Buying A Laptop

Jobs & Careers
1609

So how wise would it be to get a laptop without an OS or with Linux, and then to install Win XP onto it? Has anyone here tried it?


Installing an OS is a straightforward job. If, while doing the installation you have access to the internet, you will be set.

As for the installing XP on a computer without an OS, its as simple as inserting your bootable XP disc and following the instructions.

Cheers.
1610
Installing an OS is a straightforward job. If, while doing the installation you have access to the internet, you will be set.

As for the installing XP on a computer without an OS, its as simple as inserting your bootable XP disc and following the instructions.

Cheers.

Hmm, I guess installing an OS is simple enough, but installing the drivers and getting the peripherals to work is a whole different story. Computer manufacturers are working hand-in-glove with Microsoft to promote Vista as the OS of choice for their products. Most new laptops nowadays come only with Vista and the manufacturers have made sure that only Vista drivers are easily available on their websites. Several tech forums that I saw had people complaining about how difficult it was to find drivers and get the peripherals to work under XP. Sometimes the sound didn't work, and sometimes WiFi went for a toss.

That is why I wanted to know if anyone here has recently tried to get a laptop up and fully functional by installing XP. If yes, details will be most appreciated (e.g. laptop config, website from which drivers were downloaded, any problems faced while installation and their workarounds etc.). I hope I'm posting this in the right thread, or else please redirect me. Thank you.
1611

That is why I wanted to know if anyone here has recently tried to get a laptop up and fully functional by installing XP. If yes, details will be most appreciated (e.g. laptop config, website from which drivers were downloaded, any problems faced while installation and their workarounds etc.). I hope I'm posting this in the right thread, or else please redirect me. Thank you.


I did install XP on a laptop which came bundled with Vista. And most of the drivers come as a separate set with the laptop. Now if the product does give you an option of two separate drivers for XP and Vista - then you should be golden.

And yes, this discussion is detracting from the main theme of this thread. Please post your query ( the part about drivers) on this thread:

http://www.pagalguy.com/discussions/computer-queries-25002055

Cheers.
1612
I have doubts about getting a laptop with Windows Vista pre-installed, because it seems that Vista still has teething troubles. I've read on some forums that people prefer to downgrade to Win XP instead of putting up with Vista and its quirks (which include application incompatibility and unexpected crashes). Also, I think that laptops without an OS (or with Linux) cost a good Rs. 4000 or so less than laptops with Vista and with the same hardware configuration.

So how wise would it be to get a laptop without an OS or with Linux, and then to install Win XP onto it? Has anyone here tried it?



Hey,

My friend did that. He bought a laptop with Dos and then installed XP on it. You might not save 4k but you are getting a system with XP which is better than Vista. I bought a lappy with Vista and i had to change it to XP.

Thanks
SK
1613

Talking of laptops without OS..
There was this bulk deal for us first years in college. We were given the options of HP, Apple and Dell. Junta finally went for Vostro 1510. And it was the model without an operating system. But people opted for it, for all of 'em were confident of getting Windows themselves. The 1510s arrived last week, and no sooner than 2 days, all of it had fully functional XP running in them. Its as simple as that. I would say buying a lappie without OS is a better option, than downgrading to XP at a cost.

Anyway on a personal note, I use Windows Vista Home Basic. Am quite happy with it. I was a patron of XP initially, but now am slowly shedding the aversion i had against Vista.

1614

Hey Puys!

Plan to buy a laptop. Will use it for all thats necessary at a b-school and to watch movies. I am not into gaming.


Will a netbook suffice for such basic use?

the popular ones these days are acer aspire one, s series by lenovo and dell mini series.

Apart from the cost what attracts me towards these models is windows xp being preloaded on them.

any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks

Sheldon

1615
Hey Puys!

Plan to buy a laptop. Will use it for all thats necessary at a b-school and to watch movies. I am not into gaming.


Will a netbook suffice for such basic use?

the popular ones these days are acer aspire one, s series by lenovo and dell mini series.

Apart from the cost what attracts me towards these models is windows xp being preloaded on them.

any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks

Sheldon


hi,...i also want to buy a laptop...!!
earlier i had hp-pavelion....that was awesome.!!!
user friendly, better performance, good sound.....!!

so this time also i will prefer hp..!!!
1616
Hey Puys!

Plan to buy a laptop. Will use it for all thats necessary at a b-school and to watch movies. I am not into gaming.


Will a netbook suffice for such basic use?

the popular ones these days are acer aspire one, s series by lenovo and dell mini series.

Apart from the cost what attracts me towards these models is windows xp being preloaded on them.

any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks

Sheldon



i think i have exactly d same purpose as stated by you..movies(so 14 or 15 inch laptop) and b-school usage..den probably office work..plus weight of carrying d laptop is also one of my consideration..
Though i am still perplexed as to which one to opt for..i have shortlisted two laptops:
1. Hp pavilion DV4-1241tx ..approx. Rs.49000/-
2. Dell studio 15 ..approx Rs.47000/-

The ones u have listed seem to have smaller screen size which wont be conducive for watching movies..i guess..:nono:;)
Ok,try finding more reviews abt dese and pl let me know if u r able to make a choice out of so many laptops in d market!

Also,others plz help....:p
1617

Me PLanning for a laptop too

A lot of recommendations were made to me.. But I have only these in mind right now.. .Could someone post a good juxtapose between the two and give a prudent advice?

1. Dell Inspiron - 3GB RAM, 320 GB HDD, 15" screen, etc etc etc. for some 40K all inclusive..

2. Dell Studio - Same configuration as above 15" screen.. is costlier than Inspiron... Could someone say for what reason?

Why is studio better than inspiron and some say go for Studio and some say Inspiron is a great buy, a value for money...

Money comes first so im quite confused...

Some suggested dont go for a 15", use a 13" one (but this is costlier than a 15" lappy :wow: ) They say wud be portable to carry it freely... But some say what the heck go for a 15" lappy... its a one time affair... Its a gud feeling to view all necessary things on a 15" screen

Need some great advice what to do : Damn confused...

My mind says go for Inspiron 15" model... 😐 Quite inclined towards it...

:cheers:
NR

PS: Also.. shud we go for Vista Home or Vista Premium? Whats the major difference.. I heard some TV tuner etc me madad hogi... But kitna kharcha hoga extra? :

1618
Me PLanning for a laptop too

A lot of recommendations were made to me.. But I have only these in mind right now.. .Could someone post a good juxtapose between the two and give a prudent advice?

1. Dell Inspiron - 3GB RAM, 320 GB HDD, 15" screen, etc etc etc. for some 40K all inclusive..

2. Dell Studio - Same configuration as above 15" screen.. is costlier than Inspiron... Could someone say for what reason?

Why is studio better than inspiron and some say go for Studio and some say Inspiron is a great buy, a value for money...

Money comes first so im quite confused...

Some suggested dont go for a 15", use a 13" one (but this is costlier than a 15" lappy :wow: ) They say wud be portable to carry it freely... But some say what the heck go for a 15" lappy... its a one time affair... Its a gud feeling to view all necessary things on a 15" screen

Need some great advice what to do : Damn confused...

My mind says go for Inspiron 15" model... 😐 Quite inclined towards it...

:cheers:
NR

PS: Also.. shud we go for Vista Home or Vista Premium? Whats the major difference.. I heard some TV tuner etc me madad hogi... But kitna kharcha hoga extra? :


One tip: Inspiron 15 Inch is not really sturdy enough. 14" is much better in terms of portability and visibility. Also, the speakers are much better.

Will answer the other questions in a short while. 😃
1619
Me PLanning for a laptop too


My mind says go for Inspiron 15" model... : Quite inclined towards it...

:cheers:
NR

PS: Also.. shud we go for Vista Home or Vista Premium? Whats the major difference.. I heard some TV tuner etc me madad hogi... But kitna kharcha hoga extra? :


Hey i have used inspiron 1525 and i feel its performance is excellent but it is very bulky and battery backup is very low compared to other lappies.

Hence going forward i will opt for smaller screen lappy preferably with 9-cell battery...
1620
One tip: Inspiron 15 Inch is not really sturdy enough. 14" is much better in terms of portability and visibility. Also, the speakers are much better.

Will answer the other questions in a short while. :)

Any idea how much does this 14" would cost me given that 15" is around 40k all inclusive? with the same kind of configuration of course...
1621
nishant_rungta Says
Any idea how much does this 14" would cost me given that 15" is around 40k all inclusive? with the same kind of configuration of course...


It should cost around 40K too. From what I have heard, the config. you have mentioned is common these days - at a similar cost of 40 to 41K.
1622
nishant_rungta Says
Any idea how much does this 14" would cost me given that 15" is around 40k all inclusive? with the same kind of configuration of course...


I've been using a 14.1" IBM ThinkPad for quite sometime now(Its config. sounds archaic now). Whenever I've tried any other 15" laptop, I find it too bulky and needlessly big. 14.1" is the best size as it will be sturdy and portable. The features of the Dell model mentioned seems great enough to me. If you are a gaming enthusiast then don't forget to select a model with a dedicated graphics card.
1623

studio15 weighs 2.5 kg approx. and studio14 is 2.3kg....so,will it make a difference while carrying both the laptops...Infact, I found studio 14 to be too bulky inspite of its 14 inch screen size...screen seemed pretty small too..not really gud enuf for watching movies..!!
Also,thr is hardly anyone buying studio14 (checked on dell website and its stores..they dun even hv many display models for this one)
Dell studio 15,impressive review here: http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4518

For 14-inch,i only found HP dv4-1242tx perfect..

bt ppl say dell is d best..

m confused..............plz help 😃

1624
studio15 weighs 2.5 kg approx. and studio14 is 2.3kg....so,will it make a difference while carrying both the laptops...Infact, I found studio 14 to be too bulky inspite of its 14 inch screen size...screen seemed pretty small too..not really gud enuf for watching movies..!!
Also,thr is hardly anyone buying studio14 (checked on dell website and its stores..they dun even hv many display models for this one)
Dell studio 15,impressive review here: Dell Studio 15 Review

For 14-inch,i only found HP dv4-1242tx perfect..

bt ppl say dell is d best..

m confused..............plz help :)


If watching movies is a priority, then go for studio15! It has a nice aesthetic appeal also ;)!
1625
anandalfa Says
If watching movies is a priority, then go for studio15! It has a nice aesthetic appeal also ;)!



Dats the thing...watching movies is secondary:)
Portability is d first!! nw wat den.... 😃
1626

Hi Puys,

I have a DELL Latitude D820 laptop with Windows Vista Business - Original version installed on it and having 1 GB RAM.
I want to install Windows XP on this laptop. whether it will create a problem with Windows XP can anyone please tell?
Also, if I keep Vista Business will softwares and antiviruses - pirated editions can be installed on it?

Please help me as I am utterly confused regarding this.

1627

There is an active thread already for laptop queries.

http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/chit-chat-your-interests/39190-best-laptops-to-buy.html#post1496728

1628
Bulky and fat notebooks are not very convenient to carry especially when you are a student. You gotta carry your books as well, so thin size is the best. The size of Macbook is less than an inch and it doesnt make the students weary. What I like about Mac is its design besides performance. It has everything what a next generation computer should have. Its a good thing that they coming with offers for Indian students. Came across this link Apple (India) - Students , See for yourself for discounts on Macbooks and iMacs.