high spec laptops

[nicK]

bit of a "can't make my mind up" problem here:

i'm looking to replace my desktop pc with a high spec laptop. About a week ago i was all set on getting the Acer Aspire 1501 LMI , but now after looking through the 'Tiny' website, i noticed this bargain.

I've never bought from Tiny before and i'm wondering how their systems perform.
I bought a pc from Dell about 3years ago which lasted about 2years before giving huge amounts of hassle, which wasn't impressive. So i'm a bit wary of buying these "custom built" machines again.

The 2 laptops are the same price at just under 1000GBP. But the Tiny laptop has an impressive extra 512mb ram and has a 128mb ATi Radeon 9600 Mobility compared to the Acer's 64mb version.

Should i play the safe route and go for the Acer system which i've heard excellent reviews about.. Or go for the even higher spec, tiny laptop?

GuanYin

Well I have the Acer and I use it for examining hi res images and some apparently processor heavy applications (homology searches in genetics).

It hasn't so much as stuttered yet.

The memories makes the tiny an impressive bundle, my only worry buying a laptop is after care service.

I can generally pull a PC apart as needs be but wouldn't have a clue about a laptop and they have more expensive components.

Acer are the 5th biggest laptop manufacturer in the world, so I'd expect a degree of reliability.

Not at all familiar with Tiny.

Col_Loki

I wouldnt be a fan of Tiny, not great impressions out there of them TBH.

You should have a look at some of these ..... http://www.jes-computer.de/catalog/default.php?cPath=150_124&page=1&sort=2a

If you intend on using it for games then the AMD64 Processor and mabye the new ATI 9700 graphics (much faster than 9600). General rule stay away from Nvidia GFX on laptops.

If battery is an issue have a look at some of the P4-M's lower clock speed but perform much better than you would think (destroy P4's of simular speed).

Flashman

Whats the warranty like on the acer machines?

joePC

Never touch TINY, ever, let me say that again NEVER

skipn_easy

I'd agree with joePC, don't go near Tiny. I've seen way too many problems with their machines.

I tend to think along the lines of you can't get something for nothing so think about why tiny's prices are so low... and you won't get good customer care off them when things go wrong.

I know someone who was in exactly your position, looking at the cheap price of the tiny laptop and thinking oh, look at all the great specs on it and its so much cheaper. He made the mistake of choosing tiny and ended up with a useless piece of junk :mad:

SouperComputer

from the looks of it, that tiny looks like one of FIC's builds. Packard bell use one similar to it.

Its all fine and dandy, but it can be hard to get parts fro them sometimes.

Gerry

Originally posted by COL_LOKI

If battery is an issue have a look at some of the P4-M's lower clock speed but perform much better than you would think (destroy P4's of simular speed).

I think you mean Pentium-M COL_LOKI
And I'd agree, they are very competitive with the p4.

Col_Loki

I think you mean Pentium-M COL_LOKI

DOH!! Yea thats the one alrite

[nicK]

ok, decision time..

thx for the 'Tiny' warning.
I think i'll go with Acer then, although im now leaning towards the Centrino chip instead of the A64. The laptops that use the centrino are a lot thinner and ligher, and well.. cooler! The Acer Aspire 2012WLCi seems to have done it for me in the end.

It looks better than the other model, has a widescreen, Wireless 11g and uses the Radeon 9700, altough im compromising on the dvd-rw.

Not exactly the perfect desktop replacement,but im sure it will do.

skipn_easy

Good choice! I have an acer with a centrino too and she looks great. Nice and thin, light but with a good big screen. Not as nice as the one you're getting though

j0e9o

does any1 know if acer are planning on putting 9700's into there laptops?

[nicK]

the 2010series uses the radeon 9700, which includes the Aspire 2012Lci and Lmi models.

Acer deliver the Aspire 2012Lci for 1550euros inc vat + delivery, which is the cheapest i've found.

Flashman

Yeah so warranty... where does it go if something goes wrong? Acer don't have an office here.