Which notebook brand to buy?

[mysticalangel]

Hi all,

I am looking at getting a new notebook (for personal use), but don't know which notebook is a good buy. My budget is below 5K & I need centrino technology & good customer service.

[Firefly]

Fujitsu's are not bad. NEC, Acer lousy support. Twinhead, are quite the same as the non branded. IBM, should be still ok until China Co fully takes over. (this will have to wait and see)

Dell, someone says high failure rate but excellent service. Compaq and HP, not too sure. Have not used them.

As for the centrino, I would say get a PC with a Mobile CPU but forget the built in WiFi. This thing change so fast, you may be stuck with an outdated techonology. Get a Pc card for it or a USB one. It's not really that expensive.

The Laptops using the mobile AMD is pretty impressive. Take a look at that before you decide. :D

my 1.5 cents :D

[mysticalangel]

What's a PC with a mobile CPU??? Hmmm...

[simon_tan]

Mobile CPU ? - It's either the Pentium M or AMD M cpus. Its meant for a notebook, with lower power requirements.

As for wireless - please get it whether it's build-in or you need to purchase an additional device. My preference - just get it build it your new notebook - it's less hassle.

As for brand, the leaders in the malaysian market are, Acer, HP, IBM and Dell. They are all credible players. However, at the end of the day - it's your relationship with the dealer that sold you the notebook that counts too.

I know that HP has notebooks ranging from RM3k onwards, so your budget is okay.

*side track* Notebook usage - I have mine always on standby - instead of shutting down - this allows me to have sub 5 sec startup - my question is this - why not many people does this - most perform a full shut down !!

[fRaNkY]

My preferences will be

1) Fujitsu - have a lifebook since 2002, never have problem.
2) Compaq/HP
3) IBM

Forget about
1) Dell - Have one in the office. Problematic.
2) Acer
3) Non branded.

Go for 3 years warranty 24 hrs 365 type.
Careful about the CPU, some cant run games or graphic programs.

[Firefly]

woops!!! my typo. should be Laptop not PC. Thanks simon for explaining to angel.
:D

[Dops]

:cool: I have used IBM, DELL, NEC, Acer...but the one i recommend to you is HP Compaq..Good for perfomance, and good customer care..So far no probs. As IT Admin on my company, i encourage boss to buy HP.Further, HP support team will respond within 24-48hours, so you no need to bring your PC / Laptops to anywhere, they will repair in front of you, or if they need more attention then they will take back and send back to you without any charges. NEC is sux..IBM is toooooo expensive. While Fujitsu or Acer, you need to send to 'em to repair..Think n decide... :)

[Sukhipanna]

My 2 cents worth of opinion here.
My preferences would be:

1) Compaq - very compatible with any gadgets - e.g. mobile hardisk, thumb drive,
good touch pad. I like its reliability!
2) IBM - got one recently for my bro-in-law at less than RM4k.
3) Toshiba - my friend got one which is very light, but on the high cost side. Beautiful finishing.

I bought a Sony VIAO and it sucks. The touchpad is cranky and always go uncontrollable. The systems had problem and cursor react uncontrollably. It doesnt' come with international warranty. One has to pay additional for the international warranty. Unlike Compaq or IBM, they come with international warranty at no additional cost.

The customer support for SONY product costs a bomb. As my unit is bought in HK, I was told that if my unit is checked and tested by Sony's technical dept, I gotta pay RM240 if fault is repaired. That's excluding spare parts cost. Usually Sony's spare parts cost a bomb!!!! I had very bad experience with its digital camera!

Sony VAIO finishing looks great but it doesn't last. The shiny top starts to fade quickly due to regular palm rest while typing on the keyboard. As a result, my VAIO looks older than an IBM laptop, which is plain in look, but in long run still look better than my VAIO, and more reliable too!!!! Sad that everytime my laptop behave erratically, I start to worry badly about how much Sony would charge for my next visit!!!! SO I learnt a good lesson, buying SONY's product is just like buying a BMW! High maintainance! As for BMW, probably it lives up to the quality perceived, but sadly, my SONY doesn't! It disappoints me again and again - both digital camera and laptop.

Next disappointment of my Sony laptop is the CD-ROM! It fails to work recently. It is not able to read copied CD e.g. files which are burnt by my friends! Another woe!!

So, my recommendation is to consider your priority in the following criteria that you would choose for your laptop.

- memory space, 40G
- RAM, 256Mb (a higher RAM eg 516Mb is preferable when using Windows XP
- Intel processor, with Centrino tech for wireless connection to Internet
- weight - if you travel regularly with your laptop, important to consider getting a lighter unit. The lesser the weight, the cost is usually higher. But if you travel regularly, you don't want to lug around a heavy laptop at duty free shops in KLIA, as you will never want to check-in your laptop together with your luggage!
- DVD ROM (to watch DVD while waiting for your flight?? :)
- CD Burner
- screen size - crucial to get a large screen laptop if you work on spreadsheet application e.g. Excel on a regular basis
- no. of USB ports (3 ports would be great! 2 are usually insufficient for your mouse, thumbdrive, mobile hardisk, webcam, digital camera) So the more ports, the better it is lor.
- how long does the battery last
- printer port (make sure it comes with one!) - Fyi, my Sony VAIO came with a separate adaptor that comes with printer port. That adaptor alone cost RM1,000!!!! So now I can't use my usual printer. Need to get a USB printer or get a printer cable that comes with a USB port!!!! Sony!!!!!! What a way to make more money! So beware of hidden cost when buying a Sony!
- LAN or Network card
- Build-in modem
- what are the bundled software?

[aroki]

dell - lots of problems when i was using it. IBM battery life is not that great..they have some new ones with longer battery life..guess they were fixing their weakness. Acer so far ok...local service is in USJ area...not the greatest machine but works so far without any issue..hope it was lighter..can meet your budget. HP will be good too...they have some new models that are great and looks solid..not flimsy anymore like older models.DVD burner will be better. New centrino chip will be better since the it has latest WiFi ..not sure of pricing or models that offer this new cpu.

good luck.

[Firefly]

Yo mysticalangel,

HP having promotion on this. have a look.

http://h50198.www5.hp.com/store/promotionOffers.asp?offerid=234

[shahid]

I Would Recomend You TO Go With The Toshiba Sattelite !
It Is A Very Good Laptop That I Ever Used !

[ceo684]

I Would Recomend You TO Go With The Toshiba Sattelite !
It Is A Very Good Laptop That I Ever Used !

I second that.
A40 satellite
Celeron 2.6g (non mobile), 12 cell batt, 3kg, 4hr batt life.
Can get quite cheap lah.. i think..

There's a A60 around same spec, 2.8 celeron, 3399 list price.
Also a very nice machine.

Toshibas dun have the creaky plastic feel. Very solid.

[ad1]

I dun suggest Dell as I have one and it is not that good. It is cheap but many stuff will go wrong in a year. As my cd-rw /dvd combo is gone and only 2 usb for a p4 3.02ghz processor...weird right? Price is cheap but u will get what u pay for.

I do suggest Acer coz my brother have one and it is pretty good in terms of overall specification and price.

Toshiba satelite is kinda big....i had feel one before too.
IBM have the best review...but is expensive but it last long.

[Alan Cheah]

I just bought Compaq Presario Wide Screen notebook recently...

very cool notebook... wireless one... :)

[joey70i]

I had the same problem when chosing a laptop as I really need a reliable one with good service as its difficult to repair it yourself if anything goes wrong unlike a desktop.
After scouring the various websites and reading various reviews also getting many advices from my IT friends, I manage to shortlist Acer, Toshiba and HP.
At the end of the day, I chose Toshiba (the M30 series) which I bought about 2 month ago and I know that its a bit expensive but I am rest assured of a good after sales back up. So far I really impressed and satisfied with the machine especially on its performance and its built quality.

Just my 2 cents.

[fRaNkY]

Last week we were scouting for 200 notebooks. 7 main brands were invited but 4 replied.

Rated: 1) IBM 2) HP 3) Dell 4)Acer.

HP was selected because the price is cheaper than IBM and Dell/Acer was reviewed not very well.

[HTH]

Also remember to bargain!! Get a free card reader or increase the RAM / HDD for free

I bought a HP Compaq PC and I managed to get a card reader and optical mouse FOC.

[mysticalangel]

Thanks for all the recommendations. Someone is gave me the notebook as a gift for my birthday and its being couriered to me. :)

[mysticalangel]

Hi

I have an extra notebook which I want to sell off since I am already getting one for my birthday. Its brand new. Never been used before. The price is negotiable. PM me for details.

[fRaNkY]

Make sure the one couriered is not in jig saw pieces :)

[HTH]

Anyone has any experience using FTec or BenQ notebooks? Is it recommended?

[Firefly]

Nope. But a Mustek Fergo. BIG MISTAKE. It was installed with a desktop processor and it runs very hot. Now, even the drivers cannot be found. Mustek do not list it on their site.

[HTH]

Mustek Fergo?? :confused: Never heard before..

[CS Chua]

Looks like I am late. Never mind. My top choices for a notebook are:

1. IBM (prices have crashed)
2. Mac
3. Fujitsu
4. Toshiba (used to be my first choice but lately they have....)

Go for Centrino. I love it.

[achee]

ACHEE BADLY NEED RECOMMENDATION ON WHICH BRAND TO BUY AND WHAT's THE BEST SPECS. For your info, I work a lot on AutoCAD, and my old COMPAQ just cannot take me any further. VERY URGENT decision. Need to order one by tomorrow.....

[ceo684]

I dun suggest Dell as I have one and it is not that good. It is cheap but many stuff will go wrong in a year. As my cd-rw /dvd combo is gone and only 2 usb for a p4 3.02ghz processor...weird right? Price is cheap but u will get what u pay for.

I do suggest Acer coz my brother have one and it is pretty good in terms of overall specification and price.

Toshiba satelite is kinda big....i had feel one before too.
IBM have the best review...but is expensive but it last long.

Tos' Satellites = Big cos of the cooling system etc. Nice full size keyboard.

[ceo684]

I had the same problem when chosing a laptop as I really need a reliable one with good service as its difficult to repair it yourself if anything goes wrong unlike a desktop.
After scouring the various websites and reading various reviews also getting many advices from my IT friends, I manage to shortlist Acer, Toshiba and HP.
At the end of the day, I chose Toshiba (the M30 series) which I bought about 2 month ago and I know that its a bit expensive but I am rest assured of a good after sales back up. So far I really impressed and satisfied with the machine especially on its performance and its built quality.

Just my 2 cents.

Good choice - but anyway Acer is OUT cos u can either pay expensively for RAM upgrade, OR u can choose to void warranty when upgrading RAM. Compaq, Hp and Toshiba no such prob

[CS Chua]

IBM has dropped their prices. For almost the same specs, it was cheaper than some other brands. That is why I bought IBM. I could not believe it without checking it out for myself when my friends encouraged me to buy it. Their after sales service is fantastic and it is a solidly built machine. Not to mention its good resale value.

[cherry]

Does IBM have online promotion? what's their website?

[YKeong]

With a budget of RM 5 (max) ? ... friend you have plenty of choices.

Try working backwards on what you really want in a notebook, and scout for all the notebook that falls into your list of criteria. Obviously, branded notebooks are way to go. However, one's man meat is another man's poison.

So make your peace with your criteria list, then make your pick. I guess the best notebook you can buy would be a notebook that you can truely use :).

My choices
1. HP
2. Dell
3. Toshiba (expensive)
4. Fujitsu (hella expensive)
5. Sony (!@#$ I cannot afford)

[Firefly]

Anyone have experience using the FTec notebooks? any complains? They are offering an impressive range.

[rev22_20]

ooo! what's that shiny impressive thing in the distance? it's ... it's ...

*** Apple Powerbook G4 ***

http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

[Firefly]

Limited software lah...:D