WOF: When buying a laptop, what do you value most?

I tend to not compromise, which is why I pony'd up for the new MBP with Retina Display. It has all those things, performance, graphics, portability, a killer trackpad/keyboard, and HDMI+USB3.0 (as well as 2x Thunderbolt. Can't wait for more devices with Thunderbolt!).

Dual booting with Windows7 + SSD makes it a desktop replacement easily.
 
I agree with the guest above. As long as your settling for an (inferior) laptop, low price is most important, not to make it a netbook.
 
Display first, 1080p is a must then graphics then cpu speed,core i7 is a must. Its why I have a Asus G75 and thinking about a Alienware M17x R4 next with a SSD.
 
I like how Brand is the lowest. People shouldn't look at brand necessarily. Having worked on hundreds of laptops, I have realized the plain and simple fact, you get what you pay for.

Toshiba's popularly known for their power plug connector becoming loose, this disables your laptop completely.

HP had a bad line of laptops that had MAJOR problems with their GPUs.

Each manufacturer has these problems, some more than others... When you buy a laptop, Type up the model numbers in Google, such as "HP Pavilion dv7 problems" and if you get A LOT OF RESULTS with problems all relating to the same issue, this is probably a line of laptops you should stay away from! lol
 
While I have never bought a laptop.

For me (being a gamer) I want a laptop thats gonna last me 3+ years, I can upgrade my desktop as new hardware is released, Laptops are expensive especially if you have to replace em every few years, so if I was to buy one, I would go all out on a top spec machine, that should last at least 3+ years. Still, Id rather not shell out on a laptop, and just stick to my desktop. if I did want a portable device for video/ web browsing, id get a Tablet, laptops are sooooo yesterday :p
 
My only laptop I have ever owned and still own and use today is my first generation Dell Inspiron XPS, I got the nicer one with the 3.4ghz Prescott and the Mobility Radeon 9800, 1gb of RAM, DVD-RW and CR-RW drive and a 60gb 7200rpm hard drive, since then I have added another 320gb hard drive to the dvd drives bay and the DVD drive I use dells d-port external device which uses a special usb port on the back. About 3 years ago I put a 2.8ghz northword in here which uses a lot less power and keeps the fans quite (since I don't game on it anymore). Still running today 7 years later, just ordered a new keyboard and LCD inverter and CMOS battery for it, and its on its 2nd battery prob gonna need a new one soon.
 
RajeGera said:
I don't get the purpose of putting up this article in techno forums..Waste.
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The point is not the content within the original posting but the content within the comments. And no it's not a waste when a tech topic is being discussed within a tech community. I for one enjoy reading what others think of tech, I may not always agree but I do enjoy reading their comments no matter the topic.

I noticed you only have 15 post but yet you are negatively critiquing someone with well over 1000. Waste.
 
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I voted for my key area of importance when it comes to laptop computer, as that is "build quality"! For me, when I was shopping around for my one and only laptop computer little over 4 years ago, I looked for superior build quality. So after looking at various options at Fry's Electronics and taking notice of stylish build quality, performance build quality and how powerful it was due to build quality, I decided on a nice Toshiba X-205 Dual SLi that weights in close to 14 pounds. The sucker is built like a tank, but has a certain level of elegance to it. It came stock in 2008 with 2 Gig's of RAM, but in 2010 I upgraded to 4 Gig's, then here in 2012 I upgraded it to it's max at 6 Gig's of RAM. It came stock with two matching Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT's, giving me tons of video power and clarity and reliability. I also like the build quality when it came to it's custom Harman/Kardon sound system, which was designed only for my laptop series. They put a lot of build quality towards the beautiful 17 inch monitor, pure, crystal and sharp as a razor blade. The only thing I wish I could change and it's no fault at all towards the build quality, back in 2008 they did the best with what they had at the time, but the CPU could be upgraded to something like 3.0 Gig's or above. Currently I have an older Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T2800 @ 2.8 Gigs. And perhaps my final issue in regards to my Toshiba X-205, the gosh darn battery life, this sucker only last for 45 minutes on battery power, before it shut's itself off. And no, the battery isn't in need of replacement! The battery was just purchased off of Amazon as new approx. 7-8 months back. It's normal, the original battery that came with my laptop only could last for about 45 minutes as well. It's just an ultra power eating hog!
 
It's hard to say. I use my laptop only rarely these days, though I use my wife's Inspiron 1720 regularly. I also use my phone for some browsing and occasional gaming, and I plan to get a Nexus 7 at some point which I think will be much better at both. That would likely drop my laptop use even further.

So while generally I have preferences regarding a laptop (small size, basic gaming ability, trackpoint), I don't really see myself buying a new one any time soon.
 
Honestly, as far as my preference goes, it's a combination of the following top points that are deal makers or breakers to me:

Graphics
Case Design, Material and Quality
Keyboard (Backlight is a must)
CPU/Chipset

I will not buy a laptop without a backlit keyboard, since my work involves typing, and most of the time I work at night with in a low light setting. Also, the reason I have not and will not buy an Alienware computer is simply because it looks like a toy. It needs to have a decent look, something more professional rather than childish. I mean, I love the MBP but the price tag is way above my budget. Also, then there's graphics. It doesn't have to run the latest games at the highest settings, but medium settings are a must.
 
waterytowers said:
1> Screen resolution is key - I need all the pixels I can get. 1366x768 is a ridiculous resolution on anything above 13 inch. I have seen and played with 13 inch laptops using 1920 x1200 and I thought it was perfectly usable so I would like a 15 inch or 17 inch at 2560 x 1440. I am hoping that apple may lead other vendors to finally provide a screen upgrade. I have even dreamed of buying the new mac pro screen and attaching it to my laptop. Could never bring myself to buy apple, their eco system doesn't suit me.

2> Enough battery for 8 - 10 hours would be nice. I am finding my nexus 7 to be perfect as a web browser, eReader and media viewer. It is not for development though, that requires a laptop, preferably with a high-res screen.

3> Reasonable CPU grunt without the high end GPU. This is something that is not catered for by any vendors. My current laptop is a Clevo with a Nvidia 460M and I really don't need the GPU to be that powerful, but to get a CPU other than the default lowest end mobile i7 requires you to also upgrade your GPU to a gamers level GPU. I run a lot of virtual machines and build environments simultaneously so need all the CPU grunt I can get. I also appreciate being able to work away from a desk from time to time which is why I use a laptop (desktop replacement) and if I had a lower spec'ed GPU I am certain my battery life would increase significantly.
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Pretty much the same for me, except portability would be up there and I dont mind their gpu's. My thought is that I usually have a desktop most of the time, I just need a highly portable, long lasting battery to play movies on trips or write a paper on campus.
 
I bought my current notebook (a HP DV6 6011TX, i7 with 8 GB, HD6770, 1TB) around May-2011 to replace older DV5 which I've used for about 3+ years.

Although performance/decent graphics are essential, but I couldn't ignore the fact that if build quality is inferior, keyboard/trackpad & display is not good enough, it will be a hassle to use any notebook. Hence, I went with these.
 
I have 3 Laptops with different requirements.

1. Gamer, is mostly docked, has to have powerful cpu and graphics of course, weight, battery, display, KB not that important but game performance is and so is HD performance, Next time I change this one it will most likely be with a desktop. Currently a Dell XPS M1730 which is getting old now but still plays WoW perfectly well.

2. Work, Im a programmer for a 3D graphics company, the work machine has to have lots of ram, powerful cpu and a strong gpu, Again, often docked but does need to travel from home to office and sometimes other countries so I prefer a small form, light weight and good build quality, Currently a Dell Precision M4500, provided by work so I don't get a big say on this one.

3. Personal, This is just a general use machine for browsing, a bit of coding, reading, playing videos etc, It needs to be light and have good battery as I use it like a real laptop unlike the other 2, also needs good sound and image quality but doesn't have to be amazing, Currently a HP Pavilion. Will play WoW also thanks to its dual GPU system.
 
Its hard to choose just three features; as I have my own criteria for what is a good laptop for me is.
I consider these things
1) Build Quality,Usually prefer made in Japan for my Vaio..
2) General Performance
3) Good Display -I favor hidef 1080p even with 13 inch models,
4) Fabulous name- That is why I want Sony Vaio
5) Good graphics- as I do a lot of video encoding, and other multimedia needs, lots of number crunching.
6) Portability and weight - I prefer carbon fiber base
7) Good Batttery Life..
Things things aptly fits the third generation Vaio Z with core i7 chip,8 gigs of RAM and some gig of graphic with Blu-ray writer..
 
Whats the use of mobile computing laptops if they are not build strong enough to take the out door punishments? I vote BUILT QUALITY.
 
1) An easily removable hard drive
2) RAM
3) Decent graphics

I use my work laptop for personal use when I am traveling so I am constantly swapping the hard drive between my work HD and personal HD. This keeps my private stuff private whereas my work activities can be tracked via the corporate "spyware".

This is not as cumbersome as it seems since when I am working I seldom need to take care of personal stuff.
 
1) Battery life
2) Portability
3) Build Quality

Anyone that does not have these three chosen needs a desktop and not a laptop.
 
cliffordcooley said:
The point is not the content within the original posting but the content within the comments. And no it's not a waste when a tech topic is being discussed within a tech community. I for one enjoy reading what others think of tech, I may not always agree but I do enjoy reading their comments no matter the topic.

I noticed you only have 15 post but yet you are negatively critiquing someone with well over 1000. Waste.
Click to expand...

Knowledge sharing through comments is too gud.I agree with you on this part but what I meant to say is this topic should not be categorized as an "article"...n frm where does the no of posts cums up??
 
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