Need techie opinion

[Balog]

Ok, so I'm planning on buying my wife a laptop. I've been snooping around a bit, and I came across this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834147664

Looks like a pretty darn nice rig, especially for the money. I'm willing to pay more if needed but if this is good......

Pretty simple requirements. Basic web and office apps, playing WoW (and maybe DIII when it comes out), and watching movies. She does want a bigger screen tho, so at least 17" is required.

So what do you say, my nerd-errific APS brethren?

[roo_ster]

Not to rain on your parade, but the first review says the following:
"It does not handle games well, but I dont think it was built for gaming."

I have come to a couple of lessons learned WRT laptops for MY use and My family's use:
1. Do not buy consumer laptops.  Buy only "business-class" laptops.
2. If you don't need bleeding-edge performance, buy off-lease/used/whatever.
3. If you do need bleeding-edge performance, expect to pay big bucks.

[Balog]

Not to rain on your parade, but the first review says the following:
"It does not handle games well, but I dont think it was built for gaming."

Yeah..... so? WoW runs on very, very low system reqs. I know it'd handle that: any games over and above that are nice but not necessary.

I have come to a couple of lessons learned WRT laptops for MY use and My family's use:
1. Do not buy consumer laptops.  Buy only "business-class" laptops.
2. If you don't need bleeding-edge performance, buy off-lease/used/whatever.
3. If you do need bleeding-edge performance, expect to pay big bucks.

How do you go about differentiating between the two? What makes "business class" different and better? Honest questions, I'm totally unfamiliar with laptops and not much better with desktops.

[Firethorn]

How do you go about differentiating between the two? What makes "business class" different and better? Honest questions, I'm totally unfamiliar with laptops and not much better with desktops.

Generally, if you go to the online sites it'll  be fairly obvious.  Go into the business section rather than the home user section.

Business class machines are generally built tougher - they're expected to be hauled around by salesmen and such where a failed computer is a BIG DEAL.  They also expect it to last at least 3-5 years, so the long term support(like new batteries) is better.  Often they're lighter and have longer battery runtimes.  Modular construction allows things like swapping in another battery for the DVD drive for even longer runtime.

[Balog]

How do you go about differentiating between the two? What makes "business class" different and better? Honest questions, I'm totally unfamiliar with laptops and not much better with desktops.

Generally, if you go to the online sites it'll  be fairly obvious.  Go into the business section rather than the home user section.

Business class machines are generally built tougher - they're expected to be hauled around by salesmen and such where a failed computer is a BIG DEAL.  They also expect it to last at least 3-5 years, so the long term support(like new batteries) is better.  Often they're lighter and have longer battery runtimes.  Modular construction allows things like swapping in another battery for the DVD drive for even longer runtime.

I've been looking around on New Egg, Tiger Direct etc and I can't seem to find a "business" section. Am I missing something?

[41magsnub]

"Business laptops" generally are from Dell, HP, Fujitsu, Toshiba, and the like instead of store brands

[Manedwolf]

How do you go about differentiating between the two? What makes "business class" different and better? Honest questions, I'm totally unfamiliar with laptops and not much better with desktops.

Generally, if you go to the online sites it'll  be fairly obvious.  Go into the business section rather than the home user section.

Business class machines are generally built tougher - they're expected to be hauled around by salesmen and such where a failed computer is a BIG DEAL.  They also expect it to last at least 3-5 years, so the long term support(like new batteries) is better.  Often they're lighter and have longer battery runtimes.  Modular construction allows things like swapping in another battery for the DVD drive for even longer runtime.

There is also usually far less crapware preloaded.

[Balog]

So I have to go directly to a manufacturer to get these "business class" models instead of wholesalers like New Egg? D'oh!

[Manedwolf]

So I have to go directly to a manufacturer to get these "business class" models instead of wholesalers like New Egg? D'oh!

No. You just shop from their business part.

https://biz.pcconnection.com/ipa/home?&iprospect

http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

[pappy]

Just an FYI, you can save a few hundred bucks by using Open Office instead of MS Office. It's real easy to use and is compatable with MS documents. Best thing is, it's free! I have been using it for a couple years now.

http://www.openoffice.org/

[Balog]

Ok, I'm kinda liking this: Vostro 1700

Some people are complaining about the resolution tho...... Any thoughts?

Ooh, this looks nice too, and it comes with XP! HP SmartBuy 6820.

[RocketMan]

Among the Dell machines, the Latitude series is considered their business class.  The Inspirons are the consumer class.  I've only seen Latitudes in corporate environments, never an Inspiron. 

I do have an Inspiron for personal use, and it's held up pretty well.  But then again, I don't travel with it much.