The Laptop Thread: Configs, deals & questions

Nandan · 15th May 2009, 11:56

I am planning a new laptop

I was qouted 54 K for HP Pavillion DV4 1242 TX. Is it a good deal?
Are there any better options available on the HP range?

devrajman · 15th May 2009, 13:39

Yos should be looking at minimum config of:

Core2Duo (2Ghz or Higher)
3GB RAM (800MHz or DDR3)
250/320 GB Harddisk (try faster harddisk if possible)
DVD Writes
Webcam atleast 1.3MP
Card Reader

External graphics card if you like Vista Aero or play few heavy games.

Screen size makes laptop small or large, heavy or light so:
14" if you travel with your laptop across cities/states/contry
>15" if ard city or just at home

LED based screen is better if you find one.

Windows 7 is coming in few months so trying getting DOS or Linux to save some money to buy Window 7 later. As we all know how Vista is!

All brands performs almost the day. So get the one which has a nice look, good feel & comfortable keypad, tough build quality, good service centers.

You can go for:

Value: Acer, Dell, HP/Compaq

Costly: VAIO, DELL Studio 15/XPS, Toshiba, Fuzitsu, Lenovo, etc

SirAlec · 15th May 2009, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nandan

I am planning a new laptop

I was qouted 54 K for HP Pavillion DV4 1242 TX. Is it a good deal?
Are there any better options available on the HP range?

Please stay away from HP especially AMD based. Its not good in the long run. i have two of them lying around, waiting for the mobo. Its a shame HP is not able to provide. Both of them conked just when the warranty expired.

You seem to have a good budget. Go for dell. bought one from a fellow bhpian. had a problem with HDD as it was shipped all the way from bangalore to delhi then to abu. But it was replaced, no question asked. havn't even got the warranty transfered in my name .

Dry Ice · 15th May 2009, 23:28

Hey guys, need help here.

I recently bought a Studio 1555, though there isn't any problem hardware wise, what I am worried about is, I can not locate the so called "Microsoft certificate of authenticity/authentication" on my machine. It isn't there with the re-installation disks either.

My question is how do I establish if my copy of Windows is genuine without this certificate?

Secondly, the laptop bears the sticker "Intel Centrino inside". I have checked through the device manager and it says Intel Core 2 Duo!! Wasn't Centrino a different class of processors altogether?

Have already mailed the Dell support asking for an explanation.

Mugen_Power · 15th May 2009, 23:50

Guys help needed.

My Dell Inspiron battery meter shows that 6% available (plugged in, not charging) message.

Warranty expired before 2 months.

What should i do?

Thanks in advance.

vivekiny2k · 15th May 2009, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dry Ice

Secondly, the laptop bears the sticker "Intel Centrino inside". I have checked through the device manager and it says Intel Core 2 Duo!! Wasn't Centrino a different class of processors altogether?

did you customize your laptop? may be it had the default sticker. still why would dell overlook that.

there are utilities that can extract your serial number form windows, provided it is running.

something like this

Retrieve Serial Numbers or CD Keys from your computer Raymond.CC Blog

cvvikram · 16th May 2009, 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by devrajman

Thats a real Performance Machine!

Nice deal for ard $ 1200/-

its a 17", it would be huge & heavy?

Yup it will be little bit heavy, but is a desktop replacement lappy

devarshi84 · 16th May 2009, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugen_Power

Guys help needed.

My Dell Inspiron battery meter shows that 6% available (plugged in, not charging) message.

Warranty expired before 2 months.

What should i do?

Thanks in advance.

first, try to recalibrate the battery. There are lots of tutorials online to help you out.

Most probably, your battery has run out of life though. Time to get a new one.

adityamunshi · 16th May 2009, 22:23

I need a power adaptor for my Panasonic Toughbook Y4. Since the original is difficult to source except in USA Im looking for a reliable brand available here. Experts please suggest.

And, apart from the voltage, what parameters need to be matched ?

devarshi84 · 17th May 2009, 00:30

Toughbook are easily available in India. Try the Panasonic brand store. Or else I will give you an e-mail. PM me if you dont find a store.

SirAlec · 17th May 2009, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by adityamunshi

I need a power adaptor for my Panasonic Toughbook Y4. Since the original is difficult to source except in USA Im looking for a reliable brand available here. Experts please suggest.

And, apart from the voltage, what parameters need to be matched ?

try calling
Dirgesh Shah @ 9825403606
Arihant Infotech
give my reference, (kenden from cyberdyne systems). He is my canon channel partner in Baroda. He may be able to source it at cheaper cost.

If you can get from Ahm. I have a reliable laptop parts dealer.

nishad.hameed · 18th May 2009, 15:03

guys,

bit confused between samsung nc10 and n110. any sugestions? any idea where I search for a better deal in bangalore?

ariendj · 18th May 2009, 18:43

are there ways to charge the battery other than through the lap itself.i mean something like an adaptor or so?

devarshi84 · 18th May 2009, 20:09

Some of the Previous laptops could run and charge batteries via the CD-Rom bay. Dont know if that is still possible.

You already received your laptop? Congrats on the purchase.

SirAlec · 18th May 2009, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariendj

are there ways to charge the battery other than through the lap itself.i mean something like an adaptor or so?

something like this?

15th May 2009, 11:56	#1756
Nandan BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Trivandrum, Pune Posts: 59 Thanked: 0 Times	I am planning a new laptop I was qouted 54 K for HP Pavillion DV4 1242 TX. Is it a good deal? Are there any better options available on the HP range?
	() Thanks

15th May 2009, 13:39	#1757
devrajman BHPian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 505 Thanked: 118 Times View My Garage	Yos should be looking at minimum config of: Core2Duo (2Ghz or Higher) 3GB RAM (800MHz or DDR3) 250/320 GB Harddisk (try faster harddisk if possible) DVD Writes Webcam atleast 1.3MP Card Reader External graphics card if you like Vista Aero or play few heavy games. Screen size makes laptop small or large, heavy or light so: 14" if you travel with your laptop across cities/states/contry >15" if ard city or just at home LED based screen is better if you find one. Windows 7 is coming in few months so trying getting DOS or Linux to save some money to buy Window 7 later. As we all know how Vista is! All brands performs almost the day. So get the one which has a nice look, good feel & comfortable keypad, tough build quality, good service centers. You can go for: Value: Acer, Dell, HP/Compaq Costly: VAIO, DELL Studio 15/XPS, Toshiba, Fuzitsu, Lenovo, etc
	() Thanks

15th May 2009, 23:28	#1759
Dry Ice Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: -- Posts: 3,552 Thanked: 7,263 Times	Hey guys, need help here. I recently bought a Studio 1555, though there isn't any problem hardware wise, what I am worried about is, I can not locate the so called "Microsoft certificate of authenticity/authentication" on my machine. It isn't there with the re-installation disks either. My question is how do I establish if my copy of Windows is genuine without this certificate? Secondly, the laptop bears the sticker "Intel Centrino inside". I have checked through the device manager and it says Intel Core 2 Duo!! Wasn't Centrino a different class of processors altogether? Have already mailed the Dell support asking for an explanation. Last edited by Dry Ice : 15th May 2009 at 23:32.
	() Thanks

15th May 2009, 23:50	#1760
Mugen_Power Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gujarat 03 Posts: 1,302 Thanked: 18 Times	Guys help needed. My Dell Inspiron battery meter shows that 6% available (plugged in, not charging) message. Warranty expired before 2 months. What should i do? Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

16th May 2009, 22:23	#1764
adityamunshi BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Baroda Posts: 771 Thanked: 6 Times	I need a power adaptor for my Panasonic Toughbook Y4. Since the original is difficult to source except in USA Im looking for a reliable brand available here. Experts please suggest. And, apart from the voltage, what parameters need to be matched ?
	() Thanks

17th May 2009, 00:30	#1765
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	Toughbook are easily available in India. Try the Panasonic brand store. Or else I will give you an e-mail. PM me if you dont find a store.
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 15:03	#1767
nishad.hameed BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 90 Thanked: 24 Times	guys, bit confused between samsung nc10 and n110. any sugestions? any idea where I search for a better deal in bangalore?
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 18:43	#1768
ariendj BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 525 Thanked: 156 Times View My Garage	are there ways to charge the battery other than through the lap itself.i mean something like an adaptor or so?
	() Thanks

18th May 2009, 20:09	#1769
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	Some of the Previous laptops could run and charge batteries via the CD-Rom bay. Dont know if that is still possible. You already received your laptop? Congrats on the purchase.
	() Thanks