are there QUALITY laptops with good portability for under $1k?

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jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Right now I'm looking for a laptop with good battery life and preferrably a small(er) size. I'd like to keep it under $1k if possible, or at least not much over. I'd also like to get a Centrino platform, if possible. So far, all I've been able to find is the Inspiron 600m that fulfills all my criteria...however, I'm not so sure on the quality of Dell.

So, is there a decent quality notebook that's cheap and portable?

Games aren't important, but I DO want at least 512MB of RAM, and it wouldn't hurt to have at least a 5400RPM hard drive if possible.
 
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CoBRaXT

Golden Member
Mar 11, 2002
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Yeah, look around for the HP DV1000. There are quite a few posts on the boards about it as well. A great quality, portable laptop for a grand.
 
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halfadder

Golden Member
Dec 5, 2004
1,190
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0
You can get a Dell Inspiron 1000 for less than $900 with 512 MB. It's slow with integrated graphics and older style celeron, but it's reliable and well built.

iBooks are nice, but once you upgrade to 512 MB it's about $1050.
 
bhanson

bhanson

Golden Member
Jan 16, 2004
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If you order over the phone, you can get a $50 discount on the iBook, which brings the price down to $949. Then add a cheap stick of RAM from newegg and it still can be had for under $1k.
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: bhanson
If you order over the phone, you can get a $50 discount on the iBook, which brings the price down to $949. Then add a cheap stick of RAM from newegg and it still can be had for under $1k.
Click to expand...

even adding my own RAM and everything, it isn't as cost-effective as a PC.
 
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halfadder

Golden Member
Dec 5, 2004
1,190
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That Acer has integrated intel graphics. You really want something with an actual GPU and real dedicated gfx ram, even if it's just a Radeon 7000 and 16 MB. It makes a big performance difference because it frees up your CPU and your memory bandwidth for more important uses that just driving the monitor.
 
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fbrdphreak

Lifer
Apr 17, 2004
17,555
1
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Integrated graphics don't make enough of a difference in regular system performance to break the bank over it. If you don't play games, don't bother with discrete graphics if you're trying to keep the price point around $1000.
The dv1000 is definitely your best bet. 14" widescreen, Centrino, all at a great price. They start at $800 with a Celeron M, but you can get a Pentium M 1.6, 40GB, 256MB, CDRW, BrightView, Wifi, & 12-cell battery for around $1100. If you're a student I hear HP has a great student discount too. Look for an in-depth review on the dv1000 within the next 2-3 days at the website in my sig :)
 
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halfadder

Golden Member
Dec 5, 2004
1,190
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You can easily find a notebook for $900 that uses a real gpu, rather than intergrated graphics. Hell, even the Apple iBook can be had for $950 with its own gpu.

If you're shopping around you may as well get the best deal and best price/performance possible.
 
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halfadder

Golden Member
Dec 5, 2004
1,190
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I haven't shopped for a notebook in over a year, so I don't know off hand. But I know there has to be one like that for under $1000. There's no way that Apple has the best deal in that category.
 
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fbrdphreak

Lifer
Apr 17, 2004
17,555
1
0
Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
How about the Inspirion 600m?

Its not a Centrino, but its a Pentium M. It uses a real GPU.

Video Graphics: DDR ATI MOBILITYTM RADEON 9000 AGP 4X video graphics at 32MB and 64MB for crisp, realistic images on our high-resolution displays.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

That would probably work as long as the price is right ;) I know Dell does have tons of coupons and whatnot.
As an FYI: if a notebook is "Centrino," it just means that it uses the Intel chipset, Pentium M CPU, and Intel wireless card. If its not Centrino but has a Pentium M processor, it still have the great battery life & performance, just with a different wireless card ;)
 
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nellienelson1

Member
Oct 27, 2004
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tho its not new i just got this which is a samsung x10 from ebay for 400 pounds (about 750 ish dollar things i think) but its awesome, on the small battery it has 2 hrs, very light (feels about half of some of my mates and has geforce go graphics. very nice.
 
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PCBliss

Golden Member
Jan 6, 2004
1,304
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I picked up a compaq presario V2000 14" widescreen laptop for $799 new at staples. Its got a mobile celeron processor, 512mb ram, 60gb HDD, integrated wireless G, XP home, etc. I really like it so far. Its a perfect size. Very stylish as well. I get a lttle over 3 hrs on the battery without using the wifi, less with it running.
 
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imported_Lucifer

Diamond Member
Oct 12, 2004
5,139
1
0
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
How about the Inspirion 600m?

Its not a Centrino, but its a Pentium M. It uses a real GPU.

Video Graphics: DDR ATI MOBILITYTM RADEON 9000 AGP 4X video graphics at 32MB and 64MB for crisp, realistic images on our high-resolution displays.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

That would probably work as long as the price is right ;) I know Dell does have tons of coupons and whatnot.
As an FYI: if a notebook is "Centrino," it just means that it uses the Intel chipset, Pentium M CPU, and Intel wireless card. If its not Centrino but has a Pentium M processor, it still have the great battery life & performance, just with a different wireless card ;)
Click to expand...

$989 isnt that bad for the Inspirion 600m. :)
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: PCBliss
I picked up a compaq presario V2000 14" widescreen laptop for $799 new at staples. Its got a mobile celeron processor, 512mb ram, 60gb HDD, integrated wireless G, XP home, etc. I really like it so far. Its a perfect size. Very stylish as well. I get a lttle over 3 hrs on the battery without using the wifi, less with it running.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I have some biases when it comes to laptops: I will NOT buy a Celeron, and I will NOT buy a Compaq. Too many bad experiences;)

Right now I'm debating whether to get the dv1000 (seems to be a better laptop), or the 600m (better deal, but apparently it's kind of cheaply built)
 
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PCBliss

Golden Member
Jan 6, 2004
1,304
0
0
Well, thats fine. but the mobile celeron is better than the regular celerons. This is my first compaq. I dont like compaq, but i love this laptop! It just doesnt feel like a compaq.
 
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jdsemler

Member
May 2, 2003
133
0
0
I'm typing this on my new(ish) 600M, and it has been a great laptop. I've been using Dell laptops for around 4 years now and have never had a problem. I've dropped it once or twice too, and apart from the scratches associated with that kind of activity, the system's functionality hasn't been hindered. The battery life is REALLY good, and you can stick a second battery into the media bay if you want sick battery life.

My wife uses a Toshiba laptop, and that thing has been a pain. Battery had to be replaced within a few months, fan noise came about within a few months, and it randomly powers down, so if anything, stay away from Toshiba.
 
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dementedlemur

Golden Member
Feb 23, 2004
1,080
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It's really based on personal experience and preference. I personally use a dell inspiron and an averatec. Both companies have been said to have bad build quality and numerous problems. I haven't had a single problem with my averatec, and the problems I have had with my dell have been quickly fixed as I have the complete care warranty.
Most people would tell you that Toshiba makes a pretty decent laptop, but that doesn't mean they are flawless.
 
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