What're important features buying a laptop?

Tourguy · 8-2-04, 10:32 PM

My Sony laptop died just one month past the warranty period (The repair center requires more money to fix than just go buy a new one). I will buy service plan from now on.

1. I keep my laptop on all day (12 hours/day), I want to insist on only buying one that has a mobile processor to avoid overheating, am I doing the right thing? The laptop without a mobile processor tends to get real hot.

2. Does 64-bit ready laptops mean anything for the forseeable future, really, given the life span of a laptop?

8-3-04, 04:08 PM

For a laptop good battery life is definately key(if you walk around and use it). Try to get a really good 3 year warranty if possible for just a little additional pay. You don't want to go crazy on the warranty but you want something for 3 years if possible. Another thing to consider is wireless, if you are in a populated area, there are hotspots or internet cafes where you can connect with your wireless connection. Really nice if you are away from your home or work.

1. Laptops will get hot especially laptops called "Desktop Replacements" these do not have mobile processors in them and usually really heavy. A great deal of all new laptops, if you spend a great deal of time of them will get hot, and there really isn't a good laptop out there that doesn't get hot.

2. No, definately not. The main problem with 64-bit processors is the fact that they require a LOT more power to run. So in order to get that power battery life is killed, not to mention it runs a lot faster, which means a lot more heat. Not to mention your laptop is going to be bigger so that the chip can be cooled by several means. Now unless you are doing major high end graphics, gaming, or movie encoding on the road. You really don't need a 64bit processor.

Lifespans of laptops, I've seen some still running 3-4 years solid, without problems excluding the fact that you will prolly need to get a new battery since those die off quite quickly.

Tourguy · 8-3-04, 10:23 PM

Thank you very much for the advices.

I will still buy the one with a mobile processor. My first laptop (a Fujitsu Lifebook) lasted a good 5 years +, my last one is a Sony Vaio with 16" screen, died on 13rd months, just over the warranty period, I cried like a baby (the thing costed me like $2,800 back then).

I agree with that wireless is the way to go, I have 802.11g router in the house. The warranty nowadays is always like one year, so guess I will definitely buy the extended service plan.

I don't really carry my laptop around too often, but if I go anywhere, I have to travel with my laptop, so weight is not a problem for me. I am willing and used to travel with a laptop with some weight.

Also, other readers might want to take note what StarFreeze said about battery...I think my first laptop died because I didn't know I needed to replace the battery which doesn't generate any juice at all after 4, 5 years of heavy usage, thus got the laptop killed. When battery is no good, replace it to stablize the hardware. A bad battery can ruin the laptop.

8-2-04, 10:32 PM	#1
Tourguy Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV 89118 Posts: 113 Reputation: 5	What're important features buying a laptop? My Sony laptop died just one month past the warranty period (The repair center requires more money to fix than just go buy a new one). I will buy service plan from now on. 1. I keep my laptop on all day (12 hours/day), I want to insist on only buying one that has a mobile processor to avoid overheating, am I doing the right thing? The laptop without a mobile processor tends to get real hot. 2. Does 64-bit ready laptops mean anything for the forseeable future, really, given the life span of a laptop? Last edited by Tourguy; 8-2-04 at 11:12 PM..

8-3-04, 04:08 PM	#2
StarFreeze Guest Posts: n/a	For a laptop good battery life is definately key(if you walk around and use it). Try to get a really good 3 year warranty if possible for just a little additional pay. You don't want to go crazy on the warranty but you want something for 3 years if possible. Another thing to consider is wireless, if you are in a populated area, there are hotspots or internet cafes where you can connect with your wireless connection. Really nice if you are away from your home or work. 1. Laptops will get hot especially laptops called "Desktop Replacements" these do not have mobile processors in them and usually really heavy. A great deal of all new laptops, if you spend a great deal of time of them will get hot, and there really isn't a good laptop out there that doesn't get hot. 2. No, definately not. The main problem with 64-bit processors is the fact that they require a LOT more power to run. So in order to get that power battery life is killed, not to mention it runs a lot faster, which means a lot more heat. Not to mention your laptop is going to be bigger so that the chip can be cooled by several means. Now unless you are doing major high end graphics, gaming, or movie encoding on the road. You really don't need a 64bit processor. Lifespans of laptops, I've seen some still running 3-4 years solid, without problems excluding the fact that you will prolly need to get a new battery since those die off quite quickly.

8-3-04, 10:23 PM	#3
Tourguy Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV 89118 Posts: 113 Reputation: 5	Thank you very much for the advices. I will still buy the one with a mobile processor. My first laptop (a Fujitsu Lifebook) lasted a good 5 years +, my last one is a Sony Vaio with 16" screen, died on 13rd months, just over the warranty period, I cried like a baby (the thing costed me like $2,800 back then). I agree with that wireless is the way to go, I have 802.11g router in the house. The warranty nowadays is always like one year, so guess I will definitely buy the extended service plan. I don't really carry my laptop around too often, but if I go anywhere, I have to travel with my laptop, so weight is not a problem for me. I am willing and used to travel with a laptop with some weight. Also, other readers might want to take note what StarFreeze said about battery...I think my first laptop died because I didn't know I needed to replace the battery which doesn't generate any juice at all after 4, 5 years of heavy usage, thus got the laptop killed. When battery is no good, replace it to stablize the hardware. A bad battery can ruin the laptop.