Laptop Purchasing Guide: Summer '08

[dtwn]

Looking good, how long did it take you to come up with it?

[Lithus]

2 days, and whatever years of experience. I linked the FAQ 3 times, not that people ignore the FAQ. What I want to write in gigantic letters is "No! Your GPU is not upgradeable!!! Now stop asking".

[dtwn]

2 days, and whatever years of experience. I linked the FAQ 3 times, not that people ignore the FAQ. What I want to write in gigantic letters is "No! Your GPU is not upgradeable!!! Now stop asking".

Do it.

Here, I'll even help you.

[Algus]

A fantastic read Lithus, especially with providing the definitions for all the little things that come up. I might bookmark this thread and refer other people to it. I liked the commonly recommended laptops section as well. Nice to see all the links to other threads where people were talking more in depth about certain things.

[DWolfe]

Surge Protector - As with any electronic, you're going to want to plug it into a surge protector instead of directly into the wall. Losing a $20 protector is much easier on the psyche than losing your brand new $2000 laptop.

Just need a clarification, to be sure I've got this right:

I was under the impression that having the battery in the notebook, while it is plugged directly into the wall (without a surge protector/UPS) is relatively safe. That is, the battery itself will act as a power conditioner to prevent damage from surges, dips, and brownouts.

At home, I planned to have it on, plugged into a UPS, without the battery in the notebook. In classes, I planned to have the battery in, and plugged it directly in without any kind of surge protector. Is this a bad idea? Don't really like the idea of lugging around a backUPS on top of a notebook + accessories, and hooking it all up every 90 min in each different class.

[Lithus]

The AC Adapter (power brick) not battery, acts like a surge protector, but it doesn't always work out.

Plus, Battery - $100, AC Adapter - $100, Surge Protector - $10. Your choice.

[jaymes85]

Great guide, thanks Lithus. Ordered my new system yesterday and used this guide to help me make some decisions.

[Han Bao Quan]

It's like you're summarize info of other threads into this one...
Too much words to read though, cause some of them are unnessary for "buying new laptops". Maybe you can tweak it a little bit.
Also, the common notebooks list is not enough. Where is Thinkpad T61p ? Dell latitude and some other HP also are missing.

[Charles P. Jefferies]

This is a great article, thanks for taking the time to do this. I stickied it for you.

[Gophn]

I would like to add something.

I have a background in business marketing.

... all I can say for a consumer is to:
- research what you are buying (using the FAQ, BBB ratings, and resellerratings)
- know the alternatives (if any)
- make the purchase with a well-thought out mind (do not use impulse too much)
- be happy with what you buy, regardless of what anyone else tells you (nothing is worse for a consumer like buyer's remorse)

You cant go wrong with the reputable vendors that have positive feedback from owners and good ratings (resellerseller and/or BBB ratings).