Laptops Considering a notebook for the first time, advise...

Vandal

Explorer
I want a notebook, because work is going to be involving a lot of travelling soon, and I need to keep abreast even on holidays.

Company provides notebooks, but they're crap.

Looking at buying one, my first.

Considerations:
1. Good build, it should last. Do not want to buy another for 2-3 years.
2. Compact, I need something lightweight.
3. Dont intend gaming, but added graphics solution is given preference, for obvious reasons (presentations, HDMI port etc)
4. Medium speed CPU, not looking for uber high-end. No celeron or T5xxx sh1t though
5. Budget - Rs 75K, not really flexible upwards.
6. Screen size - 11.1, 12.1 or 13.3 max, no bigger
7. Preference in brands: Sony, Lenovo, HP, Dell (in that order)

Advise...
 
HP has:

13":

DV3005TX INTEL C2D T5550 1.83 2GB DDR2 250GB 8400M ~55k.

12":

TX2009AU TL 60 (1MB) 3GB DDR2 250GB ~55k.

Dont see 12/13 inchers in lenovo (I have a nice little list :P)

Dell:

EPP FTW :ohyeah:

If looks are imp: XPS 1330 + decent graphics as well and cool prices prob :P

If graphics are NOT imp: Inspiron 13: No graphics card

If basic looks will do: Vostro 12"/13"

No idea about sony though :)

EDIT:

1. The XPS 1330 should fit the bill :D

2. Even T5xxx processors should be good enough for normal use.
 
+1 to the new macbook. And you can always install windows via bootcamp. Not all features work right now, but it can get the work done.
 
superczar said:
The Aluminium Macbook
But if you cant live without windows, then the Sony Z

Isn't the Z series very costly?
^^Ahh Renegade, nice advise, checked this notebook out online. Very sweet, great config, but it lacks HDMI, or does it? - The images don't show anything. Will it be available in stores here? Could I pick up one on EMI from Croma or something like that?
Thanks & repped!
 
The XPS 1330, meets all your criteria except for the preference. It has a HDMI port. And it's fairly light-weight, even with the 9 cell battery. The backup is pretty good too.
 
Edrill said:
The XPS 1330, meets all your criteria except for the preference. It has a HDMI port. And it's fairly light-weight, even with the 9 cell battery. The backup is pretty good too.

+1 to the 1330. Configure the top end config n njoi :D HDMI out is always good to have.

The Z series is close to 1L. Thats a big bump over your budget I guess :P
 
bah, sony and their fooked up India pricing :(

Guess that leaves you with the XPS1330 or the new MB

both seems to fit your need well too

though unless you need to have an app that is available for and runs only on windows, why not the MB?
 
What about the issues with the XPS M1330s 8400 GS solution?

The Viao mentioned above is for 75K and includes the new Penryn CPUs (P series). Is that worth the premium?
 
Vandal said:
What about the issues with the XPS M1330s 8400 GS solution?

The Viao mentioned above is for 75K and includes the new Penryn CPUs (P series). Is that worth the premium?

Nope, nothing that great in the P series. Some slightly lower performance consumption, but as per comparisons on the net, no earth shattering change calling for upgrades :P

Nvidia has recalled ALL affected SKUs from supply chains as per a source of mine here :) The cost of a replacement for any company is MUCH more than the cost of a voluntary recall from manufacturers stocks ;)

PS: You are a journalist, try hitting up your contacts in Nvidia :D
 
techie_007 said:
Nope, nothing that great in the P series. Some slightly lower performance consumption, but as per comparisons on the net, no earth shattering change calling for upgrades :P

Nvidia has recalled ALL affected SKUs from supply chains as per a source of mine here :) The cost of a replacement for any company is MUCH more than the cost of a voluntary recall from manufacturers stocks ;)

PS: You are a journalist, try hitting up your contacts in Nvidia :D

Thanks. I will. Another thing, I've reviewed the XPS M1330. The build doesn't look so great and the removable panels just suck. Sony's Vaio's look so much better. Also Dell charges some 10-12K for tax and stuff. What's up with that? Any notebook configured with them for 60K comes to 72K.
 
You could bargain with the Dell rep on the fone. 90% of the time, the 4%VAT gets removed.. plus you could probably get some other form of discount for being a journo or something :P
 
As for the tax part, go to any dell dealer nearby and ask him if you get a quote from a dell rep wil he place the order and give discount..

They wil most probably give a 4-5 percent disc, depending on the taxes he can save..:)
 
Vandal said:
Thanks. I will. Another thing, I've reviewed the XPS M1330. The build doesn't look so great and the removable panels just suck. Sony's Vaio's look so much better. Also Dell charges some 10-12K for tax and stuff. What's up with that? Any notebook configured with them for 60K comes to 72K.

Ignore the per-part prices when configuring dell :bleh:

The actual price is the one you get in the end AFTER tax.

HP/Sony will quote you the final price AFTER tax too :P Dell just shows a lower price during customization and the final price once everything is done ;)
 
i personally use the m1330 with an led screen. agreed that the built is not the best. however what you DO get is a good warranty and after sales service. one thing that i personally found very useful is that the warranty is onsite. we have 4 hp notebooks at home too but my relatives have to take them to okhla to get them fixed. also usually, hardware problems take no less than 4 days. this is something you might want to consider. make sure that whichever brand you go for has onsite warranty, unless it doesnt make that much of a difference to you.
 
+1 for Sony Vaio (Sony-VAIO VGN-SR13GN/B ) 73k INR
Z series costs more than 1.3 lakh INR(not exactly)

XPS 1330 with high end customizations, though a logical choice , not necessarily the best choice
 
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