Which laptop would you choose

[archimedes]

Hi

My current laptop is packing up and needs to be replaced. I have narrowed my choices down to 6. Looking for peoples opinion on these laptops i.e. specs, build quality, backup, experience..

1.
TOSHIBA® TecraSeries S5-13D Notebook - Intel® Core® 2 Duo Processor T7700 2.4GHz 4MB L2 Cache 800MHz FSB, 2048MB DDR2-667 SO-Dimm Memory (2x1024), DVD/RW Super Multi Drive, 250GB SATA Hard Drive, 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050 resolution) TFT Display, 10/100/1000 Gbit Ethernet LAN, 56K Modem, 802.11a/b/g/N Wireless LAN, Nvidia Quadro NVS 130M 256MB dedicated graphics, 5 in 1 card reader, Bluetooth, Serial Port, 2.88 kg, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition, 3 Year International Warranty
R14 100

2.
MSI GX600 Series GX600-066 Notebook, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.0GHz 800MHz FSB 2MB L2 Cache, 2048MB DDR2-667 SO-Dimm Memory (2x1024), 250GB SATA 5400rpm Hard Drive, 15.4" WSXGA+ ACR Amazing Crystal Vision (1680x1050 resolution) TFT LCD Display, Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT 512MB Vram graphics, Blue Ray Writer optical drive, 802.11a/g/N Wireless LAN, 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Bluetooth, 2.8 Kg, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition, 1 Year Carry in Warranty
R14 800

3.
Lenovo Thinkpad NH3D6ZA (6460-D6G) T61 Series Notebook, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 2.4Ghz 800Mhz FSB 3MB L2 Cache, 2048MB DDR2-667 SO-Dimm Memory (2x1024), 160GB SATA 5400rpm Hard Drive, 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050 resolution) TFT LCD Display, nVidia Quadro NVS 140M 128MB dedicated graphics, DVD Writer DL optical drive, 802.11a/g/n wireless LAN, 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN, 6 cell battery, Bluetooth, 4in1 card reader, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition, 3 year carry in warranty
R14 400

4.
HP KM227AV - Axiz 8510P Professional Series Notebook, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 2.4Ghz 3MB cache 800Mhz FSB, 2048MB DDR2-667 SO-Dimm memory (1x2048), 160GB SATA 7200rpm Hard Drive, DVD+-RW SuperMulti Double Layer writer, 15.4" WSXGA+ WVA (1680 x 1050 resolution) TFT LCD Display, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 256MB dedicated graphics, Intel 802.11 a/b/g/N Wireless LAN, Bluetooth, 56k modem, 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition 32/64, 3-3-0 (Three-year standard parts and labour warranty), Fingerprint reader & TPM
R14 900

5.
Acer TravelMate TM6592-832G25Mn (LX.TLP0Z.007), 6592 series, Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 2.40Ghz 3MB L2 Cache 800Mhz FSB, 2048MB DDR2-667 SO-DIMM Memory (1*2048), 250GB SATA 5400rpm Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti writer optical drive, 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050 resolution) TFT Display, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator GMA X3100 graphics (8MB Dedicated / 350MB Shared), 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN & 802.11a/b/g/N Wireless LAN, Serial Port, PC Card slot (Type II), Bluetooth, 0.3MP Acer CrystalEye Webcam, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition, Windows XP Pro CD included, 8cell battery, 5-in-1 card reader, Acer BioProtect Fingerprint solution, 3 kg, Acer 1 year collect and return warranty
R13 800 + (R950 to extend warranty to 3 yrs)

6.
Acer TravelMate TM6592G-602G25Mn (LX.TNE0Z.358), 6592 series, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2Ghz 4MB L2 Cache 800Mhz FSB, 2048MB DDR2-667 SO-DIMM Memory (2*1024), 250GB SATA 5400rpm Hard Drive, DVD SuperMulti writer optical drive, 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050 resolution) TFT Display, ATI Radeon 2400XT 256MB dedicated graphics, 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN & 802.11a/b/g/N Wireless LAN, Serial Port, PC Card slot (Type II), Bluetooth, 0.3MP Acer CrystalEye Webcam, Microsoft Windows Vista Business Edition, Windows XP Pro CD included, 8cell battery, 5-in-1 card reader, Acer BioProtect Fingerprint solution, 3 kg, Acer 1 year collect and return warranty
R14 600 + (R950 to extend warranty to 3 yrs)

Thanks

 

[Stoner]

Firstly as with any computer purchase, what are your needs and requirements?

Will the laptop be used for business/applications only or do you need proper graphics for the odd game or so and video?

Personally I dont use a laptop for games at all but it's always best that the laptop has a dedicated graphics chip. The integrated Intel graphics are rubbish. Any of the Nividia or ATI ones are your best bet and best bang for buck.

All the laptops you have chosen look well speced and roughly cost the same.
I only have experience with HP and Asus laptops. Laptops of any make in general are well build but I have clearly seen a difference with laptops below and above the R10 000 mark. The ones above 10 000 usually have a better design in terms of hardware layout. Especially the HD location. Always check that the HD is not located close to where the CPU is and that there are good ventilation holes for it. The most common problem I have experienced is HD failure. Either buy poor design or people using the laptop incorrectly. You will find that a lot of people tend to sit with the laptop on their lap or on a soft surface like a bed. That instantly blocks all the ventilations holes and then they cant understand why it broke. ALWAYS use a laptop on a hard surface.

I have a Asus F3Jseries (T7200, 120GB, 1024MB Ram,GeforceGo 7300, Vista Biz.) latop for more than a year now and absolutely nothing has gone wrong.

I would go with the HP KM227AV or Acer TravelMate TM6592G-602G25Mn. The MSI GX600 doesn't look to bad either but the processor is slower.
If you're a warranty man, then the Toshiba is your best bet.


I hope you didn't go to places like Incredible Corruption or computer mania. Stay away no matter what the price or offer.

Try getting prices from as many computer shops as you can and then play them against each other. I did it with Chaos and Matrix warehouse and got the Asus cheaper from Matrix. The guy told me they almost made no profit from the sale. But hey, they wanted to do business so I pushed them hard.

 

[LazyLion]

the HP one... cos I own an HP.