dazedandconfused
08-26-2008, 05:29 PM
General Questions
1) What is your budget? Under $2000
2) What size notebook would you prefer? This is where I'm a bit torn and would like to hear pros/cons on the thin & light v. ultraportable v. mainstream. I have an old 17" HP now that is 12 lbs and overkill for travel. Originally purchased for weekend trips in the car, it proved unsuitable an airplane, or even using around the house, due to it's massive weight and heat output.
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in. Purchasing in the U.S. - Northeast.
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? I like ASUS and have always used their MOBOs...however now I'm wondering if I should be considering other brands also?
5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? Business and personal. I'll use MS office pro, access to a web-based SQL DB, online DB, may do some video production. Will use around house and outside to type/work AWAY from the office. Will likely attach to HD TV for movies, or to work in other rooms of the house.
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? I'll continue to use my PC as my primary computer (although my guess is the new laptop will be faster). I'll likely keep the Laptop and PC synched with SW like BeInSync or SugerSync. Ideally, I would like to use Windows XP on the laptop...is this still possible?
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? Perhaps, but this is not a priority. I have a feeling that once I plug it into our HD TV that I'm going to want to play games on it, though. If I do, it will be FPS games ie half-life or battlefield genre.
8) How many hours of battery life do you need? As much as possible. I want to be able to travel on flights from coast to coast without losing battery during work and maybe a movie.
9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person? I'm perfectly fine with not seeing the notebook first.
10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc. I definately prefer Windows XP (unless someone can talk me into vista? I haven't seen many supportive arguments).
Screen Specifics
11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? Widescreen
12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)
Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? I think either is fine. I like the look of the glossy, however.
Build Quality and Design
14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? I love having a cool notebook, but it is not the priority.
15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? How long it needs to last depends on the price. 3-5 years is probably the right range.
Notebook Components
16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? 200GB+ is ideal. I have nearly 2 TB on my primary PC and the more room on the laptop the easier to sync more stuff (music/movies/etc)
17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive? Sounds like a great idea to have a Blu-Ray drive on the laptop, however I would consider this a lucky extra...although I may regret not getting one once I start using it with the TV...?
I can't wait to hear people's thoughts. Thank you so much for taking the time to assist with what seems a simple decision. I thought it would be easy until I saw all the options. I appreciate your help.
1) What is your budget? Under $2000
2) What size notebook would you prefer? This is where I'm a bit torn and would like to hear pros/cons on the thin & light v. ultraportable v. mainstream. I have an old 17" HP now that is 12 lbs and overkill for travel. Originally purchased for weekend trips in the car, it proved unsuitable an airplane, or even using around the house, due to it's massive weight and heat output.
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in. Purchasing in the U.S. - Northeast.
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? I like ASUS and have always used their MOBOs...however now I'm wondering if I should be considering other brands also?
5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? Business and personal. I'll use MS office pro, access to a web-based SQL DB, online DB, may do some video production. Will use around house and outside to type/work AWAY from the office. Will likely attach to HD TV for movies, or to work in other rooms of the house.
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? I'll continue to use my PC as my primary computer (although my guess is the new laptop will be faster). I'll likely keep the Laptop and PC synched with SW like BeInSync or SugerSync. Ideally, I would like to use Windows XP on the laptop...is this still possible?
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? Perhaps, but this is not a priority. I have a feeling that once I plug it into our HD TV that I'm going to want to play games on it, though. If I do, it will be FPS games ie half-life or battlefield genre.
8) How many hours of battery life do you need? As much as possible. I want to be able to travel on flights from coast to coast without losing battery during work and maybe a movie.
9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person? I'm perfectly fine with not seeing the notebook first.
10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc. I definately prefer Windows XP (unless someone can talk me into vista? I haven't seen many supportive arguments).
Screen Specifics
11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? Widescreen
12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)
Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? I think either is fine. I like the look of the glossy, however.
Build Quality and Design
14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? I love having a cool notebook, but it is not the priority.
15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? How long it needs to last depends on the price. 3-5 years is probably the right range.
Notebook Components
16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? 200GB+ is ideal. I have nearly 2 TB on my primary PC and the more room on the laptop the easier to sync more stuff (music/movies/etc)
17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive? Sounds like a great idea to have a Blu-Ray drive on the laptop, however I would consider this a lucky extra...although I may regret not getting one once I start using it with the TV...?
I can't wait to hear people's thoughts. Thank you so much for taking the time to assist with what seems a simple decision. I thought it would be easy until I saw all the options. I appreciate your help.