The Laptop Thread: Configs, deals & questions

devarshi84 · 27th July 2006, 00:24

I have been using my compaq R4000 15.4 3.5kg notebook with athlon 939 4000+ for more than a year now.

My dad needs my desktop replacement now and likes my 15.4 coz.

hence Now I am in the market for a new one.

cost- strictly $1400 approx
Graphics 7400/x1400 or above
screen-13.3/14 either above nor below
weight-as light as possible
Brand-should be serviceable in India
Cpu- any including celeron/semron/turion/core duo/pentiumM

I have looked at following.

Sony vaio SZ

Asus A8JM

Asus W3J

Asus W7J

Fujitsu S2110

Acer ferrari 4005 (just love it and is cheap now, hence here)

HP pavilion dv1000

hp dv2000

Alienware Sentia 14"

MSI s271

Twinhead durabook( cheaper turion option to toughbook)

help me select the right one. I am also open to new suggestions.

Note from the Team-BHP Support Staff : Dev, you've been around with the forum long enough to know when not to start a new thread for a topic that is already in discussion.

tsk1979 · 27th July 2006, 01:31

Hmm,
I am buying a notebook now too, and have defected from the AMD club to Intel because of tha simply amazing deals you get when you have a coupon code available on so many websites on the internet.
If you want servicability in India, and dont mind Intel, Dell Inspiron Core DUO notebooks are amazing.
Get a 2000$ notebook and you get $750 off on applying a coupon code.
A high end 17" with great graphics and 120GB HDD with 2GB RAM dual core machinie for 1300$ isnt it great.

khanak · 27th July 2006, 01:56

Im getting a new laptop for college and have decided on the DV6000z cos of the dual core 64 bit AMD Turion processor

killjoy · 27th July 2006, 09:39

buying it here or in the US? if in the US then check the dell e1505, with a duo core processor, 2 gb ram and 120 gb hdd, dvd writer, 14.1, 2.5 kgs. i think this whole thing comes to about 1000$. nice

devarshi84 · 27th July 2006, 11:06

No dell for me. They are in a transition stage at the moment.

secondly, Its tough to get additional discounts on Dell over the $750 coupon/35% off.

US citizens are eligible upto 50%. I myself had once ordered it through my relative in US for 47% off. Cancelled it when another went on to have 50%. Why should I unnecessarily pay more?

No more dell for me.

PS: Dell is going AMD soon.

My current intuitions are taking me towards HP pavilion but am still confused.

Surprise · 28th July 2006, 16:29

I love the Dell business model very much. Their process is very simple & iam taking about the corporate purchases.

You need to fill the required forms & get your company approved for credits. Upon finalization of the order & receipt of our PO, they will goahead and ship out the goods. You need to get it cleared from the customs. Dell ships out in unbelievable time frames (even a 250 lot will be shipped out in 7 days).

But the case with other vendors are different, you need to open an LC or makes TT before they process the order & they take 4-5 weeks for delivery.

Dell support is also amazing (outsourced to wipro for Chennai customers). No questions asked, they will replace the items that you're unhappy with or any faulty items.

HP, IBM and other major vendors trying to follow the same model of DELL, but its not that much easy. Hats off to Dell culture.

devarshi84 · 15th August 2006, 11:47

here is a detailed report on how the services of various computer makers compare.

Brands include

Apple
HP
Dell
toshiba
Acer
Sony
Fujitsu and
Gateway.

http://laptopmag.com/Features/Tech-Support-Showdown.htm

tsk1979 · 15th August 2006, 12:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by devarshi84

here is a detailed report on how the services of various computer makers compare.

Many dont offer service in India. And the kind of service you get in India would be different from what you get in the west. The ideal way is to talk with a friendly sysadmin. I went for dell primarily due to support and great prices. I wanted an AMD 64bit, and HP compaq had a couple of models which I wanted and were well within by budget, but our company sysadmin, who deals with all sorts of companies told me to stay of HP in noida as they can be a pain. Dell OTOH have a delhi service center and they really honour warranties, both international and local.

devarshi84 · 15th August 2006, 13:05

afaik these companies need to keep the service quality similar around the globe. But then I have not experienced the service quality in India so I dont have the right to speak about it. Just found this link so posted thinking it might be helpful.

Recently Dell has apologized in China for mileading ads and also one of the biggest battery recalls ever. 4.1 million recalls.

BTW: Dell is going AMD from the last quarter this year. SO now the inspiron line will have both amd and intel options.

cheap_deal · 15th August 2006, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by devarshi84

BTW: Dell is going AMD from the last quarter this year. SO now the inspiron line will have both amd and intel options.

oh wow that is news to me. guess i'l put off my laptop purchase for the end of 2006.

Sahil · 16th August 2006, 04:11

https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com
Useful link for Dell owners, you just might get a new battery for your laptop if you are lucky.

I belive alot of manufacturers are giving Reliance data cards free with their laptops in India. I am looking to get one asap so if someone here is not gonna subscribe to use it do let me know as I am intrested in getting it. Thnx

~ H O N D A ~ · 19th August 2006, 17:33

Im using a MAC PowerbookG4

since the time when i started using it im in love with this MAC...

It has a
15 inch widescreen LCD
80GB harddisk
DVD writer
LAN
WiFi
Firewall slot etc etc

lurker · 19th August 2006, 19:25

Does Asus have a 'dual-lamp' notebook in the 17" range ?? A 'dual-lamp' really brightens up the laptop screen realestate !

amit2036 · 19th August 2006, 20:18

i have a sony vaio and i am enjoying it but otherwise go for any centrino it is lighter for sure and you would enjoy the batterry life

devarshi84 · 20th August 2006, 03:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by amit2036

i have a sony vaio and i am enjoying it but otherwise go for any centrino it is lighter for sure and you would enjoy the batterry life

The best battery life can be achieved with a Intel ULV (less than 10 watts) centrino processor on GMA 900+ with a big battery in a ultra-portable small display notebook. A sony vaio and a panasonic toughbook have broken the 7+ hrs barrier with such notebooks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurker

Does Asus have a 'dual-lamp' notebook in the 17" range ??

I dunno what you mean by "Dual-lamp'

but yes, Asus 17" desktop replacement notebooks have Extra-bright displays if you meant that.

27th July 2006, 00:24	#496
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	new notebook I have been using my compaq R4000 15.4 3.5kg notebook with athlon 939 4000+ for more than a year now. My dad needs my desktop replacement now and likes my 15.4 coz. hence Now I am in the market for a new one. cost- strictly $1400 approx Graphics 7400/x1400 or above screen-13.3/14 either above nor below weight-as light as possible Brand-should be serviceable in India Cpu- any including celeron/semron/turion/core duo/pentiumM I have looked at following. Sony vaio SZ Asus A8JM Asus W3J Asus W7J Fujitsu S2110 Acer ferrari 4005 (just love it and is cheap now, hence here) HP pavilion dv1000 hp dv2000 Alienware Sentia 14" MSI s271 Twinhead durabook( cheaper turion option to toughbook) help me select the right one. I am also open to new suggestions. Note from the Team-BHP Support Staff : Dev, you've been around with the forum long enough to know when not to start a new thread for a topic that is already in discussion. Last edited by Rtech : 27th July 2006 at 09:52.
	() Thanks

27th July 2006, 01:31	#497
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,826 Times View My Garage	Hmm, I am buying a notebook now too, and have defected from the AMD club to Intel because of tha simply amazing deals you get when you have a coupon code available on so many websites on the internet. If you want servicability in India, and dont mind Intel, Dell Inspiron Core DUO notebooks are amazing. Get a 2000$ notebook and you get $750 off on applying a coupon code. A high end 17" with great graphics and 120GB HDD with 2GB RAM dual core machinie for 1300$ isnt it great.
	() Thanks

27th July 2006, 01:56	#498
khanak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai/Toronto Posts: 2,799 Thanked: 268 Times View My Garage	Im getting a new laptop for college and have decided on the DV6000z cos of the dual core 64 bit AMD Turion processor
	() Thanks

27th July 2006, 09:39	#499
killjoy BHPian Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 753 Thanked: 317 Times View My Garage	buying it here or in the US? if in the US then check the dell e1505, with a duo core processor, 2 gb ram and 120 gb hdd, dvd writer, 14.1, 2.5 kgs. i think this whole thing comes to about 1000$. nice
	() Thanks

27th July 2006, 11:06	#500
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	No dell for me. They are in a transition stage at the moment. secondly, Its tough to get additional discounts on Dell over the $750 coupon/35% off. US citizens are eligible upto 50%. I myself had once ordered it through my relative in US for 47% off. Cancelled it when another went on to have 50%. Why should I unnecessarily pay more? No more dell for me. PS: Dell is going AMD soon. My current intuitions are taking me towards HP pavilion but am still confused. Last edited by devarshi84 : 27th July 2006 at 11:08.
	() Thanks

28th July 2006, 16:29	#501
Surprise Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,523 Thanked: 454 Times	I love the Dell business model very much. Their process is very simple & iam taking about the corporate purchases. You need to fill the required forms & get your company approved for credits. Upon finalization of the order & receipt of our PO, they will goahead and ship out the goods. You need to get it cleared from the customs. Dell ships out in unbelievable time frames (even a 250 lot will be shipped out in 7 days). But the case with other vendors are different, you need to open an LC or makes TT before they process the order & they take 4-5 weeks for delivery. Dell support is also amazing (outsourced to wipro for Chennai customers). No questions asked, they will replace the items that you're unhappy with or any faulty items. HP, IBM and other major vendors trying to follow the same model of DELL, but its not that much easy. Hats off to Dell culture.
	() Thanks

15th August 2006, 11:47	#502
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	here is a detailed report on how the services of various computer makers compare. Brands include Apple HP Dell toshiba Acer Sony Fujitsu and Gateway. http://laptopmag.com/Features/Tech-Support-Showdown.htm
	() Thanks

15th August 2006, 13:05	#504
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	afaik these companies need to keep the service quality similar around the globe. But then I have not experienced the service quality in India so I dont have the right to speak about it. Just found this link so posted thinking it might be helpful. Recently Dell has apologized in China for mileading ads and also one of the biggest battery recalls ever. 4.1 million recalls. BTW: Dell is going AMD from the last quarter this year. SO now the inspiron line will have both amd and intel options. Last edited by devarshi84 : 15th August 2006 at 13:06.
	() Thanks

16th August 2006, 04:11	#506
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com Useful link for Dell owners, you just might get a new battery for your laptop if you are lucky. I belive alot of manufacturers are giving Reliance data cards free with their laptops in India. I am looking to get one asap so if someone here is not gonna subscribe to use it do let me know as I am intrested in getting it. Thnx Last edited by Sahil : 16th August 2006 at 04:12.
	() Thanks

19th August 2006, 17:33	#507
~ H O N D A ~ BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 171 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage	Im using a MAC PowerbookG4 since the time when i started using it im in love with this MAC... It has a 15 inch widescreen LCD 80GB harddisk DVD writer LAN WiFi Firewall slot etc etc
	() Thanks

19th August 2006, 19:25	#508
lurker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tura Posts: 1,592 Thanked: 1,423 Times	Does Asus have a 'dual-lamp' notebook in the 17" range ?? A 'dual-lamp' really brightens up the laptop screen realestate !
	() Thanks

19th August 2006, 20:18	#509
amit2036 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: mumbai Posts: 6 Thanked: 0 Times	i have a sony vaio and i am enjoying it but otherwise go for any centrino it is lighter for sure and you would enjoy the batterry life
	() Thanks