Lost on buying a notebook

[ric449]

I want a laptop, but apart from looking at the Dell website I'm lost. While Dell's seem ok, I can't help but feel restricted by their selection. What other good brands are there? I am looking for a laptop for my mum, which will just be for office apps. But, I may take it now and again for some gaming against my brother, like C&C Generals, some FPS, but I don't mind if I have to use low quality settings. A Pentium-M is a must. Any ideas?

[Statica]

Highly recommend Toshiba's for the quality of their products as well as their service. I've heard only good things about Asus. Also dont forget about P-Duo laptops that are coming out.

[LaptopExtreme]

You've got to ask yourself what other things may be needed in your decision. Whats' your budget? any screen preferences (widescreen, glossy, size, etc.)? Are you planning to travel with it much?

[ric449]

I will check out the Toshibas, thanks. I will also keep an eye out for the Yonahs, but I may just try to find a Core Solo since I am still unconvinced dual core is a major advantage at the moment.

The furthest this laptop will probably travel is the back garden, but it would still be nice to not have to recharge every few hours.

Glossy screen? What is the difference between glossy and a normal screen? What are the advantages?

Widescreen would come in useful for watching DVDs, but I have coped all my life without a widescreen up to now so it isn't a must have.

[LaptopExtreme]

Well with a glossy screen, some like the shiney-ness of it all, it gives them some type of feeling that it's better, sometimes the contrast can be a bit higher and the colors more vibrant. Some think it's awful and can't stand glares & reflections. It's a preference thing.
As for widescreen, many can live without it, i for one love it. I like being able to work on multiple screens in front of me at all times. You're right, there won't be major advances between single and dual cores, especially at first batch. There will also be single core Yonahs coming out in the futur also. If you're not planning on traveling much, then I guess it doesnt have to be so light and portable. You also say that gaming can be light and not as major also. The determining factor now is price.

[ric449]

Well, lets say around £800-£900. Can that get me a half decent laptop?

[mairving]

I love the Centrino (Pentium M) laptops. Run very cool and get really good battery life.

Just curious about what problems that you were having on the Dell site. It can be confusing. Often they will have 2 different configurations of the same model, 1 for say $800 and 1 for $500. Well most people choose the $500 and configure it. When they get through they have a $1000 laptop with about the same specs as the $800 one. Just have to be careful there. I usually try configuring the middle priced one first.

[ric449]

Yes, it is very confusing. I will give it another go, any model suggestions?

[mairving]

Originally Posted by ric449 Yes, it is very confusing. I will give it another go, any model suggestions?

I never order anything but Lattitudes which are on their business line. They aren't discounted as much up front until I talk to my sales rep.

[LaptopExtreme]

Originally Posted by ric449 Well, lets say around £800-£900. Can that get me a half decent laptop?

How about the Asus A6 Series with the builtin webcam? There's the Sony FS series which is very nice too- one of my favorites. The HP DV4000 with the X700 video card got very good ratings too. You can check out some of the Acer TravelMates in your area also. With a £800-£900 at your disposal, you're open to many makes and models.

[ric449]

I like the look of the Dell Latitude D810, although it is a little out of my price range I can stretch the budget if I know it is going to last for a long time. I have a question though, since it is a business laptop, can I buy it? Or do Dell only sell Latitudes to business customers?

[mairving]

Originally Posted by ric449 I like the look of the Dell Latitude D810, although it is a little out of my price range I can stretch the budget if I know it is going to last for a long time. I have a question though, since it is a business laptop, can I buy it? Or do Dell only sell Latitudes to business customers?

I use the Lattitude D810. It is a really nice notebook. I have had it about 2 months. The screen would unexpectantly go blank when playing games and other things. I emailed Dell's support and told them that I ran the diagnostics and it passed so it looked like it needed either a new system board or a video card. They emailed me back to see if I wanted to return it and have them fix it or do a self-install. I chose the self-install, got the parts the next day, installed the new system board in about and hour and haven't had any problems since. Always seems to happen when you crack the case on one of them that you lose a screw.

[ric449]

I think my mind is made up then. Only problem now is getting someone to buy it with their credit card, Dell don't seem to like debit cards.