Laptop Brands...

[Barely Human]

Ive had a dell laptop for 3 years now. Its been a very reliable machine. AMD proccesors are a lot better imo than intel, but ive never used a laptop with an AMD in to see what they are like. If you want battery life, then the intel M proccessors really do the trick, (My p4 eats battries for breakfast).

Ive heard that toshiba do some good models aswell. Stay away from the usual suspects - acer, compaq etc.

[TechMouse]

Yeah, despite my knee-jerk reaction the Dell option looks pretty good, what with the discount and all.

The only reason I mention AMD is it looks like I can get an HP with a Turion 64 in it for less than the Dell...

Incidentally, anyone know WTF Windows XP Media Center is all about and why that seems to be the default operating system on most laptops?

I'm anxious to get a system with a "proper" version of XP included if poss. I'll make do with a Dell "reinstall" CD if need be.

[dan the acid man]

For the money, i'd probably go with a Dell, once you've got rid of the software they install for you they're good laptops.
The only problem with Dells is the upgrade options can be fiddly, as they used to use motherboards tweaked and specially made for them, not sure if they still do, but to be honest, all laptops are awkward for upgrading, so it doesn't really matter.

AMD still make great chips, although im not sure how good their mobile chips are.

Intel chips have always been more expensive, and i've always preffered AMD ones, but the new core duo chips by Intel are supposed to be the best on the market at the moment

As for media centre, avoid t at all costs, see if you can change to an xp install.
Media is more for connecting to tv's, recording tv channels etc

[RDR]

Check theregister.co.uk for a story about a man who clicked on 'No i dont agree' with having windows XP installed on his dell machine, apparently you dont have to accept the OS they provide if you dont want it... he got his money back after contacting Dell about refusing the OS...

Might be just the ticket for that linux install :; :;

Chris.

PS - get a mac...

[tonyc2002]

Ime afraid I have to reccomend Dell as well since I am the proud owner of a Dualcore Inspiron. Its fast as ****, ive had no problems, and am a very happy boy :cheese:

[prozac]

ive had a dell with a p4 for 2-3 years...very very happy with it till recently. think i may have burned some pathways in the chip from overuse...anyway...
the fans run very very loud even without running any processes (my friends call it the jet) - its noise is comparable to a room of servers...it eats battery (i get maybe an hour of life)... and its pretty heavy too ( but thats cause of fancy graphics cards and wifi chips i suppose)...

media center is for dicks with money, who buy laptops as an mp3 player, to allow them to watch vdeos as well...crap program.

[TechMouse]

Definitely coming out in favour of the Dell then.

As for media centre, avoid t at all costs, see if you can change to an xp install.
Media is more for connecting to tv's, recording tv channels etc

Yeah, as I suspected. Seems like a rebranding of XP Home to make it sound more sexy, and probably more useless at the same time.

[TechMouse]

Ooooh, looks like you can get an AMD option on Dell...

Cat well and truly unleashed on unsuspecting pigeons...

[FILTERZ]

I have a toshiba has never given me any trouble and seems fairly well built .

[Jay Pace]

Loathe to recommend Dell because of their business model - source the cheapest components possible (which involves low QA) and make upgrades difficult (to ensure upgrades are with Dell)

But despite all this they are cheap, and like Dan said once you strip out all the crap they load on it they're well priced functional machines.