Help from all you tech savvy guys/gals. :)

[Freakair]

I know this is a tablet forum but it's also one of the most tech savvy sites I belong to. :)
So my Laptop died a painful death on the weekend, wife decided it needed a bath while it was running.(glass of water) :eek: So I'm in the market for a new one just don't know what yet. My old one (Dell 640m (http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Inspiron-640m.1618.0.html)) was a great laptop had no intention of replacing it any time soon as it did everything I wanted it to. The really nice thing I found it did (for me anyway) was the 7pin svid type port actually allowed me to run Component video and 5.1 out to my HDTV. So I never had to stream or convert any files just ran them off the laptop.:cool:

Anyway anything that is comparable with it would be great just don't want to buy junk either. Here's a few I looked at yesterday but again not sure thought I'd get some advise, maybe there's something way better coming or out that I haven't seen.
Dell XPS (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10126079&logon=&langid=EN) Acer 3810T (http://www.acer.ca/acer/product.do?LanguageISOCtxParam=en&rcond5e.c2att92=474&inu49e.current.c2att92=474&link=ln314e&CountryISOCtxParam=CA&kcond47e.c2att92=474&rcond159e.att21k=1&kcond48e.c2att101=62293&rcond190e.att21k=1&acond23=CA&rcond4e.att21k=1&sp=page17e&rcond157e.c2att92=474&var9e=538&ctx1g.c2att92=474&rcond42e.att21k=1&kcond50e.c2att92=474&rcond45e.att21k=1&rcond158e.c2att1=27&ctx2.c2att1=27&inu53e.current.c2att92=474&rcond38e.c2att1=27&var13e=CA&rcond44e.c2att1=27&rcond186e.c2att92=474&rcond3e.c2att1=27&rcond28e.attN2B2F2EEF=3273&rcond189e.c2att1=27&ctx1.att21k=1&CRC=1930237023) (<-price was $699 CND for the Acer)
The reason these two grabbed my attention was the HDMI out, so I can still use to connect to my HDTV or HD projector.
Any help or advise would be great, thanks.

Clinton

[Freakair]

Not really interested in a netbook, I do have a desktop fairly good one infact but I don't care to use it that often. I'd rather have a laptop that I can do most if not all tasks I want/need to. The Dell 640m that I had did this very well but there really isn't any point in spending $600 on the same laptop when I can justify to the wife whatever I feel I want. She wants to buy me a new one but I just want the ok on whatever I feel I need.:D;)

Clinton

[mrojas]

If you can afford it, get a Lenovo Thinkpad. They may not look fancy, but they are sturdy, durable, and will always get the job done. They are designed with little details that make the difference, for example the keyboard has special drain holes for liquids dropped on it, the inner frame is a magnesium alloy, etc

[fnordianslip]

If she's paying for it (with her own money, not yours) how about a MacBook or better yet, a 17" MacBook Pro?

[paperscissors]

If you can afford it, get a Lenovo Thinkpad. They may not look fancy, but they are sturdy, durable, and will always get the job done. They are designed with little details that make the difference, for example the keyboard has special drain holes for liquids dropped on it, the inner frame is a magnesium alloy, etc

I'd second this recommendation. They're not the prettiest things in the world, but they are good all-round workhorses that will take a beating. Have certainly seen numerous co-workers spill entire coffees / water jugs / wine glasses / froyo cups on them and yet the live to see another day.

[Freakair]

Thanks guys. Forgot to mention I hate Apple crap, it's not an option.

Can you get a lenovo with Hdmi out? I haven't found one local yet.
Searching the net right now.;)


Clinton

[SubCore]

I third that motion, only adding that you want a T-series thinkpad. R-series is not nearly as endurable and stable, and likely to disappoint.

[fnordianslip]

Well, I don't hate the Apple crap, and you asked for recommendations. I hope you're not thinking of running that Windows **** on your new laptop are you?

[Freakair]

Well, I don't hate the Apple crap, and you asked for recommendations. I hope you're not thinking of running that Windows **** on your new laptop are you?

Well this is my thread asking for advise for me so I'm just going with what I want. I absolutely hate Apple crap, womb have another one if their products in my house. ;)
I don't mind windows as most of my experience is using it. I do have or did have a Linux partition. But it was not my main OS.

Clinton

[fnordianslip]

OK dude, good luck in your search for a replacement.

[timsamoff]

If you can afford it, get a Lenovo Thinkpad.
Definitely a good choice. But, a little pricier than some of the others. A MacBook is not a bad choice either (what I have). I run Ubuntu and Windows 7 (and a couple of others) via Parallels.

Tim

[ysss]

I second (third?) the recommendation for macbook/pros.. they run windows (if that floats your boat) better than most windows machines anyway: a single driver installer package that gets auto-update is a win in my book.

[nowave7]

I'd recommend Thinkpad T series as well. Used it on my previous job, and have to say they are quite sturdy, can take a lot of beating.

[Freakair]

Thanks for the replys people.:) I actually took a good look at the Macbook Pro (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10125862&catid=26225&logon=&langid=EN) (<-link to specs/price)because a few of you suggested it but after comparing it I just can't justify getting a slower machine with less RAM, Video, CPU and Hard drive for more $$ than anything in it's class. The fact that I would not be using the Mac OS is a factor as well, I'd have to buy a copy of Windows and dual boot with Linux. (I like windows what can I say:o)
I think I've decided on the Samsung Q320 (http://www.samsung.com/ca/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersaccessories&type=mobilecomputing&subtype=notebook&model_cd=NP-Q320-AS02CA) , which has better specs and a sealed keybord for $200 less than the Macbook. Here (http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10126029&catid=20354) are the ful specs and price for the Q320, if anyone has any reason for not getting the Q320 I would appreciate any info. I will be buying tomorrow night and I have 14 days to return if anyone thinks this is a bad deal/machine. Thanks again.

Clinton

[overfloat]

I can see why you don't like Mac, personally, I try to stay away from them - I really cant stand their advertising with all the lies in the Mac vs PC debate and the whole - be an individual - image that they portray while offering a choice of three models. I also think Steve Jobs is a jerk (although its more of an undisputed fact).

Sorry to hear about the 680m, I'm still running my 700m with Ubuntu that I bought almost five years ago.

I've heard good things about Samsung laptops, although they don't have as long a track record as some of the other guys.

[overfloat]

Oh and this screenshot from the Samsung page is the funniest lie I've seen in a while.... apparently a 'Conventional' display is looking at photos that you took of your CRT TV from the 80s

[Freakair]

Yeah i saw that. Funny, but it does have better performance than the 9400m. Well according to all the notebook review sites I've been reading. :-)

Clinton

[Verythrax]

I'll join the Lenovo suggestion.

They are like anti-Apple for me:

they have a premium price also, but instead of fancy looks you get durability, a specs that really matches the money spent, and you don't need any tricks or 3rd party software to run the OSes that matters. They look ugly, but they are the best hands down.

[Freakair]

Yeah i looked ar the Lenovo. They are way over priced for what you get. I really dont need a buisness machine that's built like a tank. :-) thet seem to be really pricey and limited in fearures intown. I only say intown because id like to try it out (see uf it fits my needs) with the option to easily return if it does not.

Clinton

[Attack_attack]

like i said on the other laptop post, personally i wouldnt buy a dell.
less important components are budget and poor quality, and they feel cheap to me. (personal oppinion).
Also, another note: i wouldn't buy a macbook. apple charge incredibly high prices for hardware that just isnt worth that much, the best part of a macbook is the screen quality (in fairness, i was very impressed), but the rest i wouldnt say is worth it.

[Freakair]

Yeah ive ruled out both of those already as they are $$ for what you get.
What do you think of the samsung Q320? it has a nicer screen (in my opinion ) than the Mac and its led backlite.

like i said on the other laptop post, personally i wouldnt buy a dell.
less important components are budget and poor quality, and they feel cheap to me. (personal oppinion).
Also, another note: i wouldn't buy a macbook. apple charge incredibly high prices for hardware that just isnt worth that much, the best part of a macbook is the screen quality (in fairness, i was very impressed), but the rest i wouldnt say is worth it.

Clinton

[overfloat]

I know you are looking for something local, however, if you have any chance of having it delivered south of the border, before you make your final decision, check out these coupons/deals

http://dealnews.com/Lenovo-Coupons.html?iref=dnhd
http://dealnews.com/categories/Computer/PC-Computers/PC-Laptop/49.html?iref=dnhd

[Freakair]

Ended up getting the Dell. Some kind of promo plus $100 off Rewards Zone deal, came out to $1025 tax and enviro in. It was only a from Dell :/ oh well i have 14 days to check it out. :-)

Clinton

[overfloat]

on a side note - i think I'm going to get the HP 12 inch Tablet PC (the cheap one) in the coming months. Haven't done much research though - anyone had any experience?