Laptops?

[Ronne]

I've never owned a laptop before, but times are dictating I really kind of need to get one(school mostly). My last two desktops were from Alienware and have served me well, but I've heard nothing but bad about their laptops, so I'm hesitent to go that route. I doubt I'll really be needing it for the amazing high end of gaming, but being able to run WoW and stuff like HL2 would be fairly nice.

Just kind of looking for company/software recomendations to shop for/at. I don't know too much about the mobile technologies(gfx cards, processors, etc) so I haven't really been able to pick apart performance differences.

[simeon]

I just purchased a Dell Inspiron E1505 a week ago.
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo: 2.0GHz x 2
2GB Ram
80 GB HD
8X DVD R - CDRW
15.4 inch WXGA + Truelife LCD
ATI Radeon x1400 (128 dedicated + 128 virtual = 256 advertised)
Free upgrade to Vista Premium
Plus all the bells and whistles (firewire / 4xusb / modem / ethernet / wireless / dva and svideo out / 5 in 1 media card reader / and it's a good looking system that runs about 5-6 lbs.)
Total: $1200 and some change after tax

It's pretty damn cool and the MediaDirect feature that it has is pretty pimp-tastic. Of course it came with the usual bloatware, but that was to be expected, so I reformatted the bitch. Nonetheless, I am very happy with my purchase - no dead pixels, etc.

Just in case, forget about their warranties and accidental damage bullshit - it's way too expensive. For insurance means: Laptop Insurance From Safeware
It's pretty damn cheap for the comprehensive coverage they offer.

Performance wise:
Processor is ridiculous. The video card can handle Doom 3 on medium settings, EQ perfectly, WoW even more so, and HL2 very nicely.

I also got it shipped mega quick. They stated that it takes 1 day for the order to process + 6 days built + 3-5 days shipping and I got it in less than a week. I was surprised when I got the message they were coming the next day.

Another thing I like about mine is that it's a pretty damn sturdy laptop, which surprised me because my only experience was my prior Gateway laptop that cracked, moaned, and groaned if you picked it up by a corner. This thing is a nice, solid piece of machinery.

[Zeste]

the MacBook has been really great for me. It's by far the most favorite computer I have owned.

[Algol Devilstar]

I know there's a lot of Alienware hate on these boards, but I have had nothing but good experience with them. As for the laptop, AW announced at CES a new laptop they are trying to market for $2000... and it has some serious kick-ass specs. I would wait until they make it available and see if they met their goal.

here's a link: m9750

[brekk]

Dude! You're getting a Dell!

[Blide]

I got a Toshiba Satellite P100-ST9012 a few months ago. I've had no problems with it and it can play everything I want just fine. I'm just not sure why Toshiba hasn't upgraded the processor to a Core 2 Duo yet. At the time, it was a few hundred dollars cheaper than an equivalent Dell. I also didn't want some gaudy looking XPS or Alienware, only thing that sets it apart in appearence from a regular Toshiba laptop is the blue LEDs in the speakers. The laptop is kinda heavy and the battery life isn't too hot but that's to be expected.

[Algol Devilstar]

I know you don't want the gaudy look, but does that mean you don't want the dual graphics cards in the AW I linked above? I dunno.....

[Havelock]

I picked up an HP laptop after my Alienware crapped out on me and I've been really happy with it so far.

[kedwyn]

I like Dell laptops, they have good prices and are mostly reliable. Although much like the "which car should I buy" discussions you will have people that love to hate dell.

If you get a dell check out GotApex? - Deals, Coupon Code & Discount Prices. They normally hvae 30-40% off coupons on laptops but you might have to wait for one to come active.

[Millie]

Originally Posted by kedwyn

I like Dell laptops, they have good prices and are mostly reliable.

Heh. Your mileage varies greatly from mine.

All 5 of the Dell laptops I've owned in my lifetime broke down quickly, and repeatedly after the first repairs were made. Motherboard problems with all of them. I understand Alienware (now a Dell subsidiary) laptops have similar issues. Both Dell and Alienware, independently of one another, have had class-action lawsuits filed against them for faulty laptop motherboard architecture and assembly.

Things to consider when thinking about getting a Dell...

Edit: I will say, though, that Dell pricing is pretty competitive. It's hard to get more bang for your buck, spec-wise, than with a Dell. But be warned: that low cost is the result of Dell's having slashed their Customer Service department and moved the remaining operation to India, then doing the same with their factories and moving them all to Malaysia (evidently, even Chinese labor is too expensive for Michael Dell's taste).

[Proctor72521]

I have a Dell Precision M70 a little over a year old and it has served me quite faithfully.

[brekk]

Originally Posted by Millie

Edit: I will say, though, that Dell pricing is pretty competitive. It's hard to get more bang for your buck, spec-wise, than with a Dell. But be warned: that low cost is the result of Dell's having slashed their Customer Service department and moved the remaining operation to India, then doing the same with their factories and moving them all to Malaysia (evidently, even Chinese labor is too expensive for Michael Dell's taste).

I own a dell desktop, and over the summer I worked for a company handling tech support, i called dell about once a day on hardware calls. I have never once talked to a dell representitive who had an indian, or any other foregin accent.

[Laek]

Not to say you are wrong but its a well known fact that most of the larger phone service companies in India train employees for around 6 months on how to speak without an accent. I'm also pretty sure that Dell moved business customer service back into the US after taking so much shit 3 years ago.

I can't really figure out the whole super high end gaming laptop thing. They are to big and heavy to be carried around all that much, have shitty battery life, and are know to have lots of durability issues. Who gives a shit what fps you are rocking on your crappy 17" screen.

[Valos]

Originally Posted by Millie

Heh. Your mileage varies greatly from mine.

All 5 of the Dell laptops I've owned in my lifetime broke down quickly, and repeatedly after the first repairs were made. Motherboard problems with all of them. I understand Alienware (now a Dell subsidiary) laptops have similar issues. Both Dell and Alienware, independently of one another, have had class-action lawsuits filed against them for faulty laptop motherboard architecture and assembly.

Things to consider when thinking about getting a Dell...

Edit: I will say, though, that Dell pricing is pretty competitive. It's hard to get more bang for your buck, spec-wise, than with a Dell. But be warned: that low cost is the result of Dell's having slashed their Customer Service department and moved the remaining operation to India, then doing the same with their factories and moving them all to Malaysia (evidently, even Chinese labor is too expensive for Michael Dell's taste).

This may have been true in the past. But they have moved a majority of their customer support back over to the US. Currently Phoenix and Nashville are the two US spots along with Dell's internal in Texas. Salt lake and two other cities in the US are targeted to get new centers built for tech support. And there is at least one in Ottawa. XPS line is the one they are focusing on first*, as people are paying more money on those systems and demand/deserve the ability to simply talk to a native English speaking person.

Dimensions and Inspiron lines are the only one with a good bulk of their support in overseas. Mainly in India and the slightly better* Philippines.

But yeah. Some of the factories are over seas. But it's not as if they build the very raw parts for the motherboards. They simply piece together the parts. Some of the machines they produce are pretty bad. Some of them are spot on. As long as you get a warranty the hardware is covered. If you have bad habits and get software problems, thats not covered and pisses alot of people off. Hell if you have the complete care package you can drop the damn machine off your desk and be covered.

Anyways. Research the machines on user reviews and see what the ratio's are. You'll find some flat out suck *M2010, XPS 200* and some are pretty damn good *M1710, m1210*.


PS. On a personal note. Don't get a portable with desktop quality video cards. It eats up your batteries, causes heat issues and generally is a stupid idea unless you're traveling oversea's and still want to play games.

[Millie]

Originally Posted by brekk

I own a dell desktop, and over the summer I worked for a company handling tech support, i called dell about once a day on hardware calls. I have never once talked to a dell representitive who had an indian, or any other foregin accent.

That's because you were dealing with their Enterprise (corporate client) customer support. That's still done in the US. Consumer-facing customer support, on the other hand, is based out of Indian call centers.