My Dad Is Looking To Buy A Laptop

By Crazysah
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Grand Master

cpu killer

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Okay, the first model he might want to look at is the T61:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/control...176AD5FB80FA5D8

He would most likely be interested in the "ThinkPad T61 14.1" widescreen with integrated graphics". I'd recommend a hard-drive upgrade to at least 120gb, and the 6-cell battery instead of 4-cell. If you're comfortable with installing memory (it's very easy and there's a video on Lenovo's website), then just get 1gb (be sure to select the 1 DIMM option, so that you have an empty slot for another 2gb DIMM) and then you can upgrade it to a total of 3gb with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820134549.

As for other features, since you have money to spend, you might want to add the integrated card reader, integrated bluetooth PAN, DVD-RW. I DO NOT RECOMMEND getting the 1gb TurboMemory as some users have seen problems with it.

Another model he might like, and the one I personally highly recommend, is the X61s:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/control...678EA089EF892A3

This laptop uses an ultra-low voltage processor for extended battery life. This means it's a 1.6ghz Processor, but it performs pretty damn well and give you a longer battery span. Since he won't do any intensive work that require mad processing like video editing, I think this is the most suitable option for his needs. Again, keep the 1gb RAM and make sure to choose 1GB in only 1 DIMM so that you can get that same extra 2gb's I mentioned earlier. I recommend upgrading to the Intel Wireless ABGN card for future proofing, and also get integrated Bluetooth PAN. I also recommend getting the 8-cell high-capacity battery for a much longer battery life. Remember to upgrade the hard-drive here as well. And anything else to suit his needs.

And the third model I'll recommend from Lenovo is the X61 (no "s"):

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/control...7E1A6952DF8E9DF

The only difference from the one I just mentioned last is the fact it uses a regular-voltage processor which is also faster and performs stronger on more processor-intensive tasks. Same options apply, it'll just have a bit lower battery life.

Remember, the X's are Lenovo's top-of-the-line laptops, and are lighter and slimmer than the T-Series. The T-series is still an amazing laptop, and also very slim and low-profile, the X's are just slimmer and MORE low profile, and lighter. I personally recommend the X61s on your budget, he will be very satisfied. If you have any questions, let me know, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

I'll let someone else comment on Dell, as that's not my beach :p

Edit: I see someone mentioned the X300, unfortunately that's way over his price range. But if he wants to shell out three grand, than it's perfect.

Grand Master

Crazysah

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Okay, the first model he might want to look at is the T61:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/control...176AD5FB80FA5D8

He would most likely be interested in the "ThinkPad T61 14.1" widescreen with integrated graphics". I'd recommend a hard-drive upgrade to at least 120gb, and the 6-cell battery instead of 4-cell. If you're comfortable with installing memory (it's very easy and there's a video on Lenovo's website), then just get 1gb (be sure to select the 1 DIMM option, so that you have an empty slot for another 2gb DIMM) and then you can upgrade it to a total of 3gb with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820134549.

As for other features, since you have money to spend, you might want to add the integrated card reader, integrated bluetooth PAN, DVD-RW. I DO NOT RECOMMEND getting the 1gb TurboMemory as some users have seen problems with it.

Another model he might like, and the one I personally highly recommend, is the X61s:

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/control...678EA089EF892A3

This laptop uses an ultra-low voltage processor for extended battery life. This means it's a 1.6ghz Processor, but it performs pretty damn well and give you a longer battery span. Since he won't do any intensive work that require mad processing like video editing, I think this is the most suitable option for his needs. Again, keep the 1gb RAM and make sure to choose 1GB in only 1 DIMM so that you can get that same extra 2gb's I mentioned earlier. I recommend upgrading to the Intel Wireless ABGN card for future proofing, and also get integrated Bluetooth PAN. I also recommend getting the 8-cell high-capacity battery for a much longer battery life. Remember to upgrade the hard-drive here as well. And anything else to suit his needs.

And the third model I'll recommend from Lenovo is the X61 (no "s"):

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/control...7E1A6952DF8E9DF

The only difference from the one I just mentioned last is the fact it uses a regular-voltage processor which is also faster and performs stronger on more processor-intensive tasks. Same options apply, it'll just have a bit lower battery life.

Remember, the X's are Lenovo's top-of-the-line laptops, and are lighter and slimmer than the T-Series. The T-series is still an amazing laptop, and also very slim and low-profile, the X's are just slimmer and MORE low profile, and lighter. I personally recommend the X61s on your budget, he will be very satisfied. If you have any questions, let me know, I'll be more than happy to answer them.

I'll let someone else comment on Dell, as that's not my beach :p

Edit: I see someone mentioned the X300, unfortunately that's way over his price range. But if he wants to shell out three grand, than it's perfect.

This is awesome. I really like it. He chose the X61s out of these. Thanks.

Now if someone can do it for Dell that will be all...

Mentor

Deletedforeverhaha

Posted
Posted

I'm sorry but the X61's listed on Lenovo's site are complete rip offs. $1300 for 1.6Ghz Core 2 Duo? I got the same specifications for an HP for <$1000.

I recommend the X61 but not with those specifications... Those specifications went out of date two years ago.

Mentor

S7un7

Posted
Posted
I'm sorry but the X61's listed on Lenovo's site are complete rip offs. $1300 for 1.6Ghz Core 2 Duo? I got the same specifications for an HP for <$1000.

I recommend the X61 but not with those specifications... Those specifications went out of date two years ago.

Did you not read the other replys? Does HP/Dell/Acer and so on have the following? (excluding "tough" books)

*magnesium roll-cage and magnesium-alloy front and bottom covers

*an accelerometer to detect any falls and disable the hard drive

*security chip

*metal hinges

*spill proof keyboard

The Lenovo will be more, almost guaranteed. Their build quality comes with a premium. Sure a HP/Dell/Acer/whatever will cost less, but will it hold up to the abuse?

Grand Master

cpu killer

Posted
Posted
I'm sorry but the X61's listed on Lenovo's site are complete rip offs. $1300 for 1.6Ghz Core 2 Duo? I got the same specifications for an HP for <$1000.

I recommend the X61 but not with those specifications... Those specifications went out of date two years ago.

The whole point of the X61s is that the 1.6ghz C2D is a ULV processor, or Ultra-Low Voltage. It has 4mb of L2 cache, and you'd be pretty surprised at how well it performs. It's part of Intel's new "Penryn" line of processors, and don't let the clock speed fool you. Here is a full review of the X61s, and it assesses the performance if that's a concern:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?...amp;review=X61s

The L7500 benchmarks pretty well, and the rest of the laptop does pretty good. Remember, his dad does not need processor power for typing in data. The L7500 will run everything he needs smoothly without a hiccup. Forget the Mhz myth =)

He can always go for the X61 and get the higher end T8xx or T9xx processors. Heck, his budget very well allows it. But I believe he's more concerned with having longer battery life rather than unnecessary processing power. Again, the X61s is made to still perform great, but excel in mobility.

Wish I could help you out with Dell, but I'm glad he found something he likes at Lenovo. Again, IBM (now Lenovo) ThinkPads have always come at a premium, and that premium used to be an extremely high price and long wait for certain configurations. Now with IBM's consumer/business division taken over by Lenovo, they have become a lot more accessible and still retain the great quality. I'm sure he'll really appreciate the features I've mentioned that are unique to Lenovos.

Let us know how it goes!

Grand Master

Crazysah

Posted
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Posted
Y510

[LINK]

it's pretty good for almost anything. there are 6 default builds all below 1.2k, cheapest is 669.

No more Lenovo recommendations. my Dad has chosen his Lenovo laptop but still wants to look at Dell or maybe Vaio.

So... any Dell or Vaio recommendations?

Grand Master

cpu killer

Posted
Posted
No more Lenovo recommendations. my Dad has chosen his Lenovo laptop but still wants to look at Dell or maybe Vaio.

So... any Dell or Vaio recommendations?

I'm recommending you stay away from Sony Vaios. They are overpriced and sub-par for the most part. Just not worth it, their support is not great either from what I hear. My friend has a Vaio and it was way overpriced for the hardware he got and plus it feels cheap. I don't know what other people have to say, but I personally do not recommend going with a Vaio.

Grand Master

majortom1981

Posted
Posted
XPS 1330 with LED backlit screen and 6 and 9-cell batteries, 4 year warranty and accidental damage coverage.

I say this is a great recommendation. I have an inspiron 1520 but I have personally seen the xps 1330 gavce a recommendation ffor it to somebody who asked me for one and they love it.

Its a nice small laptop thats perfect for bringing places and doesn't sacrifice on the power (has a geforce 8400gs gpu).

Also go to www.notebookreview.com to get dell coupons to get some money off of the purchase.

Grand Master

Crazysah

Posted
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I would stay away from DELL with their issues with customer service and lousy repair stories its not a wonder why they are being sued...

I have a Dell Desktop XPS 420 and it has been doing great. Warranty and repair service are great here (I haven't had a problem but thats what I have heard) and they look great.

So Inspiron or XPS? For a light-weight business laptop?

Mentor

Deletedforeverhaha

Posted
Posted

I thought Dell's business line was called "Vostro".

I'm not really familiar with Dell's newer models apart from the XPS1530. However, I know HP dv6700 Special Edition laptop (if equipped with a 9 cell battery) will perform VERY well for $1600.

Grand Master

Crazysah

Posted
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Posted

The three Dell Models are;

1. Dell Vostro M1310

2. Dell XPS 1530

3. Dell Inspiron 1525

4. Dell XPS 1330

Which ones of these are light and have long running batteries and perform really well?

Can someone tell me about these laptops and which is the best?

Rising Star

aniv

Posted
Posted
+1 for the HP camp... The HP Compaq business series are very sturdy at a fair price.

Dell: crappy performance, cheap(400~1000), breaks, looks cheap

HP: pretty descent performance, not that expensive (1000~2000), very durable, looks OK/strict (semi sexy IMHO :p)

Lenovo: kick ass performance, hell expensive (easily 2000+), extreme build quality, looks fugly :x

Apple is descent but overpriced .. Toshiba's / Sony's underperform .. Acer and ASUS are total crap (look nice/perform nice .. and then break in 2) .. BTO/Zepto/Homebuild = sucky build quality/durability... all else is fail or overpriced...

either you have bad taste or just not enough knowledge about aesthetics. Heard of Latitude notebooks? Neither looks cheap nor crappy...whatever runs breaks.

The three Dell Models are;

1. Dell Vostro M1310

2. Dell XPS 1530

3. Dell Inspiron 1525

4. Dell XPS 1330

Which ones of these are light and have long running batteries and perform really well?

Can someone tell me about these laptops and which is the best?

I think he wont like the XPS1330, its so called small for everyday use unless he plans to dock it and use it most of the time. I would max out the XPS 1530. Also look at the Dell Latitudes they are rock solid...

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