New aldi laptop Jan 12th

Stephen

No price available yet but it looks like a budget one this time around, details below poorly translated from german

Its a Medion MD96400 as far as I can tell.

AMD Turion™ ML-30 1.6 GHz/64 Bit
12,1“ W-XGA 1280 x 800 widescreen
60 GB hard disk, 8 MB Cache, 5400 rpm
HYBRID TV-TUNER: Digital and Analog (i.e. a DVB-T card)
RADIO-TUNER: FM radio - probably built in to the DVB card
PCI-Express ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200M, up to 128 MB (shared memory) - awful graphics card if you want to play games.
512 MB DDR RAM, one slot free to install up to 1GB.
WLAN: 802.11b/g integrated
8x Multiformat DVD-/CD-burner with DVD RAM and Dual Layer
SD/MMC & Memory Stick card reader
Li-ion battery
Digital Audio Out (S/P-DIF optical)
Built in stereo speakers
Integrated touchpad with 2 buttons
3x USB 2.0 ports
FireWire IEEE 1394
10/100 ethernet and 56k modem
Mouse
laptop bag

Software:
Windows XP Home SP2
Cyberlink powerDVD and dvd production software
Nero Burning ROM 6
eTrust antivirus
MS Works 8
and a few other bits and bobs

wba88

how much do u think it will cost?

Kristok

and how long is a piece of string ?

rabbitinlights

Stephen wrote:

12,1“ W-XGA 1280 x 800 widescreen

Oh, I hope this is Cheap, Im looking for a tiny laptop for photoshop/storing photos while Im travelling around the world.... a 12" screen would mean its tiny? Whats the chance of this being below €500?


http://www.medion.de/flash/md96400/

S.

jesus_thats_gre

rabbitinlights wrote:

Oh, I hope this is Cheap, Im looking for a tiny laptop for photoshop/storing photos while Im travelling around the world.... a 12" screen would mean its tiny? Whats the chance of this being below €500?


http://www.medion.de/flash/md96400/

S.

Can' see it being below 500.. Seems like a pretty decent machine though.. I would guess 900 euro..


EDIT - its 999 in germany..

WizZard

Wonder what the weight is?

carbsy

I'd say a 1099 price tag here then...

embraer170

Any idea what kind of battery life you'd get out of it?

rabbitinlights

jesus_thats_gre wrote:

EDIT - its 999 in germany..

I think thats way over priced. Dell has a 14"/256mb/40gb model for €599. and even Tesco have a basic Laptop for ~€599. The Aldi laptop is very bottom end spec. Also the tiny screen isnt a big selling point for most buyers.

When will the price be announced?

embraer170

Did a bit of research on some German sites and seems battery life is around 3hours (compared to the 4-7hrs you get from equivalent laptops with a centrino processor).

It however does come with a 3 year warranty (or it does in Germany) so that's one selling point compared to the Tesco/Dell models.

I've long been looking for a cheap and small laptop (12-13" screen max) though doubt this will be it. Pity.

bk

rabbitinlights wrote:

I think thats way over priced. Dell has a 14"/256mb/40gb model for €599. and even Tesco have a basic Laptop for ~€599. The Aldi laptop is very bottom end spec. Also the tiny screen isnt a big selling point for most buyers.

You don't seem to understand how prices of laptops work.

Laptops which are small and light tend to be much more expensive then big heavy "desktop replacement" laptops. The "desktop replacements" will have better performance specs, but they are useless for people who travel a lot and who need a small, light laptop with a long battery life.

I can't find any size or weight for this laptop, but it looks like it is the equivalent of the Dell X1, a 12" laptop that typically starts from about €1,600.

rabbitinlights

Oh. Damm.

It would have been be a sweet laptop for travelling with.

Back to ebay, looking for a 12" laptop for less than €500........

WizZard

Good Luck! :rolleyes:
Anyone any ideas about what the approx weight will be? I'm afraid my German is non-existant!

lomb

2.1 kg i believe so it is slighty above par for a 12 inch screen,

Hornet

Some more information about this laptop:

Dimensions: 34 mm x 24 mm x 226 mm
Weight excluding battery: 1.75 kg

The battery lasts approx. 3.5 hours and is a 4400 mAh battery.

Price in Germany is EUR 999.

The Laptop was first sold by Aldi Nord from the 21st of September and the second time it went in to the shops both in Aldi Nord and Aldi Sued from the 28th of December (yesterday):

http://www.aldi-sued.de/product_special_3/product_523.html

For Ireland I would expect a price of EUR 1199 or maybe EUR 1149.

The price seems to be ok for such a small and relatively light laptop, the spec is in my opinion fine for work, but the reports from users in Germany mention two downsides: 1) The WLAN signal doesn't reach very far. 2) The Shared-Memory-Graphic card (it uses up to 128 MB of the 512 MB RAM as it doesn't have its own RAM) makes the laptop less usable for gaming and graphic intensive work.

The original manufacturer of the laptop (MSI S270) is the Taiwanese company MSI and more information can be found here:

http://www.msi.com.tw/program/products/notebook/nb/pro_nb_detail.php?UID=608

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mobile/display/a4-roundup_23.html
http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=105175

Hope it helps.

--Hornet

m7

How does the Turion processor compare with Pentium? Trying to decide whether to wait for this on 12th Jan or go with a Toshiba from Currys :rolleyes:
A US site has the MD 96500 in Aldi for $999, could the 96400 be much more expensive??

Hornet

m7 wrote:

How does the Turion processor compare with Pentium? Trying to decide whether to wait for this on 12th Jan or go with a Toshiba from Currys

Search for the MSI name of the laptop and you probably find a comparison of the Pentium M version of that laptop versus the Turion version.

m7 wrote:

A US site has the MD 96500 in Aldi for $999, could the 96400 be much more expensive??

Not if sold in the US, but DEFINITELY when sold elsewhere, ESPECIALLY in Ireland.

The MD96400 is EUR 999 in Germany, the MD96500 (100Gb HD and 1GB RAM) is EUR 1299. For Ireland you usually have to add EUR 150 - 200 to the German price.

(BTW: Aldi adds more than LIDL because Aldi adds, converts and rounds double, first from D to UK and then from UK to IRL. Lidl seems to supply directly from D.)

Even at a price of 150-200 above the German price, these Laptops are comparable cheap in Ireland.

Another factor in the pricing is that there are at least 6 other discounters in Germany (Norma, Penny, Plus, Real, Schlecker, Tchibo) that all offer similar devices at some stages during the year and compete directly AND there is a very competitive Dell, which has SIGNIFICANTLY lower prices for the (in Ireland manufactured) Laptops that are sold in Germany than the same Laptops that are sold in the country where they are made!

If you now translate that into a highly competitive US market, you can see that the only rule that does apply to the pricing is: Irrespective of the price of a product elsewhere in the world, it will be most expensive in Ireland!

I am not happy about the EUR 100-200 we have to pay in Ireland for Aldi or Lidl Laptops, but I rather pay that premium than pay Dell or even PC World or Dixon prices here! Remember, that without Aldi and Lidl it is unlikely that a Tesco or Dunnes would sell low priced PCs and Laptops here!

--Hornet

m7

thanks for that, The Toshiba one from Currys has a celeron processor and now I've been told to steer clear of that so wait and see what happens with Aldi!!

Stephen

These things are usually no more than 100 euro more expensive in Aldi here than in Germany.

Hornet

The Aldi Laptop will be EUR 1099.

the_viper2kie

Just if people are searching for small laptop with a good price. I've just bought a 12.1inch Pentium M from www.go-mv.co.uk . Similar spec to this but with the pentium M so i'd imagine better battery life. Its being delivered tomoro so can post back some feedback then. It works out at a little over 1000euro and has 3 years labour warranty.

dawballz

It doesnt say it has a DVD +/- r on the aldi site....
does it have a dvd recorder?
.....Panasonic Dual Layer Multi-Format DVD/CD Re-writer.... or does that mean it has a dvd writer?

Hornet

dawballz wrote:

It doesnt say it has a DVD +/- r on the aldi site....
does it have a dvd recorder?
.....Panasonic Dual Layer Multi-Format DVD/CD Re-writer.... or does that mean it has a dvd writer?

What they mean is DVD and CD Re-Writer (as in: BOTH can be re-written.)

--Hornet

popey21

So lads over all is this a good bargain for a first time latpop owner

RichyX

popey21 wrote:

So lads over all is this a good bargain for a first time latpop owner

Depends on what you want it for.

Something is only a bargain if it's actually useful to you.

It'll be useless for recent games and video editing. 12 inch screen may be a little small for DVD use but it does have tv out.

Might be grand for college work and general internet use.
Package is quite good as it includes a case and tv tuner.

Think about what you want the laptop for.

event

why would this not be great for games, like what exactly is wrong with it?
was thinking of getting it myself, just for general use, music, gaming, browsing etc but thought that looked a good price, maybe not though

mad m

event wrote:

why would this not be great for games, like what exactly is wrong with it?

This is why,PCI-Express ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200M, up to 128 MB (shared memory)

event

mad m wrote:

This is why,PCI-Express ATI Mobility Radeon Xpress 200M, up to 128 MB (shared memory)

yes but why is that bad, why wont that run games as well i mean?

Capt'n Midnight

What's the story with the DVB PCMCIA card - not much use here yet.

Capt'n Midnight

rabbitinlights wrote:

Im looking for a tiny laptop for photoshop/storing photos while Im travelling around the world.... a 12" screen would mean its tiny? Whats the chance of this being below €500?S.

http://www.evertek.com/viewpart.asp?auto=15413&cpc=CLR
$675.00 Refurbished

This slim and ultra lightweight Averatec notebook packs a hefty punch! Features include an AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+ processor and 512 MB of DDR RAM. Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition is pre-installed on the 60 GB hard drive. Back up data, burn or watch DVD movies on the installed DVD±RW drive! Watch clear video on the 12.1-inch TFT XGA display. Listen to crisp audio on the built-in speakers. With the built-in 54 Mbps 802.11g Wireless LAN you can stay connected when you are on the go!

TempestSabre

event wrote:

yes but why is that bad, why wont that run games as well i mean?

Depends on the game. If you mean solitare its fine. If you mean The flight Sim Lock On or Doom3 no way.

Its an ok laptop for light use. You'll get a better (more suitable) one if you do some research and shop around. Personally I went for a Sony because it has the best screen and keyboard.

KdjaCL

The Ati Xpress will play any game thats out fastish @800x600

Its a nice laptop and would suit most users except hardcore FPS is everything gamers.


kdjac

wingnut

In my opinion this spec is not good value for money. There is a much better Fujitsu Siemens PC in Dunnes for 899 - its got a faster turion, a better graphics cards and bigger hard drive. I would also give it the edge in build quality based on the Aldi laptops I have seen in the past. If you can stretch a but more and want decent kit the Acer 1694 is hard to beat. Borrow a few hundred and you will get a more future proof system. Once again it depends on what you want it for but for Multimedia content creation and video editing, games etc it would be hard to beat price/punch:

€1,679.21 Inc Vat
2.0 Ghx Centrino
256MB Radeon X700
100 GB HDD
Dual Layer Multi DVDRW
All the usual bells and whistes wireless, bluetooth etc and a proper line-in jack which no laptop seem to have any more (line-in/mic-in combined crap)

Acer Advanatge packet gives you 3 year warranty and accidental damage for €139 - a fraction of the cost other manu. charge!

Stephen

The DVB card will still work with analogue signals too.

event

TempestSabre wrote:

Depends on the game. If you mean solitare its fine. If you mean The flight Sim Lock On or Doom3 no way.

Its an ok laptop for light use. You'll get a better (more suitable) one if you do some research and shop around. Personally I went for a Sony because it has the best screen and keyboard.

true but wouldnt even know where to look

also that DVB card, how do they work?

like will it pick up signals for you and then you can watch tv on the screen, or do you have to plug an arial lead in?

could you technically plug a sky lead into it and watch sky?

can you record tv to the pc as well?

dawballz

Slightly OTbut does anyone know will ALDI accept payment as part credit card and part cash?

comet

As far as I know Aldi don't accept credit cards at all, only debit cards.

Hornet

dawballz wrote:

Slightly OTbut does anyone know will ALDI accept payment as part credit card and part cash?

Aldi accepts Cash or Laser, nothing else. Credit cards can NOT be used.

--Hornet

Hornet

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

What's the story with the DVB PCMCIA card - not much use here yet.

That is true (and it says so in the Aldi brochure). However as it looks at the moment, there will be a trial service DVB-T service in Ireland from around the middle of this year to the greater Dublin/Wicklow area and the Dundalk area (with potential reach to Swords and into Northern Ireland).

A tender has been issued by the Dept. of Communications and a decision will be made in the coming weeks/month.

In the meantime the DVB card can be used to watch analogue TV stations (at least RTE1, Network2, TV3 and TG4).

To receive an analogue signal, you connect your cable from the antenna (or from your _analogue_ NTL feed) into the DVB card.

--Hornet

Hornet

wingnut wrote:

In my opinion this spec is not good value for money.

I disagree! It is good value for money IF you want a small and light Laptop. If you want a beefy, powerful, multimedia rich Laptop, then this one is not for you and you should wait for the next Aldi or Lidl Laptop which will be available soon or buy one somewhere else. Small and light typically comes for a premium, this Laptop is small and light for an ok price.

wingnut wrote:

There is a much better Fujitsu Siemens PC in Dunnes for 899 - its got a faster turion, a better graphics cards and bigger hard drive. I would also give it the edge in build quality based on the Aldi laptops I have seen in the past.

Hmmm, I only had bad experiences with Fujitsu-Siemens Laptops, so I can't share the opinion about the build quality, but the other point I agree with: There are Laptops that are cheaper, but they won't necessarily be small and light. I don't know this specific Dunnes Laptop, but could it be that it is heavier and bigger?

wingnut wrote:

If you can stretch a but more and want decent kit the Acer 1694 is hard to beat. Borrow a few hundred and you will get a more future proof system. Once again it depends on what you want it for but for Multimedia content creation and video editing, games etc it would be hard to beat price/punch: €1,679.21 Inc Vat!

Well, now we are in a COMPLETELY different category!! Would you COMPARE a VW Polo, a Audi A4, a BMW 523 and a Hummer in the same way you compare Laptops here?

wingnut wrote:

Acer Advanatge packet gives you 3 year warranty and accidental damage for €139 - a fraction of the cost other manu. charge!

The Aldi laptop automatically comes with a 3 year warranty. (But no accidential damage cover!) NO additional charges is even better than "a fraction of the cost of other manu. charges". As far as I remember from previous offers this warranty is a collect&return service.

--Hornet

wavin

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

http://www.evertek.com/viewpart.asp?auto=15413&cpc=CLR
$675.00 Refurbished

have you ever bought from that site?
some stuff seems cheap enough, as long as postage wasnt too much

cutback

How do people compare the aldi laptop to the Philips X50 Freeline in PC World, with the sale on it's €1099 for 12" screen, 1.73 Ghz Pentium M and 512 RAM?

WizZard

cutback wrote:

How do people compare the aldi laptop to the Philips X50 Freeline in PC World, with the sale on it's €1099 for 12" screen, 1.73 Ghz Pentium M and 512 RAM?

More details please, I can't find that model on the net.

<edit>Then again, if this is an example of the entries on a PC World site, I don't think I will find any info</edit>

event

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/laptops/philips-x50.asp

cutback

Strangely there's no mention of the X50 on the PC World website but it's on display in the stores. It's being produced specifically by Philips for the Dixons group, seemingly they want to dip their toe back into the home computing market. It's a nice looking machine and specs seem pretty similar to the aldi machine, with the prices being identical I think I'd be more inclined to go with the name I know i.e. Philips...unless anyone has an opinion which would make me think otherwise

Hornet

I have neither experiences with the current Aldi Laptop (only with previously sold ones) nor with the Philips Laptop, but a friend of mine was in PC World in Carrickmines last week with his damaged Toshiba to ask if they could repair it for him.

It turned out that they weren't able to help, but while there he was talking to one of the sales guys and asked him about a number of Laptops on display. One of them was a Philips Laptop, but he can't remember the type. Knowing the brand he asked the sales guy if he can recommend a Philips Laptop instead of Toshiba, as my friend is inclined to go for a lighter and smaller model the next time.

The advise he got was short and to the point. The sales guy said: "Comparing the two, I would strongly recommend to stick with the brand you bought the last time."

I have no idea what the reasons are and can tell the story only second hand, so take from it what you want, but the sales guy didn't seem to be impressed.

--Hornet

dawballz

Just got the ALDI lappy there an hour ago, but it's not mine, tis the GF's..Shame.
Nice laptop anyway.
I have been playing with the tv tuner and it works quite well, except the tv it receives is very grainy, although very watchable. Sound is good on tv reception too.
Radio tuner also works fairly well, although in the 10 mins of playing with it, there was a lot of 'blipping', but I think that was just because of me moving around a lot. With the supplied software, you can change the quality of audio recorded, but it is just in WMA format.. choices are 32, 64 or 128kbps

Option to record TV in Good, Better, Best but haven't really played with them yet because the reception isn't so good.
the Aerial on the TV tuner is only about 12" long, so won't really pick up great quality TV.
I'd say you could stick in a set of 'cats ears' though and it should be good.
Haven't yet tried to plug the NTL cable into the tuner and see if it picks up/record whatever yet.. will do that tomorrow.

So far the laptop is good, but haven't really tested it much.. have to give the GF a go on it now

kyper

I just bout one of these but it's at home until after my exams. is it noisey?
What is the screen like? brightness and viewing angle?

can you confirm the warrenty on it?

is all of the software in english? (I bought a targa laptop from lidl a few years back and some of the software was in german)

Cheers,

Mark

Hornet

Kyper, I was lucky enough to get a chance to play with one of these new Laptops today without having to pay for it. (A friend bought it and I helped him transfering his data etc.)

The Laptop is really neat and slick looking. It is very very quiet. The screen has a great resolution and is nearly a little bright (for my liking).

The warrranty is 3 years from purchase date (make sure that you keep the receipt for 3 years!!!!) From an issue with a previously bought Aldi-Laptop I know that the hardware repair is carried out in Limerick with a Collect&Return service through DHL.

Allsoftware is in English. Both Medion (Aldi) and Targa (Lidl) have fully adjusted their installations and support to the English speaking market. In the beginning there were still some edges, but now it is all smooth.

--Hornet

kyper

Cheers for that.

Something else to look forward to after the exams.

event

bought one as well

been sitting in the car all day while im at work, will get a look now in about 30 minutes