What is most important in your laptop decision?

As the topic states, what is the most important aspect when you look at a laptop. Feel free to also post why (please do actually). Do you want the large hard drive and screen so you can download/watch adult videos or do you want those things because you need the laptop to perform video editing tasks? We'll believe you if you say the latter. [ ]

Talk away. If you put "other" please please please (with sugar on top even) can you post what your "other" is. Thank you, lets have a good discussion.

 

Screen res was the #1 for me once I decided I wanted a sub-notebook. I love the screen real estate.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

for me it's screen res because that's what you see everytime you use a laptop.

after that, i go for either weight or looks since i really don't want to look at something ugly that i bought for 1000+ dollars lol

after that, i suppose quality.

 

I hate being penned into one factor. Weight is important to my shoulders, but screen resolution can make me happy. It's often a tradeoff, but not because I don't feel strongly about several different factors.

 

As for my decision. Screen size/resolution probably played the biggest factor. Brand came into play as well.

 

I think battery life is most important..guys, it's supposed to be a laptop, not a desktop. If you want a really good performing comp. with nice screen resolution and bla bla get a desktop computer for half the price!

 

It all comes down to Ergonomics for me...

*Screen needs good Contrast.
*Keyboard needs to have good "key-action"/"feel" (I know this is a completely subjective measure.) And personally, I love the curvy keyboard of the folio design. I don't have one yet, but I would pay a good premium for a nice keyboard like that.
*Unit needs to run quiet. I can't stand noisy computers, especially if its a laptop that is right up in your face/under your hands. So for me, quiet means silent. Fan should stay off for normal typing/word processing. (OK if it comes on while gaming or for complex web graphics). Hard Disk should be a quiet one.
*Unit should be cool. Not just hip, but it shouldn't act as a hand warmer. That might be OK in North Dakota, but not in Georgia. That's why I'm glad Intel if finally coming around with the Centrino/-M family.

 

Well. One laptop is not enough, for me.

I currently use two Apple PowerBooks (one 17" and one 12") and two PCs (one older Fujitsu-Siemems 15" thingy and my new Acer aspire 1802).

I much prefer the bigger ones. Much.

If I really really need portability I bring one of the PDAs instead of a computer anyway, or even settle for just a phone (the SonyEricsson P910 can do many tricks, for instance, as can most phones in conjunction with an Anoto pen).

But again, this is me. I live a free life and do not have to use corporate standard apps to do things, just need to get them done.

 

Performance(cpu, gpu power, screen), mobility (battery life, heat, weight).

secondary: price, looks, brand, software, sound, warranty.

 

A notebook's whole existence is for portability. It in my opinion is an adjunct for a desktop.

1 Battery life: Hence my preference for Centrinos
2 Weight: Who will lug around a 7-9 lb PC daily?
3 Performace: Notebooks except for the Pimped systems lag a generation below desktops.
4 Screen resolution and extra features are next in my priority list.

Life's a Beach and then you drown.
DV 1000
1.7 GHZ,512 MB RAM,80 GB HD

 

I was gonna say battery life, but actually, the videocard played a big part. I was going to get Fujitsu, but none of them had anything close to the ATI 9700 in my 1680, so, my first criteria is something with a decent 3d card for gaming, then battery life.

 

Performance and connectivity (bluetooth, Wifi) would be the first thing I look for. Weight and battery life comes in second.
A desktop is unfortunately not a good option for everyone.

 

Well, since I am a gamer to the heart, I'll go for video card, then screen size and resolution.

If it's good for gaming, and got a nice connectivity options, it'll probably be fit for everything! [ ]

Alz

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by steve8pi

 

Hi!

I'm using ACER TravelMate 8005LMi, my 3rd notebook.

Here're the reasons why I chose ACER although this is the first time I'm using this brand. I've made comparison between brands like DELL, ASUS, IBM, HP, Fujitsu for equivalent Centrino speed range of 1.7 - 1.8 GHz before deciding on Acer.

a) It has local support in my country

b) 2-hr express service

c) Acer always tends to lead the notebook industry with latest features like having DVI port, hot swappable bay, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, built-in mic etc etc (ASUS, another strong contender, has built-in TV tuner and webcam but its heavier and cost more).

d) For equivalent screen size with other brands Acer notebook uses very lightweight materials. The use of hot swappable bay reduces the weight further with the weight-saving module. If you'll to purchase a 2nd AC adapter and cable you can travel to-and-fro work/school lighter without the need of carrying the AC adapter and cable. All these factors make this notebook a strong attraction especially for a guy like me who doesn't drive.

e) Price-wise its comparable to other branded notebooks

f) And, lastly, plenty of other features (see specs). The DVI-D output port gives fantastic quality picture when connected to my external monitor which has a DVI-D input port. Also, the use of ANYCOM bluetooth mouse allows me to connect without the need of a dongle. The hot-swappable bay is indeed one of its best features with options like the use of 2nd battery, 2nd hard disk, floppy drive, DVD writer or even the weight-saving module something which other brands don't provide.

Frankly, ACER's screen is not that impressive as compared to some other brands like Fujitsu or HP, however, I'm not that particular as long as I can get decent picture out of it. One other thing is that you've to get use to the 'Home' and 'End' keys as they're shared with other keys. You'll need to depress key 'Fn' with 'Home'/'End' key in order to activate it.

[ ]

 

I side with those who want a quiet notebook. I'm contemplating a new notebook to replace my 5 yr old Dell Inspiron 5000 (PIII-600) which is very quiet. I bought a cheap Balance (Mobile Athlon 1.2Ghz) notebook which had lots of features and good performance, but the CPU cooling fan was so loud as to be distracting, even with the power management set to max battery. I sold the Balance. My wife bought a Sony Vaio (Centrino, S380?). Even when it is configured for max battery, it periodically runs the CPU fan while surfing the web. It's fan is more tolerable than the Balance, but still noisy.
Does anyone know of quiet, mainstream notebooks on the market these days?