Attention onwers of notbook! Need help on buying

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gredodenda

Senior member
Oct 18, 1999
359
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I'm planning to buy a my first notebook by this next week and I have some questions to ask to notebook experts here.
I'm trying to buy light notebook, but below 5 pounds are so expensive. I'm looking around max $2500 notebook. How heavy is 6 pounds notebook to carry around? (for me, mostly college)

When I customizing a notebook on Dell, I noticed that 6 lbs are equipped with much better hardwares (hard drive,memory,cdrom) than anything below 6lbs. To get the same hardware specs with ligter notebook, I had to pay more money on that. Is all companies do like that?

Is 4.8GB enough? How about 64mb ram?
Can a notebook will next last 3 years? if not, I do not want to spend too much money. Please advise me. Anything I should know about using notebook.
Recommend me some nice notebook with models number. I know Dell, IBM makes good ones, but any other companies? Is it cheaper to buy from own company web site or retailers (using shoopers.com)?
Thank you so much!!!!!

 
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gredodenda

Senior member
Oct 18, 1999
359
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Thanks the good guy. I did not know that one, but I need a larger screen bigger than 11".
 
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Janus

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
398
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I've tried just about every notebook on the market - I'm a psychologist and need a travelling office. In my opinion, you simply cannot do better than either a Dell or a Toshiba. The Sony's are nice eye candy, but entirely too expensive for what you get. Compaq's are so loaded with crap that you'll get a system with 40% system resources free and nearly half your hard drive wasted for their irritating back-up system (and DON'T try to delete it or else you can cause SERIOUS system stability issues.) IBM systems are nice, although their proprietary PCMCIA slots are pain sometimes to get working with hardware. HP's tend to be cheaply made and feel as such - plus you won't get the top notch hardware in them either. Gateway's tend to be fair, although I've seen more dead ducks arrive to the office than I would think is acceptable.

By far, Dell probably offers the strongest laptop package, although they can get pretty pricey. Toshiba's are a bit more reasonable, but some models can get hot enough to fry an egg on.

Finally, I've heard Micron's are pretty good through the grapevine, but I have no personal experience.

Just a word to the wise - buying a laptop is not like buying a home/desktop system. Get a laptop that offers the basic features you need; unless you have a bonafide need for a power laptop, consider a more budget model. Laptop's are prone to failure and lots of abuse - dropping thousands on a system can be a huge waste of cash.

Hope this helps :)
 
Gunbuster

Gunbuster

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,852
23
81
If you need a notebook for school work and you dish out over 2k for it you will get 3 years (for school work, NOT for games)

You sure you need a huge screen? I would not want to tote something with a screen that will cost me over a grand to replace around campus. The screens have gotten bigger but the screen reinforcement has not

Also look for one with a good sturdy well placed power plug. Plugs in the back tend to get broken off from the mainboard.

For college ethernet built in is a plus.

And don't drop your crud in it. (nothing nastier then working on a laptop with peoples skin, hair, fingernails, cheetos, pop, and milk in it.)
 
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Janus

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
398
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0
Yes, I agree with the display - 12" or 13.1" TFT is more than enough. Since I run mainly productivity and Internet-related software, I found that a vanilla AMD K6-2 series laptop is outstanding (very fast and easy on the pocket.) I'm hoping that the Duron is made available in laptops since that would be an incredible system. I'd also stay away from Celeron systems; they feel (subjective) slower to me than a comparable K6-2 system. I've also seen some great prices lately on older PIII systems, which may be another viable consideration.

Here's a list of features I'd consider for a laptop:
  • At least 400 Mhz AMD K6-2 or PIII proc (or Duron if they become available)
  • 64 or 128 MB RAM
  • 12.1" or 13" TFT screen - stay away from HPA/DSTN displays if you're planning on looking at it for any period of time
  • Onboard ethernet and/or modem port
  • 2-PCMCIA slots
  • At least 6 GB HDD - the more the better
  • NO DVD drive - it's a waste of a drive since most laptops aren't equipped with the graphics system or proc to adequately display DVD movies. Plus batter life isn't that great across the board, at least to watch an entire movie.
  • Consider a CD-R/CD-RW drive
  • Debate whether you want integrated floppy/CD-ROM/CD-R(W) drive. There are pluses and minuses to both.
  • Examine the warranty policy

Nice deals from the PowerNotebooks company, although in my opinion, I do feel some concern about buying from a lesser known company for laptops. But that's just my bias, may not be worth anything.
 
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Wizkid

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
2,728
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Depends how strong you are :)
6 pounds would probably be ok unless you are carrying it long distances (like if you walk a few miles to school)... then get the lightest one you can afford. Otherwise don't spend the extra money to loose 2 pounds :)
 
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gredodenda

Senior member
Oct 18, 1999
359
0
0
To buy cheaper, should I buy from Retailers or company's own web site or maybe an auction site? any good notebook auction site?
thank you so much
 
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Prodigy^

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
4,044
1
0
uhm try taking books, add up to 6 pounds and try :) seriously, you don't excactly get tired of walking around with 6 pounds in a bag on your shoulder.....
 
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denali

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
1,122
0
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What are you going to be using the notebook for? This would make a big difference in how I would choose a notebook. If you are going to be using this in class I would suggest getting something with a small screen and getting an external monitor for home use. For basic use this sony should fit the bill for 3 years. http://www.online-sony.com/products.asp?type=1#PCG-N505VE

If you are in CS or some other field that will require more compute power or intend to play games on it you may want something more powerfull. Carrying a notebook around all day will get heavy that is why I would suggest getting as light as possible. After awhile even 3 pounds will be to heavy.
 
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Soccerman

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,378
0
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"uhm try taking books, add up to 6 pounds and try seriously, you don't excactly get tired of walking around with 6 pounds in a bag on your shoulder....."

heh good suggestion!

BTW, if you are ever worried about battery life, wait for AMD's PowerNow! enabled CPU's. They will be on the K6-2+ series, as well as whatever else they want to try to fit into a notebook. The Duron would greatly appreciate that feature becuase of it's insane power consumption. (BTW, does anyone have a CLUE why the AThlon take sooo many Watts? it'd not even that much faster then a Pentium 3.. Could it be, inefficient Design? (dont' kill me!)

Anyway, for me, all I would want a notebook for is, Surfing the internet, typing up stuff (I'm such a faster typer then writer), and listening to MP3's. that means a notebook at 200mhz would be fine for me (and I would be satisfied with it too), just as long as the power consumption isn't that bad, I'd be fine with that.
 
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Schola

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,479
0
76
Try looking at quantex notebooks and I have one and love it. It is very similiar to the Dell models only without the dell name. But have good warranties.

Schola
 
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Schola

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,479
0
76
Try quantex, they are just like dells without the name. I have one and love it, plus they have a good warranty.

Schola
 
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