Ahh!! Can't decide, help me choose a laptop!

Dragnov

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,878
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I already ordered the Compaq 2100z w/ these specs.

- ATHLON XP-M 2400+ (Barton core)
- ATI Mobility Radeon 7000
- LCD 14.1 TFT XGA.
- 128 MB DDR SDRAM.
- 20 GB Hard Drive.
- 24x CDROM Drive.
- Built in 56K Modem&10/100 LAN.
- 54g wireless
$708 after $100MIR

But it's been two weeks and they haven't even shipped yet. :| But I can return it when it arrives at no cost to me. Also been hearing some minor issues such a high pitched noise, and the reliability/quaility is unknown.


Now IBM egay has the following... IBM R32
- Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor - M - 1.80GHz
- 256MB
- Hard Drive 30GB
- Display 14.1" TFT 1024x768
- Ethernet/Modem Ethernet & Modem Included
- Media Device DVD-ROM
- 16MB ATI Mobility RADEON 7000
- ~$900

So 10 more gigs, a DVD Rom (dont really need it), and 128MB more ram (I'm adding 256mb no matter which laptop) but no built in wireless. So I'd have to buy a wifi card and $200 more also, but IBM is supposed to be the best of the best for laptops. It's about 1-1.5 lbs lighter also!

Is it worth it? Should I got for the IBM? Or just stick w/ the better value?
 

wyvrn

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
10,074
0
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It's up to you. You can play the what if game on technology until your head explodes. There will ALWAYS be better deals that you didn't find or pop up from one day to the next. I suggest writing down your requirements on paper, then what you want to pay, and find a laptop that meets those specs. Once you do, fuggeddaaaboud it!
 

nicowju

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2001
3,880
0
76
If that's a T30, I have a friend who got one that had very similar specs, and she absolutely loves it. Great machine.
 

Dragnov

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,878
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Sorry, forgot to mention its the IBM R32 (edited).

I'm not worrying about the what if deals, or anythign that happens in the future. I'm getting one of the now, and I'm basically trying to decide between the two. They both meet my needs fine and are within my cost range. But I want to see whether or not the $200 price difference is worth it. (This is my first laptop purchase.)

 

neutralizer

Lifer
Oct 4, 2001
11,552
1
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Well IMO, the first one is going to be more powerful, but the second one will be lighter. Depends on your preference, power vs. weight.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,794
266
116
I think the IBM will be more portable, so if you plan on taking your laptop with you everywhere get the IBM.

I have a Compaq Presario 1500T and I love it. It's heavy around 7.6 pounds but it stays inside the house 98% of the time so weight really isn't an issue for me.