So my first and only laptop to date has been a 13" Black Macbook. I love the thing to death, but it's old and it's giving out on me. Its time for a new computer.
Windows 7 has been growing on me slowly over the weeks, so I'm considering buying a PC. As an android modder and engineer student, I feel like PC would play nicer with certain software.
Since this would be my first PC, I need to know: What are some of the brands I should look at and stay away from? I have no idea what's good or not. Trying to look at it like android manufacturers, where each one (moto, sammy, htc, etc) has it's pros and cons.
Looking for something that will last at least 4 years with regular maintenance, a respectable amount of RAM and processing speed, and something not too bulky. If there's one thing I want to keep about mac computers is their slim design (not SMALL as in 10" screens, but SLIM as in not bulky). Battery life is also a factor.
I would mostly be using it as a student, so Office, and possibly an engineering program or two (such as MATLAB and Solidworks). Gaming is secondary, but in the cards.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
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IMHO, getting a business class machine is always better then a consumer type. For some reason, business machines specs seems to be better and more solid built.
If you are tech savvy, then build one yourself. I like Lenovo also more than some of the others.
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I've been looking at lenovos myself, but I must say, I have had *wonderful* customer service with Asus. My netbook charger was acting up, they sent one out and I had it in two day, and they said if I didn't send in the broken one I'd be charged for it, the broken one started to work so I kept it.... and no charge!
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I would seriously look at the Acer Timeline-X series. I've had mine for going on two years now and it's still very respectable. I got it because it was thin (under 1"), light (around 4 lbs.) and had long battery life. New, I could get close to 8 hours of continuous use out of it. Even now I can get between 6 and 7 hours on a single charge.
I personally own a Dell XPS laptop of their last gen. I would stay away from them. You're paying a premium price for their performance series gear, but not really getting anything worthwhile in the hardware dept. In retrospect, if I would likely have gone with the ASUS laptop I was looking at back then. I would avoid Samsung, Dell, etc.. like the plague
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Originally Posted by lunatic59
I would seriously look at the Acer Timeline-X series. I've had mine for going on two years now and it's still very respectable. I got it because it was thin (under 1"), light (around 4 lbs.) and had long battery life. New, I could get close to 8 hours of continuous use out of it. Even now I can get between 6 and 7 hours on a single charge.
I love Acer products. They make great stuff. Easily on par with companies like Lenovo and ASUS.
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One of the things you should consider too, is the product support from the manufacturer. With technology, problems happen and you have to consider what might happen when they do. Apple realized this from the beginning and has worked very hard to make the customer experience a positive one. It accounts for such a loyal following on what are really very average devices.
In any case, a few words on that subject. While I have always had excellent service through Dell's enterprise support, their consumer support is really quite bad. The same is true of Toshiba and Sony. I don't have direct experience with Asus or Samsung so I can't comment on them. Acer only has one warranty center (Texas) and their process is a little convoluted. Even so, they did fix the issue I had with one of their products with very little hassle.
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I'm a big fan of ASUS hardware. I've always built my own computers and after building nearly a dozen computers, I use ASUS components whenever possible, motherboards, video cards, monitors, optical drives. I can't personally attest to their customer service, because I've never had to use it. In my book, that's the best kind.
If I were to buy a laptop, it would be ASUS.
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Personally I would recommend that you consider business-class HP laptops... they are much better constructed than their consumer grade equivalents. Support can be a challenge but, to be honest, I only ever seem to need support with HP printers
ACER (and their subsidiary brands) are OK but I've dealt with ACER since it was still known as Multitech Industrial Corp. They were a much better corporation to deal with back then... adding Gateway, eMachines, and Packard Bell to their portfolio didn't help their reliability much!
As for Dell and Lenovo, well lets just say they aren't on my top 10 list anymore!
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Any brand is fine as long as it's a brand (not a generic or fruity laptop).
No matter what... eventually all laptops will suck. Just buy the one that's on sale ... and replace it every year or two - before it gets to the sucky point
Also be sure to check out Laptop Forums and Notebook Computer Discussion . Everyone there has some reason to pick this or that brand/model.... but in the end all buyers buy laptops based on specs, looks, weight, price, screen size, screen pixels/resolution, battery life or specific features (not in any particular order, and it differs from one person to the other).
Some people there say they absolutely don't care about looks but come to a screeching halt when others point them to this model...
bye
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You should check out the laptops at Newegg. One of the most reliable internet stores. You can check out the reviews from people who have bought and get a better idea what its like.
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Looking for Laptop, well.. its pretty much been covered.. lol.. Acer, ASUS, MSI, and Lenovo, if you go with lenovo get a thinkpad, lenovo is the company that up until they were selling as lenovo were been known as IBM. I work in tech services, fixing people computers, and thinkpads are tough machines that dont die, to this day i have customers that brings int heir 10 year old Thinkpads and they are as good today as they were ten years ago.. just slow, because tehcnology has become alot faster.. lol.
If you are building a desktop, which is best, because its usually a little cheaper, you get exactly what you want and you did it urself.. lol Go with ASUS or MSI for a motherboard and Video card, both are top quality top notch companies. corsair and Mushkin for memory, Geil is pretty good as well. Cases are a dime a dozen, but i would recommend something with wire routing, either a higher end Antec or a NXZT, or even Thermaltake case. Power supply, again, Thermaltake, Corsair, and we'll add coolermaster to this one. ive been building pcs for the better part of my life and int he last 10 years, these are the names i would look for as they have a superior product and a fair price. And as always.. Intel for a CPU, ive had my share of AMD and im really not impressed, Intel are more expensive, but IMHO a better product.
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Go with ASUS or MSI for a motherboard and Video card, both are top quality top notch companies. corsair and Mushkin for memory, Geil is pretty good as well. Cases are a dime a dozen, but i would recommend something with wire routing, either a higher end Antec or a NXZT, or even Thermaltake case. Power supply, again, Thermaltake, Corsair, and we'll add coolermaster to this one.
I'd probably go with EVGA for the mobo/v-card but otherwise agree with this 100%
The only thing I'd watch out for is those "grille" cases. They look totally awesome but seem like they would be huge dust magnets. But I dunno, maybe they've solved that somehow...
When I build my systems it's Asus mainboards, ever since 1998. Never had one fail. Same goes for their video cards however, I haven't had a top notch card in a long time mainly due to a change in needs.
Hard drives are a changing landscape. Right now WD Blacks are to fastest platters out there, except for the Seagate Momentus XT hybrids. SSD, I'd spend the extra on Intel.
RAM; G.Skill.
I'm contemplating a tower design right now that may have never been built before. Having a metal fabrication background and contacts in the field I might make a mock up when the job front settles down.
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