seen the pink 'Sony' vaio's in the shops, cue massive tantrum in the middle of Noel Leemings, arrrgghhh !!! Ever tried explaining hard drive sizes, processor speeds, and memory to a 4 year old? Lol

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#623377 11-May-2012 09:15

I got a Lenovo for my Mum, so far no complaints. It was DOA because of a fan that was busted, they fixed it in 2-3 days, service was good.

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