best notebook for ~$1300

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Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
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please recommend a laptop for around $1300. its for my GF and she want to bring it to school, so i'm looking for one that not too heavy as she'll have to carry it back and forth. she is leaning toward one of the dell models, but i want to see what is recommended here for that price. thanks much.
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
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please provide a link with a price if possible. i'll look into the x31.

also, she does not want an ibook or powerbook.

edit: the X31 is well over $1300.
 
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DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
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put a little more for x31 or x41. if she has a desktop to use with the laptop, get the x41. trust me, anything more than 4 lbs to bring is the PITA. hell, I even feel heavy to bring my x31 to school (3.7lbs). in contrast, x41 is only 2.7lbs. it is well built by IBM too.

if she doesn' have a desktop, get T40 or T41. it is a powerhouse for your gf, SVGA+, less than 5lbs.
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
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her budget is $1300 at the most. might get the 600m for about $1125 + ship. that is one of the lighter ones in the dell lineup at 4.7 lb or so
 
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anonmouseuser

Senior member
Jun 25, 2002
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X41? You probably mean X40. I would rather not deal with the ULV processor.

The X31 is $1349 here. Which is not well over $1300.

IBM > DELL
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
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wow thanks, i just googled ibm x31 and the price grabber showed up with prices around $1700-1900. thanks for that link. i never had a notebook myself, does a few pounds make that much difference?
 
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anonmouseuser

Senior member
Jun 25, 2002
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If it is going to be carried back and forth as you say, a few extra pounds will make a difference. I am not a fan of the 600M because it is not very light compared to the X series and has an ugly ass plastic casing. Note that the X31 has a slower proc., smaller HDD, less ram, and no optical drive but the build quality and after sale support is second to none.
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
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why is the X31 better than the 600m? besides 1.xx pounds heavier, the 600m seem to have better specs in processor, memory, screen, graphics chip, and HD space. please explain to me so i can in turn explain to my gf
 
pillage2001

pillage2001

Lifer
Sep 18, 2000
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Originally posted by: zaku
why is the X31 better than the 600m? besides 1.xx pounds heavier, the 600m seem to have better specs in processor, memory, screen, graphics chip, and HD space. please explain to me so i can in turn explain to my gf
Click to expand...

Size, built, quality and it's a IBM.

I would not touch the Inspiron series, consider the dell Latitude series.
 
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fyleow

Platinum Member
Jan 18, 2002
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Originally posted by: zaku
why is the X31 better than the 600m? besides 1.xx pounds heavier, the 600m seem to have better specs in processor, memory, screen, graphics chip, and HD space. please explain to me so i can in turn explain to my gf
Click to expand...

It depends on what you need in a notebook. No doubt IBM has the best build quality, the case is made of titanium compared to the plastic Dell. The 600M has gotten good reviews from many places, but if you don't need the better proc, memory, screen, etc then go for the IBM.
 
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DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
12,985
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Originally posted by: zaku
why is the X31 better than the 600m? besides 1.xx pounds heavier, the 600m seem to have better specs in processor, memory, screen, graphics chip, and HD space. please explain to me so i can in turn explain to my gf
Click to expand...

it can last you gf till she finish college. ibm laptops also come with 3 years warranty. you still haven't answered my question. go for ibm x-series ONLY if your gf has a desktop with her. x-series is not mean to be desktop replacement. it is for carrying it around with the light weight.

go for the T-series if she doesn't have a desktop and going to use the laptop as desktop replacement. nothing can come close to the T40/T41 in term of power and weigh.

if she can spent $1300 on a laptop, why not spend a little more for something that can last?
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
5,388
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Originally posted by: zaku
please provide a link with a price if possible. i'll look into the x31.

also, she does not want an ibook or powerbook.

edit: the X31 is well over $1300.
Click to expand...

she currently have a desktop. a p4 i-dunno-what ghz. i have her check out the latitude series, seems like many of them are ligher than inspirons. i don't think she will go for the X31 just because the dells offer more for her money. thanks all for your input.

 
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DaWhim

Lifer
Feb 3, 2003
12,985
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81
if she has a desktop, get a 12.1" screen laptop for mobility. I got my used x30 for $650. warranty till 10/2006 :) I am sure this laptop can last till I graduate college.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,036
443
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IBM does make the best laptop's but I think it's better to go for value (with a good warranty) rather than the top of the line model.

zaku,

Does Dell Home charge sales tax in your g/f's state?

Will you or her most likely pay for this using a VISA, MasterCard or Amex cc? Which one?
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
5,388
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Rossman, we live in CA, i forgot if dell charges tax. bought the nokia monitor from them several years ago but can't remember the tax. she will be paying probably with visa. i think she'll looking more for a dell that has better value for her dollar.
 
Maximus96

Maximus96

Diamond Member
Nov 9, 2000
5,388
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that emachine m8605 seems like a very good deal with the A64 and radeon 9600, although she doesn't play much videogames if any at all. but it is a little bit over her budget, and the emachine name makes me a bit wary. i remember hearing about all the crapy machines emachine made years ago. i dont know any thing about the quality of their current crop. decisions decisions
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,036
443
136
Originally posted by: zaku
Rossman, we live in CA, i forgot if dell charges tax. bought the nokia monitor from them several years ago but can't remember the tax. she will be paying probably with visa. i think she'll looking more for a dell that has better value for her dollar.
Click to expand...

Good thinking :)

Some college's offer a student discount. So first I would contact her school's bookstore and ask if they offer any Apple, Dell, IBM or Compaq discounts? It's worth a try because the university's buy these laptop's in bulk and usually comes bundled with XP Pro, MS Office XP, etc.

If your VISA cc qualifies, you get 1 free year of extended warranty coverage on the laptop. Most "Platinum" or higher VISA cc's will qualify. To find out call VISA at 1-800-847-2113 give them your 16 digit VISA acct number and ask "does my VISA credit card offer warranty manager"?

As for which laptop I would get the Dell Latitude D500 or D600 (better than 600m build quality but video graphics aren't as good) or Inspiron 600m. Here is a Hot Deal on the Dell 600m:

Intel Pentium®M,1.4GHz,14.XGA ATI 32MB Video , FREE TurboTax® Basic for Tax Year 2003 , 256MB,DDR,266MHz 1 Dimm , 30GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive , FREE 24XCD-RW/DVD Combo Upgrade (from DVD) , Intel® PRO/Wireless 2100 WLAN (802.11b, 11Mbps) miniPCI Card , NIC/Modem, XP Home, 1 year Warranty

$1349 -$150 instant rebate -$75 off $999 Inspiron Notebook coupon code XXXX exp 2/25 @11PM CST = $1124 +$49 shipping + tax

Since it's a Centrino it has WiFi built-in which should be nice around your home and her campus, battery life should also be good.
 
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