Recomendations wanted for laptop
 

Hi all, I'm currently on the look out for a new laptop and I wonder if anyone could possibly offer any advice - particuarlly releant to the Australian marketplace.

Firstlly I'm not a big gammer and the laptop will not be used for games. I am looking for a fast system capable of simultaneouslly running severall programs (multi-tasking) mostly your run of the mill stuff Word, Excel, Photoshop, PowerPoint, web and email.

My current thoughts on specs are as follows:
* Around 2.0GHz (preferablly P4)
* At least 256 Mb DDR RAM
* At least 40 Gb HD
* CD-RW/DVD at least 24x read & write as well as a floppy drive
* S - Video out
* TV tuner would be a bonus but not essential

I want something that will last for at least 3 years, have a battery life of at least 4 hours of solid use and a sturdy unit.

Well you could take a look at the Apple powerbooks they fit pretty much all your requirements bar the tv tuner. Battery life I am getting about 3hr 50min out of my 12" powerbook

I like the laptops Toshiba's putting out now. Their displays are fantastic.

For the TV tuner, you might want to think external, it'll free up your options. I know Happuage (http://www.hauppauge.com/html/usb_data.htm) makes one, and I've never seen a laptop with one built in.

For the laptop, try winbook.com for a fast system, they'll put a desktop CPU & video into a laptop for you. I believe the M series uses desktop processors, not centrino/mobile. http://www.winbook.com/notebooks/m/m_techspecs.html

Enjoy!

Toshibas displays do kick ass, they do not beat Apples screens but still very impressive in my opinion. If you are at all interested in switching from pc to mac, you have to take a look at the powerbooks. They are very powerful.

I dont know offhand of any laptops that have internal TV Tuners, so youll definitely have to go external with that.

THe IBM series of notebooks are always a good buy, even if they are a bit pricey, and Dell has the most awesome warranty service on their laptops (they even covered me after blatant negligence of turning the laptop into a bath).

IBM. Ive been using them for upwards of seven years now, and have not yet found a better laptop.

Toshiba makes some good ones, but I am still very much in favor of the IBMs.

As for the TV Tuner, I dont know of any laptops that come with one, but you can get an external one.

Second the vote for the powerbook - it sounds like just what you are looking for.

The IBM's are good, but you're paying a large overhead for the name.

I dont think so, the prices are pretty comparable to some other brands. Some of the models are marked up, but many are not.

Besides, I still think it is worth it. Seeing the crap I have put these machines through and to still have them ticking, to have the most comfortable keyboard and flawless operation that I have ever seen, desktop or laptop, I will gladly pay any overhead there might be.

I'm using a new Compaq Presario. It includes Centrino technology, it has a 1.3 mhz chipset, a 60 gig drive, CD RW, 15.4" widescreen and a built-in wireless adaptor. The adaptor itself saves you around $100 cdn and the Centrino technology gives you extended battery life. Don't let the processor power fool you - it saves battery power because it needs less power to run. It's smoking!

get at least 512 RAM and your gonna want more HD space. Dont' waste money on CPU you'll never use that will suck up the battery when your not plugged in either.

CPU (get less to save money)
RAM (512+)
HD (as much as you can afford)
And I've heard many good things about the centrino's.

My favorite laptop (that I can't quite afford) after extensive search: IBM T40 (T40p even better). :)

So I pretty much agree with juanvaldes.

The T40 is a wonderful machine. I am actually typing this on one right now :) Its a great machine--thin, light, powerful... I couldnt ask for more.

The Toshiba Satellite P25-S609 has the media center edition of Windows XP and should match your needs. It comes with a tv tuner. you can find it here...


http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...llite&pmod=P25