Expert: Mark Thomas - 11/2/2011

Question
hello

I am recent pass out of MBA from UK and looking for a job. I want to buy a powerful laptop for that im seek your advice. I have chosen few of the models which comes in between my budget. First of all i would like to tell u my requirements. processor minimum i5, budget 600 pounds. I can stretch my budget upto 700 max. if product exeptionally good. and models which i have seen are:
dell inspiron q15R switch 15.6" (i7) 629pounds
hp pavilion dv6-6156ea 15.6" (i5) 699pounds
packard bell nx69hr050 14" (i5) 699pounds
samsung series 3np300e5a-a03dx 15.6" (i5) 499pounds

please advice and feel free to ask me if any queries
thanks and regards
PARAMDEEP SINGH

Answer
Hello There

Thanks for your question posted to me. I will be brief and to the point with my advice to you, however a purchase of a PC is very similar to buying a new car, its purely a matter of aesthetics , general "feel" and reliability. All the listed laptops will do the job you require to a larger or lesser extent, before you cut down your list further , have a look at this
http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/top-laptops-the-20-best-l
There are a few more to consider.

Anyway my personal preference would be for build quality and reliability as follows

1. Dell
2. Samsung
3. Packard Bell
4. HP

Dell produce probably the best keyboard "feel" of most laptop suppliers which is an important consideration as you will be spending a lot of time on it, and also the bigger the screen size the better your overall experience will be, it is less tiring and less of a strain to operate this size of screen. Their customer support has improved somewhat over the last 5 years and although still not wonderful is now much better.
Samsung have good build quality and reliability , however their customer support in my opinion is not quite "there yet" judging by their support forums and complaints.
Packard Bell and HP have certain heat related ducting issues which they have never satisfactorily sorted out, and tend to use slightly less robust and reliable fans and materials in their machines, which in a laptop is critical as core temperatures can run in excess of 90 degrees.
Whichever you choose, please drive a hard bargain by negotiation with the sales person. This is a flooded market at the moment and each company is in a fight to get your £ against their rivals. Ask for more RAM , more warranty time , free this or that or you will not buy. I got nearly £1000
of my Dell by working them hard ! ( Dell XPS M1730 "Beast ) a while ago the best gaming laptop manufactured.
Oh and one last thing , check out unboxing or reviews of the list you have decided upon that are posted on YOUTUBE , a video is worth 10,000 words of specifications.
Hope that helps you
Mark
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