So it's coming up to tax time, I need a new notebook. I'm a final year student so most of its work will be word processing and researching, but I'm looking to future proof for the next 48 months. I am also going to give Windows 7 a try. I've spent most of the morning on lenovo, Computer alliance, msy, etc and I can't seem to find something that ticks all my boxes

Processor - 2.26 core 2 duo or higher
Ram - 3gb? My old one was as 2gb with a T7300 @ 2gb and it struggled a bit in vista.
HDD - Min 160, but not need to go any higher than 320. I'd rather a 7200rpm 160gb than a 5400rpm 320gb.
OS - Doesn't matter. I'm going to run windows 7.
Video - Dedicated memory. Something powerful enough to play videos/run the OS. I'm not gaming on this machine.
Sound - Not important.

Budget - $2500.

Any suggestions?

http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

The macbook looks good. But I've got no experience on a mac and won't be able to transfer my retail office 2007 license across.

run windows7 on it, they're all intel chipsets these days
mac osx rocks btw.

I got my mrs one when she broke my laptop, there was some method to my madness;
I wanted one but wasn't ready to take the first step, so I got her one and then used it myself for a few weeks - loved it & bought myself one

I'm using it right now and very nice (black 13" macbook (non pro))
the pro is even betterer again

edit: oh right, when I bought mine they chucked in a free copy of OSX Office - just ask for it, tell them you're ready to transfer but dont want to forfeit your office licence ;)

Spirax by Esselte - designed to lay flat on the desk.

Nice idea teq, I'm a student so it'll even cost less. Did you purchase online? delivery time?

Just get a Dell.

umart has got one of these on special
Lenovo SL500(2746RQ9) P8400 2.26Ghz 4G 320G 15.4WXGA Cam 9Cell XPPro
Internet Price: $1499.00

Has anyone used one of these before? I've used lenovo's for work and found them to be reliable machines. Nothing flashy but that's the way I like it. Only downside is integrated video.

got mine from DJs in the city because apple set the rrp, the price online is the same price as @ David Jones

get dell... and choose ya size

m1530 xps from dell

my conclusion after looking into notebooks was that macs are the best but cost twice as much

the 17" pro is in his budget ^

17" is not really a laptop.

I have a 15.4" and that is really too big and heavy (mainly the weight is the problem) to cart around often, especially when you pack that charger as well.

I'll be starting a masters course later this year and I think I'll get something smaller and lighter as I'll be carting it around a fair bit.

I'd suggest go the standard mac book for around $2000. Smaller, lighter and cheaper. win win win.

BTW if you're at QUT you can buy it through them and get a 3 year warranty included.



last edited by mission at 16:55:13 20/May/09

Just get a Dell.

just get the dell that costs what you want to spend:

porblem solvered;

Spirax 5mm ruled No. 560.

Once you go Mac you won't go back +1 for MacBook im loving mine.

another vote for dell, i brought my 1720 a year ago and have been very very happy with it !

Dell

DFO

17" is not really a laptop.

i take my 17" macbook to work/uni every day (in a backpack). i reckon it's lighter than most 15"s - and the new unibody design is even nicer... I'd recommend stretching the budget - it's a definite stand-out. I've had this one for 4 years now... think I can get a new one yet? :P warrenty expires next year, so maybe if i take it down to the new genius bar at robina with my issues they'll give me a new one... ok, not really likely with such an old lappy.

(issues are spacebar key is kinda broken, I've warn down the plastic where my hands sit, the old fluro backlight is sometimes a bit dodgy first thing in the morning...)

f*** me sideways, theres no way I'd spend $2500 on faptop during a recession for the limted use that you describe.

Just buy the $1499 sweatshop Lenovo.

BTW if you're at QUT you can buy it through them and get a 3 year warranty included.

Tell me more! That extra $400 for a warranty stinks!

if it's an extended warranty don't bother. theyr'e done through 3rd party companies and are usually s***.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3812/0232800.jpg

Yeah.

But I've got no experience on a mac and won't be able to transfer my retail office 2007 license across.

Grab a copy of CrossOver for Mac and you can keep running that Office2k7 all day long..

As if you would by a MAC.

Get a Dell. I just bought a 15 inch studio laptop for 1400.

It has

Core 2 Duo 2ghz
4 gig mem ddr2 sdram
Dedicated 512 meg HD 4570 (ATI)
250 gig HDD
Vista Home Premium sp1 32 bit


I think you get a one year warranty standard but can pay 100 dollars for an extended 2 year warranty. Dells also have a lot of peripheral ports that macs do not.

Tell me more! That extra $400 for a warranty stinks!

You just return it to QUT and they take care of everything.

From the website:

With our laptops you get three years support. We are available, by phone, email or in person to help you and advise you with any problems you have with your laptop, or with any questions you have about how to get what you want done.

With all the laptops in our program comes a three year warranty (not the normal one year warranty) from Toshiba or Apple.

We will handle any warranty or repair that you have, without you having to deal with anyone outside the university. Simply bring it to us.

Obviously you need to be a student there and I don't know what implications you may have with the extended warranty once you are no longer a student and it's still within 3 years - definately ask about that scenario.

I wouldn't be spending $2k+ and only having a 12 month warranty.

last edited by mission at 09:42:28 21/May/09

Get a Dell. I just bought a 15 inch studio laptop for 1400.
It has

That is a good laptop. Dell has a pretty good warranty too with quick turnarounds and good support. Exactly what I'd want on a fiddly laptop if it went wrong.

Future proof for four years? Do yourself a favour and halve your budget. Buy one now, buy one in two years. It'll be a better deal.

Of course, that assumes you actually have anything like the budget that would be required to buy a notebook that would do you for four years.

Oops, that was meant to read 24 months. I got one of the dell daily specials yesterday for $1700

Dell Studio 17 Laptop
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600(2.4GHz, 3MB Cache, 1066 MHz FSB), Genuine Windows Vista(R) Home Premium SP1 Edition 32 bit (English), 2x320gb SATAII HDD.

Another vote for aluminum macbook as well, best laptop ive ever owned, awesome build quality and performance. Have vmware fusion 2 if I need any windows stuff.

I have an inspiron 1520 just sitting collecting dust, such a clunky laptop compared to the macbook.

not sure if you can order from this place from Australia, but their current sale is a sweet refurbed HP Laptop

http://www.woot.com/

problem solvered:

lets split the difference fade!

http://www.easytoys.com.au/