Need Feedback/Advise on Lappie Purchase

[Samhain13]

Hello people,

I need some advise on which laptop to purchase as a replacement for the work station I lost during the height of Ondoy.

Right now, I'm looking at this unit:
Neo Elan L2270N (http://www.neo.com.ph/products_elan_L2270_N.aspx)

Do you guys think it will be a good purchase?

Of course, I'm planning to remove the stock FreeDOS that comes with it and replace it with Ubuntu. I will be using the lappie as a multimedia and web development work station and will be using the following software, primarily:

LAMP web server
Blender 3D, GIMP, Inkscape and Scribus
Flash 8 Pro (under WINE)-- but I'm looking into using FLEX also
Audacity and FFMpeg

I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this unit. And your suggestions for other brands and/or models, if you have any.

Anyway, I'm considering this particular unit because it's the only one I can find that has an nVidia graphics card, which is for me, the safest to use with Blender (I know there are issues with the on-board Intel units, and I'm not familiar with issues regarding ATI or other cards). And of course, it doesn't come with Windows pre-installed, which shaves a couple of thousands from the purchase price.

[jaceleon]

Okay, first question: How much is your budget for your target laptop?
If it's 16K-25K, buy Lenovo! Mas okay pa yun!
If lower than 15K, then get Toshiba, they have very good multimedia enhancements, though you have to buy those separately.

Do NOT buy overly known and unknown brands of laptops, either their poor quality or overpriced.

Lenovo also has some of its model nVidia cards for people preferring such.
Toshiba is more on Intel.

But in the end, the decision is with you. So decide wisely for the worth of your money.

[Script Warlock]

ok lang yan 4gig mo lang ram kung may extra cash ka...

[Samhain13]

@jaceleon: I was just browsing the Lenovo site. They look nice but they're way off my budget, which is around 30K.

@Script Warlock: Yeah! I'll have to find out if the Neo's memory can be upgraded. Although it isn't necessary for me at the moment. Hehehe!

[wersdaluv]

How about building a custom one so you can really choose your parts? :)

[Samhain13]

Wers, oo nga eh. Building a custom lappie would be best but this is the first time that I'll be owning a mobile system.

Saan kaya magandang pumunta para makagawa ng custom lappie? Wala talaga akong alam sa mga ganito eh. If it was a desktop, walang problema sana. Kaso, takot na talaga akong mabaha kaya gusto ko ngayon ng mobile.

[_duncan_]

@Samhain13

Ang alam ko, may mga models ng Acer Aspire na nVidia graphics card ang gamit. 4 months ago may sinamahan akong bumili ng Acer (can't remember the exact model). IIRC, the specs are as follows:

- Intel Core2 Duo processor
- 2 GB RAM (upgraded to 4 GB for free in lieu of Windows Vista Home Edition)
- nVidia 9100 graphics card (not sure, could have been 9300)
- Atheros wifi
- 250 GB SATA HDD
- built-in webcam, biometrics, bluetooth
- about 32,000 pesos

[daxumaming]

been hearing tons of negative feedback on Neo products, mostly overheating issues and flimsy materials. But I haven't heard anyone complain that Ubuntu doesn't work on a neo notebook. If you do buy one, make sure you mail back the warranty card.

[Samhain13]

@_duncan_: Thanks for the info. I've seen a few Acers on display but haven't considered them yet. Will have a second look at them since they're within my budget.

@Dax: now, that's made me reconsider getting the Neo... what have you heard about Qube?

[wersdaluv]

Ohh. Pardon my poor comprehension. Lappy pala. If it's a lappy, it's always more convenient to buy a built one unless you know a nice place that does customs.

Acers are really nice and cheap, however, we've been having probems with their build quality. If you want bang for the buck, MSI would be the best, IMHO.

Just keep in mind that it all boils down to what's accessible to you. We can all suggest here, but you may not be able to access a store that sells the specific laptop at the price that we claim to know. Best thing to do is to canvas somewhere with a lot of choices. Locally, the best ones could be Park Square 2 (is that 2? basta somewhere in the area), Ali Mall, and Gilmore. Haven't tried Gilmore, though. Just heard that there's a lot of choices there.

[Ravskie]

Ohh. Pardon my poor comprehension. Lappy pala. If it's a lappy, it's always more convenient to buy a built one unless you know a nice place that does customs.

Acers are really nice and cheap, however, we've been having probems with their build quality. If you want bang for the buck, MSI would be the best, IMHO.

Just keep in mind that it all boils down to what's accessible to you. We can all suggest here, but you may not be able to access a store that sells the specific laptop at the price that we claim to know. Best thing to do is to canvas somewhere with a lot of choices. Locally, the best ones could be Park Square 2 (is that 2? basta somewhere in the area), Ali Mall, and Gilmore. Haven't tried Gilmore, though. Just heard that there's a lot of choices there.


yeah try GILMORE price there is much cheaper with the one in the mall.... that's what i know before .....

suggest : why not consider ASUS also ..... ( quality wise )

[daxumaming]

no idea about Qube, except those posted on their website.

[Samhain13]

Well then, next stop: Gilmore. :D

Will report back with when I finally get a new lappie.