What Notebook_

[Troy.McClure]

Im getting a new lap-top (or is that lab) computer in about a month and I was wondering what make I should get as Ive heard that Dell notebooks can be unreliable (although they have good back up service).

Basically I have about e1,500 to spend but would go a bit over if I had to. Id like to get a CDW and DVD drive + the usual bundle of software. Any suggestions? Im not going for a Mac though.

Thanks

[James]

Originally posted by Troy.McClure
IIm not going for a Mac though.

Idiot, i can do ya a deal on a nice powerbook troy :)

I've only had 1 prob with me dell though, and cust service is excellent, had replacement screen put in place next day. with a phonecall and email confirmation that i would be at a certain address to meet the engineer person.

go with mac and you can get a dvd burner :D

[patsh]

I have a Compaq and I have to say I've never had a single problem with it and I have both XP and Suse Linux installed.
If I was buying one now though, I must say those Macs would be very tempting.

[EireBadBoy]

I've a DELL Myself...It's got XP and been no trouble.

[joe]

take a look at what sony have to offer

[patsh]

Originally posted by joe
take a look at what sony have to offer
Yeah, a Vaio is the job, but pretty expensive, aren't they?

[tiktok]

given your budget and what you want installed, Dell is a great option. i've one and never had a moments trouble with it, even if i did in the future by all accounts their after sales is excellent.

sony vaio's are class but very expensive.
bill gates has managed to create in me a mental aversion to macs, the sneaky little geek.

[James]

Originally posted by tiktok
bill gates has managed to create in me a mental aversion to macs, the sneaky little geek.

booooo hissss :cool:

[Troy.McClure]

I like Macs alright, but Im not too sure about the software thats available for it (I havent noticed mac software being sold around the place). Also being a student bum I want to play games on it so I think that rules out the mac! :o

How about Toshiba? My friend has one and its pretty good.

EireBadBoy & Tictok, do ye have Desk tops or note books? I havent really heard great things about Dell notebooks, however the desktops seem to be the job.

Sony look the job alright but cost too much for me I think, although they were actually cheap enough when I was in Germany.

Should I think about going to the UK for the day with Ryan Air just to buy a computer? There's quite a price difference between there and home isnt there?

[James]

remember when wrking in helldesk in college we had a number of toshiba laptops coming in regularly with problems.. (albeit sometimes they were user probs ;))

dell laptops i think are worth it, (if ya aint going for a mac like :)) they got some good offers for around what u willing to spend, and the aftersales service is excellent which imo is important for a laptop cause while i'll open up my desktop and have twick around inside / replace harddrive / cables whatever, which i aint doing it with a laptop.

as for the UK option check out dell.ie and dell.co.uk
compare / contrast prices.. dont think it would wrk though.. u might wana check out if ya buy in the UK ..from a UK store / online store is the support limited to the UK then and not ireland!

[Bluebeard]

I've been using different Tosiba Laptops over the years with no problems, though I haven't got it net connected, as I have access at work:D :D :D

I have seen mate of mine with problems, but, as ith some of James' experience, the user tended to be faulty rather than the computer.

I go for Toshiba because I CANNOT stand the little "mouse pad", which I firmly believe to be more trouble than they are worth. I dunno if they have them now though, and the acupoint does take a little getting used to.

As far as my experience goes, my only problem lies in that CM4 can only run 6 divisions at any one time, and, what's worse, it won't show the whole screen, you have to use the cursor to get around, and I suspect that outside of top spec jobs, all laptops will be similar at best.

[tiktok]

Originally posted by Troy.McClure
EireBadBoy & Tictok, do ye have Desk tops or note books? I havent really heard great things about Dell notebooks, however the desktops seem to be the job.

Should I think about going to the UK for the day with Ryan Air just to buy a computer? There's quite a price difference between there and home isnt there?

i have a desktop but the girlfriend has a laptop (Pent4) and it's perfect, neither has given us hassle for a second.

be careful about going to the UK to buy though, a mate of mine tried that going home from the states and got caught with a hefty tax bill (basically, take it out of the box, and carry it in your backpack).

[niamh]

I have a Compaq Pressario and have never had any problems...the newer ones are even nicer.
If I had to do it again though...would prob be a Mac
...those things are rocking.
And better for work like

[Troy.McClure]

God damn decisions!

Keep 'em comming please folks!

[Troy.McClure]

Just wondering as well, does it matter if I get a Intel processer or not? Are Pentiums the best or is there really a difference? Also how important is the RAM? Would getting more improve the computer noticably? Im dazed and confused on these topics.

[niamh]

Really depends on what you want the computer for. I only need mine for Word really so I don't need much. A mac is better if you want to run lots of detailed programmes on it like Photoshop and Quark it seems to me like.

[Troy.McClure]

I cant believe that you gave PhotoShop and Quark as your 2 examples for getting a mac, coz I'll be using them alright!

Agh, Im starting to lean towards the Mac!:eek:
The availability (or not) of games will probably swing it!

[James]

troy if you specify exactly what u want the laptop / powerbook ;) for then its easier to reccomend pc or mac!

as niamh mentioned macs are much better for media type apps
but if u want it mainly for games / word ****e then pc prob give u a better deal

[niamh]

Originally posted by Troy.McClure
I cant believe that you gave PhotoShop and Quark as your 2 examples for getting a mac, coz I'll be using them alright!


What can i say...I'm good!!

[Peadar]

If you are just going to be using your notebook/laptop for personal use and not joining a corporate private network then the Mac is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest. You can get MS software for Mac's like Office and all that. You are less vulnerable to viruses since many of the big ones are designed to exploit weakness in Windows Operating Systems.
I've used all different makes and models,
Toshiba,
Sony,
IMB,
HP,
Samsung,
Compaq,
Dell,
Fujitsu/Siemens,
NEC,
...that's all the ones I can remember.
Currently using a Dell Latitude and a Compaq Armada.
Basically you need to shop around.
You don't have to stick with the traditional brands.
Most technology is produced by third party manufacturers so you'll find there's very little between brands now other than design. Look and feel.
XP is a good Operating System for multi-media.
Decide on what you want then look for the best price and haggle. Ask for extra software bundles to be thrown in. Anti-virus software and that sort of stuff. You may get a printer or scanner as part of the deal. Make sure you get a copy of the Operating System on CD with your purchase. Some places don't give it to you.