Finding a laptop, please help

[nzafi]

I am a college student looking for a laptop. My only needs for it are to do school work. I am a Computer Science major, so I mainly need it for doing programming assigments. I am not looking for a high powered laptop to replace a desktop. I am looking for a small laptop, thats got good battery life. I was looking at Dell 300m, and 600m. How are these?I am also looking to spend $1500 or less. I will also be using the laptop to sure the internet but not that much. I just dont want it to be incredibly slow that I encounter lots of lag.....Thanks for any help

 

[firtol88]

IMO 12.1" is too small for Visual Studio use but it's fine for many other tools. If you want a Dell take a look at the Latitude line the build quality is much better, not an IBM but still much better than the Ispirons.

If you feel 12.1" is enough you may want to give the X31 a look.

 

[Pandaren]

I recommend the IBM ThinkPad T40. If you're the kind of person who likes to have lots of text editors open or a huge XEMACS window with four panes, I'd recommend getting one with an SXGA+ screen (1400x1050). If you have relatively terrible eyesight like me, get the standard XGA screen (1024x768).

The T40 is small (4.9 lbs fully loaded) and well built. The only problem you might have with it is the price. A decently configured one will easily run $2,000.

The X30 and 31 are also fine choices. One of my friends has an X30 loaded with linux, and it seems to work very well. The 12.1" screen is a bit too small for me (again because of my eyesight).

 

[Gibson486]

In all truth, if you are using it for the main purpose of programming, i would not spend more than $1,500. 12.1 in screens are nice, but they suck when you have to look at the screen for a long amount of time. I hate to be general, but pretty most laptops on teh market are good for your purpose. They should have some toshibas for 1,400 at Circuit City. I like Gateway laptops, but the company itself is in some sort of rut and may be the next computer company to close. Dell is always a safe bet.

 

[Pandaren]

In all truth, if you are using it for the main purpose of programming, i would not spend more than $1,500

I disagree with this somewhat. A person who programs a lot and uses various design tools (Rational Rose, Visio, etc) and wants a notebook should get a system with a superb keyboard and high quality screen.

Paying over $1,500 might be worth it.

 

[jimmyl930]

How about the Compaq X1000? It has a wide screen/Centrino technology/up to a Radeon 9200. Check xpbargains.com.

$1047

1.3GHz Pentium-M
40gb hard drive
256mb ram
15.4" WXGA
32mb Radeon 7500
DVD-ROM
56k+NIC

You can add stuff like CD-RW/DVD-ROM or wireless.

The wide screen would probably be good for programming.

 

[chin311]

if anyone would actually PROGRAM for long amounts of time on a laptop keyboard, i feel sorry for them.

it'd be hell, i can barely stand it for more than 2 hours of AIM chatting, plug in your normal keyboard

 

[nzafi]

I went and looked at laptops at BestBuy...12.1in screen is way too small for me. I didnt realize how small it is. I will not be taking the laptop everywhere with me...mainly to my local cafe to do work, maybe to a professor's office, or to my parents house. Biggest concern is long battery life...if im at the cafe, outlets are scarce and I dont want to worry about the battery dieing.....I just built a pc couple months back which is more powerful than i need it for anything....the laptop is mainly for hw,programming, and web surfing....I saw a laptop with a 15.4in screen and that is what I want, along with a comfortable keyboard. I have set my eyes on Dell's 8600 or 8500......Any feelings about those two models?

 

[Pandaren]

I saw a laptop with a 15.4in screen and that is what I want, along with a comfortable keyboard. I have set my eyes on Dell's 8600 or 8500......Any feelings about those two models?

The 8600 is the model you'd want to consider if battery life is important to you. However, I have heard various complaints about the keyboard. Check out the forums on support.dell.com.