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標題: godo buy? acer 15.4" T5250 2gig 8400M $700 [打印本頁]

作者: jake123 時間: 2007-12-1 17:33 標題: godo buy? acer 15.4" T5250 2gig 8400M $700

its on sale in staples until dec 14th. i hv a few questions...

1) should i wait till boxing day? or in jan?
2) wt can the 8400M compare to? 6600GT?
3) the new acer design=better? durable?
4) i already hv a pretty new desktop, built in late june, w/ a 8800gts, so gaming is generally taken care of. do i really need another laptop? wt r the benefits? main use will be browsing web in sfu(im a new student; the workstatiosn in library are generally accessible only in the morning)

scarcity is stupid.
thanks!

作者: notgoddy 時間: 2007-12-1 17:43

If it is only for web browsing, why not buy older and cheaper?...

作者: jake123 時間: 2007-12-1 18:56

well the ability to lan or play some games in one of my many 2 hour breaks is really attractive...

i was looking at a toshiba 1gig t5250 for 599 in fs... but i would upgrade memory anyway that will cost ~50... so +50bucks for the 8400(acer) will be nice...

作者: nameless 時間: 2007-12-1 19:04 標題: EJM7

Which staples is it? I am kind of interested too

作者: jake123 時間: 2007-12-1 19:06

any staples(in the lower mainland); its in the fliers.

u can check the website
for some reason it sells it for 705.98 or sth instead of 699

作者: its_visa 時間: 2007-12-1 19:09

i got my toshiba intel duo core, 160GB....2GB RAM....for only $599 @ FS ~
i personally like toshiba more.....
acer...seems to have many problems......( from what i see from my frds' acer laptops)

作者: nameless 時間: 2007-12-1 19:11

it says out of stock on staples.ca

作者: asmok 時間: 2007-12-1 20:28

Personally, I'll stay away from Acer at all cost.

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-1 20:44

I have a Vostro 1400 that has better CPU and same graphics, and running XP. The performance on the 8400 is crap, but it does support DX10. You can definitely play more games than the standard X3200, if you set the resolution at medium, you should be ok.

Once you have a 8800 and set at max, you won't be happy using medium settings.

Philip

作者: jake123 時間: 2007-12-2 14:29

@its_visa: is it core 2 duo? when did u get it?

@nameless: u can always check the store and do a raincheck even if they don't have it in stock in teh store

so, i should wait until xmas?

作者: its_visa 時間: 2007-12-2 14:36

原帖由 jake123 於 2007-12-2 14:29 發表
@its_visa: is it core 2 duo? when did u get it?

@nameless: u can always check the store and do a raincheck even if they don't have it in stock in teh store

so, i should wait until xmas?

i got it like around....1 month ago~~
it was such a good deal...when i got it...there was only 1 left....
and yes its duo core 2

作者: winkyl 時間: 2007-12-2 18:57

My mom's 2 year old acer notebook had the following problem
after 9months, some keyboard button sticks... took it back for warranty... took them 5 weeks to get it fix...
by 1.5 years... the battery wont charge... (thanks god she brought extended warranty...)
Another 5 weeks for a new battery...
I don't know whats gonna be next...

My brother had a dell notebook for 2 years... it's still rock and kicking without any problems.

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-2 21:58

Unfortunately you get what you paid for these days. Manufacturers like to push these end-of-the-product-cycle notebook at a significantly low price so they can push the inventory out as much as possible. It may seems to be a good deal for a $700 notebook for many people. Realistically, they are all crappy deals. Why manufacturers sell notebooks for sub-$1000 (even below cost?) I can summarized a few points:

- Design defects that is found during production, but not critically to be an issue with MOST people.
- Include lower-end components to increase consumer's buying cycle. Example such as 4 cells battery vs. 6 cells
- Old models that is going no where, sell at below cost just to get them out.
- High replacement cost ($1500 for LCD only) to force the purchase of factory extended warranty or buy a new laptop after a while
- Include tons of bloatware to hope that people will buy something.

Acer and HP are well known to do all of the above, HP even gave my store instructions to offer 2 years of free warranty on some DV6000 and DV9000 series AMD notebooks because there are problems.

The mass productions of sub $1000 notebook gives everyone the mobility like never before, so people (pretty much everyone) who can afford them will spend $$ buying routers, bags, locking cables and all the accessories to boost sales of other goods.

Unfortunately, by selling notebook close to cost, they need to cut corners on the production part. Crappy pastics that flexed when bent, poor design keyboard, hinges that breaks when over-flexed, screen, HD shatters when hit, poor ventilation, battery that doesn't hold charge are common issues with sub $1000 notebooks from companies like Acer, HP, Averatec and Sony.

Also, batteries these days have intelligent chip that deduct the battery capacity each time you charge and discharge. That means, they can program the battery to lose charge faster, so they can convince you to buy a larger battery.

These are just some observations I have, there are lots more going on in the background that consumers do not know. For this reason, there are only a few manufacturers that keep producing good quality products and support to keep the customers loyal. They are IBM/Lenovo, Fujitsu, Dell, Apple and Panasonics. If you know people that own laptop from above brands, don't be surprise that those people will buy again from the same brand.

I am always a fan of Dell notebooks because they balance price/quality/service. Panasonics is my 2nd choice because they are all design, test and built in-house in Japan by human.

Philip

[ 本帖最後由 pkphilip 於 2007-12-2 21:59 編輯 ]

作者: jake123 時間: 2007-12-2 23:18

wasnt dell used to explosions and deforming cases??(the lower end models...)
as for apple lappys, i read that there are problems after ~3yrs or so on notebookreview forums.

otherwise, great information that i didnt know. so is toshiba bad quality also?
wt would be the best brand(toshiba? hp?) for the cheaper manufacturers?

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-2 23:53

Dell used to make some crappy Inspiron models a while back when Michael Dell stepped down, then HP came on top of the market. Michael Dell then stepped up again and took control, he contracted the notebooks design to Asus for the new lines (Inspiron/Vostro/XPS are from Asus, not the best, but price and quality meet) to lower cost (Compal was too expensive.. but they are the best). Dell also lower the cost to a point where they are making little money just to gain back market shares. So we can buy the Vostro 1400 w/ decent spec for $700.

Apple has its own problems too, but mostly due to the first batches of productions. Since my store is the authorized Apple service point, I have more MacBook, iBook back for repair than the Powerbook and MacBook Pro. Although Apple contracted out the notebook to Asus and Compal as well, there are quality difference for the price people paid. We are now getting shipment on the new Santa Rosa based Macbook, and god knows what will be wrong with them. Leopard is good, but I wonder how can it cope with Santa Rosa?

Sony is an interesting one, although most sub $1500 models are made in China, the higher end (TX, SZ) models are still made in Japan (those with U7xxx processor, LED backlights and CF casing). Sony is the most expensive in terms for servicing, the LCD can cost $1200 to replace. I guess when people want to spend $$ on getting the style, they forget there is a cost for that style.

Panasonics is one of the best notebook I've ever seen, they cost a fortune, but they worth every penny should you have accident on them. Everything in the notebook is module (even the AC connector), you can replace it for about $100 ($15 parts and $80 labout and $5 shipping). They built-quality is one of the best but a pain to fix. Panasonics and Sony has the longest battery life.

Toshiba is probably one of the most conceived better notebook because people thinks Toshiba builts good TV, and naturally they build good notebooks. This is wrong. Toshiba is one of the many PC notebooks that come in for repair for all sort of reasons. They can either be very reliable or very problematic. Luck of the straw there. Toshiba is also the brand who produces up to 10 different spec for the same model at the same time. The only good Toshiba is still the Portege series.

HP/Compaq/Acer/Averatec - They are for those who wants a disposable computer. Totally not worth getting because the built-quality is questionable (they have one of the best features tho...). Compaq is merely a re-badged HP when the original HP machine could not be sold. HP then take the parts back and rebuild it.

Dell/IBM runs on similar philosophy, by offering only a few models w/ customizable spec. They can limit the cost for inventory because everything can be used on all models. They focus on quality, not quantity, and the tech support knows these systems from inside and out.

Philip

作者: kei 時間: 2007-12-3 03:25

pkphilip: i'm thinking about getting the vostro 1400. how heavy is yours? since it has a magnesium-alloy case, i'm assuming that it's much heavier than the normal 14.1" laptops. I want to get the vostro 1400 for school. do you have any suggestions on which specs i should choose ? (i know very little about computers) should i pick xp or vista ? why ??

i'm interested in the vostro because a friend highly recommended it to me. I know that the vostro is designed for small business. but well, i'm in commerce....haha* i also like it because of its durability and sturdy look.

my budget before tax is $800.

thanks : )

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-3 20:24

I think Derek128 is in the process in buying one in Dell US for about $699. Essentially, the Inspiron 1420 and Vostro 1400 are identical machine.

I bought it for my gf in June and paid $780 after tax for:
Core 2 Duo T5470 (1.6Ghz)
1GB RAM
120GB HD
256MB Geforce 8400Go
WXGA+ w/ TL w/ Camera
9 cell battery
90W adapter

Since I got the large battery, it added weight on there. I don't mind getting the extra weight for 6 hours of run time w/ wireless. There isn't anything that I can complain except the machine is built by Asus, while it is not major issue, but it does carry some Asus issues such as keyboard wearing out, compartment panels are weak. I am willing to overlook those because I paid only $800 for it.

Since I owned the previos 14.1" model 640m, I find the 640m's quality is better than Vostro.

Philip

作者: jake123 時間: 2007-12-3 20:48

@pkphilip: you're making me want a vostro too now... do you think i can make the dell guys in metro to price match us prices...? or how do i get us prices? point roberts? the $599 vostro that matches that 699 acer but w/ a slightly worse? cpu and a smaller, better screen...
btw thanks for your info again.

[ 本帖最後由 jake123 於 2007-12-3 20:52 編輯 ]

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-3 21:01

You can try all of the below:

1) Call first, talk to the E. Indian sales guy and push them to match US pricing.
2) Go to the kiosk in mall and negotiate with them

Either way, I can tell you that the Vostro is being sold at or below cost, so don't expect to see hundred of dollars off.

I called Dell US Small Biz line, ordered on the phone and picked up at Point Roberts. AFAIK, the $599 Vostro 1400 is gone. You won't see one with 9 cell + 90W. I paid US$649 after the LCD/camera upgrade. XP or Vista is the same, I have all Dell discs to install any version of XP/Vista that I like.

Philip

作者: maldini 時間: 2007-12-3 21:08

原帖由 winkyl 於 2007-12-2 18:57 發表
My mom's 2 year old acer notebook had the following problem
after 9months, some keyboard button sticks... took it back for warranty... took them 5 weeks to get it fix...
by 1.5 years... the battery wo ...

My experience with HP service is way better. The wireless card on my HP laptop stopped to function. It took them one day to ship the replacement wireless card from California. So I just swapped in the new card. But still it didn't work. I called the them again. They said it was the system board problem. So HP sent me an empty box, within 2 days, so that I could send the laptop back to them, somewhere in Ontario.
They promised to replace the system board within 9-10 working days. They did fix everything and send the laptop back within about 9-10 working days. So far so good for now.

[ 本帖最後由 maldini 於 2007-12-3 21:13 編輯 ]

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-4 12:53

I think in Canada, HP and Dell both use Solectron as the service depot. Service wise they will be the same.

Philip

作者: elan7e 時間: 2007-12-6 22:36

pkphilip,

Can we find Panasonic computer in Vancouver?

I tried Staples, Futureshop and Bestbuy, but none can be found.

作者: celeron_266 時間: 2007-12-6 23:03

原帖由 elan7e 於 2007-12-6 22:36 發表
pkphilip,

Can we find Panasonic computer in Vancouver?

I tried Staples, Futureshop and Bestbuy, but none can be found.

ubc bookstore has some panasonic models

作者: elan7e 時間: 2007-12-6 23:22

is ubc bookstore opened to public?
can i check the price on-line?

作者: celeron_266 時間: 2007-12-6 23:30

yes ubc bookstore is public...and you get special price if you have a student card (you can find someone to buy it for you)

sadly they dont have online price check...so have to go there

作者: kei 時間: 2007-12-6 23:52

celeron_266: 'm a ubc student.
are the UBC discounts good on laptops ?
any recommendations ?

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-7 01:00

Give ma a PM, you can come by my store and we have the new Panasonic W7 in stock already!! It's a beauty!! We also expect the Y7 to come shortly. We have exclusive accounts with Panasonics, so we can service the Panasonic now.

Philip

[ 本帖最後由 pkphilip 於 2007-12-7 01:02 編輯 ]

作者: utopia 時間: 2007-12-7 09:45 標題: 回復 13# 的帖子

WOW, Thanks for your advise Philip. Those are very knowledgeable information for me.

Too many recommendation from different people and yours are very fair comments.

作者: pkphilip 時間: 2007-12-7 14:34

That's part of my work... and at this time, I am servicing 2 new iMacs and 1 HP desktop now.

Philip

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