Hi, this is probably my third thread about laptops, so I'll really try to get it settled by this thread. Basically, I've been juggling the idea of saving up for a laptop or more camera gear, but then my JC just started and I think a laptop will benefit me.
Here are sticky- questions from notebookreview.com forums, and my answers.
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
Anything S$2k and below (shouldn't even go near 2k if possible). About USD 1.3k
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Netbook; 10” screen or less
b. Ultraportable; 11" - 12” screen
c. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
d. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
e. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
B, C or D.
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
No preference. Why does everyone not like dell?
5) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Office work. Photograph-editing (Adobe LR2 / Photoshop). Surfing / Online social sites. Bit of gaming (older games like CS Source)
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Bit of both, more towards being mobile, so I'd think batt life and portability is a key concern.
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games or types of games?
Yes (but very seldomly I think). CS-Source will be the most graphics intensive. It's a 2005 engine game.
8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Not too sure. As much as possible within my budget, really.
9) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?
I'll probably be purchasing it during the IT Show '09.
10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows only please.
Screen Specifics
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
a. WXGA – 1280x800 or occasionally 1280x768; For people who like big text and icons that are easy to read. Less stuff fits on the screen, which translates into more scrolling.
b. WXGA+ – 1440x900; A modest bump over WXGA. Text and icons are a bit smaller. A little more stuff fits on the screen.
c. WSXGA+ – 1680x1050; The middle ground. Again, text and icons are smaller than WXGA+, and more stuff fits onto the screen. Good for having applications open side by side, like a web browser while playing a video.
d. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Very small text and icons, that can be hard to read. Lots of stuff fits on the screen, which means less scrolling. Good for applications that require a high level of detail like CAD or Photo Editing.
*** You tell me. I have no idea what's going on.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Either is okay with me.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Not in the least.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
March's IT Show '09 @ Suntec, and last at least 2 years without having to upgrade again (or repair here and there)
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB to 500GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
250GB / 320GB should be more than sufficient. SSD's are too ex imo.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Definitely
-----
My eyes are set on the HP DV4:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/sg/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3747826-3818262.html
But it's so expensive (S$2k).
Also, I like how the Dell Studio 14 / 15 notebooks look and how they perform on paper.
Why is it that lots of people here don't like Dell in general, though?
Cheers,
Zexun
Here are sticky- questions from notebookreview.com forums, and my answers.
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
Anything S$2k and below (shouldn't even go near 2k if possible). About USD 1.3k
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Netbook; 10” screen or less
b. Ultraportable; 11" - 12” screen
c. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
d. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
e. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
B, C or D.
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
No preference. Why does everyone not like dell?
5) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?
Office work. Photograph-editing (Adobe LR2 / Photoshop). Surfing / Online social sites. Bit of gaming (older games like CS Source)
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?
Bit of both, more towards being mobile, so I'd think batt life and portability is a key concern.
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games or types of games?
Yes (but very seldomly I think). CS-Source will be the most graphics intensive. It's a 2005 engine game.
8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Not too sure. As much as possible within my budget, really.
9) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?
I'll probably be purchasing it during the IT Show '09.
10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows only please.
Screen Specifics
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
a. WXGA – 1280x800 or occasionally 1280x768; For people who like big text and icons that are easy to read. Less stuff fits on the screen, which translates into more scrolling.
b. WXGA+ – 1440x900; A modest bump over WXGA. Text and icons are a bit smaller. A little more stuff fits on the screen.
c. WSXGA+ – 1680x1050; The middle ground. Again, text and icons are smaller than WXGA+, and more stuff fits onto the screen. Good for having applications open side by side, like a web browser while playing a video.
d. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Very small text and icons, that can be hard to read. Lots of stuff fits on the screen, which means less scrolling. Good for applications that require a high level of detail like CAD or Photo Editing.
*** You tell me. I have no idea what's going on.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Either is okay with me.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Not in the least.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
March's IT Show '09 @ Suntec, and last at least 2 years without having to upgrade again (or repair here and there)
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB to 500GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
250GB / 320GB should be more than sufficient. SSD's are too ex imo.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Definitely
-----
My eyes are set on the HP DV4:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/sg/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329744-64354-64354-3747826-3818262.html
But it's so expensive (S$2k).
Also, I like how the Dell Studio 14 / 15 notebooks look and how they perform on paper.
Why is it that lots of people here don't like Dell in general, though?
Cheers,
Zexun
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