Laptop Suggestion.

[Izzy]

I want to get a laptop but there are just so many choices that i have no idea. I am not to limited on price but i shouldn't go to overboard. Something that has a decently long lasting battery and decent stats. Slick and doesn't look stupid =)

[Sh4d0wD3v1L]

I hate macs, but I can tell you right now that with boot camp and a copy of XP, they aren't too bad. The battery life is out of this world (like 3 hours or so I think). The macbook is around $1200 I think, and besides the fact that I just don't like them, they do a good job.

Beyond that, I'll just say don't get a Gateway (I have one, the mobo died about 2 months in, and the keyboard has broken 7 times), and don't get an Acer. Dell has bad tech support, but they really make a solid computer. Also, what do you want to use this computer for? Basic things (word, internet, ffr, etc) or games that need a lot of power?

[PsYcHoZeRoSk8eR]

Originally Posted by Sh4d0wD3v1L

Dell has bad tech support, but they really make a solid computer.

I'm sorry, but that is either a downright lie, or you didn't buy any extra services with your laptop.

Dell has only been supportive of me when I've had problems with my laptop. They replaced my keyboard when the [enter] key fell off and when I asked the guy, who came out to my house which made things so much easier, to look at my hard drive. He said that it was broken or what have you, he went outside, called in an order and had a brand new hard drive that he helped me install the next day. He also got me a new case because the top was a little scratched and because it was a little loose.

[omgitznpv]

Originally Posted by PsYcHoZeRoSk8eR

I'm sorry, but that is either a downright lie, or you didn't buy any extra services with your laptop.

Chances are, extra services. I don't own a Dell myself, but many of my friends do- they all complain about poor and frustrating technical support.

[Sh4d0wD3v1L]

So you had a good experience, I never have. I guess it's just hit or miss.

[Izzy]

Dell does have very good support. My monitor broke for my computer and they replaced it for free.

[Xx{Midday}xX]

Sony. Vaio. ftw. That's just me. I have a dell laptop right now... my Vaio was much better. I forgot it's technical title... I'll post if I find it.

Yes, I'm talking about the Vaio that ended up crushed by the back of my head, and was never heard of again. T_T

[sumzup]

Dell has some really nice laptops, especially if you're looking at the XPS line (the 13-incher is particularly nice).

[Sh4d0wD3v1L]

Originally Posted by sumzup

Dell has some really nice laptops, especially if you're looking at the XPS line (the 13-incher is particularly nice).

But don't the XPS' have really low battery life? If they're anything like mine, that much power on a battery doesn't get you far.

Also, vaio's are solid, but (imho) VERY overpriced. You can get the same stuff for significantly cheaper with a different brand.

[sumzup]

It depends; if you get the desktop replacement kind, obviously the battery won't last long. The smaller laptops that are meant to be portable will most likely have a competitive battery life (I'll see if I can confirm this).

Edit: This is the laptop I'm talking about; the 4-cell battery that was originally offered as a default gave 2-2.5 hrs of juice. The default is now 6-cell, so it should give around 3-4 hours of battery life, which is near the middle to upper range. Personally, I would just get a larger 9-cell, as I wouldn't care too much about a larger battery, but that may matter to you. There is also a 15 inch version called the XPS M1530, so check that out too. (by the way, NotebookReview.com is a great place to get information, as the reviews are usually absent of bias/BS)

Edit2: Yes, definitely do not get a Vaio unless you can find a really good deal for one; you have the best chance of getting a good deal in a retail store, where you can get the manager to sometimes reduce prices, especially if they only have a few units left and need to get rid of them.

[Musiks]

seriously, go mac. it's extremely easy to use, has great features, and it unbelievable for SM and FFR. i don't use parallels or boot camp or any of that stuff on my mac, just OS X, and it works fine.

[Izzy]

I hate mac's. This none pc replacement xps does look good though.

[MalDON]

Get an HP. Trust me, it's cheaper and you will be just as happy. Don't fall for the Sony line. They are overpriced, spyware filled pieces of junk.

[Grandiagod]

I've had nothing but problems with HPs.

Well not me, but the dozens of angry customers who were dissatisfied after I hoisted one on them.

[FictionJunction]

Sager laptops from www.xtoicpc.com

best bang for the buck.

Stay away from: Sony Vaio and HP.

Dell is just ok. You'll get great customer support if you order an extended warranty - and you should with any laptop you buy.

If push comes to shove buy a IBM/Lenovo Think Pad. They are great solid laptops.

Order a backup cd with necessary drivers (if available) and format upon receiving the computer to eliminate all possible bloatware you may find installed already (depends who you buy from. Xtoic doesn't install bloatware from what I remember). If no backup cd is available use your head and find the drivers yourself. It's not difficult.

[MalDON]

Originally Posted by FictionJunction

Sager laptops from www.xtoicpc.com

best bang for the buck.

Stay away from: Sony Vaio and HP.

Dell is just ok. You'll get great customer support if you order an extended warranty - and you should with any laptop you buy.

If push comes to shove buy a IBM/Lenovo Think Pad. They are great solid laptops.

Order a backup cd with necessary drivers (if available) and format upon receiving the computer to eliminate all possible bloatware you may find installed already (depends who you buy from. Xtoic doesn't install bloatware from what I remember). If no backup cd is available use your head and find the drivers yourself. It's not difficult.

I have to agree, lenovo makes pretty damn good laptops.

[sumzup]

Originally Posted by FictionJunction

Sager laptops from www.xtoicpc.com

Link doesn't work.

ThinkPads are definitely top of the line; but they're more business-oriented (and the consumer line isn't particularly stellar). Also, if you want a "slick" laptop, you really shouldn't get a Lenovo.

HPs are okay; if you're looking for something cheap, this is definitely the way to go. Some of their laptops are actually pretty nice.

Sager I don't know much about, but they look pretty competitive (especially if you want a gaming computer). You should Google some reviews for your "best-fit" model and see what comes up.

Do you have any ideas on what exact screen size you want? Are you interested in gaming/what do you intend to use your laptop mostly for?

[Nightfirecat]

If you're looking at laptops in the ~$1000 range, I could make a few suggestions...

A nice-looking (and imo, best-priced for what you get laptop) gateway laptop.

A lenovo thinkpad.

2 Asus notebooks--about the same price and specs. #1 #2

All of these are well-rated from the website, and they all are great deals because they have dedicated graphics cards and 3g+ of memory (despite having vista)....

Besides having vista, they're wonderful notebooks... But honestly, you can't get a good-priced laptop with XP on it anymore =/

[All_That_Chaz]

Have 4 grand to burn? Go for Falcon Northwest. Best laptops on the market.
http://www.falcon-nw.com/

Thinkpads are great if that's the kind of machine you're going for.

As far as cheaper ones go, HPs have done well for people I know. However a have a few friends also that have horror stories about machines that just never worked. Sony is a ripoff. Dell XPSs are ok but more expensive than their worth. I also have had an Dell Inspiron for 5 years that still hasn't crapped out on me.

[Izzy]

I have an XP CD. I was planning on getting rid of vista and installing it.