Laptop Advice?

[tailes151]

I finally graduated today and as a gift my parents gave me a laptop. It's a Dell Inspiron i1464-4658OBK. When my dad gave it to me he told me that he wasn't sure if it was good or not, but said it had a 90 day return policy and that I should look around and see if I can find anything better and snag it if I could.

Thing is, I've never owned a laptop, it's been about 4 years since I've thrown together a desktop, and I have no idea about who's making the nice gear/what to stay away from. Heck, I don't even know what the nice processors are etc...

They bought it from Costco, and the specs as listed on the box are:

14" Display
Intel Core i3-330M
4GB RAM
500GB HDD
Integrated Graphics
9 Cell Battery

I saw a review that said it was pretty solid so I'm just wondering if it's even worth looking for something else, an if so, what.

Thanks for the help, as always.

 

[corkyg]

Give us some idea of how you intend to use it. For a generally good travel machine it is pretty solid. If you are an intensive gamer, you could do better.

 

[tailes151]

Give us some idea of how you intend to use it. For a generally good travel machine it is pretty solid. If you are an intensive gamer, you could do better.

Fair enough, probably should have mentioned that. I enjoy gaming, but my current desktop handles that fine so this would be more of a general use/travel/work laptop. Though, if a gaming laptop could be had for the same price it would probably be better performance-wise, no?

I was just checking on the egg and saw a lenovo with similar specs for near the same price (which I assume is prob. ~$750.) I think I remember a few people saying that's the brand to get for a windows based laptop.

 

[thesmokingman]

You'd want a SSD drive and a proper video card, something ATI for the lower heat output. I can't tell you how many times my Dell XPS 1530 has been knocked over while it was on and its survived due to the SSD. Also, get a backlit keyboard if you can. I've enjoyed using Dell's for the last few years, of course its a preference thing as most of the major brands are equivalent quality wise with the exception of HP junk.

 

[Spicedaddy]

looks like a nice laptop, Core i3 and 9 cell battery... I'd keep it.

 

[corkyg]

Agree with Spicedaddy. For your intended use, it is a solid choice. You can always add a SSD later - they are still a bit pricey and the technology is gaining, but still not good value.

 

[tailes151]

Cool, so no point really in exchanging it for a similar lenovo?

 

[Emulex]

lenovo quality has really gone downhill in the lower price range imo

 

[Ballatician]

I know as little as OP when it comes to laptops. What laptops are comparable to Apple when it comes to build quality? in the 13-14inch screen size range..and comparably or hopefully less expensive?

I am trying to pick a laptop for a family member and I want to explore all avenues (so Apple is still an option though it would be a learning curve) though I need to make a decision pretty quickly.

I know weight and thickness are also important. She uses her current 4 yr old dell allllll the time and her mouse left click just broke for the second time. She is a very mobile user and doesn't need a gaming or desktop replacement though something media friendly would be nice.

Don't mean to hijack OP, will create a new thread if necessary.

 

[akugami]

Apple laptops have pretty decent build quality. Don't take that to mean flawless. Other laptops in that range usually come with a matching price tag to Apple's. That being the case and with Apple using Intel CPU's, you might as well pick up an Apple and dual boot.

If battery life is your main concern, the Asus UL** line are pretty good. The only thing is the screens could use a kick in the rear. Build quality was said to be a bit of a miss and is on the average side of things. I'm actually looking to pick up a laptop soon and am disappointed Intel's low voltage mobile i5 CPU's aren't out yet.

 

[Ballatician]

Any idea when the new mobile cpu's will be out?

I was actually just looking at the acer lineup. Need to research a bit more though,

 

[Emulex]

customer support should be #1 on your list.

apple being retail has the best - sunday/saturday store