Buying a portable

**Taimur** · 11th April 2005 12:42 AM

I did that search: 4760 results for "Alienware beware" (without the quotation marks) and it seems the computers can overheat, but there were 65,900 for "Alienware happy" !!!

I think Alienware are overpriced but they do make fast computers and they look quite nice (I know aesthetics are very personal). They have been around for a while, though, and I think anyone ordering an expensive item on line is best protecting themselves by using a credit card.

I am in the market for a laptop just now (for when I go to Oxford around June time) and I can't decide between an apple powerbook, a sony laptop or an alienware laptop. I think I'd like a widescreen TFT, which Sony, Apple and Alienware all do, and I'm having a think about things at the moment. So I did another search on the lines of the one you suggested and the results were:

32,400 for powerbook beware
551,000 for sony beware
111,000 for toshiba beware
312,000 for dell beware

so now I'm totally confused!!!

**Steve** · 11th April 2005 12:50 AM

...hmm... I think anyone thinking of buying any item should read unhappy user comments if they exist, and I really do suggest you read the top items that come up on that search... it would certainly affect whether I would use or recommend them.

Counting search items may not be a good way to work by the way....and Taimur beware and Plastic Surgeon beware would also find oodles....but I'd never suggest basing anything on a search items found count myself, and I'm surprised you listed those as if that was a meaningful way to do things really.

When I looked before buying, I could find no unhappy users for the last camera I bought, nor for my PC, nor for my portable...for info.

Steve

PS: Why would you only consider those 3 makes I wonder?? Surely they are some of the least popular ones you could go for? What's wrong with makes like IBM or Toshiba?

**Taimur** · 11th April 2005 01:13 AM

I know what you mean, and it seems that I can only find no bad customer experiences of Sony Laptops. I'll keep searching, as I would for any considerable purchase, and let you know what happens, but please keep the advice coming!

I don't like the looks of IBM, Toshibas and Dells, and I think pretty much all computers (for what I need) are much the same, so it boils down to looks!!

**Steve** · 11th April 2005 07:39 AM

Taimur,

If you say which model of Sony you are considering at some point then folks here can research it and compare it to others for you.

I've looked at/held Sony models in Tottenham Court Road, and that helped me decide upon my Toshiba...

Personally, I think there can be a VAST difference between makes, and that it must look very good, but that it doesn't just come down to looks. Things like battery life and weight and display and so on can make a computer useful or useless.

My Toshiba has a slot for an SD card, and my camera uses an SD card...and it is details like that which can often matter/help too. Sony have a habit of putting slots in for their Sony cards, and your camera no doubt doesn't use one, so why would you want one, etc etc....

I went for a widescreen in silver with Firewire and USB2 ports and the SD card slot and a DVD writer. Also with brand name speakers built into it. I also chose Centrino of course, and have used the wireless ability heaps. The perhaps 12 hours of battery life with the main battery and a spare is pretty amazing stuff. The 3 year warranty I took out seems important if you want a portable to have at least a 3 year life...things do seem to go on used portables, unlike on desktops.

My machine before that, my IBM, still gets admiring glances, and it is a 486.. the keyboard opens out to much larger than the actual size of the computer and the way it does it always made it look one of the swishest computers of its time. The IBM logo and cases do say something about those carrying them too I think....and it isn't 'I'm an alien from another planet' or whatever...

The syle of my current portable reminds me a lot of the Apple models, we used those at Dennis's house in Las Vegas as he has a couple of them. We seemed to have to plug those into the mains pretty quickly....but that may not have meant anything.

That widescreen and silver look is quite neat, though I'm not a fan of Apple and would not want the potential hassle of one of those, prefering mainstream standards etc.

Toshiba and IBM seemed the most hassle free/professional models I could find....and they seemed the most adult and clean in their styling and features. Both of my portable computers have been very light too, and that is helpful when traveling with them.

You do see some people lugging massive 486 portables about, and huge brick like power supplies, and the sweaty 'lugging the kitchen sink with me look' isn't great is it...

Steve

PS: If you drove or got the train down to Oxfordshire for the ukexpert meet coming up next month you could see mine and Andy's and others portables... and see what we like about them etc. Also it would be a chance to look at some of the area perhaps...and have a pleasant day out. Just a thought.

**Taimur** · 11th April 2005 02:56 PM

Steve

The three that I've narrowed my choices down to are:
Alienware Sentia (13" widescreen)
Sony VAIO VGN-T250 (10" widescreen)
Apple Powerbook (15" widescreen)

They're all quite small and portable (some more than others), with their advantages and disadvantages. I'd be pleased to consider others too, if anyone has model suggestions.

Unfortunately, I'll be in Oxford from around the middle of June so I'll miss the meeting this time round. It would be nice to meet up in the summer, though.

**lespaul-gibson** · 11th April 2005 06:47 PM

Taimur,

I have a Sony PCG-FX804 I've had it for about 3 years and it has been completely trouble free, I've taken it to the States a coule of times where I used it to book motels "online" while travelling on Route 66 I know the model your looking at is different and I would think more up to date, but I've found Sony to be reliable, I do have a Sony camera too which I consider to very good as well, at the end of the day you have to choose the model that does what you want and "feels" right in your hands a Sony did that for me

**Steve** · 11th April 2005 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Taimur

The three that I've narrowed my choices down to are:
Alienware Sentia (13" widescreen)
Sony VAIO VGN-T250 (10" widescreen)
Apple Powerbook (15" widescreen)

I can't imagine why you'd want an Apple... I have a 15.4" widescreen though (my Toshiba) and that is nice....and very impressive.

I have never heard of the folks from outer space, and my search and read on them would wipe them off any list of mine... if the aim is to impress and look stylish I just don't see it.

That leaves the Sony... makers of the Walkman and PS2 etc etc... I am using a Sony Monitor as I type this and I quite like some of their gear. I've yet to see one of their computers that seemed to be the machine of my dreams though.....and as I said earlier, I expect you'd get such gems as a Sony stick as your only simple means of saving off data when you need to in a hurry....about as useful as having built in rice pudding....

I searched the Sony UK site lots, and can find no mention of that model you talk of... why would that be? Here is the link to their specifications page, it doesn't seem listed does it? Link: http://www.vaio-link.com/specificati...tions.asp?l=en

I did find Web material about a similar name/number, but that was an old 1.2 mhz machine that was talked about as very over priced, so I doubt if it would be that.

Can you link to the Sony site info on it perhaps?

Steve

**lespaul-gibson** · 11th April 2005 07:49 PM

Steve,

I couldn't find one either on the Sony uk site, but the spec is on this site maybe it was made for the US market as the price seems to have been in dollars

http://www.dancefrontdoor.co.uk/shop...G_212_205.html

I haven't heard of the Aliens either perhaps they are the new kids on the block

**lespaul-gibson** · 11th April 2005 07:53 PM

Perhaps it's because Alienware make gaming machines there's a review of the Sentia here
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/fullrev...p?reviewId=622

**Steve** · 11th April 2005 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by lespaul-gibson

I couldn't find one either on the Sony uk site, but the spec is on this site maybe it was made for the US market as the price seems to have been in dollars

I expect Taimur knows. A US model is usually a complete non starter due to the different keyboard and having a US guarantee etc.

I haven't heard of the Aliens either perhaps they are the new kids on the block

Searching on alienware beware and a quick read of the comments on them was enough for me. I can't really believe the systems people give accounts of, and I was surprised to see Taimur talk of them being on his list still, that info would wipe them off most peoples lists I would think...

Steve

PS: That US review talks of "The 1.2 GHz speed is near the bottom of the speed spectrum for this processor (as of winter 2004)" - it is hard to imagine Taimur feeling that was a good thing... That is a /L model though and Taimur didn't mention that.

**Taimur** · 11th April 2005 08:35 PM

My mistake about the Sony. I think the model number I quoted was indeed the US model number. The UK version is the first model displayed at www.sony-style.co.uk and is the VGNT2XS-128S.CEK. Basically, it's the T2 sony laptop.

I've thought about getting an apple just to try them out. Seeing as I'm in the market for a laptop because of my forthcoming move, I thought this would be an ideal time to think more seriously about it. I don't think the tasks that I'm going to be doing are particularly computer specific and either an apple or PC would be fine (web, mail, wordprocessing, presentations, photographs, music, general kids stuff that we have). So the OS is not the issue, rather the usability of the laptop.

You're right about US laptops, I don't think I'd be happy without a £-sign on my keyboard, but I don't think Alienware supplies UK customers with US keyboards. I am getting a little put off by some of the comments online, as well as the fact that I can't physically see it before buying it.

My choices were mainly based on a trip into one of the shopping centres in Glasgow and having read a couple of magazine reviews. I went into John Lewis and that's where I saw Apples, Sonys, HPs, Toshibas and a few others. I liked the Apple and Sony and then looked up alienware online. I also looked up Dell and IBM, but I think the main problem is that I can't see them, pick them up and check how flimsy the LCD screen is, etc.

My last laptop was a Sony (I must have bought that around 1999) and it's only recently started to disappoint me in terms of its speed and lack of various features. The model number for that is: PCG-C1XN. I also have a Sony desktop which is fine and has lasted me nearly two years. I've upgraded the hard disk and graphics card in that and it's been problem free. It sits hidden away so style is not an issue!

**Steve** · 11th April 2005 08:50 PM

Taimur,

It didn't come up as first item for me, but a seach on the full UK name showed it okay.

This seems to be the spec:

Intel® Pentium® M Processor Ultra Low Voltage 753 1.20 GHz, 400 MHz frontside bus
Supports Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep® technology
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional with Service Pack 2
60 GB (Ultra ATA / 100) hard disk drive
512 MB DDR SDRAM (PC2700 - DDR333) - 1 vacant expansion slot
10.6" WXGA (1280 x 768) X-black LCD screen
Intel® 855GME integrated graphics chip and 64 MB of shared memory
DVD±RW drive up to 24x CD-ROM reading speed / up to 24x CD-R reading speed / up to 12x CD-RW reading speed / up to 8x DVD-ROM reading speed / up to 4x DVD-R reading speed / up to 4x DVD-RW reading speed / up to 4x DVD+R reading speed / up to 4x DVD+RW reading speed / up to 2x DVD-RAM reading speed / up to 24x CD-R writing speed / up to 10x CD-RW writing speed / up to 2x DVD-R writing speed / up to 2x DVD-RW writing speed / up to 2.4x DVD+R writing speed / up to 2.4x DVD+RW writing speed
Wireless LAN 802.11b/g; Bluetooth® technology
Built-in stereo speakers, touchpad, plug & display
Connections: docking station, i.LINK(TM) (IEEE1394) S400, 2 USB 2.0 ports, Memory Stick Pro(TM) slot (Standard or Duo), PC Card slot
Dimensions (W x H x D): 272 x 25 - 34 x 205 mm
Weight with battery: 1.38 kg

The price an unbelievable £1,700... and for what??

....so, as that review that was linked to said, a slow machine at a very high price, and with a very small display, and no dedicated graphics memory etc etc etc. I don't see any reason at all to even look at this one myself, and it having no simple way to get material off it but a 'Sony stick' would also make it a total non starter for me.

I pick up and try machines on Tottenham Court Road, and you could do worse than get a train down and do the same....then meet up and we'll take you to the meet in Henley.. only playing as I know you probably won't...but you are allowed out of Scotland ya know...

IBM and Sony and Toshiba are everywhere in the mass of computer stores on Tottenham Court Road.

Places like John Lewis are useful to look at machines, even if they are unlikely to be a good place to buy from due to price.

If I was buying now I'd want the same storage cards taken as my camera uses, I'd want 1gb of memory, a large hard disk, a 15.4" widescreen, great sound, a DVD writer, wireless, a Centrino at a decent speed, great battery life, 3 year warranties available and to be trusted, a good video system, a good sound system, lots of useful ports...

........and that's for starters.... and I'd want to pay around £1,000.

My current machine is along those lines...and knocks spots off that Sony. I'd look more, and certainly consider the IBM and Toshiba ranges amongst others.

Steve

**Taimur** · 12th April 2005 01:20 AM

yes, but it's really small, isn't it! I'd be able to throw it into my quite small briefcase and carry it around all over the place! and someone got it to run for 9 hours on its battery!

**Steve** · 12th April 2005 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Taimur

Yes, but it's really small, isn't it! I'd be able to throw it into my quite small briefcase and carry it around all over the place! and someone got it to run for 9 hours on its battery!

Problem solved then eh!

I have just the thing for you here, send me round £1,700 and I'll post back this superb machine, tiny, and works for months on one battery! Tis a Casio calculator....

You talked of a 15" Apple machine.....so your aims/needs/wants seem all over the place really don't they....

I'm only trying to be helpful, and at the end of the day you should and will get whatever you want won't you...

My view is that it is best to decide what would be 'great' for you... and try and get that.

If you take photos (and everyone with an IQ is starting to since digital came along) then your camera card type should come into this these days. As John here has come to believe, and as I do too, a portable is a great way to store photos. So, having my portable have an SD card slot is ideal as my camera also uses SD. You may be able to match other types together too.

It is very simple to transfer to portable using USB from most cameras too, and in some ways that is even better. That means plenty of USB ports, and ideally not just one or two, as that may not be enough.

My Tosh has them on both sides of the machine too, and I find that very useful when spreading out. For instance, a radio mouse is usually in one of the right hand ones, with a lead to the camera perhaps in a left hand port.

My old IBM had a 10" screen, it was quite a relief to move up to the quality 15.4" display and to see things so much more clearly.

My new 15.4" Tosh fits into a standard briefcase, and I have taken it and a pad and so on to things that way. Normally though it lives in its own leather case designed for that role, and with things like blank CDs and DVDs and leads, the power supply, and a spare battery and a mouse and Webcam and so on.

I don't generally carry a printer these days, but I do have small enough printers about to go into a case if needed...and if away from home for extended periods it can be pretty vital for a 'modern man' who doesn't put their life on hold because they aren't at home.

When away from home one of my main forms of entertainment is the Internet and my portable. I'll watch DVDs on it, and 15.4" widescreen with stereo sound is of course ideal for that... I'll also watch music concerts/DVDs on it, and play my music collection from it.

The Internet is really big from hotels now, with most offering broadband. Usually via either wireless or wired ethernet. I can spend many a happy hour looking at things like ukexpert, and uploading photos and viewing them. Also of course keeping in touch with friends and relatives via email.

Also sorting out my photos I took that day or whatever, a good portable with a good video card and screen and a fast processor can be ideal for that.

I did look at the massive 486 based notebooks, but they were just too heavy and they tended to also have massive power supplies to carry about. The good Centrino versions seem to be very fast and powerful...and the wireless ability and low power usage and the much lower weight and case thickness are all great.

So....I know why I bought what I did, and I wanted the spec I got for years before it actually came out. You really seem undecided over what your needs are and therefore what machine you need.

If it is something to look flash at meetings etc then you may have one need, if it is something serious to use while away from your base it may be something else. I've always felt that people look the most flash/bright when they show a high IQ, not a large wallet and little sense... so when I see someone show off some small gadget I know costs a lot but is of little use I instantly think 'plonker' - when someone is actually using a useful bit of kit that does a huge amount and when they explain how they video conference/chat with the kids at night, and upload photos to their favourite system, and have a lot of figures printed out to discuss from the Internet etc then I just show admiration...

Even though I'm very into such things I tend not to take out portables at meetings mind you, some printouts of things I researched and printed out beforehand usually seems much more powerful....hence why travelling with a printer can be a need.

Just some of my thoughts...if useful they can be used, if not they can be discarded.

Steve

**Taimur** · 12th April 2005 03:19 PM