So many laptops... how do I pick one?

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Maddmatt

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So my dad needs a new laptop, will mostly be used for work related stuff. I looked on sites like Prophecy and Wootware, as well as some local stores. But damn, there's no easy way to choose.

He's willing to spend R5000+ for a good one. Reliability is important.
Must be Windows 7, he will buy Office 2010 for it.

Which laptops are worth considering?
 
There are quite a few specials at Makro, Game, Hyper etc. Buy the Sunday times and you will see the ads, can get something pretty decent for under R5k.
 
The Toshiba for R4999 looks good as well. Core i5, 3GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 1year onsite warranty.
 
I would avoid Toshiba.

Get an Hp/Dell/Lenovo for a business laptop.

And get a Core i processor, pricing is about the same as the core 2 laptops but they are always far better specs.
 
Ultimately you get what you pay for. The most reliable and robust laptops like MacBooks and Thinkpads cost more.

Dell have a 3 year onsite warranty which is really worth considering.
 
Whatever you get read some reviews on line, if 10 people say the keyboard sucks. Then don't get it if you need to type on it. etc.. Always check comments on Durability too, you don't want plastic.
 
encrypted said:
Whatever you get read some reviews on line, if 10 people say the keyboard sucks. Then don't get it if you need to type on it. etc.. Always check comments on Durability too, you don't want plastic.
Click to expand...

Good point.
 
Don't get HP, Horrible after sales support.

Dell or Acer FTW.
 
encrypted said:
I would avoid Toshiba.

Get an Hp/Dell/Lenovo for a business laptop.

And get a Core i processor, pricing is about the same as the core 2 laptops but they are always far better specs.
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with a Toshiba. I've had a Toshiba which was a dream to work with (older Satellite)
 
YA I love my Toshiba, carted it back and forth to uni in my bag with some big ass books and it's still perfect.. about 2 years old now.

Incredible connection also has some good specials on now and then..

But you should decide what you want in terms of specs.
Say i5, 4GB ram, 500GB HDD, 15" screen etc etc... and see whats the best price you can find then decide on a specific manufacturer
 
PostmanPot said:
Get Asus/Dell.
Click to expand...
Asus & Dell has excellent warranties & support locally. Unfortunately they are amongst the expensive options available, but in the end it is really worth it for the warranty/support, especially if the laptop is going to be used for work.
A friend of mine's mom had her Asus laptop serviced (broken HDD) and returned within 1 day in Cape Town, even though she bought it from a place in Jhb. I'm really impressed with that kind of service.

I've also seen keyboards from other laptop manufacturers having an offset to the left to cater for the numpad, which is terrible if you're not using an external keyboard.
 
Pada said:
Asus & Dell has excellent warranties & support locally. Unfortunately they are amongst the expensive options available, but in the end it is really worth it for the warranty/support, especially if the laptop is going to be used for work.
A friend of mine's mom had her Asus laptop serviced (broken HDD) and returned within 1 day in Cape Town, even though she bought it from a place in Jhb. I'm really impressed with that kind of service.

I've also seen keyboards from other laptop manufacturers having an offset to the left to cater for the numpad, which is terrible if you're not using an external keyboard.
Click to expand...

My FIL's Acer laptops hard drive broke (he dropped a printer on the laptop) collect, repair, return within 2 days.
 
catweasel said:
There are quite a few specials at Makro, Game, Hyper etc. Buy the Sunday times and you will see the ads, can get something pretty decent for under R5k.
Click to expand...

They have the weekly specials leaflets online which can be seen on their sites.
 
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