Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >
Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#189039 - 05/19/08 02:55 AM New Laptop
Acefighter Offline
Member
Registered: 04/03/07
Posts: 3307
Loc: Texas
Since my Alienware laptop keeps making me spend money on it, I'm looking at replacing it. I'm seriously thinking about when my friend gets back from Iraq in June, going to a field somewhere and using my laptop for target practice.

I want to get a desktop eventually, but for now, I'm not ready to give up the portability of a laptop. I'm doing research, and I looked at a laptop for HP, Toshiba, Sony, and Gateway. Sony & Gateway are most likely out. I like the HP because it's slightly better and cheaper than the Toshiba, as well, as customizable, but out of all of the laptops, it has just a single video card, and the worst one of the bunch. Not a bad one, but the worst out of the ones I'm looking at. So I'm not sure how long it would last.

As far as brands go, what do you guys recommend? I'm not buying another Alienware or a Dell.

These are the two laptops I'm mainly looking at:
HP Pavilian dv9700t
Satellite X205

The HP, for about $2000, is just as good (if not slightly better) than my $3300 Alienware. <_<

*EDIT* The video card in both laptops is nagging me, after doing some research. I'm thinking about, rather than just buying a laptop outright, getting this one financed, and paying it off in 3-4 months. Get a better computer, and save some money right now.
_________________________
Si vis pacem para bellum
Speed Kills. Buy a Civic - Save Lives!
Top
#189040 - 05/19/08 09:56 AM Re: New Laptop
UMfan Offline
Member
Registered: 08/09/03
Posts: 3256
Loc: Oregon
All I can tell you, is if you get an HP and ever have problems, I can do my best to ensure it gets the right care/repairs done to it.

It's the best I can offer.
Top
#189041 - 05/19/08 10:09 AM Re: New Laptop
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
My HP won't take a charge unless you put an extreme angle on the cord and apply lots of pressure. I've changed cords and no change. I've opened it up to see if anything was loose and nope. So now I don't move my portable computer because I'm afraid I won't ever get it to recharge frown
_________________________
http://www.patriotguard.org
Top
#189042 - 05/19/08 03:34 PM Re: New Laptop
Caesar Offline
Member
Registered: 12/10/03
Posts: 354
Loc: Michigan
Ace,

I would go with the Toshiba. I have had too many HP's die on me just after the warranty expired (motherboard failure).

Herc...Have you looked into a docking station? It is another way to charge your laptop (it doesn't use the power plug location. Granted a docking station might be $150.00 but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than a new laptop.
_________________________
"I'm on one of them there special diets. I am a precisional instrument of speed and aeromatics." - Mater
Top
#189043 - 05/19/08 03:56 PM Re: New Laptop
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Never thought of it cause I assumed the power would be through the same port. I'll have to check into that.
_________________________
http://www.patriotguard.org
Top
#189044 - 05/19/08 04:04 PM Re: New Laptop
r.s.hutchinson Offline
Member
Registered: 01/01/08
Posts: 3900
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Hey Ace, you checked out any Macs?
_________________________
00 Turbo GTP - 97 GTP - 03 GSXR600
Top
#189045 - 05/19/08 05:00 PM Re: New Laptop
Acefighter Offline
Member
Registered: 04/03/07
Posts: 3307
Loc: Texas
To be honest, no. I'm familiar with Windows, and I'd kinda rather stick with that. Despite all of Microsoft's problems. <_<

The problem with the Toshiba is according to notebookcheck.com, which is just the first site I found, I'm still looking up reviews, the Toshiba has 60%-80% review rates, while the HDX is firmly 85%-90%. And it has a 4.8 out of 5 for user reveiws on HP's site, out of 20 reviews, and the Toshiba has one review, which is 4.0. Even the step down, the other HP I was looking at, has a 4.7 out of 58 reviews.

Again, though, I'm still looking for sites with reviews, I'm not going to base it off one site. That's why I asked you guys. smile
_________________________
Si vis pacem para bellum
Speed Kills. Buy a Civic - Save Lives!
Top
#189046 - 05/19/08 05:15 PM Re: New Laptop
HercMan(Rob) Offline
Member
Registered: 09/12/03
Posts: 14035
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Other then my power problem my HP has worked like a champ. It's been around the world a couple times dropped more then once on the airplane etc etc. This fall it'll be three years old.
_________________________
http://www.patriotguard.org
Top
#189047 - 05/19/08 05:23 PM Re: New Laptop
20gtp02 Offline
Member
Registered: 04/13/06
Posts: 6709
NA on Toshiba.
I plan on going with a Mac, but I think you are in the right direction with HP. My gf has a dell, and besides replacing the battery, it has been great. http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.asp?m=4327155

"great laptop reviews at NotebookCheck.net and NotebookReview.com. The reviews at NotebookCheck.net are awkwardly translated from German, but incredibly comprehensive. The notebook computer reviews are augmented by multiple photographs and charts showing detailed benchmark results with comparisons to similar models, a lengthy list of similar notebook computers and ratings in a dozen subcategories, as well as lists of pros and cons. NotebookReview.com is just as good, lacking only a formal method of comparing laptops"
_________________________

2002
Top
#189048 - 05/19/08 05:33 PM Re: New Laptop
r.s.hutchinson Offline
Member
Registered: 01/01/08
Posts: 3900
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Quote:
Originally posted by Acefighter:
To be honest, no. I'm familiar with Windows, and I'd kinda rather stick with that. Despite all of Microsoft's problems.
You can run XP or Vista on a Mac. They changed to Intel so it runs native now. Runs Microsoft OS's just like an HP or Dell would...
_________________________
00 Turbo GTP - 97 GTP - 03 GSXR600
Top
#189049 - 05/19/08 06:13 PM Re: New Laptop
GTPCompG Offline
Member
Registered: 07/30/07
Posts: 3294
Loc: Ames, Iowa
Go with Voodoo, of course you better be lookin to spend a pretty penny but you get what you pay for with those laptops.
_________________________

Inferno Package/CAI/180tstat/3" DP/AL 104 XP's/3.8 MPS/Tuned
Top
#189050 - 05/19/08 08:17 PM Re: New Laptop
soulonfire11 Offline
Member
Registered: 07/27/07
Posts: 235
Loc: Chicago
Dell FTW
_________________________
Top
#189051 - 05/19/08 08:36 PM Re: New Laptop
98 gtp girl Offline
Member
Registered: 10/23/07
Posts: 243
Loc: dayton ohio
i have toshiba a215 i love it!
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/luckeemandee

Top
#189052 - 05/20/08 04:38 AM Re: New Laptop
Acefighter Offline
Member
Registered: 04/03/07
Posts: 3307
Loc: Texas
Quote:
Originally posted by r.s.hutchinson:
Quote:
Originally posted by Acefighter:
[b] To be honest, no. I'm familiar with Windows, and I'd kinda rather stick with that. Despite all of Microsoft's problems.
You can run XP or Vista on a Mac. They changed to Intel so it runs native now. Runs Microsoft OS's just like an HP or Dell would... [/b]
Hmm...that I didn't know. I'll check into a Mac, then. Do you know if I can get it with Vista, or if I'll have to purchase it separately?

And soulonfire11, buying a Dell would be the same as buying another Alienware - and I've spent almost as much on upkeep for my Alienware as I spent on buying the laptop.

My friend in Iraq has an HP, and he finally replied to my message on MySpace, and he said he hasn't had any problems with his HP, even over there.
_________________________
Si vis pacem para bellum
Speed Kills. Buy a Civic - Save Lives!
Top
#189053 - 05/20/08 07:04 AM Re: New Laptop
RooK Offline
Member
Registered: 03/07/05
Posts: 5158
Loc: Southern KY
Ace, be warned, the Windows install is rigged. Mac will not sell you a Windows-based machine, you have to do all that yourself. It's like buying any Windows-based desktop and putting Linux on it. It's not supported by the manufacturer, but it works.

If you're going to run Windows, get a Windows machine. If you like Mac for all of its flaws and money raping schemes, let alone high price for low performance, then get it.
_________________________
'13 Mustang 3.7V6 - MT82
'00 GP SE (L67 Swap, XP, Headers, 3.25")
'98 GTP, '01 Bonne
Top
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >