Let us know your:
1) budget
2) specifications you expect
3) where u are going to use it
4) what are u going to use it for

Then I can give you a good idea.

1) Fujitsu
Get the C2210/C2220 or S6120 model

2) Compaq
Get Presario 2131AD or Evo n1020v model

3) IBM
Get R40 RA5 or R40 CEA model

4) Acer
Normally sucks but TravelMate 802 looks good.

5) Toshiba
Heavy but Pro SP-1 is good.

NEC Sucks (Made in China) and some of the model are given regional warranty instead of International warranty.

Aris, no O/S installed (Only a selected models come with Licensed O/S) and no international Warranty.

DELL Sucks also. If got problem, have to send back to Penang. Then wait for one month ++ only get your machine back.

*DELETED*

This post has been edited by netboy: Jul 9 2003, 08:39 PM

AAY,
Yes, you are correct that some DELL models does come with next business day on-site warranty. But those people at DELL are smart fellows.

You know when you have problem with your laptop, you'll surely call their helpline right? If they found out that your model is covered on-site, they won't stop talking and tried to solve the problem thru phone, instead of coming to your place.

A friend of mine had this modem problem last time. She called Dell, the call lasted for about 1 hour. The Dell person told my friend to do this and that. When my friend said she's not good in computer, therefore asking them to come, the Dell person insist that she tried first. She was asked to download a patch from their website, and change some settings. The modem works again but it cost 1 hour of phone bill and lots of trouble (For a person who is not IT-savvy)...

BTW, the four business day thingy is pure bulls***. If you read their warranty agreement properly, it stated that only "certain" problem are covered in the "four business days" period.

Just one word: Don't buy DELL.

DELL, Twinhead and NEC sucks hard...
Get: Toshiba, IBM, Compaq or Fuijtsu

If you guys read my previous replies, I have specifically said that DELL suck so much in terms of their after sales service support. If your DELL have no problem then, congrats. If you have problem with it which you can't fix, then good luck.

BTW, Compaq is releasing new Centrino models with price starting from RM5,488.00

Class A
---------
IBM, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Compaq Evo, Sony

Class B
---------
Compaq Presario, DELL, Acer (High-end models), Asus

Class C
---------
Acer, NEC, Twinhead

This post has been edited by netboy: Jul 26 2003, 02:44 PM

Yeah, Apple iBooks should be in Class A. Sorry for not including it in the rating at first!

Anyway, about Twinhead and NEC, you have to see it to believe it. The quality is really no good at all. Eg. the pcmcia slot is not smooth, sometimes will have trouble plugging in pc cards.. Then the LCD lids are damn fragile (any notebooks are fragile but these 2 names...).

You just have to see it to believe it.

Anyway, Fujitsu S6120 is a good choice, except that it don't have a built-in floppy drive but it does come with a port replicator (Something like a dock). If you think you can afford, it, go fot it.

Beware, ConquerorX. Since you're going to fork out a few thousand bucks, why don't spend a little bit more to get a better one? Why Twinhead?

The Twinhead's spillproof k/board and military grade is bulls***.

I'm working part time in a notebook retail company, we tried to drop the Twinhead from 1m, while playing DVD. the result at first was "WOW!!!, Amazing!".

It's really cool to see a notebook dropped down unscratched while playing DVD but, the second time was pathetic. The LCD lid cover broke. We sent back for 1 to 1 swap.

And we don't dare to try spilling water to the keayboards.

Try Acer or Compaq instead since the price range is there.

Compaq and HP are basically the same. Same manufacturer, same sellers, same service centre.

You have to tell me your budget, your expected specifications.

Hi ConquerorX,

Here's my recommendations for you:
1) Compaq 2164AF (P4 M, Combo, WiFi)
2) Acer 290XCi (Centrino, Combo)

Hi foonhkh,

Since your friend's budget is on a high range, then this is what I recommend:

1) Fujitsu S6120 - RM7,788
2) Compaq Evo N620c - RM5,999 & RM8,999
3) IBM T40 - Check www.ibm.com/my for complete prices.
4) Sony TR1 - RM7,488
5) Fujitsu P5010 - RM6,888

Does your friend like a small unit like the Vaio TR1? If your friend acccept those extra small size notebook, then consider Fujitsu P5010 as well.

Fujitsu P5010 and Sony TR1's CPU speed is slow because of its extra small size. How can you pump in a 2gig CPU to a mini size laptop?

BTW, Acer 290XCi is priced at RM4,588 while Compaq 2164AF is priced at RM4,999.

The good thing about Compaq is better after sales support, compared to Acer.

Hi chding,
Your friend got a reasonable deal. Acer 290XCi and Compaq 2131AD almost the same... It depends on which brand you prefer - Compaq or Acer. Centrino may have longer battery life but Compaq has got better after sales support.

Hi Zypher,
Which model of presario you're talking about that you faced the floppy problem?

Anyway, Compaq released a new model. It's 1031x (If not mistaken). The model is on Centrino with Combo, priced at RM5,488. It's wide screen too. You should give that a shot.

This post has been edited by netboy: Aug 2 2003, 01:42 AM

With Asus, you'll get 2 years international warranty. But be prepared that it might not be available in your area. The international service centres for Asus is quite limited.

For Benq 5000 (Centrino 1.3, RM5,999), the specs are quite nice but it's little bit pricey, compared to Compaq x1031 (Centrino 1.3, wide screen, Radeon 9200, RM5,488)...

And Benq's casing is a little bit cheapskate...

That's MHO.

I've forgotten about the Compaq x1031 fdd availability. Check back this post as I shall edit as soon as possible.

The Compaq's weight is approx. 2.5kg. Benq is 2.4kg. Just 100grams approx. extra. Like I said before, the Benq case does seems little bit cheapskate.

For the price difference, get the Compaq. The plus side is the widescreen and the new JBL Pro stereo speakers. The JBL on this new Compaq does sound better than older Presario models. And x1031 is using USB2.0, rather than 1.1 on it's previous models.