Laptop Advice Needed

[The Critic]

I'm currently in the market for a new laptop that will be used primarily for web surfing, office applications and the occasional Photoshop. For the laptop itself, I intend to spend about $1000.

I haven't been actively involved with computers recently, so I'm in need of recommendations regarding my hardware needs. So far, I'm looking for a laptop that contains the following features:

- 15" widescreen
- 2GB of memory
- DVD burner
- 40GB+ HDD
- 9 or 12-cell battery
- A "current-generation" processor. (i.e. Core 2 Duo, not Core Duo)

I'll be purchasing Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition separately for $75 under Microsoft's EPP, so there's no need to figure software into the overall price of the laptop. Buying online or retail doesn't matter to me.

So, if you know of any models that will suit my needs or if you have any recommendations regarding a better laptop hardware configuration for me, please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[The Critic]

Earlier today, I did a little online browsing and configured this laptop:

Thoughts on this one? I'm going to check out the Dell, Toshiba and Sony offerings later.

 

[Laminar Lou]

It will probably surf porn just fine for you while in college.

I've got an HP Tablet and it works very well. The Tablet thing is kind of gimmicky, but would work if you really need to use it while standing. But as a Laptop, it seems to be well designed and durable.

Seems like a good price, I'd think very hard about how much you think you are going to schlep this thing around. If you are going to be taking it to classes, make sure you get a good case and think battery life.

As far as HP build quality, they seem to be pretty good. We have Toshiba's at the office and they seem to hold up to abuse a lot better than the Dells.

 

[kcryan]

I just ordered a mac book pro, mad money, but should be real nice, 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo, 160 GB hd, Glossy screen, 2 GB of ram, when i get it im gonna bump that up to 4.

My big thing is im gonna get a huge (750 or 1000GB) external hard drive for all my music.


But if i was gonna buy a windows machine, id get a HP hands down, my last desktop was an HP, and my dad just bought a HP laptop, they are great computers for the $$ and to get a comparable machine from dell would be insanely more money. Toshiba might be a good choice, but ive got a buddy who had alot of problems with theirs...

Cant go wrong with HP

 

[salesrep]

My current laptop is a hp pavalion. No problems whatsoever.
Just got my daughter a compaq (same thing) it has gone smoothly for her as well.

 

[The Critic]

Alright guys, thanks for all the help so far. I found a $350 off coupon from Dell so I configured this PC this time. Let me know how this configuration compares:

Quote:

---

Inspiron 1520: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7100 (1.8GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Operating System (Office software not included): Genuine Windows ® Vista Home Premium Edition
System Color: Ruby Red
Memory: 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
LCD Panel: High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1440x900)
Video Card: 128MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 8400M GS
Hard Drive: 80GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Network Card and Modem: Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Combo or DVD+RW Drive: CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Sound Card: High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards: Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
Battery Options: 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options: 1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
Bluetooth Options:Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
Doms Camera Module: Ruby Red color w/o Camera


TOTAL:$1,057.00

---

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Mike, if you can afford the extra cost for the 7200 rpm disk, it's well worth it performance-wise.

 

[sprintman]

How can a Dell cost more than a HP? Dell is sen here as the the junk you buy when you can't afford a HP.. Confused

 

[CivicFan]

The weakest link in the laptops are the hard drives, then the DVD burners and then the screens. Quite a few of my friends own HP-s and the HD-s last from 2 weeks to a year. So get an extended warranty if you are concerned about it.

 

[JTK]

I've got about 1.5yrs on my Acer Aspire series notebook. 17" widescreen, DVD burner, etc.. Got it for just under a grand from Tigerdirect. It's big, has a conventional style keyboard and awesome sound for a notebook. Take a peek at tigerdirect.

Joel

 

[Camu Mahubah]

I got my HP pavilion at Best Buy for $1200. I am not computer savvy but it has AMD Turion64, Graphics by ATI,
whatever it is just what I needed. I use it everyday and it surfs the web like a desktop... It has the lcd screen. Check em out....

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

If you want something cheap but not too reliable (based on experience) go with Dell, and get an extended manufacturer's warranty (one thing Dell has been good about is sending out replacement parts). If you want to go up in price a little bit, Toshibas are great, never had any come in with hardware issues (unless they were $500 bargains, or ancient), which I cannot say the same for Dells. Avoid Gateway, customer support is s*** and I personally think they are s*** quality products. HP and Compaq, I've had a few new ones come in and have issues, such as bad hard drives, but most of the issues come from 2-3 year old HPs or Compaqs. Acers have become more popular, and they seem to hold up real well for the price. Sony is just too expensive, but quality-wise, they seem to be about the same as the Toshibas.

 

[JustinH]

Based on what you do with a laptop, you don't need to spend 1000.

Take a peek on slickdeals.net every day, and wait for a decent dell laptop to come along, they usually are on sale once a month or so.

I've seen some really decent dual core amd laptops going for 499. Buy one of those, and max out the ram, and it will be a great unit.

 

[The Critic]

Alright folks, I think I may have struck gold. I might just jump on this tomorrow morning...

Inspiron 1520

- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
- Genuine Windows ® Vista Home Premium Edition
- Jet Black
- FREE! 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
- Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
- FREE! 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
- CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
- High Definition Audio 2.0
- Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
- 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
- 1 Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Quote:

---

Mike, if you can afford the extra cost for the 7200 rpm disk, it's well worth it performance-wise.

---

Extra $175.

Forget it.

BTW...glossy or matte screen guys?

Thanks.

 

[Volvohead]

If you get a Dell, get the total care or whatever they call it complete repair coverage, which will pay for when someone spills a beer into it or dumps it down a stairwell. For a college environment, that is money well spent. This has saved many a colleague's kids. One of Dell's better ideas.

If it's going to be tethered to AC most of the time, get the better HD. Otherwise, the small slower drive will usually give you longer batt life.

Otherwise, you're on a budget so I won't tell you to look at a Toughbook or Lenovo, both of which make the Dell look like a toy, and CAN survive a tumble down a stairwell.

 

[Drew99GT]

After having a Dell (the famous, or infamous Inspiron 5150 with the Pentium 4 non mobile processor that overheats like a mad man), I'd stick far clear of them. I have a new heatsink and fan and if I run mine at 3.2Ghz, it still idles at about 50C and will run up into the mid 60s with only a 50% load. The case gets so hot my hard drive will top 50C, so I have a little tiny fan blowing on it most of the time. Laptop cooling mats didn't do jack. But running it at 1.6Ghz, it will stay in the 40s temp wise and idle at 35C.

Check out Tigerdirect refurbished computers. They have some killer deals.

 

[JustinH]

Yep, thats the one I would get.

Your welcome..

Quote:

---

Alright folks, I think I may have struck gold. I might just jump on this tomorrow morning...

Inspiron 1520

- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5250 (1.5GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
- Genuine Windows ® Vista Home Premium Edition
- Jet Black
- FREE! 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
- Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
- FREE! 160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
- CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
- High Definition Audio 2.0
- Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
- 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
- 1 Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor - Next Business Day

Quote:

---

Mike, if you can afford the extra cost for the 7200 rpm disk, it's well worth it performance-wise.

---

Extra $175.

Forget it.

BTW...glossy or matte screen guys?

Thanks.

---

 

[Quattro Pete]

My next laptop (they're called notebooks these days actually) will have a screen no larger than 12". It needs to be portable and light, so that you actually CAN carry it around and open up on a plane if the person in front of you reclines their seat. If I'm using it at my desk, notebook screen does not mater as I have it connected to an external monitor. Alas, there is a price to pay for a small size.

 

[oldmaninsc]

I've had a Dell Inspiron 8600 for about 2 1/2 years, and it works very well. No problems at all. I did buy the extended service contract, including the total care thing, but haven't used it once!
I have a close family member that has had good luck with Toshibas. I've seen a lot of HP/Compaqs that died within the first year. One family member had an HP die in the first 6 months, and had to fight with HP to fix it under warranty - to the point of starting legal action!

 

[Quattro Pete]

My 4-year-old Inspiron 1100 has been trouble-free as well, despite the non-mobile P4 running in the 50-60 deg. C range and the 7200rpm HDD in the 45-50 deg. C range. It's just that I don't run around with it at all as it's too heavy.