Discussion
Ok we are looking to get a new laptop (Yes that old thread again)
For the last three years we have had a Mac Powerbook which has given stirling service, replacing 3 PC Laptops which on average lasted 12 months each.
We have decided to consider pc laptops again, purely because we don't want to spend circa £1,200. We have been looking a the Vaio NR Series, which does seam to be quite well built (Our Previous 3 PC Laptops had given up the ghost due to build quality issues) or the Inspiron 1520 series.
I don't want another Tosh, Acer or Compaq before anyone suggests these makes.
So what would people's choice be out of the above. The price point we are looking at is no more than £699 and with a core 2 duo processor.
For the last three years we have had a Mac Powerbook which has given stirling service, replacing 3 PC Laptops which on average lasted 12 months each.
We have decided to consider pc laptops again, purely because we don't want to spend circa £1,200. We have been looking a the Vaio NR Series, which does seam to be quite well built (Our Previous 3 PC Laptops had given up the ghost due to build quality issues) or the Inspiron 1520 series.
I don't want another Tosh, Acer or Compaq before anyone suggests these makes.
So what would people's choice be out of the above. The price point we are looking at is no more than £699 and with a core 2 duo processor.
People's views seem very polarised on ThinkPads, but I've been very happy with my T43. However that's been replaced by T60/T61 and most have got got wide, high res screens.
This http://www.dabs4work.com/productview.aspx?Quicklin... is about the most ordinary one left (14" screen, 1024x768). It's a little dearer than your budget but does come with a 3yr warranty:
This http://www.dabs4work.com/productview.aspx?Quicklin... is about the most ordinary one left (14" screen, 1024x768). It's a little dearer than your budget but does come with a 3yr warranty:
Edited by Deva Link on Saturday 16th February 17:47
Catherine197 said:
Ok we are looking to get a new laptop (Yes that old thread again)
For the last three years we have had a Mac Powerbook which has given stirling service, replacing 3 PC Laptops which on average lasted 12 months each.
We have decided to consider pc laptops again, purely because we don't want to spend circa £1,200. We have been looking a the Vaio NR Series, which does seam to be quite well built (Our Previous 3 PC Laptops had given up the ghost due to build quality issues) or the Inspiron 1520 series.
I don't want another Tosh, Acer or Compaq before anyone suggests these makes.
So what would people's choice be out of the above. The price point we are looking at is no more than £699 and with a core 2 duo processor.
The plain vanilla white Macbook is fairly well made IMO, plus I can't see a more flexible option.For the last three years we have had a Mac Powerbook which has given stirling service, replacing 3 PC Laptops which on average lasted 12 months each.
We have decided to consider pc laptops again, purely because we don't want to spend circa £1,200. We have been looking a the Vaio NR Series, which does seam to be quite well built (Our Previous 3 PC Laptops had given up the ghost due to build quality issues) or the Inspiron 1520 series.
I don't want another Tosh, Acer or Compaq before anyone suggests these makes.
So what would people's choice be out of the above. The price point we are looking at is no more than £699 and with a core 2 duo processor.
Catherine197 said:
The Macbook screen isn't big enough for my other half.
Also the hard disk and memory is quite small and there is no dvd writer at the £699 price point.
Go anywhere but the Sony. They fill their Windows installations with loads of proprietary 'value add' *boAlso the hard disk and memory is quite small and there is no dvd writer at the £699 price point.
ocks* software which either breaks when you apply service packs / patches or compromises security.I am somewhat surprised though... considering that your experience says a PC laptop lasts 12 months, but you've just had 3 years of 'sterling service' from a Powerbook, you don't want to spend money on quality and longevity and are looking to buy something cheap?
The Macbook is reasonably priced (given the CPU and Santa Rosa chipset, which are Intel's top laptop chips) - anything bigger and 'higher' spec (as you say, DVD burner) at a cheaper price will almost certainly be of much poorer quality.The sort of machine you're describing isn't likely to give 3 years quality service - if anything, coming from a Powerbook, you're in for a return to badly-thrown-together Windows installs with tons of 'trialware' crap with a BUMP.
I'd personally want the quality of a thinkpad if I had to have a PC laptop, but those don't come cheap either. Another thing I don't understand is that, unless you're going to do a Hackintosh on the PC laptop, you're most likely switching to Windows. You'll have to buy all the software you need again, surely? The Mac software you've bought for the Powerbook won't work on a Windows laptop. This is an invalid argument if you've decided to switch over to Linux and can accommodate all your app requirements with free software though.
If it was me then I'd check every Wednesday on Apple's online refurb store, and try to pick up a previous-gen model Macbook Pro (you need a 15 inch screen, right?) on the cheap. Not sure that Apple will sell you one for less than £700 though, but their refurbs get the same warranty as a new one, and can be a LOT cheaper than new ones.
cyberface said:
The sort of machine you're describing isn't likely to give 3 years quality service - if anything, coming from a Powerbook, you're in for a return to badly-thrown-together Windows installs with tons of 'trialware' crap with a BUMP.
However when looking for the nth penny 'saving' most people seem to value their own personal time and frustration at nothing, or £0, despite the same people usually not being into voluntary work at old folks homes, rewinding videos by hand etc.The biggest cost saving I ever got (and am still getting) from my litte Powerbook 12 is time. Indeed there are many instances where the cheapest option needs to £s to secure, but the bottom line always draws focus.
If you would like genuinely cheaper computers and can live with a US/USB keyboard, I'd combine a short holiday in the US with a trip to an Apple store there, or even try Currys at Stanstead.
Am also considering a move away from Apple hardware, but will likely go the Hackintosh route.
If I do, it'll be a Tosh (the R500 with SSD, assuming they release one with optical drive - can't see why they don't at the moment) or an Lenovo (nee IBM) machine.
There's a place on TCR in London that does surplus Lenovo kit IIRC.
If I do, it'll be a Tosh (the R500 with SSD, assuming they release one with optical drive - can't see why they don't at the moment) or an Lenovo (nee IBM) machine.
There's a place on TCR in London that does surplus Lenovo kit IIRC.
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