MORE computer specs

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So, I was all settled on the Sony Vaio, and then my doofus dad emails me saying, "Talked with our tech guru and he would not recommend Sony laptops. He said they are not as reliable as their reputation has been in the past. He fixes computers (he's the one who got your Apple going the first time) and said parts are much more for similar components. He suggested looking at Toshibas. They apparently are giving a better warranty and a much better price for the same features."

SOOOOO, anyone have any opinions on Toshibas? They seem to have dozens of models, but I just picked a few for comparison's sake.

Satellite T135D-S1324 ($600)

• AMD Turion™ Neo X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor L625
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
• 4GB DDR2 memory
• 13.3" widescreen
• ATI Radeon™ 3200 Graphics
• 320GB HDD (5400rpm)
• Sold Separately: Toshiba USB Portable DVD SuperMulti Drive - add $100

Satellite Pro L510-EZ1410 ($669)

• Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T6570
• Genuine Windows® 7 Professional (64-bit) with Windows XP Professional (SP3) Recovery Media
• 3GB DDR3 1066MHz memory
• 14.0" widescreen
• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 250GB HDD (5400rpm)
• DVD-SuperMulti drive (+/-R double layer)

Satellite U505-S2005 ($800)

• Intel® Core™ i3-330M Processor
• Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
• 4GB DDR3 1066MHz memory
• 13.3" widescreen
• Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD
• 500GB HDD (5400rpm)
• DVD-SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with Labelflash™ drive

So, okay, the first two models are cheaper, BUT the first one doesn't come with a DVD drive, which means I'd have to buy one separately (WTF? Who does that anymore?), so it ends up being $700, which makes them not that much cheaper. The last one is the same price as the Sony. So I'm not sure I believe Mr. Tech Guru. 

As for the warranty, Toshiba offers 1-Year Parts and Labor, 1-Year Battery. Sony just has 1-Year parts and labor, but they do have a store right nearby, and it'd be nice not to have to ship it off to get fixed.

Comments

Ummm

[ravenholdt.livejournal.com]

Cant say Ive ever heard any horrible things about Toshiba, though theyve been around looooong time.

Perhaps their marketing is more targeted to companies than personal users?
*confused* Who said wha?

THIS one: Satellite T135D-S1324 ($600) : is cool, but I echo your WTF and raise you a SRSLY? Thats just plain retarded. And yeah, I mean that in the literal sense, not simply derogatory. That systme is lacking in functional skills. LOL

The last seems fairly comparable to the Sony....and the warranty isnt all that much better. Hmm. Plus, you mention you have a Sony store nearby.
You know....sometimes the best overall deal isnt necessarily the best deal for You.

Id get in touch with Tech Guy and ask him to give you a better reason than he has...it doesnt really seem applicable unless we're talking about apocalyptic crashes being a standard for Sony tech.

Re: Ummm

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Well, he's not my tech guy - he's the IT guy at my dad's work, I think. Or he just works there and fixes computers for fun, I don't know.

This whole thing feels like a crapshoot.

[caromiofic.livejournal.com]

Toshiba's a decent brand, yeah. I wouldn't go with the one with the ATI Radeon card inside. ATI video cards run hot. The hotter your computer, the less lifespan you'll get out of it.

The last one is $800 because of the processor and memory. The Intel i3 and i7 processors are really top notch. If you do processor-intensive applications in your computer usage, I'd go with the speed (even though the 5400rpm hard drive speed is a total bottleneck on that processor and memory, all of them, really).

The first computer would be fine, though, if they'd put an nVidia video card in there instead.

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I don't really do much processor-intensive stuff, but the problem I'm finding with Toshiba is that the computers with less expensive processors don't come with DVD drives, and I'd rather not have an external one.

I feel like I'm zeroing in on it, lol. Until I come back tomorrow and decide to start looking at another brand...