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Advice on buying a new laptop

Advice on buying a new laptop

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k

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Originally posted by mikelom
A grand.
That's a powerful machine for a grand.

m
Ajarn

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Originally posted by kenan
That's a powerful machine for a grand.
That's a non-powerful machine in China. I can run Catia, ICEMsurf, Alias and CAE progs all at once with no delay! Acer I never heard of until I arrived here. I don't know the markets in the EU. Is the name known?

AThousandYoung
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Originally posted by kenan
Also NEVER buy a second hand laptop.

Mine died recently, I am using my gf's now. I understand why they sold me that piece of crap.

I am also wondering if Macs are any better. One of my friend was telling me last night that they do not get viruses?! and they are built on better hardware.

Is that true?

I do not have a lot of money but if it will last me for a good 3-5 years I can pay up to $2000.
Macs don't get viruses because virtually all viruses are written for Windows. They CAN get viruses, but I don't think anyone's written them.

AThousandYoung
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Originally posted by kenan
Which braand should I go into?

Definitely not DELL.
Why not Dell? I am going to buy one soon and I was going to go through them.

AThousandYoung
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Originally posted by kenan
Are there any obvious drawbacks to a macbook?
Macs don't get as many games, or get the coolest ones as early I think.

AThousandYoung
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Originally posted by Rajk999
Overall Dells are reputed to be very reliable and the service is better than most. I was the IT manger for a small firm recently and I bought over 40 Dells, and had only one issue with one of the computers, which they attended to promptly.

When choosing a laptop, there is no substitute for having a bit of knowledge in your head so that you can carry on an ...[text shortened]... iba ($500 to $800), both of which are reliable and at the top end is the Sony - $2000 US and up.
I want a laptop that can easily handle the game Civilization IV, but with keeping the price down to $1000 or so. Any suggestions?

k

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Originally posted by AThousandYoung
I want a laptop that can easily handle the game Civilization IV, but with keeping the price down to $1000 or so. Any suggestions?
Don't buy DELL. Listen to my advice. I had a horrible experience with it: Lots of hardware problems as well as battery problems. It lasted only less than 20 minutes for god's sake!

My father baught a lenovo laptop for my gf's birthday, the one I'm using now. I don't think I like it as much. It is slow although the configuration is strong. It takes ages to open even Word.

DELL and Lenovo are out. I am thinking about a MAC now but I've never had or used a Mac before so I am cautious. They are expensive too.

I'll keep my options open for a while and get the best deal. I want to use the one I am going to buy for at least 3-5 years.

DS

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Originally posted by kenan
Don't buy DELL. Listen to my advice. I had a horrible experience with it: Lots of hardware problems as well as battery problems. It lasted only less than 20 minutes for god's sake!

My father baught a lenovo laptop for my gf's birthday, the one I'm using now. I don't think I like it as much. It is slow although the configuration is strong. It takes ages to ...[text shortened]... le and get the best deal. I want to use the one I am going to buy for at least 3-5 years.
I had a Lenovo once - it was pretty good actually.
Personally, I would get a second-hand laptop. With that budget you could get a really good one. There again, if something goes wrong with it, would you be happy fixing it yourself?
Favourite=Alienware. [Can be expensive though.]

m
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Originally posted by AThousandYoung
I want a laptop that can easily handle the game Civilization IV, but with keeping the price down to $1000 or so. Any suggestions?
Why on earth would anybody want a laptop to play games on?
Am I missing something?

A laptop, as I use, is for business communication on the move. One has a better commodity safely fixed in at home, with the latest technology?....... to play games, if you wish.

What questions so far have been raised about wireless connections for laptops or their area availability.......... . Again, I must be missing something, surely?

?-m

DS
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Originally posted by mikelom
Why on earth would anybody want a laptop to play games on?
Am I missing something?

A laptop, as I use, is for business communication on the move. One has a better commodity safely fixed in at home, with the latest technology?....... to play games, if you wish.

What questions so far have been raised about wireless connections for laptops or their area availability.......... . Again, I must be missing something, surely?

?-m
Not everyone likes sitting at a desk when using a PC, mate.

DS

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Originally posted by mikelom
Why on earth would anybody want a laptop to play games on?
Am I missing something?

A laptop, as I use, is for business communication on the move. One has a better commodity safely fixed in at home, with the latest technology?....... to play games, if you wish.

What questions so far have been raised about wireless connections for laptops or their area availability.......... . Again, I must be missing something, surely?

?-m
Some people go to big meetings [LAN parties, they call them] and take their laptops to play games against each other - yeah I know they could stay at home and do it but they apparently like to meet each other too.

z

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- Get an IBM or Dell as they throw in good bundles.
- Get a powerful processor and decent RAM + HDD. A QuadCore may not be available for mobile computing but get the next best thing. As stuff gets redundant quickly i.e a Core Duo is now out of date keep your eyes open.

Russ
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I'll jump to the defence of Dell here too. Good quality kit, and sometimes very good value if you take advantage of the time limited deals on the website. (They come and go, some are better than others.)

I don't think they deserve the bad press they get. And when I have had problems (and this has been limited to a bodged delivery) it was all sorted out promptly.

I can't comment on their gaming machines, but nearly everyone I know in IT has a similar opinion of their kit. Quiet and reliable. Which is about all you can ask for.

-Russ

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Originally posted by Palynka
In one year, I'm on my third adapter and second battery. Dell, never again.
Okay, fair enough - if that had happened to me, I probably wouldn't buy another Dell either. But I am sure you'll find people with similar experiences for all brands (and they'll all tell you that you should never ever buy that brand).

rbmorris
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I don't think I'd ever buy a Dell again. I've been dealing with them for a long time and the level of quality customer service has dropped significantly over the past few years. In fact, I'd have to say that I have never has a worse customer service experience than I've had with Dell.

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