Need a new laptop - best place to purchase from?

[mishima]

Hi there,

The time is coming when I will need a new laptop, where is the best place to purchase one from, where tends to be the cheapest?

Thanks

[PeteSmith]

Dell Vostro worth a look perhaps? What will you use it for, work, gaming?

[mishima]

It's going to be used for light gaming and presentations- office type stuff. I'd like 15" screen, 2GB RAM, dual core etc.

EDIT: Thanks for the link, I like the way you can customise the setup - nice

[Rosaline]

Hey there, Mishima! I often use a similar nick to yours on other parts of the 'net :O

Recently got my own Dell Vostro 1500-3, you really can't get a better value laptop for the same price.

There are two issues to note, however. Firstly, there is the known fault with the centrino santa rosa (?) platform which results in a very noisy headphone socket, however I gather this is unavoidable for all laptops based on this platform (and expressport sound cards are easily enough acquired). Secondly, it is by no means light, but as far as I can tell you can't really avoid this and the weight is actually nice for when it's in use.

Despite the above two issues, I would still recommend the system. The 1440x900 monitor is very nice, and with a 9-cell battery, it just keeps on going

[mishima]

Thanks for the heads up Rosa, how is the battery life?

[UltraMagnus]

i have the vostro 1500-3 too.

it should give about 4 hours wifi web browsing with the 9 cell battery.

personally, i would stick with the 1280 x 800 screen, that way games can run at native resolutions, which will look much nicer.

i am personally not having any issues with my headphone port at all actually.

just make sure you select win xp pro!

[mishima]

Will I get the copy of Vista on a disc? Or does it just come pre-installed?

By 1280 do you mean 19" screen?

[staffsMike]

Laptop screens are different. 1280 x 800 is standard res for 15.4" widescreens. However they go up to 1680 x 1050 on the vostro's screen. Whatever you decide deffinatly get the true life its very nice on the vostro

You get a dell OEM vista disc with it as with all dells

[oshta]

I was asked to recomend a laptop for my uncal, and the vostas like the best option, seeing as evesham have gone bust!

Can you get them with XP, or is that just crasy talk?


Daniel

[staffsMike]

It was an option on the vostro 1500 for a good while. I believe even if you cant get it on the website you would still have some luck on the phone.