Help WPM Pick a New Laptop

Status
Not open for further replies.
Water Pokémon Master

Water Pokémon Master

I like Pokemon more than you! :p
Webmaster
Elite Member
Advanced Member
Member
My current laptop is a little over 2.5 years old but it's sort of falling apart. It doesn't burn DVDs anymore, it overheats worse than a Torkoal, the AC adapter has to be held together by glue gun glue, and the battery barely lasts 40 minutes. The paint is also severely worn off from extensive use! However, this laptop has definitely served me well - it's either withstood all the damage I've done to it or I'm taking better care of my laptops. Even though this one has a spill-resistant keyboard I haven't spilled anything on it yet too (I think).

So anyway, I've been researching what new laptop to buy and have had my eye on the Sony Vaio Z: http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=8198552921644570897&parentCategoryId=16154

I'd be going with 2.80 GHz, 4 GB Ram, and 500 GB HDD. I'll probably eventually replace the HDD with a SSD when they get cheaper (or I break it, which I've done three times with my current laptop). What do you guys think of it? Please only respond if you know what you're talking about! Does this laptop look like it will last 3 years? It seems like even though my current laptop is 2 GHz, most laptops nowadays are also around that number as well.
 
It all depends really. If you play lots of PC games on it I would tryto get a lot of GB but if you just download lots of stuff and don't play PC games then I would get a cheap one.
 
What exactly will you be using it for? You can get similar and better for cheaper.

If you're going to be using your laptop for college/university/school or the like, I'd go with an Acer. They're relatively cheap, which means the parts to replace broken bits are fairly affordable. Plus, they get the job done. I bought my Acer about 14 months ago now, it's still going strong, I haven't had any problems with it at all, and it's been through a few beatings on my part.

The Acer Extensa series are perfect for college/schoolwork, and are cheaper than the Aspire series, I believe. I have an Extensa 5220, (2.13ghz single core processor, 3GB DDR2 RAM (Came with 1GB though, I stuck an extra 2GB in), 15.4" screen, 120GB HDD, etc.) granted, the video card (X3100) is a little lacking, but it still gets the job done, and is capable of playing some games fairly well too. The latest Extensa (5635) is pretty horrible, but it's predecessor, (5630) is four times better.

From my knowledge, the Aspire series are very customisable, you can choose from a range of hardware combinations. They are generally a lot more powerful than the Extensa series though, and the screens are a couple of inches bigger, too.

Basically, the Extensa series is good for students, business, and people with a budget. The Aspire series can get pretty pricey and are good if you're planning on playing lots of games on your laptop. Which is silly, because that's what desktops are for. ;o

Anyways. Go take a look, www.acer.com
 
But do acers last 3 years?

Although I personally used Dell (ewww, never again) before switching to Mac, I know a couple of guys who've had some problems with acer laptops (though I can't remember what they were specifically). I know a friend of mine's broke down only recently, and it wasn't that old.

The Sony one seems good enough (albeit a tad expensive), I mean, the Macbook Pro of the same size costs less ._. (granted, this one has a higher pixel density, although I'm not sure how that'd look on a small screen like that)

Shouldn't you be getting a rubber laptop with airbag, though? Just in case.
 
I'm currently using a Toshiba and it's been working fine. Like if you want to do a lot of gaming/working with graphic design stuff, I would recommend getting something a little more powerful, but for basic use a Toshiba works fine.
 
I'd get this alienware: http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-alienware-m17x/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-alienware-m17x&s=dhs&cs=19


It will be great for emultors, has a fast procesor, and will be great for running multple programs when studying.
 
I recommend HP, because they do stand behind their products, they are reliable, and they go on sale cheap. Even though ssd are more rugged, won't capacity be an issue for you?
 
I personally recommend HP computers. The family uses an HP Pavilion desktop computer, and I have an HP Touchsmart tx2 laptop, (have had it for about a year) and it's still like new. (Of course, I baby mine though. xD)

The Sony looks good, although a tad on the expensive side. I spent just over $1000 on mine, so if money is an issue you might want to go with HP. Like omahanime said, they go on sale cheap, and I think you could find a comparable one from HP at a cheaper price. But, that Sony laptop does look like it would last three years.
 
Heavenly Spoon :F said:
But do acers last 3 years?

Although I personally used Dell (ewww, never again) before switching to Mac, I know a couple of guys who've had some problems with acer laptops (though I can't remember what they were specifically). I know a friend of mine's broke down only recently, and it wasn't that old.

The Sony one seems good enough (albeit a tad expensive), I mean, the Macbook Pro of the same size costs less ._. (granted, this one has a higher pixel density, although I'm not sure how that'd look on a small screen like that)

Shouldn't you be getting a rubber laptop with airbag, though? Just in case.
Click to expand...
I've had my Acer for 4 yrs works fine graphics not so great though
 
Well the dell Insprion Mini is pretty awesome, get and extrnal Hard drive, and a disk drive and your good to go! Its kinda a small pissy little machine but the size and gaming abilitys on it are pretty nice!
 
Heavenly Spoon :F said:
But do acers last 3 years?
Click to expand...
acers are basically PCs but in laptop form. meaning, you can upgrade video cards / cpu's because acer = a custom laptop company.


OP - definitely stay away from alienware. its overpriced junk.


also, WPM, we need to know what the laptop is going to be used for.

if for school, macbook is the best because of its battery life hands down. no other laptop can compete. there will be some ppl who are just kidding themselves if they say there are, when in reality, its a lie. macbooks are the BEST for college classes/any type of schoolwork.

if you will be gaming, then i suggest you build a custom laptop by going with acer.
 
As previously stated, get HP. I have an HP desktop computer, but all of the laptops in our house are HP as well, and run incredibly fast. My dad has this little black one with incredibly large amounts of ram and hard drive space, as well as a good processor, but I cont no much about it cause he wont let me get near it to often. However, look into HP products, you can find something similar to what your looking for, if not cheaper and better. Sony overprices products left and right, so you may not be getting the best deal.
 
r3skyline said:
acers are basically PCs but in laptop form. meaning, you can upgrade video cards / cpu's because acer = a custom laptop company.
Click to expand...

Lolwut? You can never upgrade video cards in laptops... And you can say the same thing about any laptop company, they are just PC's in laptop form.

Heavenly Spoon said:
But do acers last 3 years?
Click to expand...

Yes.


Anyway, is it just me, or has this thread just been people posting what they use at home making it more of a poll than an actual informative thread...
 
Krucifier said:
Lolwut? You can never upgrade video cards in laptops... And you can say the same thing about any laptop company, they are just PC's in laptop form.

Heavenly Spoon said:
But do acers last 3 years?
Click to expand...

Yes.


Anyway, is it just me, or has this thread just been people posting what they use at home making it more of a poll than an actual informative thread...
Click to expand...

lolwut?

yes you can. it all depends on the motherboard however and the company that released them. i know dell a while back allowed upgradable laptops. alienware still does it too.

dont speak unless you know what youre talking about.
 
r3skyline said:
if for school, macbook is the best because of its battery life hands down. no other laptop can compete. there will be some ppl who are just kidding themselves if they say there are, when in reality, its a lie. macbooks are the BEST for college classes/any type of schoolwork.
Click to expand...
I'm going to go ahead and second this, but I assume you're looking for a Windows computer (which of course is still possible on a Macbook, but the price might become a little much, although the Sony one you're looking at is probably more expensive).

I don't think you're much of a gamer, so it probably wouldn't hurt to consider the change the Mac. If you have an apple store closeby, I'd definitely have a look.
 
Heavenly Spoon :F said:
I'm going to go ahead and second this, but I assume you're looking for a Windows computer (which of course is still possible on a Macbook, but the price might become a little much, although the Sony one you're looking at is probably more expensive).

I don't think you're much of a gamer, so it probably wouldn't hurt to consider the change the Mac. If you have an apple store closeby, I'd definitely have a look.
Click to expand...
i third this because i have one and its the best laptop out there no viruses is great u need to get one
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top