I'd like an Astrolaptop. What would you include? - Page 2

Ric · #21 21-02-2007, 11:39 PM

Hi all, I have been thinking about a laptop as well for sometime now but wasn't sure about what to get or where to start.
This discussion has been great in giving me a starting point to work off.

Thanks all

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #22 23-02-2007, 11:08 PM

[QUOTE='[1ponders];195801']
I'd like a good wide screen as I will probably do a fair bit of processing on it as well. QUOTE]

Tell the truth Paul, you want a big screen to accomodate all your icons.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #23 23-02-2007, 11:21 PM

That's what I have a 42" plasma for Jeanette

h0ughy (David) · #24 25-02-2007, 01:41 PM

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/au/en...-78180561.html just get this sucker Paul, should be ok just to use as is

[1ponders] (Paul) · #25 25-02-2007, 01:45 PM

I wish h0ughy. Gotta spare 3 grand you can give me

h0ughy (David) · #26 25-02-2007, 01:47 PM

http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod...24534~0~110090 try this one Paul!!!!

h0ughy (David) · #27 25-02-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

I wish h0ughy. Gotta spare 3 grand you can give me

I was goingto ask you for the loan

RB (Andrew) · #28 25-02-2007, 02:00 PM

How much are you looking at spending Paul ?

snowyskiesau · #29 25-02-2007, 02:18 PM

There are always few vendor auctions for laptops at http://www.graysonline.com.au.
Some are reconditioned with a limited manufacturers warranty.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #30 25-02-2007, 04:44 PM

Don't ask that question Andrew

Not as much as I'd like to spend.

Alright lets try it this way.

If you had $1500 to spend what would you get?

davidpretorius · #31 25-02-2007, 05:58 PM

$1600 from dell no fire wire though, this is their base system with a few upgrades

http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif
Date 25/02/2007 05:55 PM Catalog Number 530973 Base System [UW529] AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile technology TL-50 [+AUD 89.10]
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [ BRM-040 ] 1.6GHz, 256KB+256KB L2 Cache Operating System [FOS-I501] Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Home Premium - with AERO experience [+AUD 89.10]
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif [ DMN-065 ] Added performance for entertainment and movie making. Features the new 3D Aero [ DMN-066 ] graphics interface. Includes Windows Media Centre functionality, [ DMN-067 ] Movie Maker, advanced photo features and DVD authoring. 2GB+ RAM recommended. [ NP858 ] Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Home Premium 32 bit (English) [ RY174 ] System Driver DVD Kit [ DJ631 ] Microsoft(R) Windows(R) Software Driver Dell Warranty & Support Services [WXTX111-IA] 1Yr Limited with Next Business Day Onsite Service http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [ TEXT-026 ] 1Yr Onsite Warranty with Standard Phone Support(Mon-Fri 0800-2000,Sat 1000-1600) Limited Time Offer 1 (For Online Orders Only) [DT-O-HDD-679] Free upgrade from 60GB to 80GB hard drive
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif Display [DJ632] 15.4" Wide Screen XGA TFT Display (1280x800 res.)
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 Memory [DC063] 2048MB (2 X 1024MB) 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM [+AUD 418.00]
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 Audio Solution [BSC-012] Integrated Stereo Sound
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 SATA Hard Drives [MY074] 120GB SATA Hard Drive [+AUD 69.30]
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 Internal Optical Drive [UY651] Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities [+AUD 49.50]
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [ XM387 ] Roxio Creator 9.0 Primary Battery [GR929] 4-cell 29Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 Wireless Network Solution [UY159] Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g 54Mbps Wireless Mini Card
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 Wireless Networking [BWIR-501] No Wireless Router chosen
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif Software [PN175] Microsoft(R) Works 8.5 - OEM version
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [ BSW-D041 ] Word Processor/Spreadsheet/Database/Calendar/Powerpoint viewer/Email Tools Security Software [FW598] McAfee(R) Security Center(TM) - 15 Months OEM
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [ DMN-055 ] Installation media not included Carry Case [BCC-002] No Case
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif [ X0087 ] Shipment Box with No Case Floppy Drive [BFD-008] No Floppy Drive
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif Item included in the System [BRM-005] 1 ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PCMCIA CARDS) [+AUD 391.60] http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif [ UW179 ] Base Assembly [ MY810 ] Shipping Mod with Powercord [ 0P216 ] Mod Specs Info (Australia) [ GM081 ] Dell Support [ JK133 ] Google Software [ UW899 ] Regulatory Label [ BCOL-010 ] Artic Silver with Alpine White accents on a black base [ JP927 ] Dell Welcome Note [ UN078 ] Vista(TM) HTML Guide [BVC-033] ATI Radeon ® Xpress 1150 256MB HyperMemory(TM)
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [TX110] Internal Dell(TM) 87 Keys Keyboard (English) [+AUD 17.60]
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [BNC-010] Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [XM544] Dell(TM) PC-Restore http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [ DMN-025 ] PC Restore will occupy some HDD capacity. [ DMN-026 ] The capacity varies with preloaded material and operating environment. [DN199] Internal 56K Modem
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 [ NF274 ] RJ-11 Modem cable (Aust) [CF809] 65W AC Adapter [+AUD 23.10]
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif 1 http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/images/dot.gif

[1ponders] (Paul) · #32 25-02-2007, 06:01 PM

Bugger that 'eh Dave. A new laptop for me is a must have firewire. I'm not having much joy using the PCMCIA cardbus and Belkin hub atm.

davidpretorius · #33 25-02-2007, 06:13 PM

yes, i am looking at dells latitude range, it is the the next range up from inspirion base range, but it will be more than $1500.

good thing about the dell.com.au website is that you can configure any computer, print it out and then go shopping and getting quotes from other shops!

davidpretorius · #34 25-02-2007, 06:20 PM

hmmmmmm me cant find any firewire option in any dell configuration???

RB (Andrew) · #35 26-02-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Don't ask that question Andrew

Not as much as I'd like to spend.

Alright lets try it this way.

If you had $1500 to spend what would you get?

OK so far the closest I could find in that price range is around $1831 from
Citysoftware for an Asus F3JP.

Intel Core Duo T5500 1.66Ghz
1 GB DDR2 ram
ATI 512Mb video card
80GB SATA 5400 rpm H.D
4x 2.0 USB
Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
Modem socket,Gigabit, WLAN, Bluetooth
15.4" WXGA
Built in web cam
Touchpad
8 in 1 card reader
On the Asus website it states it has a Firewire port but check with Citysoftware if it does come as standard.
Windows XP (So at least you know all your devices eg DMK still work under XP, not sure if they work with Vista yet.)

Best to contact them and find out the full specs because their web site has little info on this model.

I'd say you may be able to find it a bit cheaper elsewhere though.

RB (Andrew) · #36 26-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Here's a link to one supplier who has all the specs and is a little cheaper.

And a link to a price comparison page.

monoxide · #37 26-02-2007, 02:27 PM

a tip with laptops, stick to ebay and look at the 'new' laptops on there from ebay shops,
i have scored a few cheap laptops that are brand new still sealed in the box with full manufacturer warranty in one case even less than half the rrp.
best advice i can give you when choosing a laptop is to buy the highest spec laptop you can afford, that way it will last you.
i wouldnt take much notice of the battery life on the spec sheets as if you really cared about it you would already know that you should be pricing a bigger battery rather than counting on the standard one.
the main brands of laptop that id be looking at are HP and DELL, ive never had any problems with these 2 brands. if you do get a dell laptop from ebay make sure its not being sold because the owner is too lazy to send the battery back from the recall a while ago (exploding laptops)
the laptop i am using is now discontinued but it is classed as a desktop replacement (HP Pavillion dv5200) and i got it for just over $1k, its a powerhouse and will last for years.
also avoid onboard graphics, they are just plain crap.

Intel Core Duo T2250 Processor 1.73GHz
1Gb DDR II 667 RAM
100GB Hard Drive
8x Dual Layer DVD Burner
15.4" BrightView Wide Screen.
Microsoft® Windows® Professional Edition
nVidia Geforce7400 Graphics Dedicated 256MB Turbo Cache RAM
802.11b/g Wireless + 10/100 Lan
Built-in Bluetooth & Wireless LAN

[1ponders] (Paul) · #38 26-02-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

hmmmmmm me cant find any firewire option in any dell configuration???

I think you will only fird it in business computers.

Nice find Andrew, looks pretty good.

I hadn't really looked at ebay TJ, sounds like it might be a good idea.

monoxide · #39 26-02-2007, 05:15 PM

unless it says 'brand new' on ebay, you will more than likely need a new battery for it as most times they wont tell you the condition of the battery and exclude the battery from any warranty/doa.
to put it plainly unless its brand new from ebay dont touch it.