beejay

I'm looking for my first laptop and need a little help picking the best brand.

I want at least a 14.1" screen (xga or better), a decent processor ( I like the sound of the Centrino, but don't know if it's overkill), at least 256MB RAM, and will probably run XP Home edition


I'm leaning towarts Dell or Toshiba based on performance and service stories that I've heard.

I'm willing to pay up to $1600 or so...

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

__________________
Pimps and Ho's - it's this generation's cowboys and indians

sailor

You might want to look at IBM--they make some awesome laptops. I have used them for about 8 years now, and have never had te first problem with them.

One thing to remember is that most laptops are very similar, and oddly enough, one of the big determining factors is the way the keyboard feels. Go to the store and play around--find a keyboard you like. Again, I have found IBM's keyboard action to be the best out there.

My current laptop has the Centrino setup--and I love it. My battery lasts anywhere from 2.5-4.5 hours, the laptop is thin and light, and plenty powerful. Its an IBM T40, but thats definitely out of the $1600 price range.

__________________
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
--Plato

BigGov

I just got my IBM laptop, an IBM T40. I am convinced that IBM constructs laptops better than anyone else.

This thing feels solid. everything about it, the frame, the magnesium, the keyboard, it's just excellent. (I seriously want this keyboard for my desktop it feels that good, I know almost everyone that has an IBM says things like that and I laughed at them, but now I understand why, it's just that damn good). This whole laptop feels like it's been carved out of stone and the magnesium is an EXTREME upgrade over plastic. And it's only an inch thick.

Oh, the specs:
Intel® Pentium® M processor 1.60GHz
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
768 MB (Upgraded from 512 MB)
80 GB
14.1" 1400x1050 (Insanely good)
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 9000
4.5-5.01
UltraNav (Insanely good)
Ultrabay Slim
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
None (No floppy)
Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
56KV.92 designed modem
IBM 11a/b Wi-Fi Wireless and Bluetooth
IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0

Total was about $2,500

(To get better prices than on the front of the IBM website go to: http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...-840&langId=-1

Anyway, back to my ranting/reviewing. There are no heat issues, even though I have a higher end model.

There are hardly any extra add on programs, which is good and bad. There are no useless programs that just get in the way and cause problems before you decide to sit down and uninstall them. The problem is, you don't have anything like Office or such (but I'm using OpenOffice until I get a cheap version of Office from my University).

It doesn't have Centrino, but it has all the components of a Centrino model (Centrino requires that the Wi-Fi be apart of the whole processor I believe). The Wi-Fi it has is working just fine for me so far (hell, I'm typing this about 75 feet away from my modem in a big comfy recliner and still have a great connection even though the signal has to travel through a lot of materal.

If you wait a little while longer and add a little more to that price range, you can get an IBM T40 with a 1400x1050 display, 512 MB RAM, CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive, great battery life, and you will be VERY happy and have a laptop that will last you a very, very, long time.

__________________
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

sailor

Yep, like I was saying--nobody makes a better laptop than IBM. I wouldnt use their desktops, but I wont use anything but their laptops.

__________________
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
--Plato

nash

I like my Compaq Presario x1000, custom ordered off hpshopping.com. I chose it for the price and the screen:

- Pentium(R) M 1.5GHz
- 256MB DDR SDRAM(1X256MB)
- 40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
- Microsoft(R)Windows(R) XP Pro
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money
- DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
- 802.11b Wireless LAN
- 15.4" WVA WUXGA (1920x1200)
- 64MB Mobility Radeon(TM) 9200
- 8 Cell Lithium Ion battery
- hpshopping in-box envelope

All that was $1600 (not including rebate). Mail in rebate was $100, but additional 512mb upgrade (768mb total now) was $100, so still $1600 total. The same configuration supposed to be even cheaper now (around $50-100 cheaper), and apparently there's a 10% off discount code somewhere. I get around 4 hours of battery life with the builtin wireless on. The widescreen UXGA is excellent, and the laptop is always cool enough to keep on your lap. The laptop is very silent -- the fan never comes on during casual usage.

Check out www.x1000forums.com for other users' comments and experiences. You can find the 10% off code there if it hasn't expired yet. At least configure it on www.hpshopping.com to see how much it comes out to. It's surprisingly affordable. Good luck on your laptop search!

Oh yeah, if you're a student you can get a discount for that too.

flamingpeach

Can I ask why you want to go with xp home?

xp pro is excellent and lets you do alot more.

__________________
I've eaten my veggies all my life so bring it on, I am educated and strong for the revolution.

junglistic

It may cost a bit more, but have you looked into the iBooks at all?

Im not about to turn this into a pc vs mac thread, but jus so your not kicking yourself later on (not saying you will or wont), but maybe check one out nextime your at the computer store. You may be pleasantly surprised.

more info; www.pctomac.com

Sledge

Wait. Really? Like what? I was told that it didn't really give you anything but slightly better networking capabilities.