New Laptop Advice

Okay so I tried writing this post 10mins ago but my laptop crashed for the 3rd time today (just turns off and then when I try turn it back on, it only shows a black screen). Pretty pissed off about this but I guess it just means it's time for an upgrade.

My laptop is a: Fujitsu Siemens AMILO Notebook Li 3710 and it runs off Windows Vista

I have been speaking to a few mates about what they think I should go for, and they all went on about how great Apple Mac Books are, and that they'd never go back to anything else now that they have one. The only thing is, Mac Book are very expensive, and even the bottom-of-the-range Mac Books aren't cheap.

My current laptop has been giving me hell for a while now. To name a few of the things that piss me off about it: constantly slow to open up any program, even Word or Excel takes a few minutes to open, I have to keep the charger permanently plugged in because the battery barely lasts 30mins, it hardly supports any new programs that I need to use and the list goes on...

Now I want to get something that any of you tech geniuses feel would be the best value for money, but that also meets the following criteria:

*Fast to start-up
*Fast to open/close programs
*Supports modern programs
*Great battery life
*Good memory
*Good quality picture
*Supports Microsoft Office 2010+
*And I'm guessing you get the picture...

Now I'm not asking for you guys to do the homework for me, all I'm asking is if you could please steer me in the right direction with what to look out for if you know your laptops. If I need to spend the extra money, I will, because I need to use it practically every single day, but I just want to avoid being ripped off or buying something that won't be suitable for me.

If you know the relative retail price, including that into your suggestions would be really appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Get a desktop.

How much do you have to spend.

If you can afford it go for a Macbook.

CHAPEL wrote: Get a desktop.

Took the words right out of my mouth

He is asking for laptop advice...

Macbook Air or Macbook Pro all the way. I had a Macbook Air for a while before I bought my retina and I miss it. Very good value for R12k-ish. Super fast with the SSD, and only 1KG with the best looking design on any laptop. I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact. The trackpad on Macbooks are also way better than anything on other laptops.

Getting a desktop unfortunately isn't an option for me, as I don't sit and work in one place.

I see that the the 11" Macbook Air is the cheapest going at R10 000 which is pretty expensive and I don't know if I'll be able to afford it, much to my disappointment.

Preferably, I wouldn't like to go over R10 000 for the laptop, and I need to get one urgently, so I need to make sure that it will be the best for me.

Thanks guys, appreciate your fast replies.

ADD: If other brands are similarly priced to the 11" Macbook Air (R10 000) then I'll probably just go far the Macbook. Otherwise any cheaper laptops that are good?

Muscleaddict wrote: Macbook Air or Macbook Pro all the way. I had a Macbook Air for a while before I bought my retina and I miss it. Very good value for R12k-ish. Super fast with the SSD, and only 1KG with the best looking design on any laptop. I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact. The trackpad on Macbooks are also way better than anything on other laptops.

I don't want to steer this off topic, but what do you mean by "I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact."

MK wrote: Getting a desktop unfortunately isn't an option for me, as I don't sit and work in one place.

I see that the the 11" Macbook Air is the cheapest going at R10 000 which is pretty expensive and I don't know if I'll be able to afford it, much to my disappointment.

Preferably, I wouldn't like to go over R10 000 for the laptop, and I need to get one urgently, so I need to make sure that it will be the best for me.

Thanks guys, appreciate your fast replies.

Ja and the 11" Macbook Air is pretty small as well.

Muscleaddict wrote: Macbook Air or Macbook Pro all the way. I had a Macbook Air for a while before I bought my retina and I miss it. Very good value for R12k-ish. Super fast with the SSD, and only 1KG with the best looking design on any laptop. I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact. The trackpad on Macbooks are also way better than anything on other laptops.

I see what you are saying but do you really think it necessary to spend 12k on a laptop based on his criteria

Mr T wrote:

Muscleaddict wrote: Macbook Air or Macbook Pro all the way. I had a Macbook Air for a while before I bought my retina and I miss it. Very good value for R12k-ish. Super fast with the SSD, and only 1KG with the best looking design on any laptop. I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact. The trackpad on Macbooks are also way better than anything on other laptops.

I see what you are saying but do you really think it necessary to spend 12k on a laptop based on his criteria

It's not going to crash 3 times per day and that alone makes it worth it. :whistle: But it's still allot of money for a very small laptop.

admin wrote:

Mr T wrote:

Muscleaddict wrote: Macbook Air or Macbook Pro all the way. I had a Macbook Air for a while before I bought my retina and I miss it. Very good value for R12k-ish. Super fast with the SSD, and only 1KG with the best looking design on any laptop. I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact. The trackpad on Macbooks are also way better than anything on other laptops.

I see what you are saying but do you really think it necessary to spend 12k on a laptop based on his criteria

It's not going to crash 3 times per day and that alone makes it worth it. :whistle:

Hahaha yea but remember he's also upgrading from vista so ANYTHING is going to be an improvement :lol: i just don't think he needs to spend that much based on what he nedds out of it...

Sorry Guys the crapberry is giving me problems with posting the link...copy paste this in ur browser

blog.laptopmag.com/7-ways-ultrabooks-beat-the-new-macbook-air

Thanks Mr T for that link!

So is my thinking right in saying, the next best brands to go for after Apple are:

*ASUS
*Toshiba
*Acer
*HP
*Dell

Ag its debatable hey, everyone is going to have a different opinion...

www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/best-brands-2012.aspx

Keep in mind that the reviews on these brands are as of march 2012 and are not the ivy bridge ultrabooks you would buy today but it will give you a fair idea of each brands quality etc

MK, sorry to hear bud! you have nerves of steel to have put up with vista for so long!shit!

My vote is also for Mac BUT only if you're in to multimedia, otherwise you are gonna pay a lot for something that you are not going to get the full benefit of.

HP&Dell Very good but overpriced.
Toshiba - honestly the biggest shit you can buy!
Asus - also good choice.
Acer - I enjoy selling cause you can also upgrade the warranty to 3 years and they have got awesome service afterwards! much much better than HP and Dell.

Take a look at this Gigabyte Notebook, i would say it’s in the same class as Asus and comes with 2year warranty. I would get this cause for the price and specs it’s a steal and will replace it anyways after 2 year cause then it old news...

Also you might want to check out for a notebook that has got a Windows 8 free upgrade with the purchase. Also check for a notebook that has got the 3rd Generation of Core i Processors.


R 7 999 WINDOWS 7 GIGABYTE® Q1742 Notebook: Intel® Core™ i7 3610QM 2.30GHz Processor, 8GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory (2x 4GB - 2 Slots)
750GB 5400RPM 2.5" SATA HDD, 8x DVD Super Multi Writer, 17.3" HD 1600x900 LCD Widescreen, 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
Intel® HM77 Express Mobile Chipset, nVidia Optimus Technology, Integrated Gigabit LAN, Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n @ 300Mbps
nVidia Optimus Technology: nVidia GeForce GT640M 2GB Graphics (Performance) / Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Power Saver)
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional, 2 Year Global Warranty With Fetch And Repair
PORTS 1x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0, 1x Headphone & Mic Jack, 1x D-Sub VGA, 1x HDMI, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet, 3-In-1 Reader

admin wrote:

Muscleaddict wrote: Macbook Air or Macbook Pro all the way. I had a Macbook Air for a while before I bought my retina and I miss it. Very good value for R12k-ish. Super fast with the SSD, and only 1KG with the best looking design on any laptop. I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact. The trackpad on Macbooks are also way better than anything on other laptops.

I don't want to steer this off topic, but what do you mean by "I wish the Retina was just a bit more compact."

I mean yes for a 15" the rMBP is light at just on 2KG but I think Apple could could have cut the weight down even. Since they removed the superdrive and the aluminium layer in the chassis feels pretty thick compared to the Air. Granted the rMBP probably needs more space inside because of the more powerful components but at R30k, and since Apple do lead the way in terms of design aesthetics I think they could've taken the design one step further from the previous Macbook Pro chassis. I I really like the way the Air's chassis tapers to being very thin in front of the trackpad. That would've looked awesome. I guess the main issuse would be ventilation because the GT650m could get pretty hot. Anyway, still an awesome machine.

AE, thanks so much for the help there bud, I don't really believe in giving away karma for off-topic help but that really helped me, +1.

I will take all that you said into consideration when looking round, thanks man, that really makes my life so much easier at the moment!

Cool bud anytime, Can't tell you much about AAS, but this is my field.

AE wrote: Cool bud anytime, Can't tell you much about AAS, but this is my field.

Where is that laptop available from?

Does anyone know of a place called Apples4Apples in Durban? I spoke to a family friend who got his Macbook Air for wholesale price from there, but that was over a year ago... Just wanted to know if anyone knows about this place?

Rectron but you can buy it online as well.

Don't know it but wholesale price will be only 5-10% cheaper than Incredible Con or iStore

Hi AE

Do you mind telling me where you found that quote for R7999 for the Gigabyte Notebook? Everywhere I look on the internet shows prices between R9600 and R10 500. Any help would really be appreciated!

EDIT: Just seen now that you said you can get it from a place called Rectron? I'm assuming that's a shop, because everywhere I look on the internet is atleast R1500 more expensive.

Rectron does not sell to the public unfortunately. Only registered resellers and retailers. Their pricelist also lists prices ex VAT.