Laptop choices - What to do?

[MercenaryForHire]

All prices in Canadian dollars. All laptops have a DVDRW drive.

Acer 4202WLMI - $750
Core Duo T2300 / 512MB / 80GB / GMA950 / 15.4"
Pros: Cheap as hell for dual-core power, battery runs 4h, can show up the Mac snobs by running OSX86.
Cons: Questionable reliability, GMA950 means gaming is iffy, needs RAM. Ugliest of the lot.

Dell Inspiron 6400 - $900
Core Duo T2050 / 1GB / 120GB / X1400 / 15.4"
Pros: No upgrades needed, only one with a dedicated video card.
Cons: Dell tech support, dedicated video = less battery life, and do I lose much with the T2050?

HP dv2020ca - $1000
Turion X2 TL-50 / 1GB / 80GB / Go6150 / 14"
Pros: Integrated webcam, the sexiest of the lot by a mile, nVidia has better BSD support than Intel/ATI, 64-bit if I choose to go that route, can take 2 years to pay for it and should hopefully have a $200-off coupon.
Cons: Turion gets whooped on by Core Duo, it's hard to find performance numbers on the Go6150, most expensive option, blowing $200-off coupon means I can't use it on a laser printer down the road.

Ideas/thoughts/options?

- M4H

 

[fbrdphreak]

I wouldn't get the Acer. Low end Acer is quality is poor, as is the support with it.

Have you considered a Lenovo N100 15.4", $800 gets you Core Duo T2300, 512MB, 80GB 5400RPM, GMA950, 15.4" WXGA, CDRW, Intel 3945, Bluetooth, XP Home. 1 year warranty with the same quality tech support as Thinkpads get, all US based (maybe CA based for you, but point is NOT INDIA!).

The higher end model of the N100 has a Go 7300 option, but more than you're looking at here.

Otherwise I'd get the HP or Dell. Probly the Dell I'm gonna sadly say, but prices must suck in CA from Dell because in US you can get a C2D Inspiron E1505 starting at $729.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
I wouldn't get the Acer. Low end Acer is quality is poor, as is the support with it.

Indeed ... get what you pay for. I'm not a Joe User though, so the only reason I'd be calling support is to say "X broke, it's covered, send me the replacement and I'll ship you the busted part back."

Have you considered a Lenovo N100 15.4", $800 gets you Core Duo T2300, 512MB, 80GB 5400RPM, GMA950, 15.4" WXGA, CDRW, Intel 3945, Bluetooth, XP Home. 1 year warranty with the same quality tech support as Thinkpads get, all US based (maybe CA based for you, but point is NOT INDIA!).

The higher end model of the N100 has a Go 7300 option, but more than you're looking at here.

That model in Canada costs $1000 -$100MIR - the high-end model is $TooDamnExpensive and apparently offering just the Go7300 upgrade isn't allowed either. At that price point, the Dell smacks it around. I saw a few reviews blasting it on battery life as well.

Otherwise I'd get the HP or Dell. Probly the Dell I'm gonna sadly say, but prices must suck in CA from Dell because in US you can get a C2D Inspiron E1505 starting at $729.

The only way I could get a C2D E1505 at that price was to get the T5500, 512MB, 60GB, and a GMA950. It's not that bad of a price given the 1GB/120GB/X1400, is it?

I'm still liking the HP though. It just seems really well put together.

- M4H

 

[fbrdphreak]

Too bad about the Lenovo. However I too have heard the battery capacity is limited.

Definitely don't get the Acer. Support or not. Only thing worse is MSI

Yeah the HP is probably a good bet, but T64 X2 just isn't anything special. No faster than CD, uses more power, not cheaper. See if you get an HP CD machine

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Too bad about the Lenovo. However I too have heard the battery capacity is limited.

Definitely don't get the Acer. Support or not. Only thing worse is MSI

Yeah the HP is probably a good bet, but T64 X2 just isn't anything special. No faster than CD, uses more power, not cheaper. See if you get an HP CD machine

I'm noticing that after finding this review - based on the testing, the battery life of the Turion based HP blows, and it even gets walked on by the GMA950 in the earlier 3DMark tests. (Of course, that doesn't say anything about real-world performance, but it doesn't bode well for it either.)

- M4H

 

[fbrdphreak]

We didn't do game testing on the Go6150, but didn't it pull ahead of GMA950 in later 3DMark tests? Go6150 will also have better video acceleration/decoding, not that it matters much.

Like I said, get Core Duo You can always swap up to a full CD or maybe a C2D later (although thermals may be an issue, as well as BIOS).

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
We didn't do game testing on the Go6150, but didn't it pull ahead of GMA950 in later 3DMark tests? Go6150 will also have better video acceleration/decoding, not that it matters much.

Like I said, get Core Duo You can always swap up to a full CD or maybe a C2D later (although thermals may be an issue, as well as BIOS).

That it did, but I won't be playing recent games, and benchmarks have been misleading in the past. I'd love to get the dv2000t - maybe even with the Go7200 - but it seems to only be available in "Loaded" configs from Staples/FutureShop/etc in Canada, and HP's website seems to only let me configure the dv2000z. Probably have to phone in and fight with an HP tech to get what I want.

- M4H

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
We didn't do game testing on the Go6150, but didn't it pull ahead of GMA950 in later 3DMark tests? Go6150 will also have better video acceleration/decoding, not that it matters much.

Like I said, get Core Duo You can always swap up to a full CD or maybe a C2D later (although thermals may be an issue, as well as BIOS).

That it did, but I won't be playing recent games, and benchmarks have been misleading in the past. I'd love to get the dv2000t - maybe even with the Go7200 - but it seems to only be available in "Loaded" configs from Staples/FutureShop/etc in Canada, and HP's website seems to only let me configure the dv2000z. Probably have to phone in and fight with an HP tech to get what I want.

- M4H

Let us know if that works.

See, living in the U.S. has its advantages

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Let us know if that works.

See, living in the U.S. has its advantages

"Listen up, phone jockey - I've got a Platinum card and a hard-on for technology. Now you're going to sell me the laptop I want for the price I want, or I'm going to conference-call Dell so you can hear me buy from them instead."

I'll report back on how that goes after work.

- M4H

 

[fbrdphreak]

:laugh: :thumbsup:

 

[Adfaw]

I wouldn't get any of these computers. Remember that the two most important elements of a laptop, at least for me, is the video card and hard drive that it has. Two things you can rarely upgrade in a notebook. You can find lots of laptops that have good processors and gadgets, weight, screen sixe, battery limits, and a million other things, but if you don't get a really good Graphics card and harddrive your Laptop is going to be outdated before you can say Inflation. Really might want to consider looking for a laptop with at least a GeForce 7800 in it or the equivalent ATI graphics card. I really think getting one of those laptops would be a mistake unless they have a graphics card that matched their supposed deals.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Adfaw
I wouldn't get any of these computers. Remember that the two most important elements of a laptop, at least for me, is the video card and hard drive that it has. Two things you can rarely upgrade in a notebook. You can find lots of laptops that have good processors and gadgets, weight, screen sixe, battery limits, and a million other things, but if you don't get a really good Graphics card and harddrive your Laptop is going to be outdated before you can say Inflation. Really might want to consider looking for a laptop with at least a GeForce 7800 in it or the equivalent ATI graphics card. I really think getting one of those laptops would be a mistake unless they have a graphics card that matched their supposed deals.

One - The hard drive is probably second in line to RAM for ease of upgrading in a notebook.
Two - If you're going to push the gamer edge, you want video card, RAM, and CPU.
Three - I'm talking about buying CDN$700 laptops, and you're saying I should get a Go7800GTX.

Three strikes, you're out. Go back to the minors and take your Amazon-link reseller website with you.

- M4H

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Adfaw
Really might want to consider looking for a laptop with at least a GeForce 7800 in it or the equivalent ATI graphics card. I really think getting one of those laptops would be a mistake unless they have a graphics card that matched their supposed deals.

7800?? show me a link to a laptop that has a 7800-equivalent gpu in it for $1000 and i'll buy it

OP, the things i think you should try and get the best of are CPU, screen, and appearance. CPUs are expensive to upgrade for laptops (gonna run at least $200). you'll be looking at the screen the whole time so you want to make sure it's something of high quality and you don't want to be lugging around an ugly thing either. i think the dell has the best qualities out of the rest of the options

 

[DaveSimmons]

x1400 is going to be a lot faster than the nv6150, which is shared-memory integrated graphics though nv6150 is better than intel.

Mobile x1300 and 7300 cards are about the same speed in the few benchmarks I've found, so you're getting better than the nv 7300 go.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Canada Blows +1

"Sorry, we don't offer the dv2000t in Canada."
"You've got to be f___ing kidding me."

- M4H

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: Adfaw
I wouldn't get any of these computers. Remember that the two most important elements of a laptop, at least for me, is the video card and hard drive that it has. Two things you can rarely upgrade in a notebook. You can find lots of laptops that have good processors and gadgets, weight, screen sixe, battery limits, and a million other things, but if you don't get a really good Graphics card and harddrive your Laptop is going to be outdated before you can say Inflation. Really might want to consider looking for a laptop with at least a GeForce 7800 in it or the equivalent ATI graphics card. I really think getting one of those laptops would be a mistake unless they have a graphics card that matched their supposed deals.

One - The hard drive is probably second in line to RAM for ease of upgrading in a notebook.
Two - If you're going to push the gamer edge, you want video card, RAM, and CPU.
Three - I'm talking about buying CDN$700 laptops, and you're saying I should get a Go7800GTX.

Three strikes, you're out. Go back to the minors and take your Amazon-link reseller website with you.

- M4H

Classic M4H :thumbsup:

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Canada Blows +1

"Sorry, we don't offer the dv2000t in Canada."
"You've got to be f___ing kidding me."

- M4H

Damn Canadians

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Canada Blows +1

"Sorry, we don't offer the dv2000t in Canada."
"You've got to be f___ing kidding me."

- M4H

Damn Canadians

"Sorry, but the Core Duo is incompatible with your igloo's moose powered generator."

- M4H

 

[HomeyFoos]

I am in total agreement w/ FBRDPHREAK when he said do not get Acer. However, they do offer this one model for around $1080 US and it has a core due t2300 and an x1600. Some other goodies like bluetooth and slot-load dvd super-multi (which I think only means it's a cdrw/dvd) are included and I think it may come w/ a gig of Ram. I have a friend who has an Acer and it is less-than-impressive. The hinges on the screen feel like they are going to pop off at any minute and the case is pretty thin plastic. The exterior is easily scratched and dented (my friend dropped his and there is a hole instead of the rounded corner now) and they just look cheap.

HOWEVER...I am somewhat in agreement w/ the Amazon-Cart guy. When buying a laptop, the one thing I want is a decent-good video card. That REALLY makes it an extention of my desktop. And the Acer fits the price point and my need for performance. If you are an advanced user, you will still be troubled by Acer-Support. When my friend got his, the WiFi broke the first day and instead of him shipping them the laptop, they sent him the part. For me, that would have been wonderful. I would have slapped it in and would have been done with it. For him, not so much. He went back and forth with them and it took a couple of weeks to get his back, I think. It has worked pretty well so far, despite his less than stellar treatment of it. But it looks old and it's not that old.

Something to think about if you are on a budget and can deal with some of the pitfalls.