New Laptop

Well, it's that time again, time to buy a new laptop.:-D

I've always been a Dell lover but I think I'm leaning more on HP's. I've ordered about 10 this year for customers and have really liked the bigger laptops (the ones with the number key pad). I want to hear from other people who use laptops daily and have used several different brands.

I'm just starting to look around, the one I have picked out right now is the "HP dv7t series".

I think this is a good laptop for the price and hardware.

I configured it with the below for $1260.63 + tax and shipping.

Comments? Suggestions?

I've never bought a system from like BestBuy, I wonder if I could get a prebuilt system with similiar hardware cheaper??

 

I doubt Apple is on the cards?

 

I had one of the HP dv's (until it got stolen- so they must good, right?) and loved it BJ. It was one of the 17" with number keypad, built in webcam etc. Had a few issues getting drivers for Vista figured out but this was when Vista first was released, so those should be ok now. I would recommend (dare I say it) you actually look at Circuit City for your purchase. I was able to save $250 on most other prices there with one of their deals. Just don;t let them sucker you in to paying for bloatware removal and all that jazz for extra $$$ - but you know that already The docking station was a trip - recommend that too!

Adryn bought his soon after me and has had greater opportunity to explore his, so hopefully he will be along with a review for you.

 

I have had a HP laptop for about 5 mounths now. I bought an AMD processor I am happy with it

 

Friends don't friends buy from Best Buy either....

 

You might want to look into the Acer laptops. I caught mine on sale at the best buy for $399

Intell dual core T3200 2.0GHz
2GB RAM
120GB SATA HD
32 bit Vista Home Premium
Full Keyboard with Numpad.

Not a gaming laptop, but I like it. Stays pretty cool and quiet. I keep both cores loaded at %100 CPU use. (Well, when I can get work from the server I do!)

 

My previous laptop was a Dell. It was a great laptop. I only had one problem with it in 4 years. The power adapter went in 10 months. I couldn’t buy a universal adaptor for it (only from Dell) but I phoned dell & they sent me one in the mail & received it the next day. It was still under warranty. They have a good customer service but there a little pricey. I haven’t needed service in the last two years cross my fingers. Things may have changed with their service in the past years; you may want to research that subject. I bought my new laptop (Asus G2S) early this year because if something goes wrong with it & I need service I don’t have to ship it out of town & wait for who knows how long for them to fix it. If Dell would have had a service depot here I probably would have went with another Dell. I would have liked a keypad with its own number pad but there is a very small selection. I wish I could have XP but it all Vista & I didn’t want a new laptop that I had to format & install XP onto it & fork out extra money for XP. I have a few glitches with Vista that are unresolved but I have had no hardware problems with the Asus.

 

That's one of my main problems with Dell is their customer support and their overseas service. I haven't checked the Acer's yet but am going to look into those and more of the HP's. I really like the HP's because I've been on them and actually put my hands on it.

My sister has an Acer she got last Christmas and it's been a good laptop with no problems to this date so this is a plus for me.

 

I actually considered the new Macbook until I saw the price list. I looked at the Macbook 15" and was speechess when I saw they started at $2000.

I've also thought about the new Tablets by Toshiba. They're a little pricey too but they are very nice.

 

FYI....mine HP was AMD Turion Core 2 Duo. My Gateway laptop is also a Turion. Love 'em. Gateway have a supercool one year warranty with it, upgradeable to 3 years if you choose to. I have used my warranty twice now - HDD burnt out and then second time MB and CPU fried. Some might say that isn't a good sign, but the company are prepared to back their product with a 1 yr warranty, and the additional 2 years was $180, so I came out on top of the deal

 

I bought an Acer laptop last Nov. and not one problem with it. Spilled a drink on it too but forgave me without any complaints, it's solid and forgiving. Plus they updated their tech support site and more user friendly now, even I can find a driver.

I'm sure you'll do great with whatever laptop you decide on though, you do your homework.

 

I looked at the Acer laptops today however they do not list prices on their website which defeats the purpose of having a website for advertising.

Anyway, I'll look at them when I go to Circuit City and Best Buy this weekend and make a decision but more than likely I'll go with the HP dv7t.

I just did this to see and come up with this customizing it to what I would like but it's a little pricey so I'm not 100% sure yet.

The Core2 (2.8 GHz) is $250 more than the (2.53 GHz) so I'm on the fence here but I really would like the 2.8GHz.

The first (Config 1) is more than likely what I will go with, if I decide to change anything it will be the CPU, take off $250 and go with the (2.53 GHz) instead of the (2.8 GHz). I can get 4GB of RAM and a 512MB video card OR I can get a 2.8 GHz CPU....so I dunno.

Config #1

Config #2

 

Cut down the memory to bare minimum and buy an upgrade 3rd party. Way cheaper.

 

BJ, I would tend to agree with you, that the fist configuration is 'prolly the better of the two, (my opinion).
Halo, and others are pretty much on the money when saying that Acer; HP; Dell; Compaq are pretty good value for money and as said, makes like Sony; Apple, etc tend to be overpriced, i.m.o.