Notebook advice

[Tensixty6]

Currently looking at getting a Notebook.

A customer just showed me his Toshiba Satellite A500. It certainly looks impressive. Has anyone had any experience with this unit?

[AP]

Currently looking at getting a Notebook.

A customer just showed me his Toshiba Satellite A500. It certainly looks impressive. Has anyone had any experience with this unit?
Get an apple, I have the lastest toshiba and I'm getting rid of it and getting a apple..



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tomtom_r32]

Agree, Apple is the way to go. Small, compact, long battery life and

You can always install Windows using Boot Camp/Vmware which I find awesome for those who don't like change =)

[Cam]

Hey Chris,

What will you be using the notebook for?
Gaming, web browsing, Home Theatre stuff, Graphics?

My friend purchased an older Toshiba Satellite and it has been a pretty good laptop. Personally I think you can do better though. The problem I've personally found with the satellites is the build quality has been a bit sketchy. But perhaps this isn't the case with the A500, I can't comment as I haven't used one.

I've used the new Dell Latitude Z fully optioned, and its a nice laptop. But over-priced for what you're getting and the build quality doesn't feel great.
http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/notebooks/laptop-latitude-z/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-latitude-z&cs=04&s=bsd

Used a few of the Dell Vostro notebooks. They're nice, reasonably fast. But the battery life on the one we have in IT isn't wonderful. However the build quality and price vs performance is still very good.
http://www.dell.com.au/notebooks/vostro

I've used heaps of HP Compaq notebooks (both business and home), ranging from standard notebooks 15.4" screens, to the 4/5 grand 17" mobile workstation models that can handle CAD type work. Every one I've used for work has been strong, had little problems go with it and lasted years.

Last but not least, have you considered a Macbook or Macbook Pro?
I'll be getting one of these (a Macbook Pro) when my Lenovo notebook dies. The problem is....the Lenovo is a tough little bugger and I doubt whether it will die anytime soon haha.
http://www.apple.com/au/macbook/

[stephen8512]

depends what you want to use it for mate

I have an Apple Macbook Pro top of the line specs and no problems thus far. I love my apple. =D I converted from windows but I still run windows 7 on my desktop

[Tensixty6]

Primarily I'm looking for something that I can run "in house" windows based software without having to be at the factory. Some of the programs are quite old by current standards, but, they do the job for my business. The programs will run under Windows 7 in XP mode. I'd also look to have programs on it like MYOB AccountRight Premier as well.

[Paul_OH]

I use a Toshiba A300 and it is by far the best laptop I've used - even an IT friend was impressed recently with it's speed and ability and I know very little about computers. Mine is 2 years old now with modest specs of 2.26GHz processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD (2 x 250GB, both approx 75% full) and it runs as quickly and stable as ever. This is my 3rd Toshiba Satellite series and they've all been ultra-reliable.
As menioned above I know very little about when it comes to specs etc but wouldn't hesitate in recommending a Toshiba Satellite A series.

[scotty1991]

Id recomment the ASUS UL30VT if you want small or UL50VT if you want a little larger
both offer decent power, dual core, LED screens and 10 hours battery

I have the UL30 and my mates both have UL50's

30 = 13.3" screen and 320GB HDD
50 = 15.6" screen and 500GB HDD and a DVD drive

Both have same 1.3Ghz cpu which is overclocked from factory to 1.73Ghz, 4GB ddr3 ram and dedicated graphics, however it also has integrated which can be used if you want to save battery

UL50 sell for about $1150
UL30 sells for about $1250

[10d]

Apple or Sony VAIO. Those are the only good ones.

[transporter]

haha the apple vs. others debate...

i've always found the toshiba to be a reliable piece of machinery and value for money. asus aint too bad either.

apples and sonys are quite nice, especially in their wankier hardware design but a bit pricier.

[G.P.]

For portable access to business applications, you can get a netbook with 3G internet.

You can then VPN to the office and run a terminal session on your work PC, so you are using live files.

No data on the netbook to lose, and only requires very low power. 3G not needed unless you want to connect on the road, otherwise a netbook can use your router at home or at a hot spot, eg while you're enjoying your Maccas.........

If you only want to connect from home, no laptop needed, just VPN from your desktop and run the terminal session on the work PC.

[Tensixty6]

Do you know anything about computers?

[G.P.]

Only the occasional tinkering :)

[Tensixty6]

So, would a Toshiba Satellite A500 but overkill or do you have a recommendation, oh learned one?

[G.P.]

Yes.

But.

Depends on

Do you want big, small, long battery life, short battery life, numeric keypad, the cheapest, the most expensive, netbook, just for terminal usage, or to replace the home PC, .......1yr warranty, 3yr warranty, .......


The Toshiba A500 runs 3 hours battery life (which means in reality after a year you will get 1 hour) unless you get the 12 cell battery they rate at 7 hours, it has numeric keypad, 1 year wty (can extend to 3) is a heavy one and moderately priced, has 640Gb drive but it's a slow one at 5400rpm, and only 1366x768 screen resolution.

I think it's not the leader of the pack specification wise.

[Tim]

It doesnt matter which laptop you get. These days they are all cheap chinese rubbish.
Best to spend around a grand with the thought you will replace it in 2 years time.