Laptops for about 900

eamonntheviking

I'm looking for a laptop for about 900 bones, going to be using mostly for internet, music, watching vids along with running some game emulators and recording some music on it. Battery life is also relatively important as I will be bring it to college and don't always have access to a power source. Have an acer at the moment which I am selling but have been very happy with it so thinking of going for one again. The ones i have been looking at are

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_5672WLMi_LX.AA705.165/version-1.asp

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_5602WLMi_LX.AB105.096/version-1.asp

Which of these 2 would you recommend overall for best general performance? Cheers Eamonn

Tom Dunne

It looks like the first one is more graphically powerful (i.e. better for games) at the expense of battery life.

You won't need this graphical power for emulators (or any of the other stuff you have listed). So based on that alone, the 2nd one is probably better.

However, if battery life is the most important attribute, have you looked at single core laptops (I know, it's not the most forward-thinking)? Single core, or even Pentium-M will give better battery life, yet will do all of what you want and will be that bit cheaper.

Just a suggestion.

Edit: Here's one for almost 200 Euro cheaper that will do everything you want http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Acer_Aspire_1642ZWLMi_LX.AAG05.118/version-1.asp

DirkVoodoo

I feel like a dell salesperson recently, but Dell 640m for 979 euro.

Or, if you could stretch and if apple sort out their thermal issues, a macbook with the student discount for 1000 euro.

Not a big acer fan, they arent really known for battery life in most models, look very nice though.

majiktripp

DirkVoodoo wrote:

I feel like a dell salesperson recently.

Nothing wrong with pounding the Dell drum in my opinion! For €900 you should get a decent dell spec done up on their website or even through the outlet....or through their ebay shop.....http://stores.ebay.ie/Dell-outlet/

eamonntheviking

To me it seems that if i get a Dell I will get a lower spec computer for the price I will pay for a different computer. I would rate battery life as being pretty important for it so maybe I will steer away from Acer. I would intend this computer to last me for a few years as last year I bought an acer aspire 3000 series, semperon 3100+ 1.8ghz, 512mb ram, 80gb hd but the battery life is only about 1hr 20 mins which is a pain in the ass and hence why I want to get something with a better battery life and as I'm upgrading I wanted to future proof it a bit.

eamonntheviking

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Sony_Vaio_15.4/version-1.asp

What would ye make of this?

majiktripp

I like that last Sony you posted,and it certainly isnt bad for the price!
I'd take a sony over an acer definately any time!

DirtyDog

majiktripp wrote:

I like that last Sony you posted,and it certainly isnt bad for the price!
I'd take a sony over an acer definately any time!

Yep great price there, anyone bought from this site before? I'm considering it now after seeing that price!

majiktripp

Theres a thread somewhere on boards with mixed reviews about this site (laptopsdirect)
Some very bad reviews,some not so bad,some great....its a mixed bunch

Pacifico

There's a thread here about laptopsdirect.ie, read it before you buy!

Their prices are good, but thats about it...

Tom Dunne

majiktripp wrote:

Theres a thread somewhere on boards with mixed reviews about this site (laptopsdirect)
Some very bad reviews,some not so bad,some great....its a mixed bunch

The last laptopsdirect-bashing thread got out of hand with too many muppets making irrelevant comments. I personally have ordered from them without problem, as have many people here.

Yes, there have been a few disgruntled customers, but the same thing can happen with Dell and any other online retailer for that matter.

eamonntheviking

I think im going to go for the sony laptop which is this one again

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Sony_Vaio_15.4/version.asp

However I want to get a Gig of ram, but i was just going to buy it myself and install myself. However I'm not quite sure which ram I should be getting from it, so which type should I be getting from here.

http://www.laptopsdirect.ie/Sony_Vaio_15.4/version.asp

Thanks guys

CuppaCocoa

I have this model for the past 2 weeks. Very pleased with it. Originally ordered it from Laptops Direct but they messed me around with delivery dates. Beware of the price though. It's not as advertised. I ordered it with the extra 512 of ram which cost an extra €90 and it came to €1024 on my credit card not €930 like they said. I went to The Laptop Shop in Stephen's Green and and they gave me the same deal for €1030! Don't waste your time ordering over the internet when you can get the price matched in town.

eamonntheviking

Oh man I would not be happy with that!!! I'm down in Cork and I havent seen it anywhere so thats why I was going to go with them. Ordered from their uk company acernotebooks.co.uk and had no problems.....