Notebook brands

[Demon Cleaner]

I'm thinking about getting a new notebook, don't know why yet, but I have the feeling I must buy one :) Which brands are still good, or top quality? Is Samsung good?

I also thought about the ASUS 1000HE netbook with almost 10 hours of battery life, but then again, the 10" is nice, but is it really not annoying when you use it 80% of the time for internet, and the screen is so small?

Does anyone know a good model? What I want is a 15" screen capable of a resolution higher then 1280x... preferrably 1440x900, so I won't need a 17". And I also want that the battery lasts at least 3 hours, otherwise I can also keep my old one and only put more RAM.

What do you think?

[Tiago]

I feel the same ...:) don't know why, but i also need one....

in my case 90% of the time will be for internet.
I only need:
-internet/mail
-basic excel
-ftp software
-basic image editor

i think almost all notebooks do it...
about the screen... isn't 15" consider laptop instead of notebook? isn't notebook maximum 10"/11" ?

[Harrison]

Long battery life is something only the small netbook and notebook models can offer. Larger screen laptops tend to also have faster processors and more powerful graphics cards, and so drain the batteries.

Will you want it to run games? Or just internet and the odd emulator? I can do you a little list of current models to look at later.

[Demon Cleaner]

Basically only internet, and perhaps some emulators. It won't be used for gaming at all I think. But then it also has to be less than 1.000€, I don't want to spend too much money for a laptop only used for interneting.

I would get a netbook, if it only was for internet, but you know, if after 1 year I want to use it for another purpose, I'm kinda stuck. So preferrably I want to buy just a new laptop, but of course not too expensive, as I don't need it. The only one who uses my older laptop atm is my girlfriend, and that's only for internet. Mainly I'm buying it for her.

Specs should be:

- dual core
- 4GB RAM (or between 2-4)
- HDD min 200GB
- decent GPU, not onboard
- resolution 1440x900 (or more)
- screen 15" 16:10 (wanted a 17", but I still have a very nice 15" laptop bag which hasn't been used once :), and if the display is at least 1440x900, I don't have to scroll too much)
- HDMI
- DVD Burner, no BluRay player
- not more than 3.5kg
- battery life more than 3 hours

[Submeg]

Hey guys long time no see! And it is related to laptops so I thought this a fitting thread to return on!

Whatever you do, DO NOT buy an ACER. They have the worst customer service, they treat you like shit and don't tell you anything about what's going on if your laptop needs to be repaired. My sis had one, and 6 MONTHS AGO it died. Now, my dad and I were pretty sure it was either the HD crashed or the unit overheated and fried the motherboard, we both weren't there when it happen. However, we sent it off SIX MONTHS AGO and FINALLY they have said "oh it was the battery", which personally, I think is a load of B*llsh1t. So "supposedly" she will be getting it back next week, which is why I haven't been here, she has been using my other laptop which has classicamiga as it's homepage. I've been using my other laptop, which I wanted to use soley for music for doing stuff on the net. :( Not happy!

[Stephen Coates]

I think if I were to get a new laptop, I would be tempted by something from IBM/Lenovo.

But I have no plans of getting a new one so I'm not really sure who is best. It does seem that far too many laptops have blue LEDs though.

[Submeg]

Oh I recommend HP. HP have been really good, the laptop is good and the customer support is excellent.

[Harrison]

I would avoid HP/Compaq because while their build quality it pretty good, their screens have never been that great and the battery life has never been that good either. But the biggest problem is that all HP/Compaq laptops anyone I've known has owned have all developed the same identical fault. The PSU blocks failing and the power connector at the back of the machine burning and melting and requiring a new motherboard!

As for Acer. I really like Acer laptops, but they never have good battery life, so maybe those should be ruled out if you really do need a long battery life.

From the main makes I would recommend Asus. At the moment they are creating some nice systems and it is worth looking at their range. And while expensive Sony do still make some of the nicest designed and built systems with some very nice screens.

I will look up some actual models for you on Monday and post you a list to look at.

[woody.cool]

Oh I recommend HP. HP have been really good, the laptop is good and the customer support is excellent.
I swear by HP .... never had a bad product from them.


I would avoid HP/Compaq because while their build quality it pretty good, their screens have never been that great and the battery life has never been that good either. But the biggest problem is that all HP/Compaq laptops anyone I've known has owned have all developed the same identical fault. The PSU blocks failing and the power connector at the back of the machine burning and melting and requiring a new motherboard!
I've never had that problem with my HP & Cmmpaq laptops!
The only thing I don't like about HP and Compaq machines, is all the crap they pre-load on the machine.
I spent an hour removing everything when I got mine new (about a year and a half ago)

[Submeg]

Oh I recommend HP. HP have been really good, the laptop is good and the customer support is excellent.
I swear by HP .... never had a bad product from them.


I would avoid HP/Compaq because while their build quality it pretty good, their screens have never been that great and the battery life has never been that good either. But the biggest problem is that all HP/Compaq laptops anyone I've known has owned have all developed the same identical fault. The PSU blocks failing and the power connector at the back of the machine burning and melting and requiring a new motherboard!
I've never had that problem with my HP & Cmmpaq laptops!
The only thing I don't like about HP and Compaq machines, is all the crap they pre-load on the machine.
I spent an hour removing everything when I got mine new (about a year and a half ago)

Yep HP rock.

ASUS....hmmm. Well just have to say, I HATE THE KEYBOARD. It's too fiddly, sometimes it doesn't register you have pressed a key and you miss them often. Apart from that, they are ok

[Demon Cleaner]

Ok, I bought one just now, and I went against you all, I bought an ACER ;)

I bought the ACER Aspire 7735Z:

Specifications:

Processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core T4200
Processor clock speed: 2000 MHz
Processor front side bus: 800 MHz
Chipset: Mobile Intel GL40 Express
L2 cache: 1 MB

Hard disk interface: SATA
Hard disk rotational speed: 5400 rpm
Total storage capacity: 500 GB

Display diagonal: 17.3 "
Display response rise/fall: 8 ms
Display resolution: 1600 x 900 pixels
Number of colours: 16.7 M
Display brightness: 220 cd/m²
Aspect ratio: 16:9

Internal memory: 4096 MB
Memory slots: 2 SODIMM
Internal memory type: DDR3 SDRAM
Memory layout: 2 x 2048 MB
Maximum internal memory: 4 GB

Compatible memory cards: SD, MMC, MS, MS PRO, xD
Card reader integrated: Yes

Graphic adapter: ATI Mobility Radeon™HD 4570
Dedicated video memory: 512 MB

Optical drive type: DVD±RW DL

Built-in microphone: Yes
Audio system: High-definition audio
Number of built-in speakers: 2

It comes with Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1 though.

PRICE: 699€ (590£)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/cioprgr/classicamiga/aspire7735z.jpg

[Harrison]

Looks like a good spec to me. I don't know much about the T4200 processor, but some have been saying it is good for the money. Intel chipsets are also meant to be good. Also a fairly decent graphics card too that should be able to run most current games OK.

I do actually like Acer, just their battery life isn't brilliant, and I doubt with the hardware spec of this one it will be more than 2 hours.

[Demon Cleaner]

Question: Does a 32-bit based OS support the 4GB of RAM, or do I need a 64-bit system for full support?

[Harrison]

No, with a 32-bit OS it has a maximum of 4GB address space and this has to be shared with all parts of the system, so the graphics card will need some of that space, as well the L2 cache of the processor itself. Therefore if you run a 32bit OS you will see about 3-3.5GB of Ram.

You will need to install a 64bit OS to use all of the 4GB of ram. That was the main reason I installed Vista 64bit on my new system. And before you worry, I haven't yet found any recent software that doesn't work on the 64bit version. It will works perfectly, and some software has 64bit versions too so they are faster and can access all of the system ram too.

[Demon Cleaner]

Do you use a pirated 64-bit Vista? If so, how do you update it?

[demusse]

if you decide to go for the cheap solution...look for PLIEK versions of XP or Vista and you get a nice setup without worries about update-probs!

Ron

[Harrison]

No, I own a copy of Vista Ultimate 64bit as I always tend to purchase legal copies of the main OS I'm using.

But most pirate copies of XP and Vista do work OK and can be upgraded, except for specific things that M$ lock out unless you have a genuine copy validation. Things like new versions of Mediaplayer and IE can't normally be downloaded and installed for example.

One cool thing with many of the "pirated" versions of Windows is that they are customised. There was a great XP Pro distro I used to have installed on one of my systems that included a ton of third party software out of the box.

[Demon Cleaner]

I know the PLIEK releases, but for now I will use the OS that came with the laptop.

[Harrison]

You can also upgrade any version of Vista to a different version, so that might be worth looking into to see if that would be a cheaper option than buying a full version.

[Demon Cleaner]

Yes, but this isn't a full version of Vista, only the one that comes preinstalled on your laptop. I don't have a copy of the OS, only a recovery disc, don't know if I can upgrade from that?

[Harrison]

You should be able to. It is still a full version, just preinstalled at the factory. You should still have a product key for it.

[Demon Cleaner]

Yep, there's a product key underneath the laptop. What are the prices of upgrade packs? The best would be to get one in the UK, because I need an english version, and also it's still cheaper because of the low £.

[Harrison]

To upgrade an existing copy of Vista to a different version you have to use the Windows Anytime Upgrade feature built into the OS.

Details of the upgrades are available here (http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/windowsanytimeupgrade/overview.mspx). And according to that page it costs £112.03

There is also an FAQ page here (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/37070041-1b90-4433-be0c-ab2855841b981033.mspx). And a 32bit to 64bit FAQ here (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx).

However, if you own a 32bit copy of Vista you are entitled to a 64bit copy of the same version of Vista. Only Ultimate comes with both versions in the box though so you have to order the 64bit version of Premium if you wanted to stick with that one. Go to this link (https://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx)and it gives details on how to order a 64bit DVD using the product key you already have for Vista.

[Demon Cleaner]

Thanks for the links, only question is, do I really need to upgrade Premium to Ultimate? What do I get more? It's still 112£.

[Harrison]

I've added a bit more info to my last post. Have a look at the last link which takes you to a page to get a free copy of the 64 bit version of Vista Premium. You just have to pay for the shipping costs.

It isn't really worth upgrading from Premium to Ultimate for general use and gaming. Ultimate combines the features of Premium and Business editions, so if you don't need the business parts it won't be any different to the one you already have. All you really get extra is remote desktop, system backup, bitlocker drive encryption and a couple of other things. If you needed to use VPN then Ultimate is also recommended.

[Demon Cleaner]

Hm, I will use VPN, but I have original software for that. But thanks for the other link, I'll do that, if it's only the shipping costs.

[Demon Cleaner]

However, if you own a 32bit copy of Vista you are entitled to a 64bit copy of the same version of Vista. Only Ultimate comes with both versions in the box though so you have to order the 64bit version of Premium if you wanted to stick with that one. Go to this link (https://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx)and it gives details on how to order a 64bit DVD using the product key you already have for Vista.If I try with my serial I get following message:


We're sorry, the following error(s) have occurred:
No Offer Found

[Harrison]

I've not seen that message myself. However I just did a quick google search and found others saying they are having the same message after entering their product key. And some of the replies are saying it is because the product key is already in use by the existing installation of the 32bit version.

This reply in a forum post might explain why:


Well I called Microsoft this morning and spoke to a very helpful lady on the
alternate media customer support line and she has explained that there are
some problems with the online system at the moment and they are not sure when
it will be fixed. She was able to take my product key and do a manually
replacement media order for me though, so I am very happy!

Maybe you should try the same?

[Demon Cleaner]

Maybe you should try the same?I just read this:


The ability to get the 64bit version of Vista, by mail, is for the purchasers of a Retail copy of Vista, only.

The reason that page exists is because the Retail copy of Vista only comes with the 32bit version, but buying a Retail copy of Vista licenses you to use either 32 or 64 bit versions.

OEM copys of Vista (the ones that come with a computer, pre-installed) are only licensed to use the version of Vista that came with the computer.

[Harrison]

That is annoying. However, I have read in a few places that a Vista product key will activate both 32bit and 64bit versions of the same version of Vista regardless of if it is a key from a retail or OEM copy. Therefore you could try downloading a 64bit copy of Vista Premium from a torrent or newsgroup and then activating it with your existing key.

I'm sure that should work.

[Demon Cleaner]

Could probably work, but is there a possibility to install over the already existing OS? I don't want to do it again from scratch, it's fully set up now and it took me long time.

[Harrison]

Sadly not. You can upgrade an existing version of Vista to another (Premium to Ultimate for example), but you cannot upgrade a version from 32bit to 64bit because the codebase and actual OS structure is quite different.

When you actually use a 64bit version of Vista you instantly notice things are a little different. The Program Files directory is split into 2 (one for 32bit and one for 64bit applications) and the same is true of the registry which is split into extra branches to cater for both code bases. And other things like the Control Panel have native 64bit versions installed.