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

NoName01 said:
Why dont you look for something in HP ? I've always found the best config for a price in HP laptops....I am gonna buy the HP Pavillion DV3500t....try if you get something like this

HP - Pavilion Laptop with Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology - Bronze/Chrome - dv3510nr

Comment on this guys !
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He wants 13" or below, so choice is limited. At the start of the thread, I DID post the HP models available. Problem is, he wants a high end proccy (NO T5xxx ones) and the HP ones available have only T5xxx proccys, since we cant customize configs in India.
 
techie_007 said:
He wants 13" or below, so choice is limited. At the start of the thread, I DID post the HP models available. Problem is, he wants a high end proccy (NO T5xxx ones) and the HP ones available have only T5xxx proccys, since we cant customize configs in India.
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Exactly. I want the extra CPU grunt, even if its not always going to be used. Looking at the 13.3 Vaio for now. Are their specific EMI options available for notebooks BTW?
 
Why don't you give the Macbook a second look? It has better graphics than all of the notebooks your currently looking at (9400M), has class-leading build and gives you the option to explore OSX which is a truly remarkable OS yet retaining the features and functionality of Windows.
 
Vandal said:
Exactly. I want the extra CPU grunt, even if its not always going to be used. Looking at the 13.3 Vaio for now. Are their specific EMI options available for notebooks BTW?
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This is more of a dealer to dealer thing. Some might offer. You wil need to go and check. Be warned though, on EMI, ur bargaining leeway is extremely limited.
 
Anish said:
Why don't you give the Macbook a second look? It has better graphics than all of the notebooks your currently looking at (9400M), has class-leading build and gives you the option to explore OSX which is a truly remarkable OS yet retaining the features and functionality of Windows.
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Need to be a Mac fan to appreciate a Macbook. Two reasons - availability and price of service and spares, else I was looking at the 13.3 Macbook myself. The one with the 2 GHz wolfdale and 9400M with 160 GB HDD. At 1300 $ it is sweet.

Comparing warranty and service between Sony and Apple, any comments?
 
^ Apple is miles ahead of any competitor as far as warranty is concerned. The icing on the cake being the 3 year Apple Protection Plan for around $250 which offers comprehensive hardware support and full telephone support for 3 years from the date of purchase.

Which basically means ZERO headaches for 3 years!
 
Anish said:
^ Apple is miles ahead of any competitor as far as warranty is concerned. The icing on the cake being the 3 year Apple Protection Plan for around $250 which offers comprehensive hardware support and full telephone support for 3 years from the date of purchase.

Which basically means ZERO headaches for 3 years!
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Now you're getting me excited...This warranty is available in India too? BTW - what about the Windows Start key and such? How do I move around such missing shortcuts and all if I want to install windows?

And if I install MS W, would I lose warranty?
 
Vandal said:
Now you're getting me excited...This warranty is available in India too? BTW - what about the Windows Start key and such? How do I move around such missing shortcuts and all if I want to install windows?

And if I install MS W, would I lose warranty?
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Well, i would just say that a MacBook is a far wiser choice than any of the notebooks you're considering.

1. Experience the most Advanced OS, one hour with the Macbook and you're guaranteed to fall in love with it.:D

2. This is like the biggest advantage you have with MacBook. You can run both Windows and Mac simultaneously(Parallels) as well as natively through Boot Camp, and shortcuts etc. everything works normally when you're using windows.

3. Apple's warranty policies are way better, no hassles whatsoever, and +1 for the Apple care protection plan. Installing MS Office on both Mac and windows is possible and your warranty will remain intact.

4. Unmatched build quality makes it just what you need in a notebook, you'll cherish it for years.

Just get a MacBook now:P
 
Vandy, the cmd key works as the windows key while running win

And no, installing windows does not void the warranty (bootcamp is an officially supported Apple app for a reason)

having said that, no point buying the MB for running windows
 
Clearing Points about the macbook:

1. Apple warranty is international :) So you can source from whereever its cheaper ;)

2. Windows key : Boot Camp: MacBook Pro built-in keyboard mapping in Windows The apple key? :)

3. You can officially install windows on it too. No issues :) Boot Camp/parallels or Vmware Fusion is supp to be quite good too :)

EDIT: Disagreeing with SCZ above, a dual boot might be a good idea :) With Vmware Fusion, you can have Xp windows in osx too :D

VMware Fusion Overview, Run Windows on Mac, Virtual PC on Mac - VMware

YouTube - VMwareFusionTV's Videos
 
^^agree, but VMware isn't free, so unless you need an app that doesn't have an os x equiv., you really don't need it..

Now for most home users ( barring the gaming crowd) os x ends up satisfying every need hence that statement :)

also, VMware/Parallels take a big hit on performance compare to native OS X apps

Image:Fusion_chart01.png


Image:Fusion_chart02.png


;

Source: Comparison of VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Need to be a Mac fan to appreciate a Macbook. Two reasons - availability and price of service and spares
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Vandy, thats circular logic

You don't become a OS X/Mac fan till you actually use OS X :P

Not sure if osx86 implemntations count becuase unless you built a machine from scratch completely tuned towards running osx86, driver related and other hassles ensure that you don't get to appreciate the biggest advantage of OS X, which is that it works hasslefree
 
OK screw VM ware. Suppose I just do a dual boot of Vista and OS-X. Wouldn't that work? Why use VM ware anyways?

Look both notebooks are 75K. Both look hot, and have great specs for what use I intend them for, these are the final queries...
 
Get the Vaio if you KNOW you'll be using Windows

Get the Macbook if you want to dabble with OS X

The Vaio or the XPS would be a better choice if it is Windows alone you intend to use
 
superczar said:
Get the Vaio if you KNOW you'll be using Windows

Get the Macbook if you want to dabble with OS X

The Vaio or the XPS would be a better choice if it is Windows alone you intend to use
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Warranties are important to me. How's Sony's warranty? Or is Dell better in that regard? I already know that Apple is excellent here...
 
superczar said:
Warranty?
Dell > Apple >> Sony

PS: In India specifically
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In other words you're saying XPS M1330? What about the XPS' add-on body panels? The piece I reviewed had these panels coming off - shoddy build, or was the piece just mishandled? Cause I'll save some cash on the XPS...
 
XPS has pretty neat build quality, not as good as apple but panel will not be lose in normal usage lol , but i guess if you are ready to pay for 75k go for macbook. pretty nice notebook but only problem , that its just launched so there can be some minor initial batch problems. also i don't know how apple handles warraty issues in India. can someone explain ? they have their own setup or some third party thing ??

Edit: well dell has awesome replacement warranty in India. they will replace most of the stuff no questions asked. and you can also opt for extended warranty
 
1. Apple looks like a good option to me if comparing to a similarly priced sony :) More exclusive and it can run Vista in dual boot just as well :D

2. Some profilic typists have an issue with the keyboard though: MacBook Keyboard problem (Quarter Life Crisis)

3. + build quality is good. In initial aluminum batches, some ppl have had issues with battery covers etc not fitting properly but apple has issued replacements :)
 
Vandy, Instead of getting more & more confused, why don't you go take a look at the machines by yourself

None of these machines will leave you shortchanged for performance (though am not sure if the GPU issues on the XPS are sorted out as yet or not)

, so the equation boils down to which one suits you better in terms of ergonomics, other features (beyond specs) and the unquantifiable feel good factor

Good thing is Dell is available in stores now, so is Apple (and Sony always has been) so just go to a store where they have em all on display, play arnd with each and take your pick
 
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