Recommend a laptop please.

[rhandle]

I just got a Laptop dell vostro 1310 @ 41822/-

with core2duo T5670, 3gb ram and 250 gb HDD

also a desktop Dell Vostro 410 @ 63596/-

with core2duo Quad Processor Q9550

750 GB HDD and 4 Gb ram.

The prices and specs are so as you can use them as a certain benchmark, since I believe I got a good deal.

More Mo can reveal.

[TenX]

I just got a Laptop dell vostro 1310 @ 41822/-

with core2duo T5670, 3gb ram and 250 gb HDD
...

Seems like a good deal 3GB is a lot of ram, and if 250 Gb is not enough (which is rare), one can get an external hard disk for 3-4K...

[Mo]

@Tenx: Yeah, but at any given point of time, most companies decide to go with the maximum possible bus speed at the cheapest possible price for consumer systems. So, there is a silent standard. Also, any given memory of less than or equal to the bus speed will work. Most people make the mistake of pinching when it comes to processors and getting fat amounts of ram, when the latter can easily be upgraded as time and money permits.

@Yaj: There is nothing "wrong" with the studio line as such. Its just that the line was developed with asthetics and price in mind. Most of the Dell machines share the architecture. But Inspiron has been there for a while, been through a lot of upgrades and will last. Vostro comes with awesome after sales business support. XPS is renowned for its unique architecture and performance. Studio Line was introduced so that Dell can have a go at the consumer line where HP was enjoying a silent monopoly of sorts. Dell never believed in asthetic computers till now. They were all workhorses.

@Rhandle: Dell prices are standard wherever you buy the systems from except for employee purchases. Since the dealer system was recently introduced, the prices will remain standard for a while longer. Dealers may be able to cut you a deal, but nothing ground breaking. Dell was never into the retail market till now.

The best thing about a Dell is the freedom of configuring to your exact requirements. There is no fixed configuration as such. You choose the model and decide what goes in. Go to www.dell.co.in, choose the model you like and configure according to your needs. The quote will be shown to you at the end of the configuration and you can choose to buy it. Delivery will be within 7-14 days in Bangalore.

Employee discounts are huge. Dell does not take profit from employee sales. So we get it at cost price. The more you soup up the system, the more the discount. The reason being, the low to mid end systems are already being offered at a low margin.

To put things in perspective, I purchased a Precision laptop for my dad last year. The price came up to ~114,000. I got it for ~82,000. At the same time, a laptop for my brother cost 46k when the actual price was 51k. See how it works?

[TenX]

Mack The Knife.. offer a deal for MO... Let him get you the best deal (employee discount et al)on a Dell in lieu of the BBQ

[Yaj]

@Yaj: There is nothing "wrong" with the studio line as such. Its just that the line was developed with asthetics and price in mind. Most of the Dell machines share the architecture. But Inspiron has been there for a while, been through a lot of upgrades and will last. Vostro comes with awesome after sales business support. XPS is renowned for its unique architecture and performance. Studio Line was introduced so that Dell can have a go at the consumer line where HP was enjoying a silent monopoly of sorts. Dell never believed in asthetic computers till now. They were all workhorses.

So the studio line is a blinged up version to jack up the price. Thanks for the info Mo.Much obliged.
Regards,
Yaj.

[Mo]

Well, they are Blinged up.. but i think the prices are cheaper than most of the other Dells.

I'm all in for the plain jane look when it comes to laptops. So I prefer the Vostro line. Thats just me though. Most people dont like the Vostro's all black, no play look.

The Studio is for them!

[Mack The Knife]

I am being offered a one year old laptop as follows:

- HP Compaq Presario AMD Turion X2 2 GHz.
- 2 GB RAM.
- 80 GB 7200 rpm SATA HDD.
- 8x DVD writer.
-15" Truelife Wide Display.
-128 MB NVidia Graphics.
- Altec Lansing speakers.
- WiFi.
- IR.
- HP Imprint design.
- Running on Windows XP Professional.
- 2 years of 3 years warranty still left.
- External condition is supposedly as good as new. I have yet to see it.

Would this system meet my requirements satisfactorily and how much should I offer for it?

Thanks.

Mack The Knife

[diskaon]

Its not very advisable to go for a old laptop unless its really cheap. (Like getting Inders rifle for say 10K or something)

Personally I am a big fan of AMD processors...

diskaon.

[kanwar76]

(Like getting Inders rifle for say 10K or something)
diskaon.

Its MO's rifle now

-Inder

[mundaire]

I am being offered a one year old laptop as follows:

- HP Compaq Presario AMD Turion X2 2 GHz.
- 2 GB RAM.
- 80 GB 7200 rpm SATA HDD.
- 8x DVD writer.
-15" Truelife Wide Display.
-128 MB NVidia Graphics.
- Altec Lansing speakers.
- WiFi.
- IR.
- HP Imprint design.
- Running on Windows XP Professional.
- 2 years of 3 years warranty still left.
- External condition is supposedly as good as new. I have yet to see it.

Would this system meet my requirements satisfactorily and how much should I offer for it?

Thanks.

Mack The Knife

Just a note of caution, while AMD make excellent value for money desktop processors their notebook processors are known battery hogs.

Second hand notebooks have very poor resale value, and if it is a well maintained piece a one year old model could potentially be a bargain. However notebook repairs are especially expensive so do be sure of the condition before buying.

Parts which are especially prone to failure should be carefully tested by someone who knows what he/ she is doing:

1. Battery, preferably do a full drain test as a shot battery can run sweetly for 15-20 mins showing 2+ hours of back up remaining before going on the blink without warning.

2. HDD - a full scandisk test is recommended to check for bad sectors.

3. Touchpad & keyboard - easy enough to test

4. Overheating test - run a system benchmark measurement software to stress the processor and see if the computer overheats and shuts down. Leave it on a table in a room without a/c - it should run comfortably for hours and not suddenly shut down.

5. Optical drive test - try playing regular CD's and DVD's and then try it out with scratched (but playable) CD's & DVD's. Next burn 1 CD & 1 DVD to see if the writing head is working fine.

6. Check the original restore disks that came with the PC (Windows and other system software etc.).

7. Check if the warranty extends to the second owner - it usually does not.

That's all I can think of right now, others can hopefully add to this.

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[Mack The Knife]

Abhijeet, thanks a ton for the check-list. I will have Mo run through them as the laptop belongs to his colleague.

This laptop was bought a year ago for Rs.55,000.00 (invoice is missing) and was initially put on sale for Rs.45,000.00 I offered Rs.30,000.00 and the seller has currently lowered her price to Rs.32,000.00

Assuming the laptop passes all the tests with flying colours what do you think one should pay for it?

Thanks.

Mack The Knife

[TenX]

Mack The Knife, you have PM...

Also, if it is a matter of 10K, go in for the Dell Vostro that has been mentioned above.

I just got a Laptop dell vostro 1310 @ 41822/-

with core2duo T5670, 3gb ram and 250 gb HDD
...

[mundaire]

Before I hazard a guess on the price, I'd like to make a point - unlike guns or (to a lesser extent) cars, a one year old computer has already been superseded by better & cheaper models in the market, so the price paid last year has comparatively little bearing on what the resale value would/ should be.

The above considered and with a on the warranty I think 30k is a generous offer...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

[OverUnderPump]

Before I hazard a guess on the price, I'd like to make a point - unlike guns or (to a lesser extent) cars, a one year old computer has already been superseded by better & cheaper models in the market, so the price paid last year has comparatively little bearing on what the resale value would/ should be.

The above considered and with a on the warranty I think 30k is a generous offer...

Cheers!
Abhijeet

Ditto, I have the experience of dealing with HP after sales support for around the 100 odd machines I ordered for my office. I don't really have good stories to share for the same. That said 30K is a generous offer, but you'd have to check if HP offers transfer of ownership (this is something thats offered by Dell for resold machines or gifts).If thats available soliciting after sales support wont be a hassle. Else if you call up the support number, they'd require the details with which the machine was registered at the time of purchase.

regards

OUP

[diskaon]

As per the tax laws a computer/laptop depreciates at 60% per year. Just for your info..