which laptop should i get

[zero8]

I want to choose a good laptop, last time i bought one was four years ago, are these of any good for long term performance ?


HP G60-530CA LAPTOP PC $599.99
http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?language=en-CA&product=2515220&category=Notebooks_English&catalog=Online&tab=1#more

Processor
# Processor Brand: Intel
# Processor Type: Pentium T4300
# Processor Speed: 2.1GHz
# Bus Speed: 800MHz
# Level 2 cache: 1MB
Memory
# RAM: 4096MB
# RAM expandable to: 4096MB
# Memory Type (RAM): DDR2 SDRAM
Storage/Drives
# Hard drive size: 320GB
# Hard drive speed: 5400RPM
# DVD Drive: DVD-Super Multi Double layer
# Burns DVDs: Yes



Dell New Inspiron 15 $579.00
http://ecomm.dell.com/dellstore/basket.aspx?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&itemtype=CFG&oid=46d62f65-4ece-4ed3-9d39-301f3c0571bd

Intel® Pentium® Dual Core T4300 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/1MB cache), English
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Jet Black
Glossy, widescreen 15.6 inch display (1366x768)
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)




HP 15.6" Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300 2.1GHz Laptop (G60-530CA) - Black $579.99
http://www.futureshop.ca/marketing/sale_this_week/proddetailpc.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10131277&catid=25315&PCName=ONSALETHISWEEK_HOME&logon=&langid=EN#tabs

Approximate Battery Life Dependent On Usage
Hard Drive Speed/Capacity 320 GB (5400 RPM) SATA
LED Backlit Display Yes
Optical Drive 8x Super Multi LightScribe DVD±R/RW DL
Processor Speed 2.1 GHz
Processor Type Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300
RAM 4 GB DDR2
Screen Size 15.6"
Graphics
Discrete Video Memory No
Expandable Video Memory No
Graphics Chipset Intel GMA 4500M
Integrated Video Memory No
Native Screen Resolution 1366 x 768
Upgradable Video System No
Video Memory 1695 MB



and lastly
HP 15.6" Laptop featuring AMD Athlon II Dual Core Processor M300 (G61-320CA) - Black $529.99
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10132174&catid=28239&logon=&langid=EN


Hard Drive Speed/Capacity 320 GB (5400 RPM) SATA
LED Backlit Display Yes
Optical Drive 8x Super Multi LightScribe DVD±R/RW DL
Processor Speed 2 GHz
Processor Type AMD Athlon II Dual Core M300
RAM 3 GB DDR2
Screen Size 15.6"

Graphics
Discrete Video Memory No
Expandable Video Memory Information Not Available
Graphics Chipset ATI Radeon HD 4200
Integrated Video Memory No
Native Screen Resolution 1366 x 768
Upgradable Video System No
Video Memory 128 MB

[felixmo]

What are you going to be doing on the laptop?

Do you want portability or speed? Or a good mix of both?

Just looking for a budget laptop?

The laptops you listed above have low-end processors and won't provide much long-term performance, unless you're just going to be surfing the web and doing word-processing, then they are more than sufficient.

If you want long-term performance, find a laptop with a Intel Core 2 Duo processor. I don't recommend AMD-based laptops because they run hotter and slower and usually have lower battery performance when compared to their Intel counterparts.

[nick227]

Well, I'd see if you could find this one
http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=798403

It has basically the same specs, but a Core 2 Duo (not much gains), i'm using it right now and it's great. Much better value then the $579.99 Dell, and both the $579.99 and $599.99 HP. However, if your not doing to many heavy tasks,then the $529.99 HP is a interesting prospect. It will save you $40 at a performance hit. It's a newer AMD based 45nm processor, and apparently does not heat as much as older AMD's.

[xGambitx]

I honeslty have made it my mission to encourage people to stop buying HP, they are the worst notebook makers ever! I bought a brand new dv2000, which lasted me 2.5 years. Spend 1000$ on it.

The motherboard has been replaced 3 times now under warranty/recall. And now its dying again since the screen goes all black. The thing heats up like an oven. Seriously, do your self a favour and don't buy HP.

my 2 cents.

[npinc]

The AMD based HPs are terrible. The Intel ones aren't bad. The G60 is decent enough for a consumer grade, mass-market product. Not high on my "recommended" list, but if you're looking for something cheap/disposable, the G60 will work fine. The Inspiron 15 is pretty much the same machine, made in the same place. Not a lot of difference between the two. I've nothing bad to say about Dell, that's for sure.

[zero8]

well i would be doing more than just surfing the web and word processor

i will be doing a lot of multi-tasking and probably have 10 apps open at a time .
my most used applications right now are firefox with 15 addons, google chrome, sony vegas, adobe photoshop/dreamweaver, eset antivirus, excel , a few twitter apps, sony vegas for creating and rendering videos, some adobe air applications which are memory intensive , propellarheads reason4 for music making...thats all i can think for now.


not so much games, probably the only games i will probably wanna play are simcity , the sims 3 and starcraft 2. else not so much emphasis on games.

[Tornado F2]

FWIW, I've used a Compaq laptop with an AMD Sempron 64 3500 almost daily for the last 2 years, mostly for web browsing and RFD. Haven't had a single problem with it, other than almost all the rubber feet coming unglued and falling off. It runs cool, unlike an HP Turion RM74 (or whatever) that I looked at in-store recently. That thing was hairdryer hot! Maybe I just got lucky.

[nick227]

well i would be doing more than just surfing the web and word processor

i will be doing a lot of multi-tasking and probably have 10 apps open at a time .
my most used applications right now are firefox with 15 addons, google chrome, sony vegas, adobe photoshop/dreamweaver, eset antivirus, excel , a few twitter apps, sony vegas for creating and rendering videos, some adobe air applications which are memory intensive , propellarheads reason4 for music making...thats all i can think for now.


not so much games, probably the only games i will probably wanna play are simcity , the sims 3 and starcraft 2. else not so much emphasis on games.

For that, I'd get a laptop with a dedicated video card, but beware your going to spend more. I'll post some examples as I'm on mobile ATM

[zero8]

ok first i didnt notice that the g60 from best buy and future shop were the same, even cheaper in futureshop lol ... and i've been researching real hard and discovered how i can check out the performance tests at passmark.com 's benchmark link.
and before 2 days ago i never really understood the processor specs but now i sort of do and 3 of the pcs are the same processor type and the dual core scored 1289 while amd scored 1285, which is not much difference,

I may look around for cheap deals a little higher in passmark score, in any one knows some links i will be grateful

edit : the staples link has a passmark of 1435, pretty cool , but i'm looking for windows 7 os, not vista.

[nick227]

The Staples one does come with a Free upgrade to Windows 7

[zero8]

The Staples one does come with a Free upgrade to Windows 7

cool, that's my first option now, can i get info of one with dedicated video card to compare?

[Alex2004]

Is there a laptop under $600 with dedicated video card and Intel Core 2 Duo processor?

[Alex2004]

Thanks Nick227 for suggesting the dedicated video card. I am looking for a laptop for same things as Zero8. I cant spend more more than $600. What do you suggest I do?

Thanks

[npinc]

Is there a laptop under $600 with dedicated video card and Intel Core 2 Duo processor?

If there is, it's made out of paper clips, held together with duct tape and binder twine. ;)

[nick227]

Thanks Nick227 for suggesting the dedicated video card. I am looking for a laptop for same things as Zero8. I cant spend more more than $600. What do you suggest I do?

Thanks

Well, it's gonna be tough, you could wait until boxing day. It' very hard to find both a Core 2 Duo and dedicated video card.

This is $699.99http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dm=DEBUG&sku_id=0665000FS10132285&catid=

You just got to wait it out. I wanted a laptop with 4Gb of ram and a core 2 duo for under $550, and waited long enough to snag the one i mentioned before from FS for $549 in late september. Graphics werent an issue for me however

[Alex2004]

Thanks Nick227 for all your help. You gave me guidence to what I am looking for. I love your option. I wish it would be a bit cheaper. I will have to wait I guess.
If you bump into any cheaper one later on please think of me and let me know.

Thanks

[npinc]

Graphics werent an issue for me however

Even still, the GMA4500 is still a pretty capable chipset.

[Alex2004]

npinc is GMA4500 the Gateway NV5813H Laptop PC right at staples?
I requested staples coupons if i would get two I will buy the Gateway NV5813H for $532.10+ tax. You think its a good deal? What do you think nick227?

[zero8]

thanks for the link nick227, looks like a realy good laptop for what i'm looking for, i might end up getting it.

[nick227]

Personally, I bought that same laptop, and it can handle 1080p fine. I payed $549.99, and thought it was a good deal. The Walmart deal for $399.99 was better because it was th same specs but with a T4200 Pentium and a 14" screen. The T6500 is better but there won't be a huge performance gain. That said, the $399 walmart deal is long gone, and we probably won't see anything similar for a while (although I'm not sure of if ). Overall, I think this is pretty hot and you should go for it

[npinc]

npinc is GMA4500 the Gateway NV5813H Laptop PC right at staples?
I requested staples coupons if i would get two I will buy the Gateway NV5813H for $532.10+ tax. You think its a good deal? What do you think nick227?

You won't catch me actively advocating the purchase of a Gateway. I think Acer completely butchered them. I know they've cut all the corners in quality and service and the end result is that you, as a consumer, gets the crap end of the stick.

With that said, if you're looking for an inexpensive, most likely disposable, solution, the Gateway should be fine.

[Alex2004]

You won't catch me actively advocating the purchase of a Gateway. I think Acer completely butchered them. I know they've cut all the corners in quality and service and the end result is that you, as a consumer, gets the crap end of the stick.

With that said, if you're looking for an inexpensive, most likely disposable, solution, the Gateway should be fine.



npinc can you please suggest an Acer in the range of $500-$600 that would be fine for my use. Word processing, browsing and photoshop lots of graphics work.

Thanks

[npinc]

npinc can you please suggest an Acer in the range of $500-$600 that would be fine for my use. Word processing, browsing and photoshop lots of graphics work.

Thanks

I can't, in good conscience, recommend any Acer, Emachine or Gateway. The problem is that I'm a repair technician, which means I see these things on my bench. After working on about 1000 laptops this year, I CAN'T recommend any of those three, except the Intel-based Extensa (which I don't think comes in at that pricepoint).

If I may, can I point you in the direction of the Lenovo G530 series? A bit more rugged, still in the same pricepoint, still better than some of the other disasters Lenovo has come out with and would still do the trick for you.

[sleepyguy]

2 HUGE THUMBS UP! I agree HP are the worst. A few years back we purchased top of the line HP Business Laptops, around 20 of them. Let's just say not a single one is working right now... this isn't becuase they are dated... because EVERY SINGLE ONE has had issues. We're using Lenovos and Dells now.

GF Company uses HPs, she's been with them for close to 2 yrs... she's on her 3rd HP... now using an Elite Business unit... Looks awesome but I still think it's crap :) -sg

I honeslty have made it my mission to encourage people to stop buying HP, they are the worst notebook makers ever! I bought a brand new dv2000, which lasted me 2.5 years. Spend 1000$ on it.

The motherboard has been replaced 3 times now under warranty/recall. And now its dying again since the screen goes all black. The thing heats up like an oven. Seriously, do your self a favour and don't buy HP.

my 2 cents.

[npinc]

2 HUGE THUMBS UP! I agree HP are the worst. A few years back we purchased top of the line HP Business Laptops, around 20 of them. Let's just say not a single one is working right now... this isn't becuase they are dated... because EVERY SINGLE ONE has had issues. We're using Lenovos and Dells now.

GF Company uses HPs, she's been with them for close to 2 yrs... she's on her 3rd HP... now using an Elite Business unit... Looks awesome but I still think it's crap :) -sg

The new Probooks are quite nice.

[nick227]

You won't catch me actively advocating the purchase of a Gateway. I think Acer completely butchered them. I know they've cut all the corners in quality and service and the end result is that you, as a consumer, gets the crap end of the stick.

With that said, if you're looking for an inexpensive, most likely disposable, solution, the Gateway should be fine.

Almost all the companies are the same though, Acer, HP, Gateway, Compaq, even the lower end Dells. I've had good experience with Gateway, I have a 5 year old desktop still running strong with no problems (except ones I caused myself:evil:). Sure, if you want to spend extra money and buy a Thinkpad, Vostro, Latitude or something higher quality and rugged, be my guest. I would do that myself if I was travelling or using the laptop in a place other then home. A G530 Lenovo is a good option, however the specs are lower than the Gateway. If you want to sacrifice performance for durability go for it. By the way, can anyone acess the G530 page on lenovo's site? always returns an error for me.

For $699.99, you could for for the Lenovo Y450, but it doesn't have dedicated graphics or a Core 2 Duo for that price. It has a T4200, 4GB of RAM and Intel GMA X4500 (about the same as 4500MHD). It will probably be more durable, and is much more aesthically appealing imo.

It's up to you whether you want performance and less durability, or more durability less performance.

[Tornado F2]

If there is, it's made out of paper clips, held together with duct tape and binder twine. ;)

Bonus! Includes a full McGuyver toolkit! :lol:

[mr_raider]

Even still, the GMA4500 is still a pretty capable chipset.

The 4500HD is. The 4500M is a POS like all Intel GMAs before it.

[Alex2004]

My two final laptops which one should i get?

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=73%2C74%2C75,4398&webid=830075&affixedcode=WW

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=73%2C74%2C75,4398&webid=798403&affixedcode=WW

What do you guys think which one should i get?

The Acer got ATI Radeon HD 4200 Graphics.

Please help i have two coupons lined up so I can save $40.00 but today is the last day to use them.

Thanks

[nick227]

My two final laptops which one should i get?

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=73%2C74%2C75,4398&webid=830075&affixedcode=WW

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=73%2C74%2C75,4398&webid=798403&affixedcode=WW

What do you guys think which one should i get?

The Acer got ATI Radeon HD 4200 Graphics.

Please help i have two coupons lined up so I can save $40.00 but today is the last day to use them.

Thanks

take the Gateway. Better processor and more RAM. The slightly bettter integrated graphics won't really make a difference. Unless money is a big factor, the gateway is better IMO

[Alex2004]

Big question if i buy the gateway can I add a video card to it later on also can I upgrade the computer to windows 7 professional from windows vista home? Can it be done by somehow paying for the upgrade?

Thanks

[nick227]

It is pretty much impossible to upgrade the video card on a laptop, with a few exceptions. For Windows 7 professional, you have to buy a copy either way, whether it's from the studet deal or from a store. The free upgrade is only to 7 Home Premium

[Alex2004]

Hi, everyone I decided to wait. I gave away all my coupons last night.

I found this deal meanwhile http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10132288&catid=25316&logon=&langid=EN

I wish this would be at staples.

Anyway thanks for all your help.

[zero8]

i ended up getting the gateway nick posted at the downtown futureshop store though it was 599 , i showed them the staples link and they were gonna give me a discount difference, but i had to wait for the win7 dvd, i didnt wanna wait so at 599 they installed it right there for me free instead. its whatever i know i could'a waited or seek out other deals, but needed a new pc real quick, my ex-laptop died over the weekend so its all good now ..its pretty slick, still getting used to layout of the keyboard & win7 but it runs fast and beautifully.
heres hoping it lasts pretty good

[Alex2004]

i ended up getting the gateway nick posted at the downtown futureshop store though it was 599 , i showed them the staples link and they were gonna give me a discount difference, but i had to wait for the win7 dvd, i didnt wanna wait so at 599 they installed it right there for me free instead. its whatever i know i could'a waited or seek out other deals, but needed a new pc real quick, my ex-laptop died over the weekend so its all good now ..its pretty slick, still getting used to layout of the keyboard & win7 but it runs fast and beautifully.
heres hoping it lasts pretty good

Are you saying you got this system Gateway NV Series 15.6" Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 2.2GHz Laptop (NV5822H) - Black http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10132285&catid=
for $599.00 at futureshop?

[zero8]

nah thats sold out apparently couldnt find it in store, it was this http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=798403
nv5813h

except its nv5812h