WANTED: Advice on buying a notebook
When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.
I’ve decided that it’s the right time to buy a notebook.
I’ve been looking at the so called “thin-and-light” models that come with approximately 12″ screens. From experience, screens that are smaller than that are far too small for me. While the machines would be extremely portable, I’m not sure that’s good enough compensation for my having to squint and risk making my eyesight worse.
On the other hand, I’m not sure that I want a machine with a 14″ screen - these are quite bulky and sometimes quite heavy as well. I don’t think I would carry a machine around if it’s too bulky and if I don’t carry it around, that would defeat the purpose of buying a notebook - I might as well just get a desktop. That said, I could still be persuaded, especially if it was the IBM T42, but I’m still hoping to find that ideal unit with a 12″ screen.
Oh. I definitely do not want an Apple.
So… after looking around, I’ve narrowed down my choices to the following (for the moment) with their specifications highlighted (those that are “important” for me), as well as cost for each:
- 12.1″ wide XGA screen
- 1.5 GHz Centrino with 2MB L2 cache
- 80GB HDD
- standard 4-cell battery and a spare 8-cell battery
- built-in SD card reader
- 4-pin firewire port
- shared graphics
- MYR6137
- 12 screen
- 1.5 GHz Centrino with 1MB L2 cache
- 40GB HDD
- built-in Bluetooth
- built-in CF card reader
- 4-pin firewire port
- 16MB ATI mobility RADEON graphics
- approximately MYR7000
- 12 screen
- 1.0 GHz ultra low voltage Centrino
- 40GB HDD
- built-in SD card reader
- 4-pin firewire port
- shared graphics
- MYR7400
All the units come with 512 MB RAM, built-in 802.11b (WiFi) and a combo-drive. I should probably also point out that while the Dell comes with one-year warranty (limited to the Asia-Pacific region), the IBM comes with three-years international warranty.
At this point in time, I’m kind of leaning towards the IBM X-series. Although it will cost about MYR1000 more than the Dell and will come with fewer specs, the IBM’s are reputed for their built-quality (the X-series come with titanium encasing inside), better keyboard (undisputed in the industry), and a better set of underlying application/software (mostly for data recovery and ease of use of the hardware). This aside from the portability feature of the X-series - without the ultrabase, the X-series notebooks are very very portable compared to the Dell, particularly the X40 which is smaller than A4-size and is quite thin.
However, within the IBM, I’m undecided between the X40 and the X31.
In the X31’s favour:
- better processor - 1.5GHz Centrino
- built-in bluetooth, on top of built-in 802.11b
- built-in CF-card reader (no SD-card reader) - good for my digital cameras
- 16MB ATI Mobility RADEON graphics
- 4-pin firewire - good for iPod
But the X31 is presently only available in Singapore.
In the X40’s favour:
- 25% lighter than the X31
- thinner than the X31, otherwise same dimensions
- built-in SD-card reader (no CF) - good for Treo600
But the X40’s processor is only 1.0 GHz ultra low voltage Centrino, its graphics is shared and there is no firewire port.
I’m quite concerned about the processing power of the 1.0 GHz ultra low voltage Centrino vs. the 1.5 GHz Centrino however I haven’t been able to find any (concrete) information as to whether there would be a significant difference that would bother me. That said, I am also aware that the 1.0 GHz ultra low voltage Centrino is now relatively old and therefore may become “obsolete” a lot sooner.
As you can imagine, I’ve been reading many, many reviews on the internet - it keeps me busy and my mind on the “straight and narrow”. So far, I haven’t come across any direct comparisons between the machines I’ve narrowed down. But I am aware that it’s very difficult to compare between the three machines - you give up some to win some. People are either very passionate about the IBMs due to built quality and the very sexy and alluring black titanium casing, or they are very practical and would opt for the Dell because of “value for money”.
I’ve decided to STOP thinking about it for a week. The more I investigate and the more I read, the more confused and “distraught” I become! It’s not an easy decision to make - it is spending MYR6000 or more after all.
But more importantly, according to Astrologyzone.com:
If you were thinking of making a big purchase, September would be the best time to do so. If you buy your computer, car, DVD, cell phone or other expensive item now, you will probably find reasons not to like it later. Waiting just one more month, until after September 2, would make all the difference.
On a more earthly level, I’d also like to see what offers Dell will come up with after the present ones expire on 27 August (today!!). Apparently, they normally do “Merdeka” offers that are quite good. And there’s also the issue of timing credit card charges - long story, but I’m sure you understand the logic and rationale.
Finally, it’s so much easier trying to buy a Dell. Their website (generally) works and it’s easy calling them or getting them to call me. Generally, you go to their website, configure the unit to your satisfaction, and they will provide.
Trying to buy an IBM in KL, on the other hand, is very difficult in comparison. The retailers in KL are generally not knowledgeable at all - they will give me nonsensical, if not false, information thinking I am dumb and uninformed. While I can call IBM’s toll free number for information, they don’t take purchase orders - they will refer me back to a retailer. Trying to get a unit that is a “non-standard” bundle is hell - since I’m a picky, demanding and knowledgeable customer, my desired units are inevitably “non-standard”. If I insist on getting an IBM unit configured in the way that I want at an acceptable price, I may yet have to buy it in Singapore, unsurprisingly. However, that would mean waiting a bit longer (which is not necessarily a bad thing), and no 0% interest free payment plan (which is preferable and which I can get in Malaysia).
But I like the IBM’s beautiful, sleek, almost sexy, design. To brush my hands over the black titanium casing would be heaven at this stage in my life… it makes up for the heartbreak and all the bad, bad things that have happened to me all of this year…
So how…?!?
p/s I’ve got three GMail invitations to give away. Write to me via the feedback form (link in the navigation box on the right) if you want one. I will not entertain requests in the comments section of this post.
Posted on August 27th, 2004 by jl
Filed under: Uncategorized
Coincidentally, I’m looking for a new laptop too to replace my company-provided Dell Inspiron. I’m gonna put the IBM X31 on my list now.
About IBM themselves… well, my current job requires me to deal with them very closely, and let’s just say I’ve begun to sprout gray hairs because of them. I’m too young to have gray hairs, darn it!
i’ll agree with Sashi… strictly consider IBM… other models are sometime DESKTOP REPLACEMENT, IBM really defines mobility… i know, been there, done that, passed that….!!
I previously used the IBM E series and recently upgraded to T40. Yes, the warranty is international and with this new T40, the system has not blue screen on me yet, almost 6 months now…
Also, my friend spilled water onto the laptop once.. nothing happen, the system keep on moving..
aiyo… must get IBM isit?! No one supporting Dell ah?!?
But which IBM? The X31 or X40? Or the T42?
Sashi - IBM Singapore has offers for the X31 until 15 September. See them here:
http://www-605.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PromotionDisplay?promoId=8732415&catalogId=-702&storeId=702&langId=702
jikon, IBM notebooks cost more but are less problematic. am using one myself and yes, the T42 will be superb!
hmm… but T42 very big and bulky… i small frame-lah. but i like the big 14″ screen (saw it yesterday next to a 12″ X40)… but still the bulk…!
(I know I am being very annoyingly anal here… but bear with me!)
get a life and buy an iBook.
if i had a life, i wouldn’t need an iBook.
Personally I’m inclined towards the X31. Looks like a good buy.
Or go for a Powerbook 12″. Amazing machine.
like i said
X31 X31 X31 X31 X31
X31 X31 X31 X31 X31
X31 X31 X31 X31 X31
X31 X31 X31 X31 X31
X31 X31 X31 X31 X31
oi! you orang tak baca-ke?!? i said, “no Apple”.
and for that matter, no Acer and no Fujitsu.
IBM. Enough said.
Baca. Saja lovin’ the apple too much
nanti ku sepak-kang, hah…
okay, X31 it is. it’s a beautiful small one and it suits your frame. i can’t do with anything less than 14 inches, hee..
PY - you’re such a size queen!
I am curious to know why you definitely dont want an apple. I have been looking to. Being a student price is the most important factor and an ibook 12″ has, i think the best value for money.
I don’t want an Apple because I’ve been a long-time Windows user and I’ve got a lot of existing data and work that would just not carry over to the Apple system. I’m also far too old to be learning a whole new system again.
More importantly though, as there are MORE Windows users, chances are more likely than not that you’d find “support” of some sort when you do find yourself in trouble or with a problem or with some “unique” situation that needs solving - and please spare me the excuse that people who use Apple don’t encounter problems.
Also, a lot of my existing gadgets are just not compatible with the Apple system, or would be too difficult to configure for it.
Finally, there are just more “affordable” and interesting applications out there for Windows.
Oh. I definitely do not want an Apple.
Are you sure you’re gay?
Ehhh…
I would highly recommend the IBM. You may think, looking at the price,you’re not getting the fullest bang for the buck, but IBM builds their notebooks solid. Sure, they may not look as sleek as a Sony, but they can sure last longer without a warranty than any other PC brand I know of. I would prefer the IBM X31, simply because of 16MB ATI mobility RADEON (hey, its better than X40 shared graphics), but then again, it depends on you.
X40 would turn more heads, but neither X31 or X40 would turn enough heads to make a purchase based on looks alone. If I was buying it, I would definately go for the X31. BTW, the main disavantages of the X40’s processor isn’t its frequency (1.0GHz), rather by the fact that it is low-voltage. Meaning it rarely runs at full capacity.
Oh, if you don’t want IBM, get a Sony or a Compaq or even its sister brand, HP - but *don’t* get a Dell. If you do, you better hope their customer service stays as good as it does now - cause you’re going to need it.
Oh, had very bad experience with Acer and Fujitsu laptops. Avoid like a plague. Probably also applies for Benq, Acer’s daughter brand.
General notebook comment:
Thumbs down on Acer. I lost my “A” on the keyboard within a couple of months.
I’m on to my 2nd iBook. Will not turn back. Anyone want my 12″?
Something useful to Jikon:
Like I mentioned to you offline, whatever we buy, it has to be fit for purpose.
Thinkpads are wonderful workhorse machines. I know a guy who ran a portal and directory server on one.
However, given that most of us doesn’t have unlimited resources, we have to apply pragmatism to our purchasing choices. The specs for notebook for ‘recreational’ purposes (surfing, chatting, playing games, watching DVDs etc), would be different from a workhorse machine. Although the two may overlap, there are other considerations:
- downtime for the machine may not be as critical as a work machine (re: good support compensates for higher reliability)
- bigger storage space (great for those pictures) at a lower price
- enough money leftover for the bells and whistles (like really really good earphones or a black mouse with a million buttons)
We shouldn’t be overzealous in embracing a piece of technology. Everything gets obsolete really fast, the most important thing above all else when investing in a piece of technology is for it to be fit for purpose.
Jikon,
If you buy a laptop from a better known manufacturer, in general I guess there should be less issues with build quality.
One big thing however, is ergonomics - when I was shopping for a laptop some years back I chose an acer over a sony because the keyboard and the pointy device felt more comfortable.
A laptop’s NEVER going to be a proper desktop, so I don’t care too much about how many horses it pulls as long as it’s capable enough and ergonomically light enuf and comfortable to use.
Check out the latest pentium M/Centrino offerings - they are generally lighter. But I think the most important thing to do is test drive it.
And the other thing to look for is a good screen. Watch out for are dead pixels on TFT screens. You might want to get a program to cycle thru’ pure red, green, blue and white and black screens to find the dud pixels. And be sure you know what the screen warranty is.
And be sure you get the exact model you pick.
I have the same problem with the purchase method of IBM in m’sia too. So, I customised my X31 and bought it from U.S. with the help of a states friend.