Laptops - brand, price

iceman (Mike) · #1 19-08-2010, 10:02 AM

Hi guys

I'm after some advice on laptops.

I've currently got a Macbook, running both Mac OSX and Windows. I used it in Windows mode for years, and only in the last month or so switched to OSX.
I like OSX in some respects, but it annoys me in others.

I'll have to give this Macbook back now that I've been made redundant, and although I'll probably get another laptop at a new job, I'm thinking I need to get myself a laptop (a better one than the very old Dell I've got at home from a few years ago).

I'll probably run Windows, rather than Mac OSX.

Looking in the JB Hi-Fi and Dick Smith pamphlets, there's sooo much choice. I just don't know what's good these days.

Compaq Presarios? HP Pavillions? Asus? Dell?

I don't want/need to buy the best of the best - something around $1500 is probably my budget. No doubt I'll use it for some astro stuff and image processing (photoshop, lightroom etc). Maybe the odd online game (call of duty modern warfare 2).

What are the good brands? What are the best deals?

I don't want/need a small netbook. I want something 13 or 15". I ideally want Windows 7 on it, and will need Office too.

Thanks for your help.

multiweb (Marc) · #2 19-08-2010, 10:04 AM

Try this. I have been for a number of years. Toshiba first then IBM.

mbo (Pat and Kirk) · #3 19-08-2010, 01:06 PM

I have a computer business so I'll give you my standard spiel .
Choose a reputable brand (Lenovo/IBM, Toshiba, HP/Compaq, Dell) as they have better warranty support, driver updates ,spare parts availability and software compatibility.
Decide where your priorities are regarding durability, battery life, graphics performance and portability, these are, to me, the main differentiating factors in laptops.
As soon as you bring game playing into the equation you will probably have to sacrifice battery life and portability for fast graphics / large display. Laptops that can fluidly play newer games fall into the "Desktop replacement" category.
Don't underestimate the durability factor, especially if you intend to use it at a scope. As laptops have gotten cheaper it's their ruggedness that seems to have suffered most. I see a lot that easily crack screens, break hinges and twist so much that the fans rub on the casing :-(
I like the Lenovo Thinkpad L series. I just ran through the website and optioned one up with 2.4 Ghz i3 proc, win 7 Pro, discreet AMD graphics, 4 gig RAM, 320G hard drive and nine cell battery (over 7 hours) . It came out at $1289.00. Add 475.00 for MS Office Pro (find cheaper alternatives ...)
It's pretty tough, performs well, not too heavy and bulky, and seems to play COD alright .
Toshibas would be my second choice (but that's really just a Holden vs Ford sort of argument)
Another tip, pick a shortlist and then read plenty of reviews.

gbeal · #4 19-08-2010, 05:27 PM

Devil's advocate here. Why not OSX?
OK, if you are into Maxim, TheSky, AstroArt, then it is a dead duck, unless you also run Windoze.
But the biggest snag until now had been decent processing software. PixInSight is OXS as well, so if I was headed in that direction it would be a no-brainer.
You can guide with PHD, capture with nebulosity, and process with PixInSight.
Of course CS4 and LR2 are OSX as well.
OK, I am biased, severely.
Gary

bert (Brett) · #5 19-08-2010, 06:03 PM

Just my experience, I am by no means an expert.

I have a Toshiba Qosmio and I love it to bits. It's a desktop replacement designed for gaming and multimedia, having an 18 inch screen makes it one of the most unportable laptops around, but having the processing power and graphics capability means I do all my proocessing (LAN gaming occasionally) on it.

In the field though it is power hungry and being 64bit windows some astro stuff simply will not work. But a lot of the manufacturers are releasing 64 bit drivers for their gear.

With toshiba the very first thing that happens when you start up your new machine is you get to choose if you want 32 or 64 bit loaded on. A nice touch I thought.

Brett

Bassnut (Fred) · #6 19-08-2010, 07:05 PM

Geez, you casually mention Astro processing, would be better to seperate that out and use yr desktop for that?. Im useing CS5 on a win7 I7 quad core 8gig RAM PC and it is finally a pleasurable experience. If you exclude astro (specially with DSLR pics), it becomes a much easier/cheaper choice IMO.

Astrobserver99 (Rob) · #7 19-08-2010, 08:17 PM

The Toshiba's are one of the most reliable and best value laptops around. The i3 or i5 processors are fine for astro. I would also go for a 350GB minimum HDD. 1GB dedicated graphics would be nice but shared graphics will work OK.

acropolite (Phil) · #8 19-08-2010, 10:25 PM

Another vote for Toshiba Mike, having had Compaqs and HP's at work, our old model Toshiba's outlasted them all.

We have 3 Toshiba laptops currently running around 3 years old, not a single problem in that time.

mbo (Pat and Kirk) · #9 21-08-2010, 12:30 PM

Just curious, do all you Toshiba guys drive Fords?

multiweb (Marc) · #10 21-08-2010, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbo

Just curious, do all you Toshiba guys drive Fords?

Hyundai

bert (Brett) · #11 21-08-2010, 01:42 PM

Honda

(And a falcon v8 ute.....)

Hagar (Doug) · #12 23-08-2010, 07:22 PM

Holden
Toyota
Wife Mad

taxman (Matt) · #13 23-08-2010, 07:38 PM

I am a bit superstitious.

I had an eeePC Surf that was outside during the Gap storm a few years ago. I found it face down, open as wide as it could go in a slurry of mud, leaf fragments and water. After rinsing it out and then leaving it on the drainage board for a week or so, I powered it back up with the expectation it would be cactus.

It worked fine - so now I have Asus everything without any problems at all...

astro744 · #14 23-08-2010, 08:17 PM

Another vote for Toshiba but note the quality varies even from the same manufacturer. Toshiba make some titanium models which are heavy but solid compared to many plastic models on the market. Satellite Pro or especially Qosmio are very nice but expensive.

multiweb (Marc) · #15 25-08-2010, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagar

Holden
Toyota
Wife Mad

Elga?

iceman (Mike) · #16 25-08-2010, 12:51 PM

I ended up getting a Toshiba Satellite. I like it, Windows 7 on it. 500GB hard drive, quad core, 4gb ram, 15.6" display.

It's not a Macbook Pro - it just doesn't have the same nice feel and I don't think I'll ever find a touchpad I like as much as the Macbook Pro's.

But it's good for what I need. I just landed a new job and will get a company laptop now too.. hmm maybe I should've waited

or not

multiweb (Marc) · #17 25-08-2010, 12:58 PM

Good for you. I had a satellite for 4 yrs. Top stuff.

Bassnut (Fred) · #18 25-08-2010, 01:01 PM

Yes, mine is a Satellite too, good buy. And another job already?, well done

Kal (Andrew) · #19 25-08-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I ended up getting a Toshiba Satellite.

A good astronomy related product name as well

Congrats on the new job!

AlexN · #20 01-09-2010, 07:22 AM

Dell/Alienware M11x if you intend to do some gaming on it... I've got an M15x and its the fastest computer I've ever used... Not to mention its a laptop... I've used some pretty powerful desktops in my time but this thing takes the cake.

The M11x starts at around $1250 from memory... The price goes up if you customize it alot..