Laptop Brand

[prateek203]

I know Dell is the best brand, but how is Acer? I don't liked the laptop of Lenovo and Compaq. I'm buying a laptop tomorrow or day after tomorrow. Thinking to go with Acer or Dell. Acer is cheap, and report is also not bad. How is the reputation of Acer in your country?

 

[Meganium]

I heard Acers are baaaad. A friend of mine bought an Acer, the computer didn't make it before a year after he bought it. Also, HP and Acers have HORRIBLE tech support. If you have a problem with your comp and they don't help you, you're screwed. I totally recommend you to buy a Toshiba laptop. They are always reliable, and Tech Support is incredible!

If you can, purchase 1 year of insurance. In case your laptop breaks down, you can get it replaced for free.

 

[Spinor]

Oh I had an Acer laptop. I begged to go back to using Desktops after a few months >_>

 

[prateek203]

Well I don't actually need any kind of support, unless it's a hardware fault/damage. I'm myself a support to a lot of peoples, lol...so nevermind the support issue.

And none of the laptops comes without 1 year warranty. It's like compulsory :)

I just want to know that does Acer laptop gets damaged easily (hardware)? How is the lifetime of its body part (like keypad, screen, battery, etc)? The quality...

 

[twocows]

Dell is one of the worst possible brands you can choose for any computer, laptop or otherwise. It's right down there with Acer and HP, in fact. They're all terrible choices.

I recommend ASUS or Lenovo if you're going with a higher-end laptop (perhaps you haven't seen one of the more recent high-end ThinkPad models) or ASUS or Toshiba if you're going with a lower-end one.

 

[prateek203]

I need a laptop with high RAM and Processor, to carry out my multitasking needs along with my programming (which consumes a lot of resources).

But anyways, if you're saying that Dell is not good, then I better not discuss this topic here anymore, lol...Everyone has their choices...Acer is very cheap, looks good, and doesn't has any bad report yet...I think I'll go for it...Acer 5740...

 

[twocows]

I need a laptop with high RAM and Processor, to carry out my multitasking needs along with my programming (which consumes a lot of resources).

But anyways, if you're saying that Dell is not good, then I better not discuss this topic here anymore, lol...Everyone has their choices...Acer is very cheap, looks good, and doesn't has any bad report yet...I think I'll go for it...Acer 5740...

It's really not a matter of opinion with Dell, it's widely known fact. Plus, it was recently found they were knowingly shipping defective products, not to mention the fact that they overcharge for underpowered hardware, and all that bloatware... I could go on but I won't. I work with computers a lot as part of my studies, so I get to talk with a lot of people about technology, and the general consensus is that Dell is pretty bad.

Perhaps you could provide a link to the laptop you're looking to buy and give it a price, I'll try to find you an equivalent or better ASUS or Toshiba or something. I'm pretty good at finding high quality products. Also, how much programming will you be doing (like large scale projects or just smaller things for personal use or learning) and in what language?

 

[jjnerdful]

I have to agree with twocows. Dell is horrible.

Acer is cheap, looks very good, yes. But have you ever heard of "too good to be true"?
That's exactly the case with Acer. Acer computers perform horribly. Good luck getting the programming to work with Acer...

 

[Elite Overlord LeSabre™]

Do NOT get Compaq. They're basically rebranded HP's. I got one because it was cheap, and purchased the three year extended service plan. And boy, have I needed it. Both the screen and power adapter have needed replacing, and the cooling fan is on its last legs but it's out of warranty now :/

 

[TheAppleFreak]

Do NOT get Compaq. They're basically rebranded HP's. I got one because it was cheap, and purchased the three year extended service plan. And boy, have I needed it. Both the screen and power adapter have needed replacing, and the cooling fan is on its last legs but it's out of warranty now :/

Psh, you think that Compaq is bad now? Try out a Compaq Pavillion 5500 or whatever it was back then. Even relative to other PCs of that era (the late 1990's, so it came with 98 SE), it was complete and utter crap. Some of the important parts of the computer were located on a chip that was connected to the motherboard which was prone to randomly disconnecting, causing complete system freezes and BSODs. The processor was inadequate for even simple software like Microsoft Word 98. The power supply blew out on it once, which also corrupted the HD for no apparent reason. It was a horrible machine in every sense of the word. By the time I ditched it for the Mac that I'm typing this message on (April 2008), just about every original part had failed or was close to failing. Never again.

I would strongly recommend against using an HP computer. If you plan on doing any work in the BIOS, fuggedaboudit. Their version of the BIOS is so confusing to nagivate that it becomes impossible to do anything, not to mention the default password that no one can remember (I was working with an entire fleet of HP laptops last week that refused to boot into a CD drive, and I couldn't get into the BIOS because of the damn password to diagnose the problem). Dell computers also can be a pain; I've used many of them over the course of my life. Most of the computer fleet in my school is comprised of Dells, and I've seen it all: inadequate driver support, components that failed rather quickly, etc. In a closer-to-home example, my Dell Mini 10v netbook that I Hackintoshed somehow blew the chip that controls charging cycles, and because I didn't want to invalidate my warranty by sending my Hack HD to them, I had to pry open the keyboard and manually remove it. To this day, my "Backspace" key doesn't work right.

I'd recommend a Lenovo computer. My mom's been working on one for about a month now, and I've been fooling around with it here and there, and I haven't experienced any non-OS problems.

 

[locoroco]

Yep dell is not very good go with asus, lenovo or asrock. What kind of multitasking are you talking about?? look for something like an i5 or i7 or maybe a phenom x4 or x6 it depends on how powerful your going for. Im a current amd user and i havent had any probs with multitasking ive had photoshop about 5 or 6 ie8 music player and music converting in a phenom x6 also in my sigle core amd no probs at all either idk its personal choice i guess.

 

[prateek203]

And to others, I see that people have told me not to buy Dell, Compaq, Acer and HP too, which all are really great brands. So perhaps I should not go with what people say, cause everyone has different opinions. I still think to go with Acer, this one is not that costly and looks good. And anyways, these all are just brand who join the part to make a good computer. They don't manufacture the important elements like processor or RAM. It's all about their services (which I don't need for software), and their outer body reliability.

And towcows, I'm kinda good at computers too. Doing programming since I was 11-12 years. And I'm also doing engineering in computers. So I know a little too. But I'm actually much into softwares, and I hate hardwares, lol...But I'll give you the link to the model which is in my mind at the moment...
This is the one, Acer Aspire 5740:
https://us.acer.com/acer/productv.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&kcond61e.c2att101=74423&sp=page16e&ctx2.c2att1=25&link=ln438e&CountryISOCtxParam=US&ctx1g.c2att92=447&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=4055624690

I'm planning to go for Intel Core i5, and Linux pre-installed in it (This page doesn't shows that, but I read it at many other sites). And about HDD, I actually want that minimum. Cause I think using external harddisks is better, in case of laptop damage or anything that makes it not to work. Then I'll atleast my data will be safe and I'll be able to access it on my desktop computer, but I see that all the laptop above 2GB RAM atleast have minimum 320GB HDD, so with this one, I'll either go for 320GB or 500GB perhaps. I still don't know the price of this model with the configurations I just mentioned. I'm gonna find it out today. There is this list there, 5144, 5255, 5309, 5513, 5749, 5780, 6025, 6378, 6395, 6491, 6979, which probably are the various models of 5740 with different-different combinations of RAM, processor, and HDD.

Apart from this. some people have even told me that there is not much significant difference between 3GB ram and 4GB ram, and Core 2 Duo will also work great. So keeping this in mind, the Acer Aspire 4736z is good:
https://www.newtechnology.co.in/acer-aspire-4736z-laptop-pricespecs/

This one is really very cheap too. But I'm not sure if this will last for years or not. Cause already softwares' minimum requirements have reached 2GB RAM, I could hit minimum 3GB anytime. That's why I'm thinking to go for 4GB RAM. But it's true that there is not much significant difference in them, then I'd go for 3GB. Really confused with this RAM + Processor selection.

PS: And I want the model to be complete black. Whichever I choose, should be black.

 

[NikoBelic999]

I have a Compaq and it is perfect in my opinion. I use it for gaming and other things, and it works perfectly. If it gets a bit hot, I just put a disk box in between the middle of the fans to help it take in more air. I haven't had problems with it overheating, but occasionally it does get warm on the fans. If you want gaming quality, internet quality, and a computer for other needs, a Compaq is great.

 

[Kevin]

@NikoBelic999 I have a Compaq also. =D But now I just use my desktop. =P And I dunno why, but I don't like Dell. x]

 

[Archer]

And to others, I see that people have told me not to buy Dell, Compaq, Acer and HP too, which all are really great brands....and their outer body reliability.

Low/Mid end Dells are horrible, High-end Dells are fine. Compaq is horrible and only a budget brand anyway. They rarely put out anything other than Celerons. Acer is just... bleugh. They potentially have the worst build of anything I've seen. For the love of god, don't get an Acer. HP and Dell are far better options, neither of which is great. Toshiba is the best for low end and Toshiba/Asus/Lenovo are the best for high end. I personally find the lower-end Lenovos to have flimsy cases and the lower Asuses have weak hinges/trackpads.

If you want gaming quality computer, a Compaq is great.

Uhh... they're a budget line. Unless you're a hardcore soliataire player, or don't mind Counterstrike 1.6 (albeit with low frames), they're horrible for serious use.

 

[twocows]

And to others, I see that people have told me not to buy Dell, Compaq, Acer and HP too, which all are really great brands. So perhaps I should not go with what people say, cause everyone has different opinions. I still think to go with Acer, this one is not that costly and looks good. And anyways, these all are just brand who join the part to make a good computer. They don't manufacture the important elements like processor or RAM. It's all about their services (which I don't need for software), and their outer body reliability.

And towcows, I'm kinda good at computers too. Doing programming since I was 11-12 years. And I'm also doing engineering in computers. So I know a little too. But I'm actually much into softwares, and I hate hardwares, lol...But I'll give you the link to the model which is in my mind at the moment...
This is the one, Acer Aspire 5740:
https://us.acer.com/acer/productv.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&kcond61e.c2att101=74423&sp=page16e&ctx2.c2att1=25&link=ln438e&CountryISOCtxParam=US&ctx1g.c2att92=447&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=4055624690

I'm planning to go for Intel Core i5, and Linux pre-installed in it (This page doesn't shows that, but I read it at many other sites). And about HDD, I actually want that minimum. Cause I think using external harddisks is better, in case of laptop damage or anything that makes it not to work. Then I'll atleast my data will be safe and I'll be able to access it on my desktop computer, but I see that all the laptop above 2GB RAM atleast have minimum 320GB HDD, so with this one, I'll either go for 320GB or 500GB perhaps. I still don't know the price of this model with the configurations I just mentioned. I'm gonna find it out today. There is this list there, 5144, 5255, 5309, 5513, 5749, 5780, 6025, 6378, 6395, 6491, 6979, which probably are the various models of 5740 with different-different combinations of RAM, processor, and HDD.

Apart from this. some people have even told me that there is not much significant difference between 3GB ram and 4GB ram, and Core 2 Duo will also work great. So keeping this in mind, the Acer Aspire 4736z is good:
https://www.newtechnology.co.in/acer-aspire-4736z-laptop-pricespecs/

This one is really very cheap too. But I'm not sure if this will last for years or not. Cause already softwares' minimum requirements have reached 2GB RAM, I could hit minimum 3GB anytime. That's why I'm thinking to go for 4GB RAM. But it's true that there is not much significant difference in them, then I'd go for 3GB. Really confused with this RAM + Processor selection.

PS: And I want the model to be complete black. Whichever I choose, should be black.

That's just a product information page, do you have a link to a reseller page or an estimate on the price? Newegg says about $650, so I'll go off that unless you give me a different number. I doubt you'll find anything good with GNU/Linux pre-installed, but you can always just format and install GNU/Linux yourself.

This Lenovo is a good buy, it's on sale for $600 and has a better processor and a slightly smaller hard drive. It's also all black. Lenovo makes solid computers and they have one of the lowest failure rates in the business.

Keep in mind that neither will be good for gaming, as both laptops have integrated graphics.

 

[prateek203]

I'm actually still trying to find the price of this model, but can't. But it will be something around 620$. The Lenovo laptop you just recommended seems really great, and very cheap for an i5 processor. I'm surely gonna go in its details. Now I'm thinking to buy Lenovo, thanks to you :)

Oh and I want Linux OS so that I can format it and install the Windows copy I already have. Not really gonna use Linux, lol.

And about gaming, I had a thought about it, but I'm not that much of a gamer now a days in this busy life, but I'm still thinking about some graphics card. But it's kinda difficult to find my others requirements with a graphics card :(

I'll list out my minimum requirements:

RAM: 3GB DDR3 (but confused with 4GB)
Processor: Atleast Core 2 Duo (confused with i3/i5 due to 64-bit restriction)
HDD: Actually want minimum available, so that I can use external HDD. But as the minimum HDD is also atleast 320 GB, I'll go for that.
Screen: Atleast 14". But 15.1" or 15.6" could be good too. (HD would be great)
DVD-RW (Don't need Blu-Ray)
Bluetooth v2
Wi-Fi
Web Camera (2MP would be great, but will satisfy with 1.3 MP)
Memory Card Reader
Black Color Model
Extras:
Multimedia buttons on keyboard would be great too.
And would be great if the free Linux OS comes pre-installed. Don't want Windows to come pre-installed and pay for that.

 

[twocows]

I'm actually still trying to find the price of this model, but can't. But it will be something around 620$. The Lenovo laptop you just recommended seems really great, and very cheap for an i5 processor. I'm surely gonna go in its details. Now I'm thinking to buy Lenovo, thanks to you :)

Oh and I want Linux OS so that I can format it and install the Windows copy I already have. Not really gonna use Linux, lol.

And about gaming, I had a thought about it, but I'm not that much of a gamer now a days in this busy life, but I'm still thinking about some graphics card. But it's kinda difficult to find my others requirements with a graphics card :(

I'll list out my minimum requirements:

RAM: 3GB DDR3 (but confused with 4GB)
Processor: Atleast Core 2 Duo (confused with i3/i5 due to 64-bit restriction)
HDD: Actually want minimum available, so that I can use external HDD. But as the minimum HDD is also atleast 320 GB, I'll go for that.
Screen: Atleast 14". But 15.1" or 15.6" could be good too. (HD would be great)
DVD-RW (Don't need Blu-Ray)
Bluetooth v2
Wi-Fi
Web Camera (2MP would be great, but will satisfy with 1.3 MP)
Memory Card Reader
Black Color Model
Extras:
Multimedia buttons on keyboard would be great too.
And would be great if the free Linux OS comes pre-installed. Don't want Windows to come pre-installed and pay for that.

Usually you aren't paying for Windows when it's bundled with a system. Microsoft gives manufacturers a discount to bundle their systems with Windows, so GNU/Linux systems rarely cost less than Windows ones.

 

[prateek203]

Well the laptop I was going to buy earlier, is 26,500 INR with linux, and 32,500 INR with Windows 7. And, if I buy Windows 7 separately, it's 5,800 INR (which is approximately the different both OS versions)
32,500 - 26,500 = 6,000
~ 5,800

[INR is the currency here.]

Alright, I've decided. I'm not sticking to Core 2 Duo just for the 32-bit process. If I'll encounter any problem like this, I'll use my desktop computer for that application. So now I'm entering the Core i-series. i3 or i5 would be great. i7 would be much costly, I assume. The Lenovo laptop you suggested seems really damn great. I want to buy it at once, but now I'm gonna explore other Lenovo laptops too, and Dell & Acer with i-series processors. Anyways, what's the speciality in ThinkPads you were talking about? I see them on the Lenovo website too...Are they some specific group or what?

If you can open this website, can you tell me is your model here? I don't find it anywhere...Rs. is the currency (Another way of writing INR :P )

https://shopap.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/inweb/LenovoPortal/en_IN/catalog.workflow:expandcategory?current-catalog-id=3634951826AE4D3881BFFF1AC5FCD957&current-category-id=559CA420B13440C18C1510E0BFE33D01

Notice the systems having "Free-DOS" OS. It means that they do charge for Windows OS. I'll buy a DOS one.

[OMG somebody reply so that I can make another post. This single post is getting too long.]

 

[Archer]

Two things, firstly the iSeries DOES SUPPORT 32-BIT!

Also, Thinkpads are the businessy line from Lenovo. The higher end ones are build like tanks. I can't say the same for the bottom end ones. Eg. the old R series.