Does this laptop seem cheap?

October 25, 2006 5:37 PM

Why is this laptop so inexpensive? If I customize this one to have the same specs it's a lot more money, but as far as I can tell it's the exact same machine.

So, the first link seems like a powerhouse of a machine at a very good value. Am I correct in thinking this or am I missing something huge? I'm a little bit suspicious becuase I feel like it should be more expensive.

Bonus question: Can you point me to similar laptops in the same price rance that I should consider? Also, pros and cons of laptops that you link to versus Toshiba?

posted by TurkishGolds to computers & internet (17 comments total)

I don't know that I would consider a $1,199.99 a cheap machine, (but bear in mind that my idea of a cheap laptop is a second hand iBook that cost me $300 :)

I'm not up on the newest specs (see above about my cheapness), but this seems like a pretty decent box. The only thing that jumps out at me is the video card;

Graphics Chipset *
Graphics Media Accelerator 950

Graphics Memory *
8MB-224MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory

I don't know that this would be game capable machine.
posted by quin at 6:01 PM on October 25, 2006

I don't care about games, but I'd like to be able to use photoshop and watch movies. I'm looking for a high-end machine to use as a desktop replacement (I'll get a port replicator ... or whatever it's called ...) that will be good for many years to come. Perhaps I shouldn't have used the word "cheap," but I just think that it seems like a lot of power (core 2 duo, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB HDD, DVD-R, etc) for $1200.
posted by TurkishGolds at 6:05 PM on October 25, 2006

While I am a sample of one and statistically that is not good, I had a Toshiba laptop 5 years ago that was the bulkiest, heaviest machine ever. If you plan on traveling with it and carrying it, make sure the size and weight are within your tolerances. Compare that with the others with comparable features. There is added cost to smaller, lighter machines. Also compare battery life.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 6:07 PM on October 25, 2006

JohnnyGunn, at 5.2 lbs, it seems pretty good to me. Can you recommend something in the same price range, that's lighter, and has comparable power?
posted by TurkishGolds at 6:08 PM on October 25, 2006

Apple's bottom-end MacBook has a dual core 1.83 GHz cpu, and sells for $1099. The mac only has 512MB.

You can get a Dell Inspiron E1505 with a dual core 1.66 GHz CPU and 1GB of RAM for $799.

so I'll vote for: no, it isn't an impressive deal. Also, 8MB of shared video ram seems like a really bad idea.
posted by b1tr0t at 6:15 PM on October 25, 2006

$1200 is cheap?
posted by DieHipsterDie at 6:19 PM on October 25, 2006

It's not inexpensive. It's fairly heavy and has a short battery for it's price.

The only thing it has is the large HD and memory. It's also not Vista premium ready with the onboard GMA950.

If price is the most important to you, I'd get the dell E1505. Core2 @ 1.66, smaller HD and less ram. Only ~$730.
posted by mphuie at 6:21 PM on October 25, 2006

I think that the reason the laptop in the first link is less expensive than the second is that you aren't paying for the customization. The first one is probably made in bulk for online and regular retail, while you are paying extra to build a custom system. (that's my guess anyhow)

Also, I don't think the price is that low compared to other manufacturers laptops. For example, you can outfit a Dell Inspiron E1505 with the same specs plus a larger screen for close to the same price (not including differences in bundled software and other stuff).
posted by peeedro at 6:35 PM on October 25, 2006

If you review other threads here you will find the Inspiron line is the bottom of the pile for being really shoddy. If you want Dell you have to get a Latitude.

You really need a minimum of 64Meg unshared video memory.
posted by ptm at 6:54 PM on October 25, 2006

This is more expensive and has less ram, but should be a full lb lighter and has a 128MB GeForce GO 7400.
posted by juv3nal at 7:38 PM on October 25, 2006

Thanks for all of the advice. I wasn't even thinking about the video card or Vista, but I've heard a lot of bad things about Dells (specifically in the Toshiba V. Dell thread). Any other ideas? I'd really like something that's top-of-the-line, at least 14.1 widescreen, light(ish), good battery, and a large (100 GB+ HDD).

I know that thinkpads are the best, but they seem way more expensive.
posted by TurkishGolds at 7:51 PM on October 25, 2006

You can start with HP dv200t from the HP store, then customize the specs (top Turion x2 CPU, 2G RAM, DVD-RW DL) and it'll be cheaper than the one you mentioned. In fact you can then equip it with 2 12-cell batteries and it'll still be $50 cheaper.
posted by clevershark at 7:55 PM on October 25, 2006

Black Friday is coming soon, at least in the US. Keep checking the deal sites.

I like dealspl.us, slickdeals.net, fatwallet.com/news, anandtech hot deals (google it), and hot-deals.org.

The trick is to know what is acceptable and be ready to jump as soon as you see a deal, because the best deals often end up sold out. I've seen some great laptop deals, but I'm not in the market right now so I can't get into specifics.

Or, wait until Black Friday, and get ready to wait in line all night.
posted by bh at 8:05 PM on October 25, 2006 [1 favorite has favorites]

The laptop juv3nal links to is quite good, but there are a couple of things to note. First, the current model can only hold 1.5GB of RAM, as there's only one memory slot (the other 512MB of memory is soldered in). Second, there are Core 2 Duo models out now with the T5500 and the aforementioned nVidia Go7400. I think they're slightly more expensive than the outgoing models, partially because of the Core 2 Duo but mostly because of rebates on the old stock that will likely disappear soon.
posted by chrominance at 10:25 PM on October 25, 2006

Swinging back into this thread, I'll be all sorts of contrarian and say that given the choice, I'd take a Toshiba any day over a Dell.

I've had two Toshiba's that worked there asses off for me. I've had one Dell, which died. Badly. It's worth re-mentioning here that I am a cheap Mofo and I tend to by used and abused equipment. I currently have a Toshiba laptop with a cracked screen acting as a web server and an original Libretto which is nearly perfect (as long as we don't discuss the power cord which has failed me repeatedly.) I've also got a Dell Insperion that, as near as I can has been well treated, yet will not boot, even under threat of extreme duress.

Honestly, I don't want to be 'that guy', but I would suggest a Mac. They aren't "rock solid", but they are close enough. If you are truly committed to Windows, please go with a bad Toshiba over a "good" Dell.
posted by quin at 11:29 PM on October 25, 2006

Ack! by = buy, and 'Insperion' is a best guess as well as spelling goes.
posted by quin at 11:42 PM on October 25, 2006

If you get the right Dell you'll do fine, just like any other brand. Just research the model, see if you can find forum posts that talk about the same issues (noisy fan, power brick died, etc) and stay away from those.
posted by cellphone at 6:30 AM on October 26, 2006