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Why are laptops so bling these days?

post #1 of 64
2/14/09 at 4:57pm
Thread Starter 
I went in to futureshop yesterday (very few people) to take a look at laptops from various brands and I couldn't believe how tacky laptops have become over the last couple of years since I purchased my last one. I see trackpads with mirrored surfaces and "chrome" mouse buttons. Everything is glossy plastic. The worst offenders even had colored translucent plastic. They are all way over-designed. It's no wonder that macbooks are so popular. The MBP's are really nice. I need to take a look at the 16" Sony with magnesium casing and Dell XPS before I make a decision though. The Dell is certainly the best value, and the only company that offers a 1900x1200 screen on a 15" notebook.
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post #2 of 64
2/14/09 at 4:59pm
Because not everyone has taste, and appealing to the lowest common denominator tends to make the most money.
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post #3 of 64
2/14/09 at 5:53pm
I felt the same way and settled on the XPS for this reason. A matte black and brushed metal for the low key win IMO (and also has the consumer warranty product I ever buy and have been happy I do).
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post #4 of 64
2/14/09 at 5:57pm
what about dell latitude? i'm happy with my Latitude D630
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post #5 of 64
2/14/09 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by iVoRy View Post
what about dell latitude? i'm happy with my Latitude D630

I guess that Dell cuts it if you like "chunky" design....

I use PC's and Macs both, so I'm trying not to play into the epic Mac vs. PC debate, but the MacBooks I've recently bought show a lot of thought in the design. Rounded edges, material selection, even the placement of certain things and the printing of the name and keys. Everything follows a consistent design style and ethic; it's easy on the eyes, blends in with the decor wherever it is and it's not too rough on the eyes.

The PCs I own seem like they look like they do because that's what's functional; like an engineer designed the case, placement of pieces, material selection, etc. instead of an artist.
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post #6 of 64
2/14/09 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HEWSINATOR View Post
I felt the same way and settled on the XPS for this reason. A matte black and brushed metal for the low key win IMO (and also has the consumer warranty product I ever buy and have been happy I do).

What resolution screen did you get on the XPS? I'm used to high resolution, but i'm wondering if 1900x1200 on a 15.4" won't result in everything being just too small for comfortable use over extended periods of time. I do actually need the resolution for work so that i can compare things side-by-side. I'm specifically looking at the Dell XPS M1530, which seems to have the best fit & finish, as well as great options. Sony has a 16" with the reso I need, but overall it's not as powerful as a similarly priced dell. A 128GB SSD is a $200 upgrade on an XPS which is totally awesome.
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post #7 of 64
2/14/09 at 6:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pylon View Post
I guess that Dell cuts it if you like "chunky" design....

I use PC's and Macs both, so I'm trying not to play into the epic Mac vs. PC debate, but the MacBooks I've recently bought show a lot of thought in the design. Rounded edges, material selection, even the placement of certain things and the printing of the name and keys. Everything follows a consistent design style and ethic; it's easy on the eyes, blends in with the decor wherever it is and it's not too rough on the eyes.

The PCs I own seem like they look like they do because that's what's functional; like an engineer designed the case, placement of pieces, material selection, etc. instead of an artist.

The Macs really are pretty. However, I use linux and windows and a MBP will cost me like $1000 more than an identically configured Dell XPS. It's a large difference.
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post #8 of 64
2/14/09 at 7:11pm
Bling is not an adjective.
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post #9 of 64
2/14/09 at 8:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
The Macs really are pretty. However, I use linux and windows and a MBP will cost me like $1000 more than an identically configured Dell XPS. It's a large difference.

This is also what puts me off Macs, you're paying a ton of money for a nice wrapper.

Lenovo (formerly IBM) make decent, plain-ass laptops for people who don't want to take a bedazzler to their computer. They're built like a brick too (metal hinges, replaceable parts, etc) whereas every Dell I've had fell apart after a year or two of heavy use.
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post #10 of 64
2/15/09 at 12:31am
+1 lenovo makes some seriously quality laptops, I've have one thats about 3 years old and its still going strong. The thing that I like best is that they've got really great ventilation on em so they don't overheat and melt shit like other laptops do after a full day of use.
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post #11 of 64
2/15/09 at 3:03am
Lenovo is great. I love my Asus; brushed steel and black plastic. Very simple (but it does run loud & hot):
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post #12 of 64
2/15/09 at 3:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
What resolution screen did you get on the XPS? I'm used to high resolution, but i'm wondering if 1900x1200 on a 15.4" won't result in everything being just too small for comfortable use over extended periods of time. I do actually need the resolution for work so that i can compare things side-by-side. I'm specifically looking at the Dell XPS M1530, which seems to have the best fit & finish, as well as great options. Sony has a 16" with the reso I need, but overall it's not as powerful as a similarly priced dell. A 128GB SSD is a $200 upgrade on an XPS which is totally awesome.

I have the XPS 1530 in 1900x1200 since I have the same general need for a higher resolution screen; otherwise I'd go the next step down. You can set the UI scaling to 120% so the icons and text aren't microscopic.
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post #13 of 64
2/15/09 at 7:26am
Asus, MSI, Fujitsu all have some plain ass lookin laptops or at least offer them with more a subtle brushed look, and all are very solid. I also suggest Lenovo if you like the brick style. Best laptop I have ever owned was a Fujitsu. Thing was damn near indestructible, had a magnesium case and even after dropping it on pavement when it was running it took no damage at all.

Oh and Panasonic lappys are pretty sexy too.
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post #14 of 64
2/15/09 at 7:57am
I prefer higher resolution screens - more space for illustrator and indesign windows is always better. However, 1900x1200 is just too big for me on a 15" screen. There's a balance to be struck in terms of what a 12-point font is going to look like on screen and how its going to look on paper, and in terms of web-design, I like to have a reasonable idea about what my work is going to look like for other people. On my last MBP 15" I replaced the 1440x900 screen with a 1900x1200, but on this one I'm not going to do so. It was more of a hassle than a benefit.
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post #15 of 64
2/15/09 at 8:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GQgeek View Post
Dell is...the only company that offers a 1900x1200 screen on a 15" notebook.
you referenced this a bit earlier, but why would you want that? Everything would be so so tiny....
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