<p>You guys are probably sick of the laptop threads, but I'm computer-illiterate. </p>
<p>Out of these three laptops, which would be the best choice? There are others I saw with similar prices (eg. Acer, HP), but I don't think they would be as good as Sony and Toshiba.</p>
<p>I'm not a big fan of widescreens, but if the Vaio turns out to be a better choice, I'll gladly take the widescreen. The Vaio also comes with a 1GB memory stick, but let's ignore that for now.</p>
<p>If my uses of the laptop are important, here they are... On top of the basic functions, I occasionally watch movies, and play video games frequently (although not the hardcore type. If anybody is familiar with the specs of Warcraft 3, that's what I play, and sometimes others with similar specs)</p>
<p>When I tried to click on your links, it asks for a Canadian postal code. Without that information, I couldn't go further. I could find references to the Toshiba laptops, but you'll have to provide those of us South of the border with the Sony model number.</p>
<p>Neither of the Toshiba's have a dedicated video card that would support 3D graphics which is required for WOW 3. </p>
<p>For video games, you're probably better off with a desktop...</p>
<p>Hmm the Inspiron 6400 seems nice for just $50 more...</p>
<p>Just use L3R 4E8 for the postal code. The model number is VGNFS980.</p>
<p>I don't play WOW, but the other one. I believe its specs are pretty low. (I just checked the specs. It only requires something like 400Mhz P2 processor or better, 128MB RAM, 8MB 3D video card)</p>
<p>If you're gonna be gaming get a Dell....but I would suggest a desktop for something like that. I have a Toshiba and it works fine...I bought 2 gigs of RAM for it, since it only came with 512M but other than that....I do not game on laptops though</p>
<p>stay away from dell... If you are deciding between a sony or toshiba laptop I would go with toshibas. They both make nice laptops however sony's seem to get a little bit hotter from my experience.</p>
<p>Dell has historically been cheaper because of its $750 coupons. However, they don't work for Canada. Dell is redoing its pricing structure, so I don't if Canadians will benefit.</p>
<p>Only people who know absolutely nothing about computers, or are just clueless in general like Dell. You wonder how they can sell them so cheap? It's because they use crap parts and if you ever need a replacement you have to order it through them because they want your money.</p>
<p>Both Sony and Toshiba are really nice though, I'd go with the one that's cheaper for equal power.</p>
<p>My dad is a computer programmer - we've got Dells at home and there really is no reason for the average college student to spend more money on a laptop. Sure, if you've /got/ the money, by all means, blow it off on a computer, but for your information REAL computer people like Dells because they're cheap AND YES, they work. Honestly, a Sony computer isn't worth the extra money. It really, really isn't.</p>
<p>But if people want to go off and waste their money, fine, I'm just sick of people who think they know **** about computers saying "if you had half a brain you'd hate Dell". No, if you had half a brain you'd spend your hard-earned money on school books...</p>
<p>My uncle designs video games for a living; personally he uses an Alienware laptop, but he doesn't have a vandetta against Dells. His opinion? "Can't beat them for the price".</p>
<p>I looked at the Sony. While the processor speed is fine, its graphic chipset is Intel’s last generation which doesn’t meet your limited gaming needs. That leaves the Toshibas. The SK4 is a 1.86 GHz Core Solo with a 80G hard drive vs. the A100 which is a 1.6 GHz Core Duo with a 100G hard drive. Both use the same Intel integrated graphic chipset, the same screen size and resolution. The price gap is $200Cdn. </p>
<p>Core Solo vs. Core Duo: A dual core processor (and the just released Core2: four processors) means that two processors are on the same die (like two houses sitting on a single lot, or, if you remember the old Steve Martin movie, “The Man with Two Brains”). So two brains are better than one, right? In a perfect world, yes… However, software hasn’t caught up to having two brains, let alone four, in a computer. Unless you have huge numbers of applications running simultaneously or until software is upgraded to take advantage of multiple “brains”, you probably won’t see any great speed advantages between a Core Solo vs. a Core Duo (of comparable speeds).</p>
<p>Besides the difference in processors (speed and one vs. two “brains”), you have a 20G difference in hard drives which will cost you $200 overall. If that $200 is not a big deal, get the A100. If your budget’s tight, go for the SK4.</p>
<p>Did you check on a different site or the links I gave you? All three laptops are $1000.</p>
<p>I'm still thinking about that Dell Inspiron 6400, but I have read many threads from the past, as well as other websites, regarding Dell's lack of technical support, things breaking apart, exploding hard drivers, etc. Hmm...</p>
<p>I did use your links with your postal code.</p>
<p>The Dell does allow you to customize it with a better video card which would be a plus for you. </p>
<p>All manufacturers have a run of faulty machines. No one builds laptops or desktops from start to finish. Four out of five laptops are built in either Taiwan or China. Everybody buys from the same list of suppliers, just like car companies here. You learn to trust your suppliers. If they fail you, you move on to somebody else who can ship at the quantity and price you dictate.</p>
<p>Dell presses their suppliers pretty hard. Still, given their volume, a 1% failure rate for a particular line will mean that a lot of people will be unhappy. Always look for and pay for an extended warranty...</p>
<p>I don't know where all this "dells are crap" is coming from. My family had a dell for 7 years with no problems. We then bought two more dells (2 years old now), and still haven't had any problems. </p>
<p>Personally I've heard positive things about sonys, and toshibas to a lesser extent. I think any of the three choices are pretty solid.</p>
<p>Some people say that Dell uses lower end hardware and they tend to fail easily. I can't say for sure, but that's just what I heard.</p>
<p>Anyway, somebody recommended me ibuypower.com. I don't know how reliable IBP is, but the prices seem really attractive for the power the laptops offer.</p>