Which laptop to choose?(quite specific)

hj2k_x

hj2k_x

Honorary Master
Joined
Jan 22, 2006
Messages
32,137
Reaction score
1,893
Location
/\/¯¯¯¯¯\/\
Hello all

Looking at upgrading my contract to a TopUp315 in April and getting R3800 in vouchers from Incredible corruption and getting myself a laptop. I would pay in the difference with the absolute most I can afford being R8000 in total.

I need the lappie for taking notes in lectures at varsity. So key things for me would be battery life, portability(must not be too heavy) , needs at least 1GB RAM even if I decide to run XP and have wireless internet.

I have found three options from the IC website and am looking at getting some advice as to which one I should pick...

Option 1:
Lenovo
Code: 
Intel® Dual Core T2080 processor 1.73 GHz
 1024MB RAM
 160GB HDD
 Super multi DVD writer
 56K modem
 10/100 Ethernet
 Integrated WLAN & Bluetooth
 4-in-1 memory card reader
 15.4” WXGA display
 Integrated webcam with VeriFace face identification
 Dolby Home theatre surround sound
 MS Windows Vista Home Premium
 1 Year warranty
R 7,999.95

Option 2
Packard Bell
Code: 
Intel® Dual Core T2310 processor 1.46
 GHz
 2048MB RAM
 160GB HDD
 DVDRW dual layer drive
 56K modem
 10/100 Ethernet
 Integrated WLAN and webcam
 4-in-1-memory card reader
 15.4” DiamondView display
 Numeric keypad on keyboard
 MS Windows Vista Home Premium
 1 Year collect, repair and return warranty
R7999

Option 3
HP Pavillion
Code: 
 AMD® Athlon™ 64 X2 TK55 processor
 1024MB RAM
 160GB HDD
 LightScribe super multi DVD writer
 56K modem
 10/100 Ethernet
 Integrated 802.11b/g WLAN
 5-in-1 memory card reader
 Remote control
 15.4" WXGA BrightView display,
 MS Works 8 - not supplied in retail packaging
 MS Windows Vista Home Premium
 1 Year warranty
R 7,999.95

Option 4
Acer Aspire
Code: 
Intel® Dual Core T2130 processor 1.86 GHz
 1024MB RAM
 160GB HDD
 Super multi DVD writer
 56K modem
 Gigabit Ethernet
 Integrated WLAN & 5-in-1 memory card reader
 5.4" WXGA CrystalBrite display
 Dolby certified surround sound
 MS Windows Vista Home Premium
 1 Year International warranty
 1 Year local fetch, repair and return warranty
R 7,999.95

So far, I like the look of the PB cos it has 2GB RAM.

Maximum budget is R8000 ( I am a student) so please don't recommend something that is superawesome but only like R1000 more cos I simply can't afford it. :(

Obviously, if there is something from IC that is cheaper than R8k but that will get the job done, that would be great!

Any advice/opinions welcomed :)

Cheers

H
 
Last edited:
Read the Pavilion thread, then cross the Pavilion off your list.

(I have one, and i like it a lot, but if you're thinking of XP HP is going to be no use to you)
 
chiskop said:
Read the Pavilion thread, then cross the Pavilion off your list.

(I have one, and i like it a lot, but if you're thinking of XP HP is going to be no use to you)
Click to expand...

Oh ya, I remember that thread vaguely.

That is just not good enough really is it? *crosses off list* :p
 
Found another one from their Feb catalogue:

Acer Aspire 7220
AMD Sempron 3600+ @ 2Ghz
1Gb RAM
120GB HDD
wireless etc
17" screen (might be a bit big to lug around?)
R6999 ( a grand cheaper than the rest )
 
hj2k_x said:
Wondering how a 17" screen would affect battery life? Apart from being quite large...
Click to expand...

Modern screens use very little battery power, but a 17" will use slightly more juice than a 15".

Most modern laptops adjust themselves for low-power usage when the power's disconnected.

You'll do good to have a second, fully-charged battery handy, just in case.

And don't buy Vista if the lappy do come with XP. Be firm on that, tell the salesperson he/she can lose a commission if you don't get what you want.
 
The_Librarian said:
Modern screens use very little battery power, but a 17" will use slightly more juice than a 15".

Most modern laptops adjust themselves for low-power usage when the power's disconnected.

You'll do good to have a second, fully-charged battery handy, just in case.

And don't buy Vista if the lappy do come with XP. Be firm on that, tell the salesperson he/she can lose a commission if you don't get what you want.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I don't want ANY software with the thing at all if possible. I will be firm.

Liking the idea of the 17" screen for some reason. Hope it would fit into my bag...
 
i hav a acer laptop, they are good but their customer support is shocking!!!
 
From personal experience check how future proof the motherboards in those laptops are. Or for that matter the laptop as a whole. I have a two year old HP laptop that still functions perfectly but with new software developments I am needing to upgrade the RAM. In doing a check on crucial.com I see the maximum RAM mine can take/recognise is two 512Mb chips for a max of 1GB.

Also it uses old DDR which at the moment is more expensive than DDR2 and obviously not as fast....

So bottom line ensure that you can upgrade in future when the csh flow becomes better.
 
LancelotSA said:
From personal experience check how future proof the motherboards in those laptops are. Or for that matter the laptop as a whole. I have a two year old HP laptop that still functions perfectly but with new software developments I am needing to upgrade the RAM. In doing a check on crucial.com I see the maximum RAM mine can take/recognise is two 512Mb chips for a max of 1GB.

Also it uses old DDR which at the moment is more expensive than DDR2 and obviously not as fast....

So bottom line ensure that you can upgrade in future when the csh flow becomes better.
Click to expand...

Cool, yeah that sounds like good advice. Which is why I was leaning towards the 2Gb RAM in the PB. Got good specs allround really.

Just that the ACER is a grand cheaper, but I hear what you are saying.
 
What do u think about these:
ASUS® F5R Series F5R-AP188E - Intel® Core™ Duo T2130 (1.86GHz), 1GB (512MB+512MB DDR2 667Mhz), DVD 8 X Super Multi
80GB HDD SATA,15.4" Color Shine Wide Screen,10/100 LAN,Modem,Wireless LAN (a/b/g), 945GM Express chipset up to 128 MB, 1.3 MP Webcam
3.5 Hours Run Down Time, PC Card Express, MS Windows Vista Business, 2 Year Global Warranty-Carry Bag and 3D USB Mouse Included
R8000
Click to expand...

TOSHIBA® Satellite Pro Series A120-10L - Intel® Core™ Duo T2350 (1.86GHz), 2x512MB DDR2, DVD-Super-Multi Drive, 120GB HDD
15.4" Wide LCD, LAN, Modem, Wireless LAN (B/G), 945GM Express chipset up to 128 MB, Harman Kardon® Sound System
Express Card Slot, MS Vista Business Edition, 2 Year International Warranty
R7550
Click to expand...
 
I would definately go for Lenovo.

HP = okay, but lately service stories are horrific.

Acer = dead no, afer my experience with their customer service and the manger (from hell) of Acer JHB, never.

Lenovo = yes, I'm a Thinkpad fanboy, and Lenovo have taken the Thinkpads over, I know this isn't a Thinkpad, but AFAIK, IBM in SA still do the support, so it's probably going to be a good buy.

Packard Bell = From what I've seen, they look a bit cheap and flimsy. And I think Acer were buying them, so, again, no.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X