Best notebook for around $1300

[dwdty9]

Due to some grace from others, I have upped by price range for a laptop. I want the best possible laptop for around $1300. I'm a student, so I want a laptop that has long battery life, light weight. I'd like a dedicated graphics card, though I'm not a gamer. It's going to mainly be used for internet/music/photos, typing notes for school, etc. I've never had a laptop before, so I don't know how easy it is to scratch/damage one. But I'd be careful I'm sure. But the laptop will be in my backpack, unless I can find a good cheap bag. I want a pretty big hard drive, at least 60 gb 5400rpm, 512RAM, It needs to be Centrino, unless it's Apple. I've looked at the iBook, HP dv1000. Any ideas?

 

[hopejr]

iBooks are nice and sturdy, and hard to scratch (if you do, i don't think you'd be able to see it). Just be careful when putting a notebook in your back pack that you don't get anything inside the ports, vents or slots. BTW, the HDD's in iBooks are only 4200rpm.

 

[losershot]

iBook with 80gb 4200rpm and 256 built in ram is 1090 bucks educational discounted.
the 80gb 4200 rpm is just as fast as a 60gb 5400rpm due to its increased density.
Then you will have some money to buy ram (make sure its samsung).

I recommend the iBook.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Make sure if you go Mac that all the software you need for your education is Mac compatible.
The HP dv1000 sounds like the best bet to me. It doesn't have dedicated graphics, but if you don't game then there is NO reason to worry about it. Just reduce the amount of memory that the IGP uses and you're set. Otherwise, check out Gateway. The Gateway centrino series can be had for that price range @ BBY. Dunno about HDD speed, but the current models come with P-M 1.6 Dothan, 60 or 80GB, CDRW/DVDROM or DVDRW, wifi, 15" XGA screen. I would still prefer the dv1000 over this though due to more options in configure to order & the widescreen. GL

 

[jvarszegi]

Originally posted by: dwdty9
Due to some grace from others, I have upped by price range for a laptop. I want the best possible laptop for around $1300. I'm a student, so I want a laptop that has long battery life, light weight. I'd like a dedicated graphics card, though I'm not a gamer. It's going to mainly be used for internet/music/photos, typing notes for school, etc. I've never had a laptop before, so I don't know how easy it is to scratch/damage one. But I'd be careful I'm sure. But the laptop will be in my backpack, unless I can find a good cheap bag. I want a pretty big hard drive, at least 60 gb 5400rpm, 512RAM, It needs to be Centrino, unless it's Apple. I've looked at the iBook, HP dv1000. Any ideas?

The more I look at it, the more I think that the iBook is the best value in a notebook in that price range. Almost nobody has anything bad to say about it, ever. My girlfriend's thinking of getting one right now. Save a few bucks for a sleeve if you'll be carrying one in your backpack. I agree that it might be a good idea to make sure that there aren't any software titles you'll absolutely have to run that are only for PC, but if it passes that check I'd get the Apple.

 

[dwdty9]

I have seen the Gateways at best buy. I posted another topic about it here. I see the M210 on their website and the 3520GZ at the store. It's the same product, but I can't find any info about it, battery life, etc.

My three picks:
-HP dv1000
-iBook
-Gateway M210/3520GZ

 

[glorygunk]

have you thought about dell 700m? its small and light (and you can get the extended battery but it weighs more)


second the laptop sleeve...costs ~$20 but it protects your $1K+ computer