next_to_normal (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
next_to_normal) wrote2010-04-16 02:56 pm
next_to_normal) wrote2010-04-16 02:56 pm
Entry tags:
Someday I'll post about something else
Yeah, more computer stuff. Ignore me if you wish. It's mostly for my own benefit, because it helps to keep track of everything if I can post it all in one place, rather than searching through the different websites looking for the model I saw before to compare it with the other model I saw somewhere else.
Anyway, on my previous posts, a couple people suggested that 5400rpm wasn't enough, and I'd be better off with 7200. I mentioned it to my mom, who asked her IT person, which set off what I like to call the IT Rumble. Because my mom's IT person said the exact opposite of my dad's IT person. SHE said don't get a Toshiba, and vouched for the Sony. I'm starting to think this is much like the PC/Mac debate. There is no "better," there's just personal preference. Of course, I don't actually have a preference, outside of "I want something that WORKS," which leads to all sorts of silly things like trying to be objective.
That's not really the point, though. The point is that she also confirmed the "speed is important" thing, and considering that speed is a major problem with my current computer, I figured I should at least look at the 7200rpm, even though it's way more expensive.
Sony VPCEB190X CTO ($800)
Sony doesn't even make the models I was looking at before (CW and Y) with 7200, so this is the closest I could get (E series). It's a slightly larger screen (I was looking for something 13-14" to be more portable, but that adds about $100 to the cost, so I can live with an extra inch or two), but otherwise is mostly the same.
Toshiba also does not make Satellites (the model I had priced before) with 7200, so I had to jump up to the Tecra. For some reason, these all come with Windows 7 Professional, and I can't get Home Premium even if I want to and it'd be cheaper. Again with the larger screen here, as well.
Toshiba Tecra A11-ST3501 ($984)
Apple MacBook ($1,184)
Pretty much what I expected. This is even including the student discount. I added in the Office package because I don't have Office for Mac. I hadn't bothered adding it to the PCs because I already have Office 2007. Oh, but it is tempting, since now that I'm looking at the more expensive PCs, it's not as much of a difference as before.
I am going to take a trip to both the Sony store and Best Buy tonight, just to look around. For one thing, I'd like to compare screen sizes to see if that extra inch will really bother me. I also want to check prices, to see if Best Buy is any cheaper than buying direct from the manufacturer, though I doubt it.
Anyway, on my previous posts, a couple people suggested that 5400rpm wasn't enough, and I'd be better off with 7200. I mentioned it to my mom, who asked her IT person, which set off what I like to call the IT Rumble. Because my mom's IT person said the exact opposite of my dad's IT person. SHE said don't get a Toshiba, and vouched for the Sony. I'm starting to think this is much like the PC/Mac debate. There is no "better," there's just personal preference. Of course, I don't actually have a preference, outside of "I want something that WORKS," which leads to all sorts of silly things like trying to be objective.
That's not really the point, though. The point is that she also confirmed the "speed is important" thing, and considering that speed is a major problem with my current computer, I figured I should at least look at the 7200rpm, even though it's way more expensive.
Sony VPCEB190X CTO ($800)
- Intel® Core™ i3-330M processor (2.13GHz)
- Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit
- 500GB Hard Disk Drive (7200rpm)
- 4GB (4Gx1) / SP10-IRX5250
- Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator HD
- CD/DVD burner
- 15.5" screen
- 3.5-hour battery
Sony doesn't even make the models I was looking at before (CW and Y) with 7200, so this is the closest I could get (E series). It's a slightly larger screen (I was looking for something 13-14" to be more portable, but that adds about $100 to the cost, so I can live with an extra inch or two), but otherwise is mostly the same.
Toshiba also does not make Satellites (the model I had priced before) with 7200, so I had to jump up to the Tecra. For some reason, these all come with Windows 7 Professional, and I can't get Home Premium even if I want to and it'd be cheaper. Again with the larger screen here, as well.
Toshiba Tecra A11-ST3501 ($984)
- Intel® Core™ i3-330M Processor (2.13 GHz)
- Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit with XP Recovery Media
- 320GB HDD (7200rpm, Serial ATA)
- 4GB DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM (2048MBx2)
- Intel® Integrated Graphics
- DVD SuperMulti drive
- 15.6" Widescreen
- 4.6-hour battery
Apple MacBook ($1,184)
- Intel Core 2 Duo (2.26GHz)
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard + iLife
- 320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
- 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
- 8x double-layer SuperDrive
- 13.3" screen
- 7-hour battery
- Microsoft Office Mac 2008 - Home and Student Edition
Pretty much what I expected. This is even including the student discount. I added in the Office package because I don't have Office for Mac. I hadn't bothered adding it to the PCs because I already have Office 2007. Oh, but it is tempting, since now that I'm looking at the more expensive PCs, it's not as much of a difference as before.
I am going to take a trip to both the Sony store and Best Buy tonight, just to look around. For one thing, I'd like to compare screen sizes to see if that extra inch will really bother me. I also want to check prices, to see if Best Buy is any cheaper than buying direct from the manufacturer, though I doubt it.
no subject
The difference between Sony and other brands in the UK is that Sony are always 20% more expensive than the others for the same level of specification and they don't have any superior quality to justify that extra. The price differential doesn't seem to be as bad in the States but they're still probably ripping you off to some extent. They also have a habit of catching fire - I would no more get a Sony laptop than I would drive a Toyota.
Apples, of course, are total anathema to me because I am a gamer.
However, have you considered looking at Samsung? I have no personal experience with Samsung laptops but I can vouch for the supreme quality of their monitors. They might be worth checking out, at least.
no subject
I hadn't looked at Samsung before, but I just took a trip to Best Buy (where I ruled out the Toshiba) and the Samsung did look appealing, so I've been pricing them as well (which means another spec post, lol, sorry).
no subject
(Anonymous) 2010-04-16 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)no subject
no subject
And yeah, computer shopping is a daunting task if you don't know what all the specs mean. I am semi-literate in that area, but as you can see, I clearly need some help. :)