Hey everyone,

I need advice regarding choosing a high-end laptop as a desktop replacement and also to carry around KL in a backpack. My budget is RM6k, and the most important aspects for me in a laptop is high quality, reliability, durability, long life-span, and also quick warranty claims, and good customer service.

I've narrowed it down to these three models, and I'd appreciate it if anyone who is an experienced laptop user can give me advice and recommendations on selecting the best laptop for me that will last me for the next 6 years (with upgrades throughout it's lifetime), as this is a long-term investment for me.

Currently, I've narrowed it down to these three models from three different manufacturers, but I'm open to new ideas, options, suggestions, and recommendations...

I'd appreciate it if users of these laptop series could give me feedback on their experience using these models and the problems / troubleshooting that I might experience during the laptop's lifetime!

Thanks in advance...

(1) Dell XPS M1210 Notebook

- Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7200 (2GHz, 4MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
- 3-year XPS Premier Service with 1-year CompleteCover
- 1 ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PCMCIA CARDS)
- Internal Dell™ 84 Keys Keyboard (English)
- Black and Silver with Chrome Accents
- Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet
- Intel® 945 Chipset Family
- Dell™ PC-Restore
- Internal 56K Modem
- 65W AC Adapter
- Dell™ Media Direct 3.0
- 12.1" Wide Screen XGA display with TrueLife™ (1280x800 res.)
- 1.3MP Web Cam
- 2GB (2 X 1024MB) 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
- No Floppy Drive
- 160GB SATA Hard Drive
- Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Combination Drive with dual layer write capabilities
- Microsoft® Windows Vista Home Premium
- Microsoft® Works 8.5 (Does Not Include Microsoft® Office Software)
- Norton™ Internet Security™ 2007 (English) - 15 Months OEM
- Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module
- Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945 Dual Band 802.11a/g 54Mbps Wireless Mini Card
- Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio Software
- 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7400 TurboCache
- 9-cell 85Whr Lithium Ion Primary Battery
- Dell Light Weight Nylon Case
- Weight Approx 2.0kg

(2) HP Pavillion DV6203TX

- Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7200 (2GHz, 4MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
- Microsoft® Windows Vista Home Premium
- Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset
- NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400 with 256MB
- 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen Display
- 1GB DDR2 667Mhz RAM (512 x 2)
- 160GB Hard Disk Drive
- Super Multi Drive (DVD+-RW, CD-RW), with LightScribe
- Networking / Wireless High Speed 56K modem
- Integrated 10/100 LAN, Wireless LAN 802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth, Remote Control.
- Express Card / 54 Slot
- Integrated 5-in-1 Memory Card Reader
- Altec Lansing Speakers
- 1.3MP Webcam
- 1 Year Limited International Warranty
- Weight Approx. 2.78kg

(3) Toshiba Satelitte A100-3112E (Sunlight Copper Chasis)

- Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7200 (2GHz, 4MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
- 1024MB DDR2 SDRAM
- 160GB SATA HDD
- DVD SuperMulti Double Layer Drive
- 15.4" WXGA Clear SuperView TFT Display
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 512MB HyperMemory
- Harmon/Kardon speakers with SRS TruSurround Sound
- Integrated Bluetooth V2.0
- 5-in-1 card reader, ExpressCard slot
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Toshiba Dual Mode Pad, Spill-resistant keyboard
- 1 year International Limited Warranty
- Weight Approx 2.90kg

(4) Any other laptops within RM6k that can match these 3 above specs or better?

- Open to all ideas, opinions, suggestions and recommendations!!!

Thanks!!!

Like I said, I intend it to be a desktop replacement model. I need it for my office work, personal internet usage, gaming, entertainment and such...

The laptop needs to be capable of handling any task I need it to do, as it will be my main technological link to the world and such...

I'm not doing autocad or anything, but I need it to handle high end gaming, like a gaming rig, and the specs much be able to keep me running the latest programs for the next 3 years, at least...

Also, I want a very durable and high quality laptop, in case I accidentally bang it, drop it, or you know, the usual stuff that can make my HDD crash or my PC die on me, I need it to withstand a certain amount of normal abuse, basically not being too sensitive when it's accidentally rough handled.

I'm planning to buy it at the end of the month or beginning of next month.
Oh ya, if I order it from you, do I get any special offers or discounts?

The thing about the XPS that interests me it's that Dell promotes it to be tough built and durable. My harddisk will contain lots of personal and business documents, and it's important for me that the laptop does not crash on me on crucial moments.

I don't mind the smaller screen size, or an extra 1kg of weight to lug around, that's no problem for me... Main importance for me is quality, durability, and excellent customer support.

Yes, I know I said 6 years, but of course, during the course of the six years, I'll be upgrading my ram and such if it's possible. Of course, one can't expect it to be able to handle the latest games and such, but I want a long lasting specification, wear and tear of course is understood, and new software, but at least, I want the laptop to be able to handle the next OS, even if it's considerably slower.

For example, I don't want to buy a PC which can only handle XP, and cannot be upgraded to Vista, as the OS is now moving to the next level.

Like my previous Desktop PC, I bought it a few years back, but due to the high specs I chose before, it still is capable of handling Windows Vista without major glitches...

Anyway, I''m only getting my lappy end of this month or the beginning of next month, so I'm open to all ideas... Thanks for your input, really appreciate it!

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Added on May 13, 2007, 1:52 pmThen I guess I'll opt for a resonably good graphics card instead of dumping too much money for a high end gaming card for my lappy...

I don't really play too many games, but when I play games, I'd like to know that my laptop can handle medium to medium-high settings.

Of course, the 3rd and 4th year, I don't expect high-end settings to work, but by that time, I'll have enough allocated budget to get a high end desktop or another laptop, but for now, I want the laptop I'm about to buy to be long-lasting.

Anyway, I'll be checking the ASUS you mentioned, see whether it appeals to me.

This post has been edited by Chrisp_USA_13: May 13 2007, 01:52 PM

Not really attracted to ASUS... Seems like I'm paying a lot for the brand instead of the specifications...

But thanks for the new idea!

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Added on May 13, 2007, 2:18 pmJust checked out the Compaq, but seems like I'm sacrificing all the other specs just for a slightly better graphics card...

I prefer a more powerful processor, bigger hard disk and more memory. I've got no preference for screen size, and based on the type of screen offered by RM5k to RM6k laptops, seems like their screens are the high-end type ones, so I'm happy with the screens being offered.

More concerned about quality, durability and customer service.
I know business type laptops are better built than home user laptops like the first three I'm considering, but their price range is slightly too expensive, and I'll be spending considerable money later on to upgrade their specifications.

Whereas the first three I chose, the only thing that comes to my mind on upgrading is the RAM, HDD (should I need a bigger internal HDD), and the warranty period.

Hmmm, to make things clearer, I want to know which of these three brands will offer the best customer support and warranty when things go wrong!

I don't want my laptop to crash when there is important stuff to be done, and I don't want my laptop sleeping in the service center for 2 month waiting for new parts, or the manufacturer suddenly claiming that certain parts are not covered under the warranty agreement.


This post has been edited by Chrisp_USA_13: May 13 2007, 02:18 PM

Dell all the way? Not even Toshiba or HP can beat them when it comes to warranty and customer service?

Hmmm.... Okay... Thanks for your advice... I'll consider the business line laptops as well, haven't really done research on those models, will look further into it...