Choosing a laptop

blunomore

blunomore

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We are helping someone to fund their studies and he now wants to buy himself a laptop.

He is on a tight budget, so what would be a fairly inexpensive option, but would at the same time not be a reasonably good quality? He wants internet access as well, so maybe even one of those options where you buy the laptop as part of a contract and then get 3G ... ?

Thanks
 
If a budget is tight, "gaming" is not an option, and pretty much any entry-level notebook should serve the needs of a student (i.e. typing up reports, doing some research, etc). Just make sure you go for a brand that has a decent warranty (HP, Dell, Acer). You can get one of these for R5000 - R6000. You'd have to work out how much extra a 3G contract with a notebook would cost over the 36 months of the contract (AFAIK what they usually are). Often it works out quite a bit more.
 
Students dont always need laptops - whats the problem with a desktop?
 
blunomore said:
The same way students do not need iphones or blackberries, but as you know, when they're 20, image is all they care for.
Click to expand...

When a person need help to fund thier studies, its time to be practical.
 
Actually, I agree... Desktop FTW...

Will cost a quarter of the price for the same specs. And cheaper (and easier) to add onto later.
 
I agree, a desktop would be a much better option in terms of budget.
But if he actually NEEDS a laptop, I wouldn't go with one of contract options... You end paying so much more for the device.
If he doesn't need anything fancy (ie internet browsing & documents etc) look at getting an EEEPC (starts at around R2000) or an Acer Aspire One (starts at around R2500)
 
blunomore said:
I do not really want to debate this aspect. He says he has to attend tutorials etc so he needs a portable computer.
Click to expand...

Its all good. Its your cash thats funding him.
 
I'd stay away from HP laptops, their service is pathetic.

The Lenovo N500 is an excellent machine and very well priced. Should be able to pick one up for around R5k.

PM me if you want a quote.
 
blunomore said:
I do not really want to debate this aspect. He says he has to attend tutorials etc so he needs a portable computer.
Click to expand...

May I ask what field?

Most fields out there DO NOT require a notebook. Sure, it may be convenient... But it's not REQUIRED
 
Netbooks are great for when you're on the go, but i wouldn't recommend one as your primary machine, the small screen and keyboard gets frustrating after a while.
 
quik said:
I'd stay away from HP laptops, their service is pathetic.

The Lenovo N500 is an excellent machine and very well priced. Should be able to pick one up for around R5k.

PM me if you want a quote.
Click to expand...

The N500 is not bad value fo money, but specs-wise, its VERY entry level (compared to the HP 550).

HP's service might not be the best, but their quality is kinda good... If you want to go with Acer, take out the 3-year extended warranty, and they have that on-site repair thing for that 3-years (or how it works). If you purchase an HP from a well known supplier, they will replace it for you in the 1st year, so they do not really send it to HP and wait for it for a century to get it back... BUT that is more supplier terms and conditions...

I have learnt from clients that if they "are on a tight budget" they expect to buy notebooks from between R4000 - R5000. If you want to buy a Sahara at Hi-Fi corporation (with Vista starter edition), then you might get it for R4000 or so, but you will spend alot of time getting the stuff to work... You guys understand what I'm trying to say...? Fork out a bit of extra cash, buy something descent, spend money on proper notebook bags, and you won't need to replace the notebook once every year, or spend alot on repairs...

But, that is just my opinion. Spend the needed R7k on a notebook, and buy something worthwhile... and for the same amount of money, you can buy an extremely good Desktop...
 
PHTech said:
The N500 is not bad value fo money, but specs-wise, its VERY entry level (compared to the HP 550).
Click to expand...

Now you're just talking nonsense :p

The entry level HP550 is lower specced than the entry level Lenovo N500 and it's more expensive. The Lenovo also comes with a proper Lenovo carry bag included in the price, the HP doesn't.

Lets have a quick comparison:
Lenovo N500:
CPU: Celeron M575 2Ghz
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 160GB
OPTICAL: DVDRW Dual Layer
GRAPHICS: Intel GMA 4500
DISPLAY: 15.4", 1280x 800
WEBCAM: YES
BLUETOOTH YES
NETWORK: Gigabit Ethernet, Wifi 802.11ABGN
EXTRA: HDMI Interface, 4 USB Ports, Carry Bag

HP 550:
CPU: Celeron M550 2Ghz
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 160GB
OPTICAL: DVDRW Dual Layer
GRAPHICS: Intel GMA X3100
DISPLAY: 15.4", 1280x 800
WEBCAM: NO
BLUETOOTH NO
NETWORK: 10/100 Ethernet, Wifi 802.11BG
EXTRA: 3 USB Ports

PHTech said:
HP's service might not be the best, but their quality is kinda good... If you want to go with Acer, take out the 3-year extended warranty, and they have that on-site repair thing for that 3-years (or how it works). If you purchase an HP from a well known supplier, they will replace it for you in the 1st year, so they do not really send it to HP and wait for it for a century to get it back... BUT that is more supplier terms and conditions...
Click to expand...

Please show me one supplier that would be willing to swop out a defective laptop. There is no such thing, all damaged/defective HP laptops have to go to LetMeRepair.

PHTech said:
I have learnt from clients that if they "are on a tight budget" they expect to buy notebooks from between R4000 - R5000. If you want to buy a Sahara at Hi-Fi corporation (with Vista starter edition), then you might get it for R4000 or so, but you will spend alot of time getting the stuff to work... You guys understand what I'm trying to say...? Fork out a bit of extra cash, buy something descent, spend money on proper notebook bags, and you won't need to replace the notebook once every year, or spend alot on repairs...

But, that is just my opinion. Spend the needed R7k on a notebook, and buy something worthwhile... and for the same amount of money, you can buy an extremely good Desktop...
Click to expand...
Stay FAR FAR FAR away from local brands, the quality is just not the same. Even an entry level notebook will last 3 years easily, it's not like the requirements of office packages are going to skyrocket :p
 
quik said:
Now you're just talking nonsense :p

The entry level HP550 is lower specced than the entry level Lenovo N500 and it's more expensive. The Lenovo also comes with a proper Lenovo carry bag included in the price, the HP doesn't.

Lets have a quick comparison:
Lenovo N500:
CPU: Celeron M575 2Ghz
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 160GB
OPTICAL: DVDRW Dual Layer
GRAPHICS: Intel GMA 4500
DISPLAY: 15.4", 1280x 800
WEBCAM: YES
BLUETOOTH YES
NETWORK: Gigabit Ethernet, Wifi 802.11ABGN
EXTRA: HDMI Interface, 4 USB Ports, Carry Bag

HP 550:
CPU: Celeron M550 2Ghz
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 160GB
OPTICAL: DVDRW Dual Layer
GRAPHICS: Intel GMA X3100
DISPLAY: 15.4", 1280x 800
WEBCAM: NO
BLUETOOTH NO
NETWORK: 10/100 Ethernet, Wifi 802.11BG
EXTRA: 3 USB Ports



Please show me one supplier that would be willing to swop out a defective laptop. There is no such thing, all damaged/defective HP laptops have to go to LetMeRepair.


Stay FAR FAR FAR away from local brands, the quality is just not the same. Even an entry level notebook will last 3 years easily, it's not like the requirements of office packages are going to skyrocket :p
Click to expand...

My bad for the 550 and N500 comparison... :o

The point still is, if you want a notebook that will last you a while, and can go for a while without the need to do upgrades, spend the extra cash and do not settle for entry level notebooks... HP, Acer, Dell - doesn't matter - Buy a proper brand of notebook and it WILL last longer than the cheapies...!

BTW - then a supplier I am buying from is actually bulls***ing me with its 1-year carry in replacement warranty clause...? Sorry for the wrong implementation of this on my previous post...
 
quik said:
Now you're just talking nonsense :p

The entry level HP550 is lower specced than the entry level Lenovo N500 and it's more expensive. The Lenovo also comes with a proper Lenovo carry bag included in the price, the HP doesn't.

Lets have a quick comparison:
Lenovo N500:
CPU: Celeron M575 2Ghz
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 160GB
OPTICAL: DVDRW Dual Layer
GRAPHICS: Intel GMA 4500
DISPLAY: 15.4", 1280x 800
WEBCAM: YES
BLUETOOTH YES
NETWORK: Gigabit Ethernet, Wifi 802.11ABGN
EXTRA: HDMI Interface, 4 USB Ports, Carry Bag

HP 550:
CPU: Celeron M550 2Ghz
RAM: 1GB
HDD: 160GB
OPTICAL: DVDRW Dual Layer
GRAPHICS: Intel GMA X3100
DISPLAY: 15.4", 1280x 800
WEBCAM: NO
BLUETOOTH NO
NETWORK: 10/100 Ethernet, Wifi 802.11BG
EXTRA: 3 USB Ports



Please show me one supplier that would be willing to swop out a defective laptop. There is no such thing, all damaged/defective HP laptops have to go to LetMeRepair.


Stay FAR FAR FAR away from local brands, the quality is just not the same. Even an entry level notebook will last 3 years easily, it's not like the requirements of office packages are going to skyrocket :p
Click to expand...

Dell :rolleyes:
 
PHTech said:
My bad for the 550 and N500 comparison... :o

The point still is, if you want a notebook that will last you a while, and can go for a while without the need to do upgrades, spend the extra cash and do not settle for entry level notebooks...
Click to expand...

One of my clients has a 5 year old entry level Acer Travelmate that he uses for everything from document editing to CAD work. It's a bit slow in rendering but still works 100%. Only difference you'll see with a higher specced laptop is everything happening a bit (to alot) faster... So your argument does not make sense to me.

PHTech said:
HP, Acer, Dell - doesn't matter - Buy a proper brand of notebook and it WILL last longer than the cheapies...!
Click to expand...

It most certainly does matter. Buying a laptop purely on technical merrit is a bad idea! You have to look at after sales service as well. This you unfortunately only learn through experience.

Here's a realworld example:

Two clients of ours had similar specced laptops, one an HP and the other an Acer. Both of their CPU fans stopped working and both were out of warranty.

As the cooling unit is a proprietary integrated part, the whole cooling unit had to be replaced on both machines.

The Acer machine was collected via courier from the client the day after we logged the querry, was fixed within 3 working days and delivered again within the same week, total cost R680.00 including courier services.

The HP had to be taken to LetMeRepair seeing as they don't do collections, was there for 6 weeks while they made every excuse imaginable, from "out-of-stock" to "system down" to "booked to wrong department", all depending on who you spoke to. I even drove there on two occasions to try and get a straight answer. Eventually the machine was fixed, total cost R1200.00 plus all my costs in phone calls and fuel.

At the end of the day this translates into one happy Acer client and one very peeved HP client.

PHTech said:
BTW - then a supplier I am buying from is actually bulls***ing me with its 1-year carry in replacement warranty clause...? Sorry for the wrong implementation of this on my previous post...
Click to expand...
If it's not on paper, it didn't happen :p
 
blunomore said:
I do not really want to debate this aspect. He says he has to attend tutorials etc so he needs a portable computer.
Click to expand...
A laptop makes perfect sense for those reasons.
killadoob said:
What about a netbook maybe?
Click to expand...
I was thinking along the same lines with a larger screen and a keyboard back at the dorm - or wherever he/she stays.
 
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