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I Need A New Laptop

by maverick8
42 replies
Hey warriors,
i am in the market for a new laptop. The problem is there are so many to choose from i don't know where to start. Do any of you guys have a recommendation on whats a good laptop?
i am looking to spend about $1300-1400 (Australian). And i will mainly use it for internet marketing stuff. The biggest program i will probably run will be Dragon Naturally speaking.
If you have any thoughts let me know.
Thanks guys.
#laptop
  • Profile picture of the author Jeff B
    Get a macbook.

    Apple - MacBook
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Shain
      Yeah I can see this one turning into a mac vs. pc thread in no time.

      Whatever you buy, get one with a least 1gb memory - 2 or more if you can afford it. Also consider the size and type of screen if this will be your main pc.

      I have a 17" screen on my laptop which physically doesn't seem much bigger than my daughters 15" - but there is a world of difference.

      Unless you plan on leaving the laptop plugged in all the time I would make sure you get a good battery as the lower priced laptops have batteries with an hour or less life to them.

      Good luck with whatever you do buy.

      - Netpiddler
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      • Profile picture of the author maverick8
        thanks guys for your advice. I have never used a MAC and i don't what the benefits are of having a MAC. Maybe someone can point out the benefits for me thanks. also what do you guys thinks about the specs for this laptop:

        PROC : Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache

        TECH : Intel Centrino Proc Technology

        CHIPSET : Intel PM45MEM : 4096MB DDR2 Mem, 2 DIMM slots (max upto 8GB)

        HDD : 320GB 5,400 rpm hard disk drive

        OPTICAL : LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer support

        DISPLAY : 14.1 WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen display

        AUDIO : Altec Lansing speakers

        POWER : 6-cell Li-ion battery

        GRAPHICS : NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS with 256MB Dedicated graphics Mem

        NTWK : Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 & BT Intg 10/100/1000 Gigabit E'net LAN

        MODEM : 56k high speed modem

        PORTS : 3 USB 2.0 (3rd shared with eSATA port), eSATA Combo, VGA, HDMI, RJ-11, RJ-45, 2
        Stereo Headphone jacks, 1 Mic jack, Consumer IR, AC Adaptor

        EXP SLOTS: ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)

        MEDIA : Intg 5-in-1 Digital Media Reader (Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Mem Stick, Mem Stick Pro or xD Picture cards)

        REMOTE : HP Mobile Remote Control

        WEBCAM : HP Pavilion Webcam with Intg Digital Mic

        DOCKING : xb4 Notebook Media Docking Station (OPTIONAL) - IMA code HPR2341

        OS : Win Vista Home Premium

        DIM : 33.4 x 240 x 34 - 40 mm

        WEIGHT : from 2.22 kg - 2.35 kg (with ODD)

        PRICE: $1441 Australian
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    • Profile picture of the author Julian X
      Originally Posted by Jeff B View Post

      Get a macbook

      This is what i would choose without any thinking ! Had one and I want to get another one ... it`s just so amazing
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  • Profile picture of the author Franck Silvestre
    My old Acer 3000 is dying as well. I need a new one. I had a Dell before, and I think I will see what they have to offer.

    Dell's customer service is excellent.

    Franck
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  • Profile picture of the author optimum
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Shain
      That's plenty powerful enough for what you would be using it for.

      Memory is expensive which is part of the reason for the price of that one. Memory is a good thing though if you can afford it.

      If you are used to a 14" screen then go for it, I am partial to and could not live without my 17" though.

      But if you put a 17" with those spec's and you got an expensive laptop...

      Screen size or memory - both affect price in a big way. Buy whichever is most important to you.

      - Netpiddler
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  • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
    I say go lighter on the CPU and heavier on the screen. Get a 17" high-res screen. Here's the main link: HP Official Store &mdash; Buy an HP Pavilion dv7t series notebook PC from HP Choose the second from the bottom and get the high-res screen option for under $1000. Hope this helps.

    TomG.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenneth L
    My one is going SLOW too.

    Well with Christmas coming up I guess I'm probably gonna get one!

    Can't Wait!
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    • Profile picture of the author John M Kane
      Kenneth and others...

      "Going Slow" "Dying too"
      does that mean slower than when you first purchased it?

      Curious because maybe you just need to do a fresh install if you haven't or test the memory,search for Memtest86 then run it for several hours to confirm whether memory is fine or not.

      Recently my IBM ThinkPad was 'going slow' too and simply "resetting" IE internet explorer to "Factory" settings made it work like new again.

      Keep in mind 'resetting' IE will flush off any plugins/add ons and stuff so, back up bookmarks and such. Record what you set to get back to how it was.
      go here on IE to reset----->Tools>Internet Options>Advanced>Reset

      'Reset' is on the very bottom.

      Also, flush your registry and Defrag Sys files.
      I love "Registry Booster" by Uniblue for that.
      Using CCleaner missed over 2,000 entries which RegistryBooster found.
      CCleaner is free, Regbooster is ?? 29+.
      Do a search for "Registery Booster Coupon" and you should find a discount code.
      Try this for any software you want you often can save alot.

      That said...Santa told me you've been Nice and said you should treat yourself to a new laptop.
      He said he was sorry he can't get it for you as the and I quote
      "The Freakin' cost of gas drove up the price I have to pay for these lazy A** reindeer's food.
      They sit all year and work one night, ONE NIGHT ALL YEAR and expect me to kiss their hiney. Well, I'm going to shop at Farm and Fleet and get them 'Ole Roy dog chow. Too bad if it's full of Chinese melamine. It's cheap.
      If they could at least clean up after themselves I wouldn't b*tch so much. Fat chance of that happening" Endquote
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  • Profile picture of the author Vyliss
    I got a dell XPS m1530, very happy with it.. it's more of a desktop substitue though so if you want something lighter, m1330 is good too.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Tuggle
    I have a Toshiba which I like. It has Vista which I don't like.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Shain
      Originally Posted by rootdoc View Post

      I have a Toshiba which I like. It has Vista which I don't like.
      Ha ha! Same here x 2!

      I've had to do a couple reinstalls on mine...

      BTW Tune Up Utilities is great for keeping your machines running well. (Not an affiliate link.)

      - Netpiddler
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  • Profile picture of the author JMLebeau
    I'd go for a nice Dell or a Lenovo that are actually pretty powerful. I love them.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    The BIG reason Dell's customer service is so good is because they've had lots of practice

    The best benefit of owning a Mac is that viruses are almost non-existent.

    Mike Hill
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    • Profile picture of the author webpromotions
      Originally Posted by Mike Hill View Post

      The BIG reason Dell's customer service is so good is because they've had lots of practice
      Mike Hill
      I understand the sarcasm here, but take it from someone who worked for Dell support...it is FAR from good. Its a joke if you ask me.
      There is another WF lurker here who still works for them....cmon Mike...speak up and let these people know what really goes on behind the scenes.

      The only requirement for being hired at Dell support is having a pulse.

      If you want to go Dell, best advice I can give you...buy it under a business account. This way you'll get the US support office (at least during normal biz hours) instead of the 'home' support which goes to India or the Phillipines. If you can't do this, buy it from Rentway or one of those rent-to-own places. I know it sounds crazy, but doing this will also place you in their 'small biz' category and you'll get sent to the US support queue if you do ever need to call.

      And don't EVER, EVER, EVER get the 'return to depot' support for their laptops. Pay for the extra 'onsite' repair (even tho thats overrated as well). If you send that thing to their repair depot, you are in for a world of hurt.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave777
    Get a Mac and most internet marketing software type products will not be made for you...

    Fully loaded Acers are great, love them and a few other brands are down to about $600. for a "17" or less on a good promo. Laptop computers are becoming disposable! Don't even worry about purchasing those over inflated extended warranties. Just sell a few affiliate products and treat yourself to a new updated technology laptop every christmas, just around those boxing day blowouts!

    Dave
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    • Profile picture of the author Bev Clement
      I wouldn't go for a Dell for one reason only. A friend who we helped with their computer bought a Dell, they had problems with it, within the first month, and it was sent back for repair. It came back with worse problems, and it turns out that all repairs use recylced parts. So if you send a dell back, the parts are used to repair any other machines. No new parts if you hit a problem.
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      • Profile picture of the author tommygadget
        Originally Posted by Bev Clement View Post

        I wouldn't go for a Dell for one reason only. A friend who we helped with their computer bought a Dell, they had problems with it, within the first month, and it was sent back for repair. It came back with worse problems, and it turns out that all repairs use recylced parts. So if you send a dell back, the parts are used to repair any other machines. No new parts if you hit a problem.
        I've had more than half a dozen Dell laptops over the years. All have had some problem or other. I only buy them because I can get deadly discounts as a reseller from the refurbished division. As a normal consumer, though, I only recommend HP or Toshiba. Please visit the non-affiliate link I posted above. You won't be sorry. If you need something around $600, register over at buy.com and when the refurb. specials show up, grab one. That's all for now.

        TomG. - The guy who owned a PC business in another life...
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      • Profile picture of the author Robert Oliver
        I would suggest getting a new MacBook with the Intel chip.

        You can run Windows XP as well as the Apple Os-X Leopard
        using a software program called Parallels.

        That way you have the best of both worlds.

        My macbook has a 13" screen, 2.4 Ghz intel processor,
        2G ram 250G hardrive and is a screaming machine. I bought
        a 22" LG monitor which I hook up to my MacBook when I am
        working at home. You can also get the 15.5" Macbook Air.
        They also have a 17" model coming out in the near future

        I have not found anything I could not do with my Mac that I
        could do with my PC. I do not have crashes, worry about viruses,
        my computer boots up very quickly, and the software available
        for the Mac will make your life a lot easier.

        Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas Wilkinson
    The machine you descibed will be more than enough for you.
    Its similar to my Toshiba but I downgraded to XP Pro. You are
    gonna love Dragon. Its such a time saver.

    Rumors are that Microsoft has put the pedal to the metal on
    "Windows 7", the simplified replacement for Vista.

    Most laptops have an extra DVI 1 port to hook to for an extra
    large monitor if you have a place for one.

    Bev, I like the new pic. (I liked the old one too.)


    T.W.
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    When you hear someone telling you what YOU can't do, they are usually talking about what THEY can't do.
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    • Profile picture of the author Glenn Newsome
      Originally Posted by Thomas Wilkinson View Post


      Bev, I like the new pic. (I liked the old one too.)

      T.W.
      Thomas,
      If you liked her old pic, then you would have gone crazy over one that I saw. I think it was on a UK adult related site at the time, can't quiet remember. It had a union jack bikini on. I got a snapshot of it just in time.

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  • Profile picture of the author lordgalex
    You can research the most profitable laptops would you sell. Try at Buy.com - Computers, Electronics, Digital Cameras, Books, DVDs, Music, Games, Software, Toys, Sports or Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!, they are great site that selling laptops. You can do research from there and make choices.
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  • Profile picture of the author 14pulsars
    Buy a ThinkPad from Lenovo. You can customize one to your hearts content, and they won't break down on you. Buy On Site support so someone can come to YOU and fix it, in the rare event that something does go wrong.

    I'm using a T61p myself, it's great.
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  • Profile picture of the author maverick8
    thanks guys for your recommendations and advice. i am not to keen on the MAC due to i use a fair few IM products that might not work with the OS. People are suggesting on getting a bigger screen, i do not see the reasoning behind this for my self when a bigger screen will use up more battery and costs more. i use my laptop for my IM stuff articles, building links and email etc. i think i will suss out the market for a day or 2 then make my purchase.

    thanks again guys for your advice. ill post what i buy
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  • Profile picture of the author chrisha916
    I would say MacBook Pro. I have been a Windooze PC user for a long time. Never used a Mac Before.

    Since I got my Mac, I have never been more happy. It just works and doesn't freeze plus I can also run Windows on my Mac at the same time using VMWARE when I need to run Windows apps.

    When I am multi-tasking, have a bunch of windows open, running photoshop, dreamweaver, ftp, etc it runs like it did when I just booted it up.

    If I did that on my Laptop PC it would always freak out.
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  • Profile picture of the author maverick8
    hey people, first of all i would like to thank everyone who gave me some advice. this is the laptop i got:
    HP Pavilion dv4-1041tx Core 2 Duo 2.4 Laptop

    * 14.1" Wide Screen LCD
    * Intel P8600 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo
    * 320GHD
    * 4GB RAM
    * DVDRW Combo
    * 1.3Web CAM,
    * 256Mb nVidia GeForce 9200M GS
    * Windows Vista Home
    * Blue Tooth
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  • Profile picture of the author maverick8
    hey people, first of all i would like to thank everyone who gave me some advice. this is the laptop i got:
    HP Pavilion dv4-1041tx Core 2 Duo 2.4 Laptop

    * 14.1" Wide Screen LCD
    * Intel P8600 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo
    * 320GHD
    * 4GB RAM
    * DVDRW Combo
    * 1.3Web CAM,
    * 256Mb nVidia GeForce 9200M GS
    * Windows Vista Home
    * Blue Tooth
    i didn't get the 17" inch screen because i thought it would be to big a bulky to carry, simply i thought it would be impracticle. if i need a big screen i can use my 23" on my desktop. i have never used a MAC and have never had any problems with windows. if it ain't broke don't fix it. the new laptop cost me $1209 i even came in under budget which is good.

    anyway thanks guys for the advice.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Shain
      That looks like a plenty potent machine (at a good price) - I think you will like it!

      Congratulations!
      - Netpiddler
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    • Profile picture of the author tanya7zhou
      Originally Posted by maverick8 View Post

      hey people, first of all i would like to thank everyone who gave me some advice. this is the laptop i got:
      HP Pavilion dv4-1041tx Core 2 Duo 2.4 Laptop

      * 14.1" Wide Screen LCD
      * Intel P8600 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo
      * 320GHD
      * 4GB RAM
      * DVDRW Combo
      * 1.3Web CAM,
      * 256Mb nVidia GeForce 9200M GS
      * Windows Vista Home
      * Blue Tooth
      i didn't get the 17" inch screen because i thought it would be to big a bulky to carry, simply i thought it would be impracticle. if i need a big screen i can use my 23" on my desktop. i have never used a MAC and have never had any problems with windows. if it ain't broke don't fix it. the new laptop cost me $1209 i even came in under budget which is good.

      anyway thanks guys for the advice.
      Oh man!!

      I wish you went for Mac. Ever since I got rid of my first wife (PC) and got married to my new one (Mac) I have never looked back!

      She is good, reliable and efficient.....and gorgeous than my first wife. (PC)

      Good luck with your new wife (HP Pavilion)
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Green
    Good luck with your new puter, it sounds great.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Hoffman
    Eee PC | Easy to Learn, Work and Play

    Run linux for the win.
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  • Profile picture of the author rendell
    Asus EEE Pc is cheap and portable.

    Good if you have small fingers and good eyesight.
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  • Profile picture of the author rafnie
    I suggest you check out consumer reports and see which is the best one that meets your needs. The go to eBay to get it cheaper. Hope this helps
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  • Profile picture of the author Hendry Lee
    Dragon Naturally Speaking demands quite high performance system to work.

    With 4GB RAM, I think you have a decent system to do REAL work, plus entertainment.

    I'm a PC guy (Win and Linux), but if I am to get a new laptop, I'll go with a Mac.
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  • Profile picture of the author Success
    Thinkpad X200 or X300.

    If you are looking for a netbook. Lenovo IdeaPad S10
    Signature

    .

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  • Profile picture of the author Andrew McNaught
    if you want to run Dragon avoid vista 64bit and macs
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  • Profile picture of the author MarcusXavier
    I have an Alienware. This thing is so pimped out it's insane!

    Not only can I do anything for my business, but I can play any
    game when I get bored of working. I love it.[]
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  • Profile picture of the author Conference-TV
    Go for acer laptops they offer cheap price. Believe me, we've bought one last week and it's very affordable.
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  • Profile picture of the author sublerjr
    I know what ever I say it won't change much but here we go. I have an hp zv6000 windows xp and an hp dv9500 windows vista. Both are wide screen. The vista really really sucks; it's sluggish and seems to have trouble connecting to the internet. Also the screen gives off a bright light making the contrast odd looking, other than that I just hate the damn thing. The windows xp is much better but to the best of my knowledge they quit making computers with xp. The only place I've run across new zv6000s is at syene.com. That is not an affiliate links and I am in no way affiliated with them, I only know this because they keep sending my e-mails.
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