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Old 16th November 2011, 17:32   #3301
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by sgiitk View Post
The agony & the ecstasy: Finding & Installing drivers onToshiba C640-X4013
It is really a good laptop I was eying C640-X4013 this before I found Asus P53E , I went to ASUS for 750GB HDD and 15.6 screen also ASUS comes with a drivers disk so no pain of downloading. IMHO these 2 are the best Core I5 deals available today.

Heard that Ubuntu works without pain on C640 series.

Just a tip for others buying a laptop without OS to save from the agony sgiitk described.

1. Buy from smaller dealers rather then large retail chains , They usually maintain the OS disk copy which they will Install on the laptop and you need to activate the windows ( else it will show Genuine windows warning after SP1 download)

This way pain of finding drivers and installing is reduced to 10 minutes exercise.

2. Buy the OEM System builders License , It is available at 4.5K in white package ( instead of 6K for consumer pack) if you intend to keep the laptop for long time.
The difference between Consumer pack and OEM System builders pack is that OEM System builder pack can not be moved from one machine to another. So choose Consumer pack if you change Laptops faster then Windows releases and this way you can avoid repaying blood money with each hardware change.


3. If you have to choose between Windows Home Premium and Windows Home Basic do not waste money on Home Premium the feature difference is just eye Candy.

Last edited by amitk26 : 16th November 2011 at 17:41.
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Old 17th November 2011, 00:34   #3302
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

Posing the following again.

Need a laptop. Following are the demands.

1. Real good battery life.
2. Light in weight.
3. Good display.
4. Good A**.

All this in the budget of 25K-28K. Possible? I have a licensed copy of Windows 7.
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Old 17th November 2011, 00:46   #3303
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

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Originally Posted by creative420 View Post
Posing the following again.

Need a laptop. Following are the demands.

1. Real good battery life.
2. Light in weight.
3. Good display.
4. Good A**.

All this in the budget of 25K-28K. Possible? I have a licensed copy of Windows 7.
You forgot to list the main thing - what & how are you going to use it for?

For some uses, 25-28K is too less a budget & for others, its too much of a budget.
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Old 17th November 2011, 10:18   #3304
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

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Originally Posted by amitk26 View Post
It is really a good laptop I was eying C640-X4013 this before I found Asus P53E , I went to ASUS for 750GB HDD and 15.6 screen also ASUS comes with a drivers disk so no pain of downloading. IMHO these 2 are the best Core I5 deals available today.

Heard that Ubuntu works without pain on C640 series.
This was for my daughter and she was upgrading her Compaq 3149. 14"was required.

Sure should, it detects the chips also. I went off Ubuntu after v11. A tip for those wanting to remove Ubuntu (or for than matter any Linux). Download a freebie EasyBCD and run it in Windows.

Also, please update me on the experience of the Asus.
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Old 17th November 2011, 10:38   #3305
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

Any pointers for good laptop deals in Bangalore ?

My requirements:
Good Battery Life
Intel 2nd Gen Core i 3/5 (2.3Ghz +)
Min 4GB RAM
500GB and above HDD
14" Screen (Strictly)
Bluetooth+Webcam

My Budget 30K, +/- 2k

Usage: Routine browsing and movies

Last edited by 2500cc : 17th November 2011 at 10:46.
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Old 17th November 2011, 10:42   #3306
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

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Originally Posted by carboy View Post
You forgot to list the main thing - what & how are you going to use it for?

For some uses, 25-28K is too less a budget & for others, its too much of a budget.
Regular stuff. Browsing. Microsoft office. HDMI port. Editing images (Not in a photoshop way).

This laptop is for my GF who's a content writer.

Strictly no netbook. Not even the 11" ones. It should have at least a 14" screen.
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Old 17th November 2011, 11:21   #3307
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

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Originally Posted by creative420 View Post
Regular stuff. Browsing. Microsoft office. HDMI port. Editing images (Not in a photoshop way).

This laptop is for my GF who's a content writer.

Strictly no netbook. Not even the 11" ones. It should have at least a 14" screen.
Since you do not need OS

1. Toshiba C640-i4014 ( Core I3 2nd generation , 500GB HDD , 14 inch ) for approx 23.5 K , T
Toshiba Satellite C640-I4014 Price in India - Toshiba C640 I4014

There are few Samsung models in similar price range with similar config listed on flipkart. Samsung build quality is wonderful because my work Laptops for last 8 years are Samsung ( currently Samsung P580) and I travel a lot and never faced any issues.

2. Or Toshiba C640-X4013, Core I5 , 4GB RAM , 500GB HDD
14 inchfor approx 29K at flipkart , 2 weeks back it was 33K
3. Asus P53E Core I5 second gen , 750GB HDD , 15.6 is another good choice
I purchased it for 33K and I am liking it but with the price reduction in Toshiba C640-X4013 on flipkart this is less attractive.

Do not worry too much about RAM , DDR3 4GB modules are quite cheap you can buy off the shelf and upgrade yourself to 6 GB.
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Old 17th November 2011, 11:37   #3308
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

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Originally Posted by amitk26 View Post
Since you do not need OS

1. Toshiba C640-i4014 ( Core I3 2nd generation , 500GB HDD , 14 inch ) for approx 23.5 K , T
Toshiba Satellite C640-I4014 Price in India - Toshiba C640 I4014

There are few Samsung models in similar price range with similar config listed on flipkart. Samsung build quality is wonderful because my work Laptops for last 8 years are Samsung ( currently Samsung P580) and I travel a lot and never faced any issues.

2. Or Toshiba C640-X4013, Core I5 , 4GB RAM , 500GB HDD
14 inchfor approx 29K at flipkart , 2 weeks back it was 33K
3. Asus P53E Core I5 second gen , 750GB HDD , 15.6 is another good choice
I purchased it for 33K and I am liking it but with the price reduction in Toshiba C640-X4013 on flipkart this is less attractive.

Do not worry too much about RAM , DDR3 4GB modules are quite cheap you can buy off the shelf and upgrade yourself to 6 GB.
Thanks Amit. Which one of these have the best battery back-up? Do Dell laptops have better battery back-up? It's the most essential requirement.
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Old 17th November 2011, 18:22   #3309
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

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Thanks Amit. Which one of these have the best battery back-up? Do Dell laptops have better battery back-up? It's the most essential requirement.
ASUS P53E has 6 cell battery (5200mAh, 56 W/h) / up to 4 hours claimed in the specification , I have observed more then 5 hours by tweaking the battery settings a bit ( lowering brightness when not connected , sleep when not used, sleep on closing lid etc) wakeup from sleep is very fast in core i5 so you can apply these settings unlike Core 2 duo or Centrino based laptops of past.
This is a sea change from my previous HP laptop.

I do not know about Toshiba but my guess is for most Core I5 / I3 and DDR3 RAM based systems it should be similar.

If battery is real requirement then look for Samsung net-book with 9 hours
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Old 21st November 2011, 15:48   #3310
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

Ordered a Dell XPS 15 today
with the following goodies

Core i7 2670QM processor
8GB RAM
Full HD screen
750GB HDD
2GB Nvidia GT540M

now the wait begins.
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Old 21st November 2011, 16:26   #3311
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

^^^ what was the cost for this confg in XPS?
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Old 21st November 2011, 16:29   #3312
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

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Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay View Post
^^^ what was the cost for this confg in XPS?
It was coming to be around 71K in open market.
but i purchased it under Employee purchase program(EPP) through a cousin,i paid 62K for it.
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Old 22nd November 2011, 02:36   #3313
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

Hi. Does anybody have (or used) the Alienware M11x R3? I've been looking around to buy a new laptop that is both compact but powerful, and the M11x really appeals to me.

Also, any suggestions for other laptops that are 13inch or smaller with similar specs?
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Old 22nd November 2011, 10:25   #3314
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

I have a Home basic OS on my current laptop and am contemplating upgrading to Home Premium. Wanted to check with others if this is worth the 2500/- asking price for upgrade. It is more visual appeal, but the premium does look more slick compared to the basic version.
Also can we get an OEM version of this upgrade at a cheaper rate (than the 2500)
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Old 22nd November 2011, 12:15   #3315
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re: THE Laptop Thread: Configs, deals and questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by vista_qjd View Post
I have a Home basic OS on my current laptop and am contemplating upgrading to Home Premium. Wanted to check with others if this is worth the 2500/- asking price for upgrade. It is more visual appeal, but the premium does look more slick compared to the basic version.
Also can we get an OEM version of this upgrade at a cheaper rate (than the 2500)
If its just for visual appeal, then its not worth it. Instead you might download and install some themes and make it more appealing to eyes.

Also, this will be a fresh install and NOT upgrade. SO re-installing OS is another pain point.

Wait for Windows 8 to release sometime in 2012 and buying that makes more sense.

Cheers,
Rajesh
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