Choosing a laptop

[PHTech]

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.

Depending on what type of CPU you are using. For instance: Would Autodesk Inventor 2009 run on a 5 year old notebook with most likely a Celeron or P4 CPU, compared to a new Notebook computer with something like a new Celeron or C2D CPU...?

Eg. 5-year old notebook's possibly doesn't have a display system which will render 3D objects whilst drawing a 3D mechanical drawing, so you will be left with a slower and less productive working environment, than using a newer higher spec notebook...? Hope this makes sense...

It all depends on the user's requirements. If you want to do high-end multi-media processing (including CAD, database development, sound-engineering, etc.) do you still want to buy a R4K notebook...? AGAIN - Spend the money on something suitable for you. You will get frustraded with something lower-specced if you actually require a higher-specced system...

Hope this states my point (even though its only a personal opinion) as if you go cheap on a PC / Notebook, you will mostly get what you pay for... Compare it to a car - If you buy a R50k Citi, do you expect it to perform like a R300k GTI...? Stupid comparison, but anyways...

 

[quik]

Depending on what type of CPU you are using. For instance: Would Autodesk Inventor 2009 run on a 5 year old notebook with most likely a Celeron or P4 CPU, compared to a new Notebook computer with something like a new Celeron or C2D CPU...?

Eg. 5-year old notebook's possibly doesn't have a display system which will render 3D objects whilst drawing a 3D mechanical drawing, so you will be left with a slower and less productive working environment, than using a newer higher spec notebook...? Hope this makes sense...

It all depends on the user's requirements. If you want to do high-end multi-media processing (including CAD, database development, sound-engineering, etc.) do you still want to buy a R4K notebook...? AGAIN - Spend the money on something suitable for you. You will get frustraded with something lower-specced if you actually require a higher-specced system...

Hope this states my point (even though its only a personal opinion) as if you go cheap on a PC / Notebook, you will mostly get what you pay for... Compare it to a car - If you buy a R50k Citi, do you expect it to perform like a R300k GTI...? Stupid comparison, but anyways...

This has absolutely no bearing on what blunomore is enquiring about. What you are referring to is hardly day-to-day computing tasks. I wouldn't do any type of 3D rendering on a laptop in any case, because the cost of a laptop with those capabilities could easily pay for a more powerfull desktop machine and a laptop.

We are talking about a student on a budget. If by any chance he were studying anything along the lines you mentioned, the university/institution would provide that type of rendering hardware. Notebooks by design and definition fulfill the primary role of being portable, with high end laptops being justified in instances where there is no other option. (eg. Engineers on multiple remote sites requiring 3D CAD applications)

A netbook with external display/input or entry level Notebook would be sufficient if the student was using it for day-to-day computing and tutorials as blunomore mentioned.

 

[PHTech]

This has absolutely no bearing on what blunomore is enquiring about. What you are referring to is hardly day-to-day computing tasks. I wouldn't do any type of 3D rendering on a laptop in any case, because the cost of a laptop with those capabilities could easily pay for a more powerfull desktop machine and a laptop.

We are talking about a student on a budget. If by any chance he were studying anything along the lines you mentioned, the university/institution would provide that type of rendering hardware. Notebooks by design and definition fulfill the primary role of being portable, with high end laptops being justified in instances where there is no other option. (eg. Engineers on multiple remote sites requiring 3D CAD applications)

A netbook with external display/input or entry level Notebook would be sufficient if the student was using it for day-to-day computing and tutorials as blunomore mentioned.

OK... Just mentioned it as FOR WHAT THE USER's NEEDS would be... But for a student then, go for something entry spec, but PERSONALLY, I would look for something that will last AND do the work for most of the student's study terms...

 

[nihilist]

Why not look for a second hand IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad? Their quality is top class, rugged and reliable. I've seen 5+ year old Thinkpads in better shape than 6 month old Acers.

If you're planning on buying new, whatever make/model you get, my choice would be: buy the best brand you can afford and make sure you extend the warranty to 3 years, usually this costs about R1k but it is WELL worth it, replacement parts on notebooks are extremely expensive.

 

[hank]

good place to buy your laptop form

well personnally i feel the LENOVO N500 is a superb laptop low spec or not,
if your looking for a good price speak to these guys :

They sell laptops and computers they even courier it to you

Contact: Denzel at Criptech Solutions
Tel: 031 468 7474
Cell: 072 426 1318
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