India Broadband Forum

Preeti_20

Different laptops have different features, and everyone has their own requirements, what features of specifications do you look for when purchasing a laptop.

Because i dont use the computer for heavy gaming or such, if i was to purchase a laptop i would look for specifications like, RAM, hard drive, processor, screen size and obviously the cost. I think that's it will add something on if i remember or think i may require if buying a laptop.

saurav_k

Cost comes second when deciding a laptop brand to buy. Good brands will cost more. For ex: dell, lenovo will cost more whereas you will get very high cinfiguration HCL laptops at very low price which is not much reliable.

One other very important factor is the bundled OS and the cost associated with it. If you have your copy of operating system, why pay for it again when you buy a laptop. Every laptop or desktop which comes with OS (like xp, vista etc) do include the cost of OS. So, look for buying laptops which dont come with bundled OS, i.e, the Free DOS versions. This is a definite cost cutting tip. However, you wont get all laptops without bundled OS. Like Dell Studio, XPS dont come without Windows Vista bundled. So, no choice here than to pay for the OS even if you dont want it.

RAM, Processor, HDD, Screen Size are always the primary factors.

Some Important Tips:

1) Dont only check for the size of the RAM (like 1gb,2gb etc), but also check the speed of the RAM (like 800mhz, 1066mhz).

2) For HDD also - the size alone is not important but the RPM (speed) is also important. Most laptop HDDs come with 5400 RPM Hdds, But you can also get 7200 RPM HDDs.

3) Processor depends on personal choice.

Some other factors:

1) The number of USB ports

2) The color of the keypad. White keypad should be avoided as it gets dirty very fast.

3) The battery Backup time.

4) After Sales Service.

Will add more points later.


BTW this thread can be moved to the Laptops Section

deepmohan

7200 RPM HDD's will be fast but it will be a demerit if u are going to use it on the move as it will consume a lot of power compared to 5400 RPM ones and your battery backup will come down.

saurav_k

Yes, there is always a tradeoff between High Usage and Battery Consumption. Most Laptops will come with solid state hard disks in near future. They cost too much at this moment.

kirankumargb

Yes what saurav told is correct...!
Those are the key points to look at... May be we can help you in a better way if you can say your approx cost so will try and arrange the best one in that price, even if you intend to get a higher end later you can compare it with the details we provide now and see if you are getting better than that..!

meetdilip

It depends on our requirement and craze. Some of us prefer maximum performance over other facilities. If we don't go for the latest configuration, our model/configuration will soon be outdated as new and better options enter the market everyday.

Whereas some of us look the cost and utility factor. Both, in its own ways are beneficial.

Varad Dilip Choudhari

I suggest u to go for good brands rather going for Cheap brands.
SONY VAIO, DELL, HP, COMPAQ. are the good running brands select among these. Most of the laptops become outdated now, so I recommend u to go for a mid-level-laptop which costs about 50 - 60k i.e (50 thousand - 60 thousand).
I recommend you the following things while selecting the lappy

Processor : Don't just go for C2D check its speed, get about maximum speed u can get, I suggest u to go for 2.4GHz and above.

Memory (RAM) : Most of the sites fools u in the ram config, they say "Upto 4GB DDR2 667MHz Dual Slot RAM", the lappy actually doesnot contain 4GB RAM, its the capability of motherboard to extend ram upto 4GB, Verify the frequency of RAM first, now DDR2 "400MHZ, 533MHz is outdated and also DDR2 667MHz is ont the way, so I recommend u to go for 667MHz and above.

Graphics : In about 50 - 60k, u should not go for Intel Graphics Media Accelerator, most of the Laptop comes with built-in graphics from ATI, u can easily get such laptops at u r budget.

HDD : as suggested earlier go for 5400rpm as 7200rpm consumes more power, I recommend HDD should be 320GB and above.

Battery : laptops generally comes with 6cells battery, but if u go for 9cells battery it will increase u r backup, also 9cells battery costs 1.5k more than 6cells.

A Perfect Laptop Should Have : Good Graphics, It Should Be WiFi Certified, Bluetooth, Media Card Reader, Express Card Solt.

Preeti_20

Its true we need to go for the latest configuration, as the current one which you purchase will just get outdated! So maybe the key is also to buy the latest and most advanced.

bluelobs

nice info

thanks you

whitestar_999

just buy a dell studio 15 laptop with graphics card option for ~Rs.46000 or a dell XPS if you can afford ~Rs.65000.

saurav_k

have you noticed what i mentioned about Dell Studio/XPS here http://www.indiabroadband.net/laptop...tml#post152755 (Features in a laptop) ? What do you think?

whitestar_999

& which decent laptop from a reputed & reliable company(you already left HCL out of this league)comes without an OS?also what do you meant by the statement that you have to pay for the bundled OS.of course you have to pay but the price is much lower than,say,if you decide to buy a retail version.surely you are not suggesting people to use free OS(like LINUX)on such laptops which are usually meant for gaming & general entertainment for average users or to use pirated OS(whether XP or VISTA)free of cost.

saurav_k

oops. this point of mine about bundled OS/software is being misunderstood again & again. Go through this discussion: http://www.indiabroadband.net/deskto...tml#post157073 (Branded PC for 30-40k)

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There are free-dos versions(i.e. without XP/Vista) of most laptops brands except dell.

whitestar_999

i think you missed my point.an OEM version VISTA home premium costs only ~3000 i think & for an average user he or she needs an OS like XP or VISTA.if he or she after buying a laptop without OS will hAVE TO PAY MUCH MORE FOR A RETAIL VERSION OF THE SAME os.so effectively this option of without os is going to be costlier.

saurav_k

You missed my point too... Suppose you already have an original OS (vista/xp). You decide to buy a laptop. Why will you buy an OS again? Even if the retail version costs more and the bundled one costs less, what is the need of buying an OS again if you already own one!!?

deepmohan

ya thats right when you have one original OS then why to invest for other one.

But its difficult to find one.... as all good laptops come with preloaded OS.

whitestar_999

even a retail version of an OS is not allowed to install on more than 1 computer.so even if you do have an OS you have to first remove it from your 1st PC & then again you will be left with a PC without an OS.

rajan1311

for some reason i can install my windows again and again on different comps. It is an oem

deepmohan

the problem here is not getting it installed on diff comp but to get it registered.

rajan1311

aaa
Y do u want to register it ???? Just activate it.