Recommend a laptop please.

[OverUnderPump]

SidKid, I've already replied to that in this thread. Read up and if you still have doubts, you know my number and the way to the pub .

regards

OUP

[amk]

Don't get a Sony Vaio. My newest Vaio has become noisy (fan noise) and Battery is dead. All this in about a year. My previous one was rock solid for many years but battery died out pretty soon.

I've used a few Panasonics and they were the dogs bollocks.

AMK

[OverUnderPump]

AMK,

Whats the series of VAIO that conked off ?
All vendors have an invisible line that I have mentioned in my previous posts which would affect dependability, that said it also depends on the end user and the circumstances that the notebook undergoes. Some may last for a good 4-5 years and some might just go kaput in a matter of days.
Case in point, the two notebooks you have used with contrasting stories from the same vendor.

Sorry for going OT, just wanted to share this with fellow IFGians

Sony batteries have been a major pain for several notebook vendors over the past one and a half years. Dell being the first one to be affected by the notebook fire incident, thereby recalling several batteries.

Some other vendors also owned up and ordered recalls, some didn't and kept it under wraps. Still if you have a particular battery on a non-Dell machine from that batch of defective ones, you can use this site to test it out.

http://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/

The tool redirects internally to the Sony database and if your battery is from the defective lot, at-least you'll know. You can then contact the respective vendor for a replacement.

Be safe.

cheerio,

OUP

[amk]

I got the SZ28GP. Sweet little 13.3" 1.69 kg machine but the battery (as with most Vaios) died really quick and it's gotten noisy, I think it's the CPU fan noise and no amount of SW settings seems to cure this.

My battery woes have nothing to do with the snoy recall fiasco.

[rhandle]

Well I have been using Machintosh (Apple) Laptop since last 6 years. The best in business I feel. But looking at the budget it wont fit in.

I have Dell machines at my place where they are working on conversions and typesetting never had a problem anywhere, they are goo reliable and cheap to own.

At the same time since all parts are coming with their own warranty, you can get on assembled, and have a far better laptop in that budget wht others would allow you!

[Mo]

If you incline towards a Dell, let me know. I can get you an employee discount.

As for being water resistant and dust proof - All units are dust proof and spill proof. Not water resistant - spill proof.

Also, if you go for CompleteCover as part of your warranty - it'll cover all sorts of damage including physical. Drop it and you get a replacement - NO Questions Asked. Though this is true only for CompleteCover.

Service has definitely improved over the years and so has the systems.

[Sakobav]

My best experience has been IBMs laptop, hear nice things about HP.

Recently saw a great Dell computer Laptop bought for reasonable $800 by my techie friend.

Electronics can be luck of draw but ensure you have XP instead of vista.

Also, cost depends whether you want a desk replacement Notebook ( heavier) or light mobile one?
No need to order top of the line machine a medium one will be fine since these devices get outdated pretty fast.

Cheers

[Mo]

I would definitely not hold anything against Vista.

First of all, its new. And for something thats new, it works a lot better than XP did, when it was first launched.

Vista's much more secure for the average user than XP. The Defender that comes as default on Vista can actually protect your computer without any other active anti-virus (This has been proven) as long as you dont go looking for an infection.

Most of the computers in the market are at par when it comes to performance. The difference is in the service. As long as you get good service, buy any computer.

HP has service centres spewn across the city. So if you have an issue, there's always a service centre close by. The same is true for Acer and IBM. Though I wouldnt put my money on Acer, as they seem to be mysteriously dipping in quality. IBM is legendary for its quality at the cost of bland looking systems. Dell does not have any service centres. Its always a site visit by a tech.

Macs are great machines for all the applications you mentioned, but would never come within the budget you mentioned. HP and Dell would be your best bets. A lot of variety, cost effective, great service.

If choosing Dell, steer clear of the new studio line. Look for the Inspiron or Vostro. Both the series have systems within your budget and suiting the work.

If choosing HP, dont listen to the sales executive. All the systems have reviews online - you know what to do.

Here's a quick guide on what to look for:

Buy the fastest processor you can afford. Almost every other component can be upgraded easily later. Go for Core 2 Duo (not Dual Core or Core Duo) with Centrino Badging. These consume less power = more battery backup. Also, AutoCad requires more processing power than memory.

1 GB of memory should be sufficient unless you intend to do heavy imaging/editing. Buy 1GB, see if its works for you, if it doesn’t, buy another GB. Upgrading takes 2 min and will not void your warranty. (True for Acer, Dell and HP)

A DVD burner comes as standard on most systems.

Buy the biggest battery you can afford. A system is only as good as long as its stays on!

All computers have ports for connecting an external mouse/keyboard/camera etc. the port is referred to as USB or Universal serial bus. USB 2.0 is the current standard.

None of the systems require air-conditioning. DO NOT keep the laptop on a carpeted floor/pillow/bed etc. The system has ventilation on the underside and keeping it on such surfaces will hamper the air circulation – resulting in overheated systems or damaged fan units.

The computer will out last you. None of the computers become obsolete. It’s the software that it supports that becomes obsolete. Newer programs have higher requirements. But for your use, you can use it till you say Hi to God (The gadget hater that you are, you wont ever need to upgrade!)

The budget is reasonable. But it’s a one-time investment. Buy the best you can afford. I’d say 45-50k is a better budget. You can get the cream systems. The ones in the middle are always better than the bottom pile.

Hope this helps.

[Mack The Knife]

Lot's of food for thought here. Thanks guys.

Mack The Knife

[TenX]

...Most of the computers in the market are at par when it comes to performance...

Yep... thats what I said too...

...Buy the fastest processor you can afford. Almost every other component can be upgraded easily later...

But the motherboard itself has a maximum BUS speed to support, right?

I would definitely not hold anything against Vista.

First of all, its new. And for something thats new, it works a lot better than XP did, when it was first launched.

Vista's much more secure for the average user than XP. The Defender that comes as default on Vista can actually protect your computer without any other active anti-virus (This has been proven) as long as you dont go looking for an infection.

Most of the computers in the market are at par when it comes to performance. The difference is in the service. As long as you get good service, buy any computer.

HP has service centres spewn across the city. So if you have an issue, there's always a service centre close by. The same is true for Acer and IBM. Though I wouldnt put my money on Acer, as they seem to be mysteriously dipping in quality. IBM is legendary for its quality at the cost of bland looking systems. Dell does not have any service centres. Its always a site visit by a tech.

Macs are great machines for all the applications you mentioned, but would never come within the budget you mentioned. HP and Dell would be your best bets. A lot of variety, cost effective, great service.

If choosing Dell, steer clear of the new studio line. Look for the Inspiron or Vostro. Both the series have systems within your budget and suiting the work.

If choosing HP, dont listen to the sales executive. All the systems have reviews online - you know what to do.

Here's a quick guide on what to look for:

Buy the fastest processor you can afford. Almost every other component can be upgraded easily later. Go for Core 2 Duo (not Dual Core or Core Duo) with Centrino Badging. These consume less power = more battery backup. Also, AutoCad requires more processing power than memory.

1 GB of memory should be sufficient unless you intend to do heavy imaging/editing. Buy 1GB, see if its works for you, if it doesn’t, buy another GB. Upgrading takes 2 min and will not void your warranty. (True for Acer, Dell and HP)

A DVD burner comes as standard on most systems.

Buy the biggest battery you can afford. A system is only as good as long as its stays on!...

Since Mack The Knife will mostly be using the laptop in lieu of his desktop, I suppose he will be using it at home, most of the time plugged on

...I’d say 45-50k is a better budget...

Right there... There are a lot of good options in that range...

[mundaire]

Since Mack The Knife will mostly be using the laptop in lieu of his desktop, I suppose he will be using it at home, most of the time plugged on

If that's the case then Rusty, you should go for a desktop... more options, cheaper buy in, easier & cheaper upgrades and cheaper to replace parts as & when required...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Mack The Knife]

Abhijeet,

It will be plugged in most of the time but not necessary at my desk as I prefer to sit on the balcony surrounded by trees rather than brick walls.

I also want as much clutter off my desk.

Mack The Knife

[Pran]

I prefer to sit on the balcony surrounded by trees rather than brick walls.

...or check your mails in a coracle using a wireless internet connection.

[Mack The Knife]

Bloody geek!

[Yaj]

If choosing Dell, steer clear of the new studio line. Look for the Inspiron or Vostro. Both the series have systems within your budget and suiting the work.

Thanks for all the useful info Mo. Can you tell me what is wrong with studio series?
The latest PC mag(US) has some good things to say about the Dell Studio 15.
I was mulling over the Dell studio 17
Regards,
Yaj.