Hi everyone

Yes, I'm still alive and I need a bit of help with something

So I know I've already asked in the past (maybe 2 years ago?) about laptops, but I've made the decision that I want a Toshiba. I'm a student so my budget is limited so I was looking at the Toshiba Satellite C650 (05N, if that's of importance). I just need it for school and little things (I'm not a gamer) so it seemed like a good choice, but I was reading some reviews and several people wrote that it started slowing down after only a month of use and then they end up having other problems..

So, I just wanted to know if anyone knew about it and could tell me if I should get it or not.

Also, they have a model with Intel, and one with AMD. What's the better choice?

Thanks greatly in advance if you can help me a bit

whats the difference in CPU speed Wacky? between the AMD and intel?  personally i would go with AMD , intel seem to be over-priced.

wacky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11oneone!

Intel vs AMD usually depends of your need, what's you budget and what exactly would you do with the computer?

Also, Toshiba is a great choice in my opinion, but did you check out Lenovo Thinkpads? They're a tad pricier, but last forever!

If you want me to check you something out at FutureShop, let me know, still got a lot of friends that work there.

edit: just checked the specs of the Satellite C650-05N on Newegg; it's usually what I used to recommend for students that need to use the office suite, online, music and video, basically everyday tasks. The only thing is, the price their listing it at is high IMHO, I got some work-mates same spec'ed PCs at around 400$. Although, they were Compaq and Gateway, Toshiba tend to usually be a tad pricier.

edit2: ran a shopbot, it seems Newegg's price is indeed too high. Sears.ca has it for 500$.

edit3: definitely can get cheaper yet same spec'ed models, check this Compaq one right here, yes, it's HP instead of Toshiba, but you'd be saving over 20% of the price..

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Originally posted by Alias
whats the difference in CPU speed Wacky? between the AMD and intel?  personally i would go with AMD , intel seem to be over-priced.

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Originally posted by albert
Also, Toshiba is a great choice in my opinion, but did you check out Lenovo Thinkpads? They're a tad pricier, but last forever!

If you want me to check you something out at FutureShop, let me know, still got a lot of friends that work there.

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i would go with the AMD  but in some ways im BIASED

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Originally posted by wacky

"Intel® Pentium processor T4500 (2.3GHz, 1MB L2 Cache) with Enhanced Intel® SpeedStep® technology"

"AMD Athlon™ II dual-core processor P340 (2.2GHz, 1MB L2 Cache) with AMD PowerNow!™ technology"

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Originally posted by wacky

hmm I don't know much about the Thinkpads. Where can I go to look at them?

If you don't mind, could you ask about the C650? I want to know if there have been a lot of problems with them and I know if I go to ask they'll just say no to try to sell the product

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Originally posted by wacky

I guess I just want something that will last me at least 5 years. I really don't want to have to change it anytime soon. I just do school work (I use Word and do scientific research, etc.) so nothing big. I've been using my father's laptop for a few years now and it's a Toshiba. I've never had any problems with it, which is why I guess I'm leaning towards getting my own Toshiba, but (at least when it was bought) it was one of the better quality ones which might be why I've not had any problems with it (oh and I take care of it ).

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Originally posted by wacky

my brother uses a Compaq. He end up having problems with his screen. I also have a friend who had 3 HPs. he had problems with all of them so I'm not very temped to get an HP hmm unless I can be convinced otherwise

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Originally posted by wacky

Edit: also, I often have many apps open at the same time. I need something that will run smoothly even with the taskbar filled!

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Heyyyy Wacky!!!

For what it's worth, I'll try to add some personal findings/comments to things not yet replied upon. For all the rest, I fully agree with everything what Albert has said.

The reason why people say that their laptop/pc starts to lag or slow down after a while is mostly because they don't do proper (software) maintenance on a regular basis. I always say a pc/laptop is like a big industrial machine: without proper maintenance they tend to brake down. But with proper maintenance they can last a lifetime so to speak (unless it falls on the ground )

It has nothing todo with the hardware, but all with the software and installed apps, especially all the extra (crap) people often install to make their PC faster/cleaner. Such tools quite often have the reversed effect. Regulary cleaning out temporary files, properly uninstalling unused stuff, and cleaning the freshly installed OS from many of the unneeded pre-installed crap that always comes with each laptop/pc, etc, etc, goes a very long way. So these stories of lagging/slowing down after a while haven't got anything todo with what brand or model you choose.

As for HP, I have had several HP PCs and a budget HP laptop, although I haven't used that laptop that much, I never realy had any problems with it. But as Albert said, there are horror stories for each brand though. (and quite frankly, I often tend to believe that a big factor/culprint in those horror stories is actually the person using the laptop).

Albert is correct in saying that these days laptops are made to be budget friendly instead of long-lasting. But my experience is also that these days there are no realy "bad" bad brands anymore either. Ok, there are some top quality brands, true, but you pay for it too in that case. But in the budget friendly category, it usually is all very similar quality stuff though.

As for Intel vs AMD, personally I'd choose Intel. But that is also because I don't realy have that much experience with AMD. Though, I never thought of Intel as 'overpriced'. Also, in my experience, you have a bigger choice in brands and models with Intel processors than with AMD processors, but that is maybe because AMD is less 'popular' in Europe, dunno.

A 1/10th in GHz difference is nothing. More important is the processor itself (for Intel: Core 2 Single, Core 2 Dual, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Extreme mobile. And the newer i3, i5 and i7) and not to be forgotten the amount of memory of course (I'd suggest at least 2GB - ps: anything higher than 3GB is only usefull if Windows is 64bit).

I guess it just comes down to specs and then comparing prices of different brands. If you have a good feeling about Toshiba, then by all means stick with it and/or keep it in favor over other equaly priced laptops with same specs from other brands. Toshiba is certainly not a bad brand.

eg: My sister's (the vet ) old laptop was a Toshiba too and now she has again choosen for a Toshiba (better specs, newer model). She hasn't had any problems with it yet and she takes it with her on the road sometimes, so...

Not necessarily from personal experience, but my understanding is Toshiba Satellites are some of the best business grade laptops, or at least they were, I would assume that they still are.

If you're looking for durability, you're probably better off with a slightly more expensive business grade laptop without all the flashy features than a cheaper consumer grade laptop. I believe the Satellites are still meant to be business class.

I personally use a Thinkpad t510i, and compared to my last Thinkpad, a T61p, I'd have to say that that it seems like quality is dropping a little bit, But I would still highly recommend them if they fall within your budget. I think laptops are one of those places where the old adage stands, "they just don't make 'em like they used to." But we just bought my sister a Thinkpad t410i with the intention of not replacing it for 4 years. So I think it's still possible.

I also believe in what Cookie says, it's not slow hardware it's bloated software that makes the user experience miserable. If you're buying a laptop with a bunch of bloat, I'd recommend cleaning out the trial software or, as cliche as it sounds, re-installing the os from scratch. Most recovery media also includes that nasty trial software, so it may not help.

I'd also recommend avoiding the Dell Vostro series, and lower End dell E series business laptops. We have a bunch at work and nobody really likes them. Vostros are re-badged consumer laptops for most purposes, and the new E series the quality just doesn't seem to be there. We used to use Dell D-series and we loved them but not the same with the E. I know this doesn't help your Satellite decision, but I figured I'd throw that in there. 

I also have a personal grudge with HP, but that grudge was more with Futureshop than the HP hardware. In two years I've had two close friends with broken HP DV2000s and DV6000. These were also Consumer grade "media" laptops. I personally would avoid Futureshop like the plague when it comes to service.

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Originally posted by lizard.boy
I believe the Satellites are still meant to be business class.

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Originally posted by lizard.boy
I personally would avoid Futureshop like the plague when it comes to service.

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Originally posted by albert
[...]if you're going with a buisness model, it's kind of different.

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Originally posted by albert
If you really want something reliable, take a good look at Thinkpads. Professional laptops are more expensive, but are made to last longer; their priority is quality, not afford-ability.

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
The reason why people say that their laptop/pc starts to lag or slow down after a while is mostly because they don't do proper (software) maintenance on a regular basis. I always say a pc/laptop is like a big industrial machine: without proper maintenance they tend to brake down. But with proper maintenance they can last a lifetime so to speak (unless it falls on the ground )

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
As for Intel vs AMD, personally I'd choose Intel. But that is also because I don't realy have that much experience with AMD. Though, I never thought of Intel as 'overpriced'. Also, in my experience, you have a bigger choice in brands and models with Intel processors than with AMD processors, but that is maybe because AMD is less 'popular' in Europe, dunno.

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Originally posted by CookieRevised
eg: My sister's (the vet ) old laptop was a Toshiba too and now she has again choosen for a Toshiba (better specs, newer model). She hasn't had any problems with it yet and she takes it with her on the road sometimes, so...

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Originally posted by lizard.boy
I also believe in what Cookie says, it's not slow hardware it's bloated software that makes the user experience miserable. If you're buying a laptop with a bunch of bloat, I'd recommend cleaning out the trial software or, as cliche as it sounds, re-installing the os from scratch. Most recovery media also includes that nasty trial software, so it may not help.

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Originally posted by lizard.boy
I'd also recommend avoiding the Dell Vostro series, and lower End dell E series business laptops. We have a bunch at work and nobody really likes them. Vostros are re-badged consumer laptops for most purposes, and the new E series the quality just doesn't seem to be there. We used to use Dell D-series and we loved them but not the same with the E. I know this doesn't help your Satellite decision, but I figured I'd throw that in there. 

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Originally posted by albert
If I'm not mistaken there are two kinds of Satellites; Satellites and Satellites Pros, the first being consumer and the second obviously a being professional level.

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Originally posted by wacky
Originally posted by albert
If you really want something reliable, take a good look at Thinkpads. Professional laptops are more expensive, but are made to last longer; their priority is quality, not afford-ability.
I've been looking at the G560 of the Essential Laptops, which isn't a Professional laptop. Will it be lesser quality because it isn't a Pro?
This one:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/w...2D9836E78657F72EEC

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I generally agree with what was already said, but will add a few details and also some personal opinions.

First, when it comes to laptop brands, there is a difference in what is typically found in a local retail store and what is available online.  There are exceptions to this, but the top store retail brands are Toshiba and HP, followed by Acer, Sony and whatever else they may have.  In US and Canada, Lenovo Thinkpads and Dell laptops are primarily sold by direct online order.  If you are going to buy from a retail store and this is how it must be (because you have to lay hands on it first or it's easier for you to pay cash), Toshiba is probably a fine choice. 

HP is complicated because years ago, HP bought Compaq.  There is true HP and there is ex-Compaq HP, each having different strengths.  You are not considering it and I won't get into those complexities unless you decide to look at HP lineups.

Thinkpad is the laptop line that was originally made by IBM, the guys who have been around forever and invented the computing platform that has evolved into today's Windows PCs.  Thinkpads have traditionally had one entry level model, a very well made but about average laptop, with the rest of the line devoted to being the best money can buy in various categories (and priced accordingly). 

As an example, the Thinkpad I had several years ago was constructed mostly of titanium alloys instead of plastic, to make it thinner and lighter than any comparable laptop of the day.  Thinkpads have a well earned reputation for being nearly indestructible.  In my opinion, the only competition to Thinkpads is Apple, the difference being Apple also sells you a different operating system, while a Thinkpad is definitely a PC and a much more conservative, business-like design.  You can't go wrong with one, but it will cost you.

IBM sold the Thinkpad line to Lenovo some years ago.  It seems that Lenovo retained the original design teams and philosophy and a Thinkpad is still a Thinkpad, but you should be aware that Lenovo also markets non-Thinkpad laptops and I have no idea whether those are any good.  "Lenovo" something or other without "Thinkpad" in the name is a completely different product.

I do think you should take a close look at what Dell offers.  Sorry to contribute to your already confusing array of choices, but Dell is very competitive on cost and they make great products.  It won't be Thinkpad build quality, but it will easily beat Toshiba, HP and similar at a competitive price point.  Dells are remarkably easy to service, should you ever wish to repair or upgrade something yourself.  They last well -- Dell is what we buy at work for three year rotations, and most of the units come out looking fine to go a few more years when decommissioned.

On the Intel vs. AMD issue, go Intel.  There are always people who will religiously back the underdog (AMD), but the fact is AMD has been behind on performance for several years now and they have always been behind on power consumption and thermal management, which are major issues for a laptop.  I don't keep up with every latest development and there may be something I don't know, but having watched this competition for years, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind when I advise you to go with Intel.

Pretty much everything has been said already.... but just to confirm from experience too...

I'm a huge AMD fan, but really... for laptops definitely go with Intel.

Toshiba's are good, however Thinkpads are way better in any possible way, awesome durability.

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Originally posted by CookieRevised

As for HP, I have had several HP PCs and a budget HP laptop, although I haven't used that laptop that much, I never realy had any problems with it. But as Albert said, there are horror stories for each brand though. (and quite frankly, I often tend to believe that a big factor/culprint in those horror stories is actually the person using the laptop).

Albert is correct in saying that these days laptops are made to be budget friendly instead of long-lasting. But my experience is also that these days there are no realy "bad" bad brands anymore either. Ok, there are some top quality brands, true, but you pay for it too in that case. But in the budget friendly category, it usually is all very similar quality stuff though.

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About HP, I don't know much about their consumer laptops, but I do have a nc8430 (pro) that's 4y. old and am really pleased with it. The price was set accordingly though

Wacky, this might not be the brand that you way, but it seems a very good deal for power/price and quality:

http://boxingday.redflagdeals.com/index.php/flyers2010/image_full/391/

The one on the right.

Actually, scratch that, check the one on the right, at 499.99.

Toshiba C650D-028
i3-370M
4GB, 500GB

http://boxingday.redflagdeals.com/index.php/flyers2010/image_full/212/