Laptop buying advice

si1503

Well I recently found out that the motherboard on my current laptop has gone, and I need to find a replacement ASAP

The following models have caught my eye so far

Sony Vaio FS515H Laptop - £574.97

* Intel Pentium-M 740 Processor 1.73 GHz
* 512MB DDRII-533MHz SDRAM - Low cost double memory offer – call for details!
* 80 GB Hard Drive
* DVDRW- Dual Layer Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs, DVD+, DVD- and large Dual Layer DVD
* 15.4" WXGA Widescreen TFT Screen x-Black Technology
* Intel GMA 900 DVMT 3.0 128 MB shared graphics
* Integrated wireless 802.11b/g LAN - Call for advice on Wireless networking
* Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Pre Loaded
* 1 year warranty - upgradeable to 3 years



Sony Vaio FE28B Laptop - £829.97

# Processor:- Intel Core Duo T2300 - 1.66GHz (x2), 667MHz FSB, L2 Cache
# RAM:- 1024MB DDR2-533MHz - Low Cost Double Memory Offer - Call For Details!
# Hard Drive:- 100GB SATA 5400rpm
# Screen:- 15.4" Widescreen 16:10 (1280x800) with X-Black Technology
# Optical Drive:- DVD±RW Super Multi Double Layer
# Graphics:- NVidia GeForce Go7400 supporting 256MB TurboCache
# Wireless LAN:- 802.11a/b/g - Call for advice on Wireless Networking
# Battery Life (Depending on Use):- up to 3.5 hours
# Weight:- 2.8kg with Battery and Optical Drive
# Warranty:- 1 Year - Upgradeable to 3 Years!
# Operating System:- Windows XP Media Center Edition



Satellite Pro A100 - £662.97

# Intel Centrino Core Duo T2300 1.66GHz Processor
# 512MB DDR SDRAM - Low cost double memory offer – call for details!
# 60GB Hard Drive
# DVD SuperMulti Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs and DVDs
# 15.4" XGA Widescreen TruBrite TFT Screen
# ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 128+128MB HyperMemory
# Wireless Networking 802.11 b/g
# Integrated Bluetooth
# Integrated LAN and 56k v.90 data fax modem
# Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition Pre Loaded
# 1 year warranty - upgradeable to 3 years for only £99!



Toshiba Satellite Pro L100 - £599.97

# Intel Centrino Core Duo T2300 Processor 1.66 GHz
# 512MB DDRII-533MHz SDRAM - Low cost double memory offer – call for details!
# 40GB Hard Drive
# DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs
# 15" XGA TFT Screen
# Intel 945GM up to 128MB integrated graphics
# Integrated wireless 802.11a/b/g LAN - Call for advice on Wireless networking
# Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition Pre Loaded
# Microsoft Windows Vista Capable
# FREE Microsoft Office OneNote 2003
# 1 year warranty - upgradeable to 3 years



Toshiba Satellite Pro P100 - £779.96

* Intel Centrino Core Duo T2300 Processor - 1.66GHz
* 512MB DDRII-533MHz - Low cost double memory offer – call for details!
* 60GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
* DVD Super Multi Dual Layer Drive - To read DVDs and CDs and write CDs, DVD+, DVD-, DVD-RAM and large Dual Layer DVD
* 17" TruBrite Widescreen TFT Screen - 1440 x 900
* NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 128MB dedicated graphics
* Integrated wireless 802.11a/b/g LAN - Call for advice on Wireless networking
* Integrated Bluetooth
* Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Pre Loaded
* 1 year warranty - upgradeable to 3 years


info and prices taken from https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk

Does anyone have any of the following models/brands and can share any experiences with them? Any of the above models stand out more so than the rest. FYI I'm a uni student and need it mainly for word processing, spreadsheet work and the internet, but multimedia features are also reasonably important. Thanks.

abdulinyourface

ive got the latest sony vaio laptop but thats because i like my vaios and thats not necessarily the best reason to buy a laptop just a preferance of mine.

id say if its just for the usual necessaties in buying a laptop i.e. word processing, spreadsheet etc then go for something cheaper cuz that will save u money and it will still do the job.

centrino laptops are still good and id recommend the first one as its the cheapest, sony vaio is a good brand and it does the job for what you want and will still work well in the next couple of years no problem. if u want more flair then go for one of the other options but if its just for work the first one will do the job no problem.

or you could have got in touch with me last saturday...i sold my old laptop which had a similar spec to the first one for £400 on sunday. lol

need any more help give us a shout.

enjoy

si1503

well narrowed down my selection to the following 2 models

Sony
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Sony_Vaio_15.4/version-1.asp

Toshiba
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/Toshiba_Satellite_Pro_P100_PSPA4E-001001EN/version.asp


both have great screens and ample specs for word processing, spreadsheets and general internet usage, the toshiba has a slightly better spec, having the dual core processor and ge force graphics, it also has a beautiful 17inch widescreen, the sony having the slick 14 inch, both have pros and cons over the other (sony is cheaper! more versatile, longer battery life, very slick design, the toshiba has the impressive widescreen, unique orange cover, better spec for movies and gaming) i'm really stuck on which to choose! :undecided

si1503

went with the vaio in the end, purely for the difference in price

abdulinyourface

Hi

Sorry for the delay in replying.

I think you have made a good choice, because unless you wanted the extra bells and whistles the sony vaio laptop will do the job no problem. Like I said I had a similar spec laptop to the Sony laptop you have mentioned and if I had not done an impulse buy and got my new laptop, I would still be using my old one with no problems to mention. The screen is really bright and its widescreen so you have no problems there or with enough power through the processor to do your work and then some!

The toshiba laptop did have a nice spec but ultimately you know the reason why you bought the sony vaio......you saved £200!!

Which means more money on booze and partying!

Enjoy

si1503

haha, you got it!