Which Basic Laptop To Buy?

[Captain Haddock]

I'm visitng Bangkok for a day or so soon, and currently live in Malaysia. I want to buy a no-frills laptop to just do some word-processing on, browse the web, burn the occasional DVD and that's it. I seem to remember Asus and Acer giving good after-sales service in Thailand - how about Malaysia? Do most Pantip Plaza vendors provide international/extendable warranties?

I reckon 10k bt should be an easy budget to get a new laptop, not 2nd-hand. Windows-based so I can use it with my desktop PCs. I need a Thai script keyboard which is why I'm not looking to buy it in Malaysia. Neither a big HDD nor super-duper fast CPU is needed (have the desktops for backup and other uses).

Any recommendations/advice? Cheers!

[lopburi3]

Increase your budget about 50% (or more with Windows operating system).

[Spoonman]

Increase your budget about 50% (or more with Windows operating system).

I agree, 10k will only purchase a small netbook without an operating system.

15k will get a 14" Acer running linux.

[sarahsbloke]

You can get a Samsung or Asus netbook running windoze for about 8000-9000bht

You might have to get an external USB DVD drive if you really want it.

[Pib]

Buy too cheap and you probably get a cheap (and problem prone) computer.

Based on my 4 plus year experience with my two Toshiba laptops (I've had both for over 4 years), Toshiba builds a very good computer. When I bought these (one was a low end model ad the other one a high end model), one came with a standard one year warranty and the other with a free Toshiba service plan that extended the warranty to three years. And believe it or not, one laptop is still using its original battery pack (it stills hold a good charge) and on the other laptop I had to replace the battery pack about a year ago.

If I was going to buy a computer today it would probably be Toshiba again based on my good luck/experience with them.

[Spoonman]

You can get a Samsung or Asus netbook running windoze for about 8000-9000bht

You might have to get an external USB DVD drive if you really want it.

I would love a Samsung netbook for the missus, where can I buy one running windoze for this price ??

[Captain Haddock]

Okay, thanks. Point taken about increasing the budget.

How about the warranty, though, and after-sales support in another ASEAN country - is getting cover going to be a problem or is it a normal thing for the vendor to offer with a laptop? Like a 3 year international warranty?

[tomat]

You can get a Samsung or Asus netbook running windoze for about 8000-9000bht

You might have to get an external USB DVD drive if you really want it.

I would love a Samsung netbook for the missus, where can I buy one running windoze for this price ??

They don't exist, the sub 10k models does not come with genuine Windows on them (if you find one that does, it's most likely because it's a very old model that they need to get rid of).

Cheapest right now with with Windows 7 is a MSI netbook at ~10,500 baht