Notebook Question(s): HP vs Toshiba vs Acer

Larry Rutledge

Larry Rutledge

Fest Master
So, I'm looking at buying a PC-based (AMD 64 X2) notebook and have been checking prices. I was leaning heavily toward an HP, because all my other equipment for a while now has been HP and I've been very happy with it. However, while looking at a great deal at Comp USA I walked by an Acer with equial specs (processor, RAM, HDD) for a couple hundred less (out the door). I also noticed that Toshiba is sometimes a hundred or so less than HP and Compaq.

In the past I have heard bad things about Toshiba, and while I remember the Acer name, I don't know much about them (except that thery are currently trying to make a comeback in the market).

I'm searching out reviews, reading specs, etc, etc, but I thought I'd ask for opinions here as well.

So, all things being equal (same processor, same RAM, same HDD, same screen size) and ignoring price, which would you choose and why (and please, no comments about buying a mac. While that may happen in the future, it's doesn't suit my purposes right now).

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/insight/comments/suggestions/help/etc.

Peace,
Larry
 
You didn't mention hvx, just a quick warning, if you are using p2, the pcmcia drive can't handle anything bigger than 4G. at least on many of the newer models. It's a texa instrument device, I can't remeber the model number.

Brandon, you just got the hvx, have you tried an 8G on yours?
 
Brandon if you just got the HVX do you have test footy or your first footage from it somewhere on here?

Sorry to jack your thread Larry.

Edited to update:
I say Mac, but I see PCs as HP>Sony>IBM>Dell>Everything Else
 
Last edited:
Zach - no worries on the jack, it happens to the best of us :)

I understand your deference to Mac, because I understand the concept that whatever a person is most comfortable with is the best tool for them. For you, you are happy using a Mac, so that works the best for you. For me, I have known nothing but PCs for 20+ years so I have a lot invested in them. Plus the PC is the platform I use for my day job, so it ties in well there also.

I, like you, prefer HP, but I am also willing to consider other manufacturers. I am leaning quite heavily toward the HP machine, but the price difference on the Acer is large enough to consider it :)

Peace,
Larry
 
I bought an acer last year, 5670.

negatives
The battery life stinks.
There is a low level buzzing that comes out of the speaker.
gets pretty hot

positives:
The screen is great
Price was right for a dual core and big HD
pcmcia slot

Just was given a Dell for work and I like that laptop much better.
 
interesting, thanks bosindy.

The AMD also gets very hot, so that is only a mild irritation to me. The buzzing and battery life, on the other hand, are an issue.

I've been looking at the Dell's also, but the price difference between it and the HP is basically $0, so I'm leaning heavily toward the HP (since I am already comfortable with them and their products).
 
I use a Toshiba Satellite with 2GB of RAM for all of our location P2 work. It has a dreadfully short-life battery, but otherwise, the performance is great for the money.

There was a service bulletin on the DC adapter jack, which finally broke loose from the mother board. Toshiba replaced the entire mother board at no charge. Threw in a new power cord and converter as well.

I run P2Genie, Vegas 6, Raylight and MS Office on that computer.

e
 
HP recently overtook Dell in marketshare if anyone is counting. Dell is going through some trouble btw
 
Larry,

I bought an Acer laptop along with my HVX's. It is a huge one, as I wasn't looking for too much portablility. Just the ability to move it and my eSATA setup on weekends, etc. It's a 20.1" screen.

Aside from the crappy battery life (obviously, for this beast) I have been very happy with the Acer. It is cool, and quiet. And I do mean quiet. Sometimes I forget I left it on.

Concerning the AMD processor - As a long time amd fan, I went with the core duo on my laptop. I have to say the core duo and core 2 duo chips from intel just smoke the current lineup of AMD.
The other huge benefit when considering a laptop is heat, and power. The intel lineups run a lot cooler, and consume less energy (not so much of a difference from the core duo to core 2 duo, but pretty significant [I understand] from the amd's to the intel's.) I might suggest you look into an intel. Price may be your main factor, but if you search around you can find some great core duo or core 2 duo laptops, that I am sure will be in your price range. By the way, what is your price range, and your lappy size you are looking for?

A lot of the Acer's also offer both pcmcia and expresscard slots, which is good for when you make the jump up to the HVX. Others do too, of course.

Anyways, in short (you know how I am, Larry) I bought an Acer, and have been very happy with it. Cool and quiet, and very fast. Editing multiple streams of real-time dvcpro hd footage all the time.

Later,
Jason
 
Nice, thanks for the info Jason...now you've messed me up and I have to think about it some more. Ugh!

I am, and have been, and AMD fan for a while. I've heard the intel duo's work a little better, but I figured it was negligible (especialy for someone as inexperienced as me). Though, I do like the idea of the intel running cooler.

I am looking to stay under $1200 but still get a 17" screen. I've noticed the Intel's are generally a little more expensive than the AMD's, but that Acer I found was an Intel and it was significantly cheaper.

Hmm...well, thanks for the info...back to the think tank.

Edited to add:
Just checked the Acer specs again...it says Intel Dual Core. Is that different from a Core Duo? Is Core Duo the same as an AMD X-2? What's the difference between a Core DUo and a Core 2 Duo? Ah, it's so frustrating...I miss the days, when it was just a choice between a 386-33 or a 486-25 :huh:
 
Dang, I think I just saw a 17"'er in your price range recently. I"ll do some searching around, and I'll report back if I find something that you might want to look at.

Yeah, I hate to say it, but intel is smoking the amd's pretty much up and down. I haven't looked at benchmarks recently, but it was pretty convincing.

I'm anxious to see the amd quad core batch though. Looks like it could be a replication of what we saw with the first amd dual cores vs. the first intel dual cores. AMD was designed as a dual core chip. The first dual cores from intel were just two slapped togethor. AMD, as a result, was faster, cooler, and used less power. Now, Intel has some quad cores out that are 2 dual core processors slapped togethor. AMD is designing a processor that is meant to be quad core from the ground up. Due out maybe mid this year.

Which makes me think, depending on your time table, you might wait around for some of these quads to penetrate the market (don't know how long that might be for lappy's) and see what kind of price drop that entails for the dual's

Later,
jason
 
No can do..the money is already burning a hole in my pocket (and I need a PC soon, my home machine has been dead for about 4 months now).

I'll probably pick up whatever ends up being the cheapest 17" w/ 1GB minimum RAM (preferably 2). There is an HP AMD Turion 64 X2, with 2GB RAM, 120 GB HDD for $1049...I have a feeling that will be the winner.


I do remember the "fake intel dual cores", that was what turned me onto the X2 (plus X2 sounds cool, like X-Men . . . just kidding). That, plus the fact, I have been an AMD fan since the Athlon came out.

So, let me see if I have this straight (for anyone who can answer). The Pentium Dual Core, is the "fake" dual core (two singles strapped together), the Core Duo is the "real" dual core (I assume 64-bit) that compares to the 64 X2, and the Core 2 Duo is the "fake" quad core. Is that about right?

Thanks for the info...I'm anxious to pick a machine up (before another bill shows up and demands the money :eek: ).
 
Nope. Core Duo is "real" dual core, and so is Core 2 Duo. The core 2 was just supposed to be an improvement over some things, like heat, and power usage in particular. Some of the early reviews I read, the difference wasn't huge. A little more than negligible. Slight performance increase as well. Of course, if you have the money, get the core 2 duo. I got the core duo becuase it was the laptop that had everything else I wanted. pcmcia, expresscard, sd card reader, etc, etc.

I don't think Core Duo is 64 bit. Vista ready (most of them), though. Core 2 Duo, might be 64 bit. I'm a bit out of the loop on the current processors to be honest. But, both are "real" dual core. Quad cores just came out. You can find them from a few vendors, but I don't even think I have seen any laptops with them yet.

Jason
 
Ah hah. It was at Best buy actually. I saw an AMD Turion x2. It was 17" I think, and it had 1 or 2 gig's of ram. And it came with the docking station. It was like right at 1100-1200. I'm gonna look for some intels for you online

Jason
 
I'll say this for Dell. I recently had one of my 15" monitors literally go up in smoke. No problem, call Dell customer support, right?

Wrong.

They claim that they can only service the customer if you have your transaction number or "certificate". Your serial number and receipt will do you no good. Seems illogical to me that the one unique identifier for all of their products can't be used in the customer support environment.

The Indian man who discussed this with me was very pleasant in denying my warranty (3 years on LCDs).

In short, f*** Dell. I used to think Michael was an innovator.

e
 
So, the one at NewEgg is $1215.99. They have the exact same unit at BestBuy for $1099.99.

Looks like a decent machine...except, I still don't know anything about Toshiba. The last time I checked into them I was told to steer clear.

Hmmm... decisions, decisions. Thanks for the link though...definitely a comparable Core Duo unit (based on price and features) to the 64 X2.
 
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