Yet another 'Suggest me a laptop' thread

[Statts]

Hi all.

I guess I will cut to the chase. Need a laptop ASAP for Uni. Here's my list of prerequisites....

15" (Preferably 1680x1050)
Core2Duo pref T8x00 series (8300 would be nice)
2 or 4 gig RAM, not fussed
Dedicated graphics (preferably 8600M GT)
Good size hard drive (250GB upwards)
Bluetooth
802.11 (preferably up to Wireless-N)
Dual layer burner
Usual other crap

So, main interest in those specs is I was highly interested in the XPS M1530, but being that I will be interest free-ing it due to the urgency, Dell Finance figures suck (no interest free period), I am shopping for other brands.

Have to admit I doubt I would touch an Acer, MSI or LG. Could be convinced into Asus or Compaq and very partial or Toshiba or HP.

I must say, aesthetics ARE important.

Budget up to $1800

Thanks guys!

[HellsAngel]

If you dont like Dell Finance figures why not use a credit card to pay for it then pay it back on the credit card using the cards interest?

[Statts]

Well, that is an option, but you are still paying interest that way.

I do love the XPS, but would prefer a n interest-free method.

[HellsAngel]

The payments might seem high but it sometimes works outs better than those interest free deals in the long run when compared properly.

[Statts]

Interest free there will rarely be any extra charges if paid off before the interest free period ends

[adante]

my dad has convinced himself he needs a laptop. Like all oldies he is blind so I'm thinking a 17". I made the mistake of telling him about montevina so he's all gay for latest-and-greatest.

I'm not really up to date so, what's out there with regards to 17" montevina-based platforms at the moment? I'm also leaning towards integrated graphics (or at the least, away from nvidia + thermal comedy at the moment).

I'm also trying to convince him that montevina will not be improving his microsoft word experience substantially so any non-montevina suggestions are welcome

Main points:

• big screen, low resolution, good brightness (a 'grandpa screen')
• integrated graphics preferably
• battery not a big issue, this will be a mobile desktop replacement mainly
• any hdd
• wlan/ethernet
• bluetooth preferable
• c2d t8xxx upwards
• dual layer burner

And a second point - perhaps the OP should solicit suggestions for vendors and aggregator sites to search. I know I for one am not really sure where to begin and searching through vendor sites is somewhat frustrating. There are a couple of international ones but of course with the tech-lag and price difference, stuff with a local flavour would be preferable.

To start the list maybe, I've liked www.notebookreview.com and www.newegg.com always makes me cry when i see the prices

[Statts]

Well, I blew my budget and ended up getting the HP DV5-1009TX. Specs are as follows:

T9400 (2.53 GHz Centrino2)
4GB DDR2-800
9600M GT 512mb
320GB 5400rpm HDD
1280 x 800
Webcam
BluRay ROM
TV Tuner

Came with bonus 250GB external USB HDD

Got thrown in:
Microsoft 5000 Bluetooth mini mouse
Belkin SurgeCube

Pretty happy with it so far, though about to format and reinstall a nice clean Vista. Will report back soon

[CHB]

How much did you spend??

I've seen the Asus-G50V-a2 for close to 2.4k delivered which is okay and i think some people have gotten it cheaper

[Statts]

Paid $2100 for the laptop and had the others thrown in

[FuNkY MoOsE]

Where did you get it from? I'm looking at zero interest deals due to temporary cash flow issues. Only place I've really come across so far is jb hi-fi...

[Statts]

Originally Posted by FuNkY MoOsE

Where did you get it from? I'm looking at zero interest deals due to temporary cash flow issues. Only place I've really come across so far is jb hi-fi...

Purchased from JB Hifi.

Nearly everyone will do zero deposit interest free, they just may not outwardly advertise it. Expect maximum 12mths unless you put 1/3 deposit.

[redhairkid]

Have you considered an Apple macbook pro?

[FuNkY MoOsE]

Originally Posted by Statts

Purchased from JB Hifi.

Nearly everyone will do zero deposit interest free, they just may not outwardly advertise it. Expect maximum 12mths unless you put 1/3 deposit.

Cool, I'm going to have to have a close look at the details, but can I assume that you can generally pay them off early without any sort of penalty?

[Statts]

Originally Posted by FuNkY MoOsE

Cool, I'm going to have to have a close look at the details, but can I assume that you can generally pay them off early without any sort of penalty?

Of course. If at JB, they use HSBC as their provider for new customers, but will do GE for people that already have a card (GE is bad idea).

No deposit, no interest for the 12 months (then crazy after that, think 20%ish). Couple of dollars a month account keeping fee. Don't expect too much bargaining potential, as JB have to pay the provider a retainer for the "loan".

[rdorman]

statts, was that the laptop you were using on monday? i might have to take a look at this beast.... (bastard mine doesnt even have dedicated graphics...)

i might have to be buying an eeepc soon... :P