laptop recommendations?

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 21:10

hey all,

I'm thinking of getting a new laptop with the budget of $2000 and below...

any recommendations on brands, models?

I heard now there's dual processors or something.... can someone explain to me what to look out for when buying a laptop

what's the pros and cons of the Apple?

I'm in a total loss in how to choose what to choose... can some tech savy ppl here help me out pls? Laughing

MÂ©+square

15 Feb 07, 21:14

First things first ah.

What are your common applications?
And your potential usage. (hours, place)

Any preference on size of notebook?

ceecookie

15 Feb 07, 21:16

Go for Intel's Core 2 Duo...AMD's chips aint very good

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 21:18

Originally posted by MÂ©+square:
First things first ah.

What are your common applications?
And your potential usage. (hours, place)

Any preference on size of notebook?

common applications...

internet, words, games, anime.... that's abt it.... won't mind doing some video/photo editing too...

potential usage....

5-8 hrs.... it varies... sometimes leave on overnight or al day when d/l something

preference on size...

not that important.... but of course if got a choice i won't want it that big....

thanks MC

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 21:20

Originally posted by ceecookie:
Go for Intel's Core 2 Duo...AMD's chips aint very good

sounds like foreign language to me....

hahaha...

sorrie rookie here...

ceecookie

15 Feb 07, 21:21

Originally posted by smudgey:
common applications...

internet, words, games, anime.... that's abt it.... won't mind doing some video/photo editing too...

potential usage....

5-8 hrs.... it varies... sometimes leave on overnight or al day when d/l something

preference on size...

not that important.... but of course if got a choice i won't want it that big....

thanks MC

5-8 hours on battery or AC Power?

If former,then
better get a 12 cell battery...lappy can last even longer if its Centrino or Centrino Duo.

Originally posted by smudgey:
sounds like foreign language to me....

hahaha...

sorrie rookie here...

Oh ok..i mean when u look at the spec...

among the blah blah blah..look for Centrino Duo Technology...Core 2 Duo
that sentence is usually the first to be listed on the spec sheet.
If its AMD instead..then excercize caution.

This is the processor..read it up in Wikipedia
Wink

ndmmxiaomayi

15 Feb 07, 21:25

Originally posted by smudgey:
common applications...

internet, words, games, anime.... that's abt it.... won't mind doing some video/photo editing too...

potential usage....

5-8 hrs.... it varies... sometimes leave on overnight or al day when d/l something

preference on size...

not that important.... but of course if got a choice i won't want it that big....

thanks MC

Games - what sort of games?

For video/photo editing, the laptop will need to have at least 512MB of RAM (physical memory) to work properly.

5 to 8 hours of usage - meaning? Just using battery or on power?

On the issue of size - will you be travelling around a lot? If yes, that would be an issue, you don't want to lug a heavy laptop around.

the Bear

15 Feb 07, 21:28

a MacBook

clicky here => MacBook

Very Happy

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 21:33

ok...

5-8 hours on power.... not batt...

as for size not an issue as i doubt i'll be carrying it abt....

i'm tempted with Mac.... but afraid i wont be used to it, and getting softwares for it.... for mac, do i look out for the same specs as i would for other laptops?

games.... as in some online games.... no fix games la

ndmmxiaomayi

15 Feb 07, 21:33

Pros of using Apple - solve your viruses nightmare, at least for now.

Video/photo editing are better in Apple. Also don't need to worry about registry and crashing, two big buggers in Windows.

Cons of using Apple - would be software compatibility. Some softwares are just for Windows only, so if you want to run them, you will need to install Boot Camp, then install Windows via Boot Camp to use it.

furb

15 Feb 07, 21:38

Just a piece of advice... Unlike destop, laptop cooling and air ventilation is not very good. It is not recommended to leave it overnight downloading stuffs(with aircon might do).

ndmmxiaomayi

15 Feb 07, 21:41

Originally posted by smudgey:
ok...

5-8 hours on power.... not batt...

as for size not an issue as i doubt i'll be carrying it abt....

i'm tempted with Mac.... but afraid i wont be used to it, and getting softwares for it.... for mac, do i look out for the same specs as i would for other laptops?

games.... as in some online games.... no fix games la

Hmm... OK. 5 to 8 hours on power is all right.

For laptops to be under $2000, I can think of Acer and Dell. Acer has better support, although some users report that their hardware breaks down pretty regularly.

As for Dell... I have no idea.

Samsung and HP would be good as well. Asia brand names tend to be cheaper.

MÂ©+square

15 Feb 07, 22:00

Value-priced, full-featured 15.4-inch notebook
Designed for genuine WindowsÂ® operating systems
Brilliant SuperFine Wide XGA display for excellent movie and picture viewing
Comprehensive connectivity with USB 2.0 x 3, SD/Memory StickÂ®/xD, PC card, ExpressCard™, IEEE1394 and S-Video out
Health and Environment friendliness with RoHS8 compliance
Windows Vista™ Capable 14

_______

Macbook

1.8k onwards Mr. Green

MÂ©+square

15 Feb 07, 22:05

My personal opinion :

Like Mayi have pointed out, Acer and Dell range will meet your budget, and they are considerable workhorses because of the performance parts in the notebook.

Asus might have some models within 2k.

But do go read up reviews on each and individual models, there will be findings which those editors/testers which surprises you(pleasant or unpleasant). It prevents you from disappointment most of the time.

If you're unsure, come back to us with the model you've casted your eyes upon? We'll help you source for the info and evaluate from there? Wink

Cheers!

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 22:09

wow Thanks Mayi and MC....

the fujitsu and mac one looks nice... hehhee

but that is exterior.....

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 22:11

Originally posted by MÂ©+square:
My personal opinion :

Like Mayi have pointed out, Acer and Dell range will meet your budget, and they are considerable workhorses because of the performance parts in the notebook.

Asus might have some models within 2k.

But do go read up reviews on each and individual models, there will be findings which those editors/testers which surprises you(pleasant or unpleasant). It prevents you from disappointment most of the time.

If you're unsure, come back to us with the model you've casted your eyes upon? We'll help you source for the info and evaluate from there?

Cheers!

Arigato!!!!

will come back once i have narrowed it down to a few choices...

wanna hurry my research so can buy during IT show

ndmmxiaomayi

15 Feb 07, 22:12

Fujitsu is quite all right, but one of their customer service centres sucks.

As for Apple, it definitely looks nice. Mr. Green

ndmmxiaomayi

15 Feb 07, 22:13

Originally posted by smudgey:
Arigato!!!!

will come back once i have narrowed it down to a few choices...

wanna hurry my research so can buy during IT show

IT Show is still early leh...

By the time you research finish and want to buy, got newer and better products at lower price liao..

MÂ©+square

15 Feb 07, 22:13

i would discourage anyone to get the entry level macbook.

But if it's for the budget and first try sake. I guess it's all right?
Mac forums have 2nd macbooks for a pretty good rate.

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 22:18

Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:
IT Show is still early leh...

By the time you research finish and want to buy, got newer and better products at lower price liao..

hehehe.... i don't need the newest or best ones la.... just good, sturdy.... value for money can liao....

IT show is in march right? not much time liao....

Originally posted by MÂ©+square:
i would discourage anyone to get the entry level macbook.

But if it's for the budget and first try sake. I guess it's all right?
Mac forums have 2nd macbooks for a pretty good rate.

hmmm... what u mean by entry level macbook? why not advisable?

BÃ¥seline

15 Feb 07, 22:25

You dun have to buy a Mac jus to feel how good/comfortbale/bad it will be and regret later. Go down to any of their Apple centres and hv a try out. The staff there will be more than willing to guide you along and attend to ya enquiries.

It is especially so to hv a feel since OS X is totally new to you. Nothing beats trying out the real thing. Wink

BÃ¥seline

15 Feb 07, 22:28

There is also MUGSG (MacUserGroup SG) forum dedicated to the SG folks using Mac. Look for the sub forum that says "Switcher's Den". That will be a good start.

smudgey

15 Feb 07, 22:35

Originally posted by BÃ¥seline:
There is also [b]MUGSG (MacUserGroup SG) forum dedicated to the SG folks using Mac. Look for the sub forum that says "Switcher's Den". That will be a good start.[/b]

hmmm....

thanks Baseline.....

will look into it!!! Laughing

smudgey

25 Feb 07, 10:46

hey ppl....

I'm currently looking at this laptop....

ACER Aspire 5583WXMi (Centrino Core2 Duo T5500 1.66GHz) 14.1" WCSV

is this good?

manyu882

25 Feb 07, 10:51

u play heavy graphic games? eg half life 2