Advice on Laptop

[Gryphon25]

I need in a new laptop for work in the next 2 days. It will be used mostly for Microsoft Office applications so I realize that the $499 special at FS etc would be suffice. But on the flip side, I want and do not main paying for one that is worth the extra money.

My main requirements is that it has to be 17" and of good build quality. It will be transported daily and I hate a laptop that feels cheap when typing all day, every day on it.

Other than that - I would like to stay around the $800 range or lower pretax.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[DavidY]

Here are a couple in the $700-$800 range:

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=61917&vpn=K73E-A1&manufacture=ASUS

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=60953&vpn=9S7-175411-016&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar

Dave

[oldpro]

Here are a couple in the $700-$800 range:

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=61917&vpn=K73E-A1&manufacture=ASUS

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=60953&vpn=9S7-175411-016&manufacture=MSI%2FMicroStar

Dave

While I hear so many positive reports on Asus laptops, the MSI ones are not that much mentioned.

Is MSI making good/reliable laptops ?

[DavidY]

One more Asus for $699:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_371&item_id=039756

Mixed reviews on MSI laptops. It is noted that the top ranked laptops for reliability have a 15% failure during the 1st year (that's sad IMO).

http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/msi-brand-rating-2011.aspx

[Gryphon25]

Here is the on I am thinking about from the few reviews I had read,

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_371&item_id=039756

[_Allan_]

MSI like ASUS build their own machines. They don't utilize an ODM. MSI build is "up there" with ASUS, and Sager, Clevo and Toshiba.

HOWEVER, only ASUS included 2yrs global warranty, 30 day 0 bright dot, and 1yr accidental damage.

[_Allan_]

Here is the on I am thinking about from the few reviews I had read,

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_371&item_id=039756

please note stock levels....

[smartie]

Is really Asus that great and Acer or HP or other brands are worse? It seems to me the only evidence is a 2009 chart made by a company that sell extend warranty. Did anyone have consumer report for brand ranking in 2010? I didn't buy that build by themselves or no OEM means good build quality.

[_Allan_]

http://zapp5.staticworld.net/news/graphics/211081-laptopchart_800_original.jpg

From what I can tell, this was done in 2010... I don't know the validity of it.

[sickcars]

+1 for Asus. If you want something that feels sturdy and is quality made then you will want an Asus laptop.

The big guys like HP/Dell etc they let the popularity get to their head and have released to much crap for to long and have over ridden their popular name. Its time to boycott their crappy electronics.

[smartie]

http://zapp5.staticworld.net/news/graphics/211081-laptopchart_800_original.jpg

From what I can tell, this was done in 2010... I don't know the validity of it.

Thanks!

From the chart, Acer is on par with Asus in terms of reliability, is fair to say so?

[oldpro]

http://zapp5.staticworld.net/news/graphics/211081-laptopchart_800_original.jpg
OMG, the HP for home is so bad :-0
Maybe HP $99 laptops are in the near future ?

cheers :)

[_Allan_]

Thanks!

From the chart, Acer is on par with Asus in terms of reliability, is fair to say so?

Absolutely not. Acers flex when you type, let alone when you pick it up.
Asus are solid machines, that don't flex.

[sickcars]

Go to a store and compare an Asus to a Acer or cheap HP laptop you will see the difference right away. The Asus laptop is actually built very well unlike the others are usually cheap thing flimsy plastic.

[tim-x]

Am just wondering, is a 17" absolutely necessary? I only ask because you mentioned that you'll be travelling with it daily. If it's merely a carry to your car and into work and back kind of thing it might not matter as much, but if you're carrying it around in a bag for any kind of extended period of time it'll get fairly heavy and irritating.

I had a 15.4" when I was in undergrad and I thought to myself "hey, 10lbs isn't very much". It got annoying really quickly. Now that I'm back in grad school I got a 13" mbp thinking I made the smart choice but I can still notice the weight of it. And no har har I'm not a tiny person. I'm 6'0 185lbs which isn't huge but if it's something I'm carrying around with me on the subway or a 20 minute walk to work I'd definitely think about something smaller.

[andy456]

Have you checked with your work on the OS requirements? There is a good chance you will need Windows 7 Pro to connect to the network.