Dell laptops.. Worth the price...

[hzsogood 5,000+ posts]

If you order, get it directly from toshiba. BB pc guys are about the same level as their mobile install guys, shitty.
Just make sure no matter what you do, always make backups. If anything happens and you have to take your computer anywhere, chances are you'll get it back with the origional software and everything you have wiped clean.

as to core duo vs core 2 duo, I believe core duo is dual core 32 bit where core 2 duo is dual core 64/32 bit. Unless you're running a 64-bit os, you're not going to notice ANY difference between the core2duo or the coreduo

Vista will be several hundred dollers. I think last time I checked, the non-basic version was around 350-400 bucks. You don't want Vista Basic. It has all of the pretty stuff cut out. Also, if you're getting Vista when it comes out, MAKE SURE you have 1gb of ram and the intal 950 graphics or higher, or descrete (ati/nvidia) graphics. Otherwise, you'll be stuck in non-pretty mode.

Heres a review on the toshiba.. Pretty good overall.. 2 GB memory, so that s not a problem.. but like u just mentioned they said the graphics card was pretty weak.. the intel 950.. For me to stay in the 1500 price range there would only be 2 differences ..

the dell 1 gb memory( toshiba 2 gb) but would have core 2 duo.. But overall i like the toshiba better but just wish i could customize it a little more

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

That's why I went with the 4 yr warranty.
I chose XP Pro because I can't stand media center. It belongs on a media pc, not a laptop. $160 is the "dell" price difference between Media Center and Pro.

Just showing the cost of their warranty. A quality laptop should last you longer than the 4 year warranty with out any problems (sans batteries).

what exactly bothers you about media center? I used pro for years and switched to mc and cant tell the difference.. other than an embedded, but optional wmp interface. What features does MC lack that you use?

 

[pwnt by pat 10+ year member]

I'm honestly not suprised with that little discrepency. I mean, there are only a handful of companies that actually build the laptops....

And anyway, I guess I can come out and say it - I hate laptops.

 

[kngadrok 10+ year member]

I have never been a fan of Toshiba.

They arent as easy to work on, and their CS really sucks.

I'm not pro dell either, but for a 1st time PC buyer with your needs the Dell is not a bad way to go. I would only go for the ext warranty on the Dell because they have had some problems of late, on their Batteries and Adaptors. The more profficient your are with PC's and the maintainence the less you need the warranty on any of the other brands (IMO).

Media Center, if it doesn't ****, then it's not as impressive as one might think.

If your laptop is going to be for Media only, then it's OK, but if you're using it for the purposes you first listed, then You dont need it. Remember though, after the processor and expandable memory, it's all subjective. If you want MC instead of XP,(I SHOULD HAVE SAID, MC INSTEAD OF PRO) then dont let us talk you out of it.

As far as Vista, if you will want it then just make sure you get a good-excellent graphics card, and have at least 1gig ram as a previous poster stated, but I would go with 2gig.

Hint: doubtful you should try out Vista when it first comes out. Wait a while (six months or so) then get it, and get the full version or you'll be pissed.

BTW: i didnt spell check, but dont hold it against me.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

EDIT

 

[kngadrok 10+ year member]

You could get a good laptop that would do all that for half the price ... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif
I don't know why you're planning for Vista ... It won't come out for another year, it won't be a "Must Have" OS for another few years .....

Ok so forget what i said about the six month thing. X2 /\ on that!

By the time Vista is a "Must Have" OS, you'll be able to get a computer that's 2-4 times faster for the same price ...

(Failure Rate Over a 3-Year Period)

#1 - Apple 14%

#2 - IBM/Lenovo 15%

#3 - Sony 15%

#4 - Dell 16%

#5 - Acer 16%

#6 - HP 18%

#7 - Compaq 18%

#8 - Averatec 19%

#9 - Toshiba 21%

#10 - Gateway 21%

 

(Failure Rate During 1st Year)

 

#1 - Apple 7%

#2 - Sony 9%

#3 - Toshiba 11%

#4 - Dell 12%

#5 - HP 12%

#6 - Compaq 12%

#7 - Acer 12%

#8 - IBM/Lenovo 14%

#9 - Gateway 15%

#10 - Averatec 15%

 

(Technical Support)

 

#1 - Apple

#2 - IBM/Lenovo

#3 - HP

#4 - Compaq

#5 - Toshiba

#6 - Gateway

#7 - Dell

#8 - Sony

/\/\

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

I have never been a fan of Toshiba.They arent as easy to work on, and their CS really sucks.

I'm not pro dell either, but for a 1st time PC buyer with your needs the Dell is not a bad way to go. I would only go for the ext warranty on the Dell because they have had some problems of late, on their Batteries and Adaptors. The more profficient your are with PC's and the maintainence the less you need the warranty on any of the other brands (IMO).

Media Center, if it doesn't ****, then it's not as impressive as one might think.

If your laptop is going to be for Media only, then it's OK, but if you're using it for the purposes you first listed, then You dont need it. Remember though, after the processor and expandable memory, it's all subjective. If you want MC instead of XP, then dont let us talk you out of it.

As far as Vista, if you will want it then just make sure you get a good-excellent graphics card, and have at least 1gig ram as a previous poster stated, but I would go with 2gig.

Hint: doubtful you should try out Vista when it first comes out. Wait a while (six months or so) then get it, and get the full version or you'll be pissed.

BTW: i didnt spell check, but dont hold it against me.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

I think a dell would come with MCE, and it would be $160 extra to get XP pro.. why anyone would pay $160 for pro instead of MCE.. thats what i want to know. What does Pro have that MCE doesnt?

 

[kngadrok 10+ year member]

I think a dell would come with MCE, and it would be $160 extra to get XP pro.. why anyone would pay $160 for pro instead of MCE.. thats what i want to know. What does Pro have that MCE doesnt?

I'll try to explain it as best "I can".

If you get xp media center, it's xp + media center.

Xp is still the OS with media center included. Media center is just basically an interface, it's not an OS.

The difference between XP pro and MC would just be the networking capabilities, such as NTFS, RIS remote installation services, MUI multi lingual user interface. which are the differences between XP & Pro.

someone correct me if im wrong.

 

[kngadrok 10+ year member]

I think a dell would come with MCE, and it would be $160 extra to get XP pro.. why anyone would pay $160 for pro instead of MCE.. thats what i want to know. What does Pro have that MCE doesnt?

I guess I didn't answer your ?, Most people wouldn't pay the 160 for pro cause they done need it. I dont.

 

[kngadrok 10+ year member]

here is a better des. of XPMC & pro

"They are essentially the same. XP MCE is built on Pro, with two exceptions.

XP MCE will not join a domain, except at initial setup (although this can be

hacked). Additionally, network logon credentials are not cached (except

when the domain hack is applied)."

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

Thats pretty much what i thought.. it is pro.. with the embedded MCE interface..minus a few advanced things most people dont even use. i wondered why this kid hated MCE so much he was going to pay $160 for pro.

That's why I went with the 4 yr warranty.
I chose XP Pro because I can't stand media center. It belongs on a media pc, not a laptop. $160 is the "dell" price difference between Media Center and Pro.

Just showing the cost of their warranty. A quality laptop should last you longer than the 4 year warranty with out any problems (sans batteries).

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

NM i was thinking pwnt by pat was the OP.. but he isnt.. he is trying to tell the OP not to buy a dell.. by making them look really expensive.. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[PollyCranopolis 10+ year member]

As I mentioned earlier, I belive Dells are superior simply because of they're warranty. Unless you laptop has:

1.Tire tracks

2. Ball Pean hammer marks

(as stated in warranty, no lie!)

Dell will replace or fix for free. Can't beat that for nothing. You will have to pay for the top of the line service, but I think that alone is well worth it.

I called Dell from work cause my motherboard fried. Turns out my company has the gold service plan. I had a new motherboard sitting on my desk in 3 hours. Kickass!

I will say top of the line models are not cheap. Just for the hell of it, I priced a top of the line XPS laptop on the Dell site, added all the best options, and came out just under $8,000. Woah! God forbid you make the minimum payments with a 25% interest rate. You could buy a new car for that.

 

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

First off dells are overpriced and flimsy.... As an IT guy I can say both their desktops and laptops are very overpriced. Oddly enough their flat panel monitors are excellent and at a **** good price. One of Dells saving graces is their sales from the website where you can stack coupons found on the web to save alot of money.... check this website for deals on laptops:

http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?sduid=91997&f=9

be patient and wait. I JUST bought an Acer 1.7ghz P4 centrino, 512mb ram, 15.4" screen, 60gb hd laptop for $400 at circuit city... I've alkso seen some nice Core duo laptops on there for ~600

Ohh and from persoanl experience Lenevo's are the best laptops. Easiest to support and very well built

 

[kngadrok 10+ year member]

First off dells are overpriced and flimsy.... As an IT guy I can say both their desktops and laptops are very overpriced. Oddly enough their flat panel monitors are excellent and at a **** good price. One of Dells saving graces is their sales from the website where you can stack coupons found on the web to save alot of money.... check this website for deals on laptops:
http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?sduid=91997&f=9

be patient and wait. I JUST bought an Acer 1.7ghz P4 centrino, 512mb ram, 15.4" screen, 60gb hd laptop for $400 at circuit city... I've alkso seen some nice Core duo laptops on there for ~600

Ohh and from persoanl experience Lenevo's are the best laptops. Easiest to support and very well built

quite similar to car audio, overpriced is a subjective opinion, just as JL being overpriced is a subjective opinion.

 

[faulkton 5,000+ posts]

stackable coupon codes ftw