How to buy a laptop so that you don't need a box of condoms and a vat of lube.

[Kittenwithawhip]

I am in the market for a laptop. I have to be able to run auto cad, need at least a 15 inch screen, hate the little button mouse thing on the keyboard, size and weight do not matter in this case, long battery life is a consideration but I am surrounded by electrical outlets most of the time, want a dvd player, oh and I don't have an unlimited budget. I am "virtually" at the shallow end of the gene pool and don't want to venture into the shark-infested waters without any information. Is there anyone out there who can offer me some advice?

Thanks,

Kitten

 

[MR.GGG]

Get a MAC


Ummm are you sure you're in the right room/site?

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Get a MAC


Ummm are you sure you're in the right room/site?

Thanks for the suggestion. I don't get the other part about the room/site?

K.

 

[Weird Harold]

I am in the market for a laptop. I have to be able to run auto cad, need at least a 15 inch screen, hate the little button mouse thing on the keyboard, size and weight do not matter in this case, long battery life is a consideration but I am surrounded by electrical outlets most of the time, want a dvd player, oh and I don't have an unlimited budget. I am "virtually" at the shallow end of the gene pool and don't want to venture into the shark-infested waters without any information. Is there anyone out there who can offer me some advice?

There is a thread on the General Board asking for advice on what laptop to buy -- actually, there are a couple, now that I think about it.

Almost any modern laptop can run auto-cad although some run it better than others -- RAM memory and CPU would be the key elements to how well auto-cad software runs -- you want lots of RAM and a P-4 or fully compatible CPU.

The button type mouse is there for when you don't have time or space to connect a tradtional mouse and keyboard to your laptop. You definitely want to insure that the laptop you choose has external keyboard and mouse connections -- although MOST do.

A DVD drive is a common option on the laptops I see advertised, although It's probably going to add to the cost. An external DVD drive might be an option to consider.

I don't think there is a lot to choose from in the way of battery life. Estimated battery life should be listed in the specifications. Once you've narrowed down the models that have the other features you want, then choose based on listed battery life if one is significantly longer than the others. However, I suspect that a significant difference in battery life is also going to be a significant cifference in cost as well. You'll have to decide how much the increase is worth to your budget.

Fromthe ads I've seenon TV, I guess that Dell or Gateway could sell you the laptop you want for something in the neighborhood of $1500 to $2000. Something cheaper and a separate DVD drive that connects to the USB port might be worth looking into as far as cost savings are concerned.

 

[houseman]

I am in the market for a laptop. I have to be able to run auto cad, need at least a 15 inch screen, hate the little button mouse thing on the keyboard, size and weight do not matter in this case, long battery life is a consideration but I am surrounded by electrical outlets most of the time, want a dvd player, oh and I don't have an unlimited budget. I am "virtually" at the shallow end of the gene pool and don't want to venture into the shark-infested waters without any information. Is there anyone out there who can offer me some advice?

Thanks,

Kitten

Here's an idea - but the Computer at a Canadian site. If you are in the US (which I am sure you are) the cost will be about 50% less because you'll be paying the exchange rate which is about 1.5% in favour of the US.

So a $1500 laptop might cost you $977.00 when all said and done.

$1500 is a good price for a GOOD laptop which makes $977 a BETTER deal.

If you want some reputable Online Canadian Computer dealers just pm ME.

I am not affiliated with any merchant, though I have developed E-business solutions for most of the "major" e-tailers.

Aaron

 

[Ass_tronaut_T]

Get a MAC

yep. enough said. There is a long way to answer this question which is you should look for this and for this and for this - or there is the short three letter form... M A C ... If a machine can be a good friend and sexy it's a Mac.

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Thanks for the help so far. I am not really interested in a MAC. I use them at work and like them fine but, I have heard nothing but horror stories regarding repairs and warranty service. I will be travelling a lot in the next while and the potential for accidents is pretty great. I don't want to spend the next 6 months cursing Apple for not being prompt with my service needs.

Kitten

 

[RomanHans]

Thanks for the help so far. I am not really interested in a MAC. I use them at work and like them fine but, I have heard nothing but horror stories regarding repairs and warranty service. I will be travelling a lot in the next while and the potential for accidents is pretty great. I don't want to spend the next 6 months cursing Apple for not being prompt with my service needs.

Kitten

On the other side of the coin, any laptop you buy today from most vendors will be loaded with Windows XP Home or Professional...I'd recommend you be sure you buy one bundled with the Pro version, as I made the mistake of not checking when I bought my last laptop (in a hurry to replace one I killed with a cup of coffee). If you're technically inclined, Linux is another option.

I'm using a Toshiba, and when I'm stationary I hook up a wireless mouse and keyboard--enables me to keep the display at a more comfortable angle and distance (I rest the laptop itself on a monitor stand).

 

[RomanHans]

Re: Re: How to buy a laptop so that you don't need a box of condoms and a vat of lube.

Here's an idea - but the Computer at a Canadian site. If you are in the US (which I am sure you are) the cost will be about 50% less because you'll be paying the exchange rate which is about 1.5% in favour of the US.

So a $1500 laptop might cost you $977.00 when all said and done.

$1500 is a good price for a GOOD laptop which makes $977 a BETTER deal.

If you want some reputable Online Canadian Computer dealers just pm ME.

I am not affiliated with any merchant, though I have developed E-business solutions for most of the "major" e-tailers.

Aaron

Just curious--wouldn't tariffs or duties cut your savings by a large amount?

Roman

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

I have been leaning towards Toshiba myself but have found them to be quite a bit more expensive than Dell. Thanks for the info about XP Pro. I haven't been able to confirm it but I have been told that in order to run AutoCAD 2000 or better you need the Pro version and unless I get a resounding "No, that's not true", I will be getting the Pro version. The downside of that is that Toshiba wants to sell me the leather seats and the and the rest of the bells and whistles as well. They don't have a build your own laptop like Dell does unless I can't find it due to mental midgetness (which is not entirely out of the question). The whole buy it in the US thing won't fly with me cause I live in Canada but, I tend to agree about duty and taxes etc.


Kitten

 

[Amfig]

Re: Re: Re: How to buy a laptop so that you don't need a box of condoms and a vat of lube.

Just curious--wouldn't tariffs or duties cut your savings by a large amount?

Roman

Heard of NAFTA? It was in all the papers.

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Originally posted by Amfig

Heard of NAFTA? It was in all the papers.

NAFTA ain't for the little guy. I would still have to pay duty and taxes.

Kitten

 

[Carp]

The only thing I would add to Harolds post is to look for a touchpad mouse. I've been using a laptop exclusively for the last 4 years, and love love love that touchpad. More than a regular mouse. Don't wnat a mouse any more. It might, however, be a problem with Autocad, I don't know. And, some people hate them. Then, some people must electrically pulse, because they just randomly double click on stuff. Very funny to watch them!!!

The two laptops I have owned have both been Dells. Service has been great. They wll even service overseas now. I do think you can do better pricewise at Best Buy these days, though.

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Thanks Carp. The Dell seems to be moving to the top of the list at the moment. I also prefer the touchpad mouse vs the little tiny green one in the middle of the keyboard. I am having a hard time finding a real live bricks and mortar store that sells Dells in my area. Did you buy yours online?

Kitten

 

[ma_guy]

The number of "brick and mortar" places that sell Dells are few and far between. Dell grew as a company by selling to the corporate market and then branched out into on-line sales and blossomed. Sales through their WWW site are their bread and butter now.

I've bought several hundred PCs via their www site for work and 3 for personal use. I've never had a problem. Shipping is usually 3-5 days. On desktops they do hit you with a $50-$75 shipping and handling fee that you don't find out about until late in the purchase process but otherwise I've been a very happy customer.

If you work for a company that has a Dell Sales contact you might want to talk to your IT people and ask for teh reps numnber. They have "employee purchase" programs a lot of times that can net you an additional 10%-15% discount.

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Thanks, that is sort of the conclusion that I was coming to. So if I have a problem with my Dell I have to send it away for repairs or service? Do any bricks and mortar places have authorized Dell repair people or is it pretty much a "mail order" thing? Since I am pretty much computer retarded I don't want to set myself up for failure in the "I did something stupid and now the damn thing won't even boot" department.


Kitten

 

[ma_guy]

Dell has regional service reps. Depending on what the problems is any of several things could happen. If you tell them that you need it for business they may put you in contact with the service rep in your area and you can takle it to them or they'll come to you. If it's personal use they'd probably want you to ship it to them and they return it to you when repaired.

I had an older laptop that I use for research that failed and they wanted me to mail it to them. I explained that I needed it for a trip in 4 days so they shipped me a "loaner" and I shipped mine to them in the same box (they even included a pre-paid return UPS shipping lable!). When mine came back I shipped the loaner back in the same box again.

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Thanks again. You don't work for Dell do you?


Anyone out there hate Dell? Disappointed in Dell?


Kitten

 

[ma_guy]

I don't work for Dell. Never have, Never will.. I hear their sorta "cult-ish" if ya work for 'em.. Besides, they'd make me wear a suit.. YUCK!

 

[RomanHans]

Thanks again. You don't work for Dell do you?


Anyone out there hate Dell? Disappointed in Dell?


Kitten

I've had two Dell laptops, and had some disappointing experiences. On some models, there apparently was a keyboard problem that appeared to be systemic (on the on-line tech support board, numerous people complained of the same problem), but Dell claimed that the repair would not be covered under warranty. Of course, you'll probably get a similar run-around if you try to get warranteed service from any big manufacturer.

I have several friends who use the Sony Vaio, but I hear that their warranty policy is about the worst around.

Roman

 

[Alsharlan]

Laptop

Kitty

Warning, if you are doing CAD, the battery life promised may not be all its promised..CAD can be high use on screen refreshes, IO's , processor usage (all using up battery life). Most companies caveat battery life "depending on use". CAD is all consuming.

Nice to see some name brands mentioned here...Tosh, Dell...and errr MAC, although I notice the US servicing of them is no better than my part of the world.

Stick with a name brand, with the warranty its important to make sure the company is likely to be around for the length of the warranty...also , look for a 3 year warranty... Warranty is also a manufacturers statement on the Quality Control when being manufactured...3 years is good, 1 year is not. You can purchase warranty extentions, but its still an inferior quality machine in the first place.

Good luck

Al

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

I probably will not be running autoCAD when I don't have an electrical outlet. I don't plan to be trapped in the outback sectioning floorplans but thanks for the warning. I am not really a brand whore but so far the price discount on the non-brands seems to be outweighed by the fly-by-night factor.


Kitten

 

[methpez]

What price range are you looking at and have you considered Compaq. And do you realy need a 15 inch screen ?

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Well I don't really want to spend more than $3500 Canadian unless I absolutely have to. That's like 20 bucks American I think. I haven't considered Compaq. I have a friend who says terrible things about their desktops and so didn't even consider the laptop. Should I?


Kitten

 

[Kittenwithawhip]

Oh, I forgot. Of course I don't have to have a 15 inch screen but... I'd like one.


Kitten