Yet another laptop discussion...
 

I was perusing laptops the other day.


Now when it comes to a desktop...I always build my own. I find the parts I want and I put it together myself. I save money over the name brands, and get exactly what I want.


But when it comes to laptops I don't have much experience.

So I'm wondering...what are your thoughts concerning laptops and configuring your own?

For example the Ecs or Aci iBuddies that are all over the place...
You can get twice the computer for half the price of a dell or hp or whatever...I assume part of this is because of the advertising, and partly it's the parts used?

But in this ever obsolete realm of technology, I probably won't keep it longer than two years anyway.

What about you people? Namebrand or Generic?

lappies and desktops aren't the same... desktop you have more space to work,, ever see inside of laptop? spend the extra 400bucks and get a gateway

Namebrand for the laptops. They tend to break down more and have little problems so I like to have support if I need it. Check out Alienware's Lappie

Im in the exact same situation like you, i really like the G4 but i want a laptop - laptop, as in NOT mac :)

Any recomendations anyone ?


- Anders

OK...so you're saying that the parts in a gateway are higher quality?

What about guarantees...?

Namebrand you will want support, and very good brand quality so that the case doesnt crack etc, have seen it before.

Also make sure that the processor is intel 4-m centrino. Uses much less power so you can have up to 6 hours of power on one batt.

Look for the resolution on the monitor on 14 you can have 1024 or up too 1600 depends on what you want.

Also make sure the laptop has good build quality.

Gateway Dell Sony Toshiba are all good. Also check out the new toshiba notebook.

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...il.jsp?comm=CS

If you do design work this is very good. Several designers and illustrators I know use tablets.

Myself I am waiting for this notebook to come out with the new intel p4 - m processor.

Get 3 year,
I had a dell 3500 replaced case 2 times.
Many come with 3 year standard.

I don't get it. "Laptop, as in not Mac?" Huh? That makes it sound like "laptop" means Wintel, which is silly.

Check this out..
http://www.oscast.com/stories/storyReader$340

everyone I know that bought a gateway notebook, were so satisfied, they went and got another gateway when they were looking for a new one..
guarantees are up to you.. get a 3 year, cause after 3 years, your notebook is old, get a new one, with anothe 3 year guarantee

I also build all my desktops. But I went generic for my laptop because I couldn't find the options I wanted from some of the big boys.


P4 2.8
1024mb ram
60gb hd
ATI 9000 64mb video
15.1" screen
(firewire, usb 2.0 etc etc)

~$2200 from MtechLaptops.com

over $3000 from alienware (same laptop body...same components)

Mtech doesn't advertise and this thing is quick...I use it for video editing while I process pics and surf on my desktop.

See now this is mostly hype in my opinion...if I had the money to blow on a toy...it might be a consideration.

But I guess the point I'm trying to make is this...when I buy an alienware...I'm also paying for their cool new site...their advertising budget's, the neato cases...blah blah...

If I can get a hotshit laptop with a decent guarantee, it seems like a win situation to me...granted it won't say dell on it...but I could care less.

Yeah, but the real question is will it be Lime Green or Cobalt Blue?. Let's not forget what's really important here Hoax.:2 cents:

Exactly...

This computer from alienware...

High-Performance Laptop Chassis - Majestic Blue
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 2.8GHz 533MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Intel® 845E+ICH3M Chipset - FC-PGA DDR
512MB DDR PC-2100 - Two SO-DIMMs
40GB 5400 RPM ATA100
15" UltraXGA 1600x1200 LCD Display
ATI Mobility RADEON 9000 64MB DDR
Sound-Blaster Pro Compatible 3D Audio
3.5 3-Mode Floppy Disk Drive
PROMO - Free Upgrade to 24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo
Integrated 10/100Mb Ethernet NIC
56K Modem with V.92 Technology
Targus Sport Standard Computer Backpack - Platinum/Black
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Intellivision Lives! 50 Retro-Style Gaming Classics
Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black
Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!
AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System
Aliencare Toll-Free 1-Year 24/7 Depot Warranty


Can be had for $1600....


Granted though...you don't get this part...

Targus Sport Standard Computer Backpack - Platinum/Black <--GAY!
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional<--GAY!

Intellivision Lives! 50 Retro-Style Gaming Classics<--GAY!

Free Alienware® T-Shirt - Black<--GAY!

Bonus 12-Month Subscription to Computer Games Magazine!<--GAY!

AlienAutopsy: Automated Technical Support Request System<--GAY!

Aliencare Toll-Free 1-Year 24/7 Depot Warranty<--GAY!


BFD!

i love my sony grx670... everyone always freaks out on the screen size. i don't think i'd ever try and build my own.

I don't necessarily want to build my own...just configure it myself...

Like this one here...for around $1600 you got a really nice laptop on your hands...

http://www.americancomputech.com/smo....asp?iid=47558

You can't build laptops... At least you'd be crazy to do so. It's too expensive and unpractical.

Lol, but ive been bitched at (by people who should know) for calling the G4 a laptop, so im just basing it on that. It may be wrong tough, i dunno, anyone ?.


- Anders

Why wouldnt you want a mac??? the new g4's are phat cant beat a 17' monitor on a laptop :Graucho

build... configure... wrong choice of words. my bad.

I pretty much go with what they come with standard.

name brand for everything desktop or laptop.

DELL

Its agreed amongst most who know the industry that ibm makes the best laptops, i have owned several different brands and can attest to that. It is arguable whether they are worth the premium prices they charge. However, if you have 7 to 10 grand you can spend get a maxpac and never look back. Not really a laptop and cant use em on a plane etc but they use desktop components which blow away any laptops performance and are upgradable.

Consumer whore...

'cept for the fact that you could put a down payment on a house with the money it costs and in 2 years its gonna be a piece of shit...but it'll have a 17' monitor.

There are other models... All customizable on the apple store website. You might be surprised, if you spec one out. That was kinda the point of the article I linked to.

I tried to give hoax some advice, but he just yelled at me.
Sniff...
Make the hurting stop...


:( :( :( :(

I recommend Dell.... Excellent customer service!!

Once my laptop monitor broke... I called their service department--got a real person immediately. Told her what happened... 45 minutes later UPS showed up at my door with a laptop box. So it was safely packed and shipped to Dallas TX, from Colorado. Dell fixed it the next day (Saturday). I had my computer back the following Monday morning...

Not only did they fix the monitor... they updated the video card, sound card and replaced one of my ram chips. I was completely amazed! They paid the total $72 in shipping too.


Fucking awesome!
Just my :2 cents:


Chuck

P.S. whatever you buy get the extended warranty.

IBM makes the best computer equipment period. my most reliable computer ever is an IBM 486SLC2 50 laptop. however, i'd go with a dell, because their customer service is really good, good parts quality and all, and a little cheaper than IBM.

as far as the alienware, they make good stuff, don't know about their laptops though. you can get pretty much everything i saw in those alienware specs in a dell.. just go to the site and custom configure one. i've been around a lot of dell's, and have always been impressed.

toshiba's are good quality, and spent a buttload of money developing their keyboards, so that would be a good purchase. but some of their features dissappoint.

gateway? come on, don't joke around like that! i'd rather have a compaq! gateway is junk. don't buy one.

i don't like sony's stuff either, it breaks too easily. been around enough of those to know i wouldn't buy one. but, the built-in firewire is nice.


i know you won't listen to me, but i've been doing the IT thing for a long time, so i hope it's worth something :)

Hoax - Go name brand with laptops, simple as that.

a friend of mine recommended these guys http://www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainpage=product

but that was after i had already purchased one through ebay. but it seems like they have some good stuff.

i would stay away from alienware though, for the simple reason that their funky colors are not radiation proof.

make sure you check out dell's outlet. If you are lucky you can get a laptop for 3/4 price of its retail value.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfh/default.htm

Yeah, their support is incredible, I had a few problems with my Dell laptop, had it sent it, and repaired the next 3 days.

You get what you pay for, Dell uses cheap OEM products (most of the time), and overpriced prices.

you've got to be kidding... gateway is a piece of crap with the cheapest parts available inside... look further

I think you're a bit confused macs don't become obsolete as fast as PC's do and they retain most of the value so when you are two years down the road a $3000 powerbook will still sell for over half of what you paid for it whereas a PC 1 year later is worth less than half of what you paid for it. If you want a real machine get a Powerbook there's nothing better, you don't have to get the big 17" the others are just as awesome, and if it matters the iBooks were just updated yesterday to be faster, with bigger hard drives and you can somewhat configure your machine at Apple's online store.

Aren't all major PC companies like that? :Graucho

A bit shady:

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller6.html

Ive been told mac uses different file photoshop filetypes, so when i send a client the psd file its all messed up, and fonts are different. Plus i have to download the mac edition of apps and stuff.. its just too much hassle..

i have a kickass laptop, hi-end and it was worth it...
its like having a desktop and then some
it will transform the way you think about working
you can work anywhere now

p4 2.8gig
1gig ddr ram
64meg ddr video
40gig "5400rpm" drive
etc
etc

http://www.crazyleg.com/id.gif

Avoid Gateway, and avoid all consumer model notebooks. If you want to buy a dell buy their business model same with compaq. Don't buy a notebook you can buy at bestbuy.