buying a notebook
Rafael Caetano
checked the archives and still have doubts. Well, basically I want to
buy a cheap, new, fast notebook. :-)
Seriously, I don't care much for brand names but of course quality
matters. The cheapest seems to be Sotec. A friend bought one some
months ago, still no problems... but it's not very reliable, right? I
gather that there are some Sotec "fans" here, but has anyone here
bought a Sotec notebook?
My first choice would be Yodobashi. I've been told I could get a
better price in online shops, but I checked PCDepot and the prices are
exactly the same as Yodobashi. What are some good online shops? Do
they have point card system? Do they have good technical support in
case something goes wrong (with the hardware)?
For what is worth, I want a 15-inch screen (or bigger), at least
512MB, DVD/CD-R. The processor speed doesn't matter much.
thanks in advance,
Rafael Caetano
cc
"Rafael Caetano" <rcae...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> Seriously, I don't care much for brand names but of course quality
> matters. The cheapest seems to be Sotec.
Most people I know that bought a lemon had sony notebooks.
It depends if you want the computer only for Japan (any brand is the same,
choose the options and colors) or in another country (in that case it's
better to have a brand and model that exists there).
>The processor speed doesn't matter much.
In my experience (of user that understands nothing to technique) the
processor speed is the only thing that matters. When my old notebooks were
getting old, by simply plugging stuff, I could use external memories,
CD/DVDs, micro, loudplayers, mouse, keyboard, screen, projector....but I had
to change them because they were too slow (the first one played the
video-CDs too slow, the second one did the same thing with DVDs...).
Oh no, I also had problems to internet-phone well because the sound card was
not double duplex (no idea what that means but that's not operable on
notebooks, and they still sell some with cheap sound cards.)
CC
Norman Diamond
> Seriously, I don't care much for brand names but of course quality
> matters.
You'll still need to visit Yodobashi or other stores in order to take a look
at a model that you're considering.
> What are some good online shops?
I can't say which are good, but you can find a ton of shops on-line by
starting at kakaku.com. After you've selected a few models that you're
considering, look at kakaku.com to see who has it cheapest.
> Do they have point card system?
A few do.
> Do they have good technical support in
> case something goes wrong (with the hardware)?
In general you should assume that you'll be relying on the manufacturer's
warranty. If you want to buy an extended warranty then buy the computer at
a retailer that offers it. Bic does, I don't know if Yodobashi does.
Ryan Ginstrom
> matters. The cheapest seems to be Sotec. A friend bought one some
> months ago, still no problems... but it's not very reliable, right? I
> gather that there are some Sotec "fans" here, but has anyone here
> bought a Sotec notebook?
I have bought a Sotec desktop and notebook. It's a lot easier to fix crap
that goes wrong with a desktop. My recommendation: if you buy a Sotec, try
and get an extended warranty. Both of my computers started breaking down
after the 6 month warranty expired.
Sotec sells directly from their website, and they offer pretty flexible
configurations. Like Norman said, go to the shop to kick the tires, then buy
online.
I saw a notebook with a bit more than the specs you wanted, plus 3-year
repair/parts warranty, for 162,800 yen.
Start here:
http://www.sotec.co.jp/direct/wb-wa4220c/index.html
?Microsoft® Windows® XP HomeEdition (SP1)
????? Intel®Pentium®4 ????? 2.20GHz-M
?512MB (PC2100)??? *??1GB
?40GB(Ultra ATA/100 4200rpm) HDD
????????????? (CD-R/RW&DVD-ROM)
?15?TFT?????
??3??????????????
--
Regards,
Ryan Ginstrom
mr.sumo snr.
--
jonathan
--
"Never give a gun to ducks"
"Rafael Caetano" <rcae...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:94a6da7.03102...@posting.google.com...
I came across this English site the other day http://tinyurl.com/siin
Know nothing about the quality of the products - but being able to buy a
notebook without a bundled operating system is appealing.
This Japanese site http://www.mouse-jp.co.jp has similar deals. Buy a
Japanese PC mag like "besto PC" and look through the black and white ads at
the back - you'll see a lot of 'barebones' desktops AND notebooks available.
www.kakaku.com has a great advanced search engine that let's you look for
non-Sony, Toshiba etc. notebooks.
--
jonathan
Matthew Endo
> For what is worth, I want a 15-inch screen (or bigger), at least
> 512MB, DVD/CD-R. The processor speed doesn't matter much.
What is your purpose for the notebook? Portability?
If you want a cheapo notebook, go for the Sotec, just don't come crying
when it breaks.
Reliability? IBMs are tough, but you pay a premium for them. I'm
debating whether to get the Panasonic ultralight, an IBM Thinkpad, or a
Sony Vaio. Sony was at the top of my list in the past but their
proprietary junk still irks me, like their Memory Stick, etc.
What is your budget? That will at least get the discussion started in
the right direction.
--
Matt
ma...@gol.com
Brett Robson
>
>
>"Rafael Caetano" <rcae...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
>> Seriously, I don't care much for brand names but of course quality
>> matters. The cheapest seems to be Sotec.
>
>Most people I know that bought a lemon had sony notebooks.
>It depends if you want the computer only for Japan (any brand is the same,
>choose the options and colors) or in another country (in that case it's
>better to have a brand and model that exists there).
>
>>The processor speed doesn't matter much.
>
>In my experience (of user that understands nothing to technique) the
>processor speed is the only thing that matters.
Memory is more important. It doesn't matter how fast your cpu is, if your
computer runs out of RAM it has to use the disc more. Laptop discs are slow.
.
----
"No country hides itself behind the paper screen of cultural elitism like Japan,
which, considering they've bought their entire civilisation from other people's
hand-me-downs, is a bit of a liberty."
Rafael Caetano
> It depends if you want the computer only for Japan
> (any brand is the same, choose the options and colors)
> or in another country (in that case it's
> better to have a brand and model that exists there).
I hadn't tought about it. But it depends on the brand. I know that
some people have trouble getting suport for hardware bought abroad.
> >The processor speed doesn't matter much.
>
> In my experience (of user that understands nothing to
> technique) the processor speed is the only thing that matters.
As Brett said, memory is more important. Even in the unlikely case
that you have lots of memory so that your disk is never used as
virtual memory, the speed of memory access matters. Try disabling your
memory cache (a faster memory which saves access to main memory) to
see the difference.
(...)
> but I had to change them because they were
> too slow (the first one played the video-CDs too slow, the
> second one did the same thing with DVDs...).
OK, some innovations turn slower processors obsolete. :-)
Norman:
> I can't say which are good, but you can find a ton of
> shops on-line by starting at kakaku.com.
I got that tip right after posting, but thanks anyway. :)
Rafael Caetano
Rafael Caetano
> I have bought a Sotec desktop and notebook. It's a lot
> easier to fix crap that goes wrong with a desktop.
Sure, that's why I asked specifically about notebook experiences. If
it was desktop I'd have probably chosen Sotec already, or I would buy
the parts and assemble.
> My recommendation: if you buy a Sotec, try
> and get an extended warranty. Both of my computers started
> breaking down after the 6 month warranty expired.
Uh-oh, only 6 months? Even with warranty it's not comforting to know
that...
> I saw a notebook with a bit more than the specs you
> wanted, plus 3-year repair/parts warranty, for 162,800 yen.
It seems pretty good, thanks.
mr.sumo snr.:
> I came across this English site the other day
> http://tinyurl.com/siin
> Know nothing about the quality of the products -
> but being able to buy a notebook without a bundled
> operating system is appealing.
Very appealing indeed. I'll install Linux anyway. I didn't mention it
because I assumed all notebooks came with Windows pre-installed.
If I downgrade the processor a little (from P4 2.4GHz to Celeron
2.2GHz) I can upgrade the 40GB 4500rpm HD to a 60GB 5400rpm one and
still save $1000.
Both Sotec and this PrimePC are tempting in terms of flexibility and
price... hey, maybe they're as good as Toshiba or Sony. :-)
Thank you.
[]s
Rafael
Rafael Caetano
> What is your purpose for the notebook? Portability?
Yep. I'd much rather get a desktop. I'd have a bigger screen, bigger
and faster HD, etc, and it would still be cheaper. But I want to use
it both at university and home. In principle I could buy a desktop and
leave it in the lab, but the internet connection here sucks.
It doesn't have to be specially small or light, though, as I live
quite close to the campus.
> If you want a cheapo notebook, go for the Sotec, just
> don't come crying when it breaks.
No way, if it breaks I'll become another Matthew Outland. :-)
> Reliability? IBMs are tough, but you pay a premium for them.
Yeah, I thought about it, but I'm not sure I'm willing to sell my
organs to pay for it.
NEC feels like a good compromise.
> I'm debating whether to get the Panasonic ultralight, an IBM
> Thinkpad, or a Sony Vaio.
> Sony was at the top of my list in the past but their
> proprietary junk still irks me, like their Memory Stick, etc.
But there are adapters for that kind of thing, no?
> What is your budget? That will at least get the discussion
> started in the right direction.
Hmm, about $200,000, but actually I didn't start with a fixed budget
(at first I thought I wouldn't spend more than 160,000). I decided on
the few "non-standard" things I wanted, like the screen and memory,
etc, and now I'm comparing the prices. If I decide the cheapo brands
are not worth the risk, I might wait more one month so that I can
spend a little more.
Thanks
Rafael Caetano
Haluk
yazdi:94a6da7.03102...@posting.google.com...
> ma...@gol.com (Matthew Endo) wrote:
> > What is your purpose for the notebook? Portability?
>
> Yep. I'd much rather get a desktop. I'd have a bigger screen, bigger
> and faster HD, etc, and it would still be cheaper. But I want to use
> it both at university and home. In principle I could buy a desktop and
> leave it in the lab, but the internet connection here sucks.
>
> It doesn't have to be specially small or light, though, as I live
> quite close to the campus.
>
> > If you want a cheapo notebook, go for the Sotec, just
> > don't come crying when it breaks.
>
> No way, if it breaks I'll become another Matthew Outland. :-)
>
> > Reliability? IBMs are tough, but you pay a premium for them.
>
> Yeah, I thought about it, but I'm not sure I'm willing to sell my
> organs to pay for it.
> NEC feels like a good compromise.
>
> > I'm debating whether to get the Panasonic ultralight, an IBM
> > Thinkpad, or a Sony Vaio.
> > Sony was at the top of my list in the past but their
> > proprietary junk still irks me, like their Memory Stick, etc.
>
> But there are adapters for that kind of thing, no?
>
> > What is your budget? That will at least get the discussion
> > started in the right direction.
>
> Hmm, about $200,000, but actually I didn't start with a fixed budget
Wow, that's like shit load of money for a laptop...
Jean-Marc Desperrier
> Oh no, I also had problems to internet-phone well because the sound card was
> not double duplex (no idea what that means but that's not operable on
> notebooks, and they still sell some with cheap sound cards.)
"Full duplex" is the correct technical term.
ZX81
Saludos
Guido
"Rafael Caetano" <rcae...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:94a6da7.03102...@posting.google.com...