Buying a portable laptop, need input and opinions

[DerelictDev]

I'm in the market for a new laptop that will last me about 2-3 years.

Strict Requirements:
12" - 14" Screen Size (13.3" would be optimal)
Not too heavy or bulky
Core 2 Duo 7500 or higher (I want the 4mb cache)
Good battery life

UPGRADEABILITY!!!
I'm a senior in college with a fuck-ton of research intensive work and papers and it's time for a laptop again (I used to have a Sony Vaio but sold it). I'm also going to be attending grad school in the near future plus it'll be used for business whenever I'm out of the office. I work only part-time and have plenty of expenses so money is a factor in this decision.
I'm looking to spend ~$1000 max for the laptop itself (NOT factoring the upgrades I buy on my own).

As you've realized the laptop will not be used for gaming although some rendering/ encoding (business side) work will be done.

I want to spend the minimal amount of money on a base laptop with the above specs and then buy upgraded parts. For example, I have no problem buying the laptop with base 512mb ram but I will then upgrade it to 2-4gb by buying my own for much less. Same goes with the HD, I don't mind getting a base 20gb 4200rpm drive and then I'll upgrade to a 60gb 7200rpm one.

Please don't mention about warranties being voided because frankly I don't care. I've had the worse experience over the years with RMA's and would rather fix the problem myself.

With some research I've narrowed it down to a few choices but please feel free to advice me on others.

Dell
- XPS M1330
- Vostro 1400

Lenovo
- X Series (Although 12.1 might be a tad too small)
- T Series (14.1" although I wish they had a 13.3")

Sony
- VAIO SZ
- VAIO CR

With the limited knowledge I have on these laptops, as I understand it Lenovo's are the easiest to upgrade (w/o issues) but also cost more than the Dells. Sony's sometimes require specific types of ram to run and are also usually a bit more pricey.

What do you experts have to say?

 

[Rottie]

I have no experience with Lenovo but I hear many postives thing about T series. I assumed you have done with your research on Toshiba Protege notebook? All I know it is very portable.

I think I heard Corkyg is coming to discuss with you about his extensive experience with Lenovo notebook.

 

[DerelictDev]

Originally posted by: Rottie
I have no experience with Lenovo but I hear many postives thing about T series. I assumed you have done with your research on Toshiba Protege notebook? All I know it is very portable.

I think I heard Corkyg is coming to discuss with you about his extensive experience with Lenovo notebook.

A little bit (Toshiba) but overall I thought they were too expensive, although maybe I can pick one up from ebay or some other place for cheaper.

I haven't frequented these forums in ages so I hope this Corkyg guy shows up!

 

[Brainonska511]

From all I've seen about the T- and X- series, they are outstanding notebooks. I've never used any personally, but the few I've seen look great.

My friend just got an XPS M1330 and that looks really great. Really thin and light. I've seen the Vostros as well, and they kinda look meh - they look plasticy and bulky (like business-class styled Inspirons).

 

[PhoKingGuy]

<---- Has owned a T43 for two years and the only thing ever wrong with it was a bum HD that happened when a 10 lb textbook fell on it from about 3 feet. The case shows pretty much no wear after daily use and i just throw it into my backpack along with everything else thats in there.

 

[DerelictDev]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
From all I've seen about the T- and X- series, they are outstanding notebooks. I've never used any personally, but the few I've seen look great.

My friend just got an XPS M1330 and that looks really great. Really thin and light. I've seen the Vostros as well, and they kinda look meh - they look plasticy and bulky (like business-class styled Inspirons).

Thanks for the input, I think my decision has now come down to either the Lenovo's or M1330. The Sony's and Vostro are crossed off my list.

 

[aamsel]

I have been going through the same process as you, and came down to the SAME TWO choices!
I blew off the SONY due to poor keyboard, in my opinion and my opinion of the Vostro is that it is a heavy piece of plastic.
A friend just bought a Vostro and loves it, I consider it very cheap feeling.
It appears to be the type of notebook where the paint starts wearing off the plastic very
quickly. Please don't blast me, just my opinion, if you like your SONY or Vostro, then that is great.

I am going to probably go with a Lenovo and don't think I will get the M1330 for the following reasons:

1.) I think the overall quality control is better on the Lenovo then on the Dell's.
2.) I have had Thinkpads in the past and liked them.

You do know that there is speculation that Lenovo is "about to release" a 13.3" model?
No telling when, or even if it is true, but that is the rumor, and I don't think it came out of nowhere.

Honestly, 13.3" is the size I have always wanted and thought was perfect, but I have looked at or considered every single 13.3" that is available from:
ASUS, SONY, Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu, and others. ALL OF THEM, really!

I even considered running Windows on a Macbook, but I won't use a 1 button trackpad and I really want discrete graphics.

That leaves (as you know) the M1330 or moving up in size to the 14.1" widescreen Lenovo T61 (or the lesser R61).

You can argue that the Thinkpad has gone down a notch since Lenovo took over, but the 14.1" widescreen is really more solid than any 14.1" standard aspect Thinkpad in the previous line.

I wish it had a LED-lit screen, but it doesn't although the rumored 13.3" model supposedly will, along with a SSD option in a
unit that supposedly will be lighter than the Macbook Air!

Yet, undoubtedly, it will be released the day after I decide to get a T61!

Honestly, I would like to have a good reason to believe in the M1330, but I just don't think that the quality is there, although I am sure a lot of owners of it will argue that.

I have only seen the M1330 with the standard LCD screen, but there is a slight
cheapness to it compared to a Thinkpad, and the keyboard in no way compares to a Thinkpad. There have also been reported issues with disks rubbing in the thin slot-load drive. And then there is Dell, who I just don't really want to do business with.

I hope this helps.
I wish that there was a notebook that I hadn't seen or considered, but there just isn't.

Andrew

 

[DerelictDev]

Originally posted by: aamsel
...

I even considered running Windows on a Macbook, but I won't use a 1 button trackpad and I really want discrete graphics.

[Haha I thought the same thing!!!]

...

Honestly, I would like to have a good reason to believe in the M1330, but I just don't think that the quality is there, although
I am sure a lot of owners of it will argue that. I have only seen the M1330 with the standard LCD screen, but there is a slight
cheapness to it compared to a Thinkpad ...

I've heard the exact same thing in regards to the LCD if you don't specifically choose the Slim and Light LED display upgrade but as long as you do its supposedly great.

This is really a tough choice but with some more research I'm now leaning on the M1330 in terms of price/performance. I plan on wiping the HD anyway and installing a clean install of Windows Vista Business 64bit and I'm fairly savvy with comp. issues so I don't think I'll need to call Dell for any problems except actual hardware failures.

Hopefully some more people will throw in their opinions and I'll have this decided by the end of the weekend. Thanks for the info so far!

 

[aamsel]

YES, it looks like we have both gone down the same road in terms of decision making.
It is weird to consider every laptop in the world, and be down to only 2 choices, and for only one of them to be a 13.3" which is really the size that I wanted.

So, I guess that you are planning on getting in on the "sale" that ends on the 4th ($799 off)?
Of course, the end of one Dell sale is the beginning of another one, and you never know when the best deal is going to be.
Same for HP, Lenovo, etc. also, so that was not intended as a real "knock" on Dell.

Have you actually seen an M1330? I have seen 3 of them at the Dell kiosk at the mall, and at Best Buy, and the keyboard
keys kind of rattle as you type on them, and the trackpad is a pinch too small.

It does look to be overall higher quality than other Dell offerings, and probably came from an Alienware design team (don't know that for
sure) but, damn, it is still a bloody Dell.

It's pros (over the Lenovo)
1.) Screen
2.) Size and weight
3.) HDMI output (if that matters to you)
4.) Wifi "catcher" dealy

Supposedly you can get the Dell with Linux preloaded as of today, don't know if that makes it less money or not?

Cons: (vs Lenovo)
1.) Lenovo has better keyboard by far.
2.) Better trackpad on the Lenovo (I am one of the few that don't use Trackpoint EVER!)
3.) Lenovo is more solid.
4.) Lenovo (IBM) is MUCH easier to deal with on service issues.
5.) The T61 and R61 are now available with Penryn CPU's, if that matters to you.

There are (I am sure) many more pros and cons if you want to list yours, and I will reply.

I am going to blow either one away and do VISTA Ultimate anyhow.

Are you considering the SSD option for the Dell?

Anyhow, I will follow this, since I am trying to make a decision by the 4th also, again, considering that there will NOT be a better deal on either or both
on the 5th or 6th. The biggest Lenovo discount so far has been before Christmas.

I put a lot of negatives on the Dell because it is a Dell, which may be unfair, but IBM/Lenovo and the Thinkpad line in general have a much better overall track record than any Dell model in history, and I don't think that can be disputed.

I would be possibly more "gung ho" for the M1330 if I had seen the LED-lit panel, but it just can't be seen unless you order one, or know someone that has one. They are not in BB stores or at any Dell kiosk.

A good "internet friend' of mine, who's opinion I highly respect just ordered a WXGA+ T61 14.1" and a Dell D630.

He sent the D630 back the next day, because the WXGA+ panel on it was the "most grainy that he had ever seen". He got a Samsung WXGA+ 14.1" panel on the T61 and likes it a lot.
I fully realize that the D630 panel he got has little to do with an LED-lit 13.3" panel, but it is a good idea of Dell quality control. They either care less about what is shipping out, or they cared even less about the quality of the panels that they accepted for assembly of the units.

Another factor, which may or may not be important to you:
Likely the Thinkpad will hold its value better than a Dell product will, should you decide to sell it and get something new within a year or two.

Anyhow, just brainstorming aloud, feel free to join in, or any other comments more than welcome here!

Andrew

 

[DerelictDev]

Originally posted by: aamsel
...

Are you considering the SSD option for the Dell?

...
I would be possibly more "gung ho" for the M1330 if I had seen the LED-lit panel, but it just can't be seen unless you order one, or know someone that has one. They are not in BB stores or at any Dell kiosk.

...

I just went ahead and bought the Crimson Red M1330. I got in touch with 2 other guys who confirmed what you said about it feelings a bit on the flimsy side but thats only if you buy the "generic" tuxedo black (-$25). If you spend the extra bit of money on the color the case supposedly comes coated and has an overall much sturdier feel to it.

SSD is not an option, it's not worth the huge price tag. It outperforms regular Hd's on boot-up/ hibernate and similar windows related tasks but has barely any actual performance gain on application load times (Check the anandtech article on it).

The Crimson Red option automatically comes with Vista Ultimate and 1yr LoJack. I spent a bit more than I was aiming for but because both the "sturdiness" issue and LED panel are resolved in choosing the right options, I just couldn't resist the $799 off sale.

I'll definitely throw up a review and some pics (maybe some perf. numbers too) when it comes in and hope you (aamsel) do the same if you go with the Lenovo.

Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[Mermaidman]

I see you've already made your purchase, but am hoping someone has further thoughts on Toshiba? I am tempted by the Satellite on sale at OfficeMax this week:
Model U305-S2804
13.3" WXGA
Core2 Duo T5450
2 GB RAM
160 GB HD
5200 mAh battery
4.6 lb
$800

I'm looking to replace my 700m, which is great except it weighs 6 lb with the extended battery and the ancient graphics chip can't even handle older games, like Civ4 . . . I really really like my 700m though . . .

 

[amheck]

I'm in a similar situation. Liking the thinkpads. The X-series seem nice, but yeah, the 13.3" screen would be perfect. Any idea what series they are planning on releasing that in?

 

[DerelictDev]

I figured I might as well update this thread. To recap:

I bought the Crimson-Red M1330 and through the months I must say this was an excellent buy and I wouldn't change it. The laptop has surpassed my expectations on performance vs size and still beats the crap out of a lot of laptops on the market.

I had a spare copy (free) of Windows XP 64bit so I went ahead and installed that with oem drivers for everything else. The Vista Ultimate that came with it was only 32bit and I've noticed better performance with XP. Everything has been working without a hitch, the only hiccup was getting the fingerprint reader to work again. It took a bit of searching the web but I finally found generic application software for the Upek biometric scanner and although XP64 wasn't listed as a compatible version it works perfectly.

I know some people have an issue with buying "DELL" but you can rest assured that you can clean format and reinstall a generic version of an OS and all the hardware will work without DELL apps. If anyone needs any detailed information, feel free to ask.

 

[KevinH]

One thing to keep in mind is the the parts availability. Dells in general are VERY easy to get parts for on ebay.

I have a Sony SZ and parts are few and far between (and expensive!).