Why are PC laptops so ill designed?

[skuliaxe]

Maybe I don't know where to look, but when looking for a PC laptop, I can't seem to find anything that I like design wise.
There are some out there, but they cost an arm and leg or got some media hype but never were released. Then there are the stickers. Why is putting a huge sticker the only way to get an affordable, modern and elegant looking laptop (not that a sticker makes anything elegant!)

What I would like to see (and maybe someone here can help me find) is a decently priced laptop that looks good. Here's what I'm comparing with:
Intel Metro
ECS G10L (see the third picture)
Samsung Aura (eligible, but I can't find where to buy these in the US!)

I know some of the above mentioned laptops are expensive due to slim factor, back lit keys and such. But why is it so impossible to create a plastic housing that is sleek, mono-color and a keyboard in the same style. Like the Macbooks for example.

As of now, HP has the only laptops (I can find) that have a hint of design. The HP Pavilion dv2700t has a nice imprint finish on the BLACK backside, then everything goes down the drain when the laptop is opened. A silver surface (with same imprint finish) and a dark colored keyboard. Why couldn't everything just be piano black?

If anyone can find me a cheap (~$1000 and below) laptop with the above rant in mind AND with a 802.11n connection (or on that supports and upgrade to 802.11n and I'm not talking about USB) then please feel free to link me

[afrakes]

The keyboard on that ECS looks neat, but I bet it sucks to actually type on. Doesn't look like it'd have any tactile feedback.

Anyways, the ECS G10L is supposed to be an EEE competitor, so you should be able to get it (or at least one of the lower-end models) for well under $1000. MSI is also supposed to be releasing a Mac-esque sub-notebook called the Wind. Whether these will actually come to market, who knows. But due to the EEE's popularity, many manufacturers have announced low priced 8-10" notebooks. Even if only a fraction actually end up in mass production, hopefully you'll be able to find something that matches your tastes.

[ether.real]

What laptop keyboard has tactile feedback?

[DSwarP]

I don't understand the need for a laptop that is "pretty". If you want to buy the laptop as a piece of art... you probably really don't need a laptop. I'd rather spend my money on something with decent components and a screen that is actually worth a **** than something that looks nice sitting on my desk.

That said, orange/black color scheme is sexy as hell.

[skuliaxe]

Originally Posted by afrakes

Anyways, the ECS G10L is supposed to be an EEE competitor...

Yes, the ECS G10L isn´t bad at all. But will it ever be released?
And then I´d have to mod it for a 802.11 upgrade IF that is going to be possible.

Originally Posted by DSwarP

I don't understand the need for a laptop that is "pretty". If you want to buy the laptop as a piece of art... you probably really don't need a laptop...

Well, you might not.
But when comparing this to other things then it totally makes ence to me.
One can buy hundred of differently designed car types and then models from that type that perform differently. Same could be applied to mobile phones, mp3 playsers, or even kitchen households. One can buy a crappy blender that has a nice metal brush finish.
But for some reason, 90%+ of all laptops have the same (or very similar) frame/housing design and finish.

[Unrealkid]

HP is the only thing that comes to mind with the looks that you want. i set up a friends HP (forget what model) but it was a convertable, probably 12-13 inch screen, and its design was amazing. soooo small, and it had the dvd-r/w built in, with lightscribe. the dvd drive took up half the internals it was so small. i dont think it had to be a tablet like that.

what do you want this thing to do? some of the smaller dell xps models have nice design qualities to them.

[ether.real]

Originally Posted by Unrealkid

HP is the only thing that comes to mind with the looks that you want. i set up a friends HP (forget what model) but it was a convertable, probably 12-13 inch screen, and its design was amazing. soooo small, and it had the dvd-r/w built in, with lightscribe. the dvd drive took up half the internals it was so small. i dont think it had to be a tablet like that.

what do you want this thing to do? some of the smaller dell xps models have nice design qualities to them.

I have always enjoyed HP over any other brand. If i were in the market for one, HP would probably be the first place I go.

[DSwarP]

Originally Posted by skuliaxe

Well, you might not.
But when comparing this to other things then it totally makes ence to me.
One can buy hundred of differently designed car types and then models from that type that perform differently. Same could be applied to mobile phones, mp3 playsers, or even kitchen households. One can buy a crappy blender that has a nice metal brush finish.
But for some reason, 90%+ of all laptops have the same (or very similar) frame/housing design and finish.

Hmm. Guess I might be different. I don't understand nice looking cars and phones either. Functionality + Practicality > all.

[skuliaxe]

Originally Posted by Unrealkid

HP is the only thing that comes to mind with the looks that you want...

what do you want this thing to do? some of the smaller dell xps models have nice design qualities to them.

Yeah, it seems HP is the way to go.
Mostly I'm going to be doing some light multimedia work, playing music (will maybe add a X-fi to connect to my Creative S750) and movies (video out would be great). And of of course heavy web browsing.

The Dell XPS models are OK, but another great example of that design flaw. In the customizing page I can choose two colors. Tuxedo black or Midnight blue. But that's only the ******ds color. The screen frame and keyboard part are GREY!

Originally Posted by DSwarP

Hmm. Guess I might be different. I don't understand nice looking cars and phones either. Functionality + Practicality > all.

Don't get me wrong. I too think that those are more important.
But I just find it ODD that there is barely no option for a Practical AND nice looking laptop.

[baldrick]

Why not go for a macbook (and install windows if you don't want os x), $90 over budget but if you know anyone at uni/school you will be able to get the education discount to $999.

As you said, fits perfectly your requirements.

[ether.real]

Originally Posted by baldrick

Why not go for a macbook (and install windows if you don't want os x), $90 over budget but if you know anyone at uni/school you will be able to get the education discount to $999.

As you said, fits perfectly your requirements.

that just makes me queasy.

[Unrealkid]

Originally Posted by skuliaxe

Yeah, it seems HP is the way to go.
Mostly I'm going to be doing some light multimedia work, playing music (will maybe add a X-fi to connect to my Creative S750) and movies (video out would be great). And of of course heavy web browsing.

as for video, and watching dvds, that "convertable" i mentioned was kinda cool in that you could turn the screen, and speaker(posistioned below the screen) around to face you and you wouldnt see the keyboard or anything. i myself have a dell, inspiron 1720, its not much to look at, just a big laptop.

another option could be lenovo, the new ibm. i've set up ALOT of the newer ones, and they are good stuff. the laptops have a nice quality feel to them (the desktops on the otherhand....dont get me started). a T61 may be nice for you, its thin, and has a classy black look.

the reason i liked that little HP was because once you start going little and thin some dont have optical drives, like the mac air or lenovo x61s. then you need some kind of extra thing which in my mind kinda kills the point of the sleekness to begin with.

[Danman589019]

just get the mac...unless you plan to game on it. I dont game anymore though so that wasnt a lose at all to me. Besides that I cant think of anything about windows i like more than OS X. Besides being "pretty," the laptops really are built very well.

[skuliaxe]

Originally Posted by baldrick

Why not go for a macbook (and install windows if you don't want os x), $90 over budget but if you know anyone at uni/school you will be able to get the education discount to $999.

As you said, fits perfectly your requirements.

Well, yes the MacBook would be a great solution. I'm not a OS X fan so I would install XP. Would the command button act as the windows key?
Then again I could never get used to the one button mousepad.

Originally Posted by ether.real

that just makes me queasy.

Hehe...
I actually don't think of Macs as Macs anymore. Most of the hardware is the same as in PCs and Bill Gates owns a big chunk in Macintosh.
It's mostly down to the OS.

Originally Posted by Unrealkid

...

Yeah, I actually have that model bookmarked. The TX2000z series.
It would actually be a good match if it had a Expresscard54 slot. I'm thinking of connecting the laptop to a X-Fi module to connect to my Creative S750 speaker system.

Originally Posted by Danman589019

just get the mac...unless you plan to game on it. I dont game anymore though so that wasnt a lose at all to me. Besides that I cant think of anything about windows i like more than OS X. Besides being "pretty," the laptops really are built very well.

I actually can't stand OS X Always feel imprisoned or isolated with no freedom to change anything. (I like modding and changing things).

[baldrick]

Originally Posted by skuliaxe

Well, yes the MacBook would be a great solution. I'm not a OS X fan so I would install XP. Would the command button act as the windows key?
Then again I could never get used to the one button mousepad.

Double finger tap acts as right click (windows drivers allow this as well and dont forget two finger scrolling ), you quickly get used to it and (imho) its better than a two button pad.

I actually can't stand OS X Always feel imprisoned or isolated with no freedom to change anything. (I like modding and changing things).

Once you get past the OS X user friendliness you can access the unix underpinnings which are massively customisable.

[ORL]

I cant believe I am about to say this... But the Acer Extensa 5620 can be had for only 600 bucks at Be$t Buy. Despite who is carrying it for the price they are offering its packed with some pretty potent features. Its a medium book with a lot to offer. If your just plain after the sex apeal though I guess its not for you but here are stats anyhow.


CPU: Centrino Duo T5250
Mem: 1gig Samsung
HDD: 200gig Sata
LCD: Acer CrystalBright
GPU: x3100Intel 384Meg Shared (Plays wow at 30FPS medium settings, but I also installed 2 gigs of RAM)
Webcam: Acer Crystal Eye (not the best but its built in and is pretty **** decent)
Bluetooth
Gigabit LAN and 802.11a/b/g wireless Intel (Does not support promiscuous mode)
DVD-R4xDual Layer
Windows Vista Home Premium
And quite a few more options.

It gets good battery life and has a lot to offer, I have owned mine for about 6 months now and cannot say how pleased I am with it. For the price its one of the best deals I have seen. If you shop around you might find a promo and get it even cheaper.

FYI everything in this laptop is picked up by Ubuntu 7.10 automatically on install and works flawlessly. I actually get better signal from the OS than MSWinblows offers. If your a linux lover that is.

[gunbo13]

Well you thread topic should be "Why are laptops so aesthetically displeasing" OR "Why are laptops so ugly" (dummied down), because ill-design is something that laptops are certainly NOT.

Laptops are of fantastic design in numerous cases. In fact some laptops could arguably be some of the most successfully technical products that exist design wise. Really though the best laptops design wise have to be the ones that have the best air circulation system.

You want aesthetics for a laptop? Well there isn't much to work with but usually the eye-candy ones are from gamer companies or target high-end consumers. Why? Because laptops are aimed for business/academic work. Pleasing overclockers/gamers with designer laptops is about #10,000 on a companies priority list. I'm even surprised Dell makes an effort with eye-candy on the XPS since it is very nonsensical.

I prefer HP/IBM for laptops. But again I only think laptops are viable for portability (it is their intended design after all). I of course prefer desktops for upgradability (you save tons in the long run). But it will be tough to find pretty because businesses don't need pretty. In fact businesses don't want pretty because they look unprofessional.

Unless the intended design/market for laptops changes expect to have super limited choices for laptop aesthetics, sorry.

[skuliaxe]

Originally Posted by gunbo13

...

I get your point. And as English is not my first language, please excuse the title.

I'd still like to see a cheap all black PC laptop. That shouldn't cost a penny more to make. PC manufacturers sell a lot of PC tower cases that look good (are specially designed) and are relatively cheap.

[Nagoshi]

Im not sure about that, but Ive heard new MacBook's new mousepads' single button acts as a two-button if you click, well, on the right. At least, their new "single-button" mouse is a two-button, if you click to the right it's a right-click.

It'd make a great Windows laptop, you can get them quite cheap. Have you looked at some Asus products?

[gunbo13]

Originally Posted by skuliaxe

I get your point. And as English is not my first language, please excuse the title.

I'd still like to see a cheap all black PC laptop. That shouldn't cost a penny more to make. PC manufacturers sell a lot of PC tower cases that look good (are specially designed) and are relatively cheap.

I agree it would be nice to have a casing with the brand/style price-hike. But alas for some reason having pretty colors means the laptop is superiorly engineered, bleh.

Alienware/XPS bloat their design and knock up the price $1k+. And custom laptop casing is a science not a purchase. You won't find "slick" style laptops like these @ affordable pricing.

Get a nice HP/IBM in black and enjoy it. It won't be pretty but it will be just as powerful as the $1+ Alienware/XPS bloated lappies. Or get into complex laptop case modding and build your own :P.