First time laptop buyer in need of opinions

[NGC_604]

Hi. I hate to pull the forum lurker who asks for system help routine, but I really have no choice. I'm a college student who is looking to buy my first laptop sometime this Summer, hopefully by june. My price range is $1500-$1600. I'm a student, who will mostly use the laptop for programming. I might use it for some minor gaming, but that would probably be limited to emulation, and maybe the occasional warcraft 3 or soldier of fortune 2 (I don't plan on playing the newest computer games on it). Wireless will be a big part of me getting the laptop, since I'm hoping I'll be able to use it around the house instead of being stuck in the computer room all the time.

I'm new to laptops and still trying to research them, but I was hoping I would be able to get a laptop to fit these requirements.

It would be a centrino based laptop, and since I probably wouldn't get another laptop for 3-4 years, I was hoping to get a 1.5ghz-1.7ghz.
Video card doesn't have to be great, a good 32 or 64MB card would work.
Memory doesn't matter much. I would like to have 512MB+, but I am willing to buy an extra stick from crucial (not part of the 1500-1600 dollar limit)
Hard drive space would hopefully be 40GB+.
I would also need a cdrw/dvd drive combo, since I hope to use for playing the occasional dvd.
Weight doesn't matter much, but I don't want it to be an absolute pain since I need to take it around to friends' houses and to class.
Battery life, I'm not knowledgeable at all on batteries, but it would be nice to get a couple hours without the battery for use in class.
Sturdiness, doesn't matter that much. I'm not a clumsy man, but I would hate to bump it against the door and it be ruined.
Screen, I'm dumb when it comes to screens. I assume a 15" SXGA+ would what I'd need, since I would think Widescreen or UXGA would kinda pointless.
Software, I have all the software I need already, but it is expected to have to get a laptop with windows installed on it already.

I've looked at the big the brands already, and asked around...and it seems like Dell is the best bet for me. However, by looking around at their site it seems I can only get a widescreen 15inch, and I also can't seem to get an acceptable price for a decent laptop either. I've looked at other sites like abspc, powernotebooks, and ibuypower....but I'm not sure how reliable they are.

I appreciate any opinions or recommendations you all could offer. I'm reallly clueless when it comes to laptop buying, and I'm just trying to get something that I will be happy with. Thanks!

 

[shoman94]

In my opinion this IBM is a very good bang for the bucks....including a 3 year warranty and everything you already asked for.

IBM R40 @ Newegg

Newegg also has others...like Sony to choose from but I think you'd be great with the IBM......

 

[Bryans]

Many people here will recomend the IBM T series laptop as it performs extremly well and is very durable. A loaded T series laptop will be at the upper end of your pricerange though there have been hot deals in the past few months that would bring down the price a bit.

Other than the IBMs you might look at a compaq x1000 series laptop or a toshiba model.

 

[8ballcoupe]

I think that Dell isn't such a good choice for a portable computer that has to be carried around a lot. A few of their models have been reasonably sturdy, but many of them have been made of pretty flimsy plastic and metal. There have been a lot of hinge failures in the Inspiron line over time. It seems to be a recurrent problem that they never get fixed completely. I've seen a lot of other parts break on them, too.

My own experience and observation of the experience of lots of other users in the field has led me to believe that IBM and Toshiba do about the best job overall of producing reliable, long-term durable portables. That's out of the mainstream stuff. But there have even been fragile IBMs and Toshibas. In general you're a lot better off if you stick with their "business" systems, rather than the consumer grade offerings. Some of the business-style HPs seem to be pretty good, too.

If you'll be doing a lot of typing on this unit you need to get your hands on the keyboard for a tryout before you buy. Some people adapt to weird keyboards more easily than do others.

If you'll be programming a lot you need lots of desktop real estate, so you want to go for 1400x1050 or higher native resolution on the screen I think.

I don't mind carrying around big computers if they do what I need them to do, but sometimes it's nice to have a really small physical format notebook. Try to think about where you will be using the system as well as how you will be using it. Some of the desktop replacement units will burn a hole in your pants if you actually try to operate them on your lap, not to mention that you run the risk of blocking cooling slots with some designs. The big ones should be used on a desk or table top. Power and big screens are nice, but they come at a price in portability and ad hoc usability.

Ernie

 

[NGC_604]

What are your thoughts on the Compaq x1000? How is the build quality, and such. I've been looking at that and the IBM R40. Compaq seems to be a tad cheaper, but then again that was only with a 1 year warranty, so they might be about the same if I did go with a 3 year warranty.

 

[OfficerNoGun]

I was just in the same situation you were, and went with this Thinkpad Its a little bit slower than what your aiming for, but by no means bad, and check and see if your school has a deal with IBM, I got mine for 10% off.

 

[NGC_604]

Ok I'm curious on your thoughts between the compaq x1000 and the hp zt3000. They both seem to be very similar in price and specs, and since they are the same company now, what is the difference. I'm starting to lean this way, because price is a pretty big factor. I would love to go with an IBM, but I can get a lot more for the same price by going with one of these other brands. I know IBM is the best built, but these others can't be garbage now can they?

 

[replicator]

I would say go with an IBM. It is a big purchase, and you don't wanna regret and say I wished I paid a bit more for a better machine.
No laptops are perfect, but the IBMs have excellent build, and the keyboard plus navigation devices are second to none. (This I find extremely important)

I have an R40, which I really like. It is a bit thick for a centrino, but it is still not too heavy, and runs great. I just picked up a T40, and it is awesome too. But both machines kick ass.

 

[jpeyton]

HP ZT3000. Just check one out at a local B&M. I have an X1000 and I love it; the HP's are a little better looking.

 

[NGC_604]

I went to Best buy and while they didn't have any x1000 or zt3000 there, i did get to mess around with other compaq and hp laptops. The keyboard felt fine to me. They seemed rather well built to me, though I didn't have much to compare to besides what else was on display. I'm curious though, why does no one make any centrino 15'' screen laptops? It seems IBM was the only one I've seen yet. Unless I'm just missing them by some chance, the only 15" screens I can find are not centrino. It would be kinda nice to find one, since I don't need widescreen and that it's only adding to price and size.

I have another question as well. How useful is UXGA? I was figuring I'd go with SXGA, but I've yet to see anything above XGA in person. I would be doing a lot of coding, so I need the space, but it has to be readable. For example, i have a 19" monitor for my desktop, and my resolution is 1280x1024. I just can't see a higher resolution than that on a much smaller screen being readable. I would see it useful for dvds and maybe games if you had a sweet notebook, but other than that.... I don't know. I appreciate your opinions and thoughts. Thanks!

 

[8ballcoupe]

I've got a 14" notebook with 1600x1200 (UXGA) resolution and a 10" (yes 10") subnotebook with 1280x600 resolution. I'm an old guy. I wear bifocals. I can read the tiny print on both of these computers at arm's length just fine. Digital (as opposed to analog-connected) LCDs can be very much easier on the eyes than the typical CRT. Try it. You may like it.

I don't think you'll see many bigger screens than 14" on Centrinos because one of the drawing cards of the Centrino system is supposed to be its long battery life. Big, bright screens use a lot of power. I don't know what the differential in energy consumption is between a 14-incher and a 15-incher, but I suppose it might be significant when every vendor is trying to show longer battery life in the specs. But, as I said, the quality of the displays on at least some of these systems easily handles UXGA resolution on a 14" screen.

You won't know whether or not it will suit you until you try take a good, long look. You simply can't judge based upon experience with CRTs, or even many of the desktop LCDs out there.

Ernie

 

[NGC_604]

The big use of this laptop will be for coding c/c++... If I'm get an UXGA screen, would it be best to get a 15.4" widescreen or would a 14" be plenty. I know this is something that is best seen in person, but I have yet to find any where decent to check out laptops. The local stores don't have much in stock to play around with and compare.

 

[8ballcoupe]

I'm sorry, but I can give no better answer than to say that you must see them for yourself. People are so different from each other in the way that they react to display technology that I think it's a terrible disservice to make a specific recommendation. As much as I like these types of LCDs I have to admit that I have been using them for a long time, since the mid-80s. I love the fact that I can use one of these screens for 14 or 16 hours a day and feel no eye fatigue whatsoever at the end of the day. When I use even the best CRTs, and I use some special high definition monitors that cost many thousands of dollars, I still find those monitors to be a strain on my eyes when viewing text. They're great for viewing images, but not for working with text.

But that's the way it is for me and my eyes. I've run into a lot of folks who agree with me about this. But there's no certainty that you would feel the same. You really need to give it a shot. If you simply cannot find a place to try multiple examples, then maybe you could buy through a local establishment or through an online dealer that has a clear and generous return policy that lets you return the system for a full refund if it doesn't work for you. Toshiba gave me that deal on my Tecra from their online store, so I know that it's not absolutely necessary to buy at a brick and mortar establishment to get this sort of arrangement.

Good luck!

Ernie

 

[NGC_604]

Just for comparison....can any recommend any 14" centrino systems (besides IBM if possible) that offer SXGA or UXGA? I'm having trouble finding any, the only one I've seen so far was the Dell 600m. However it was just as much as an 8600 when I configured it, so there really was no advantage other than the size of the laptop being smaller.

 

[thuned]

Originally posted by: energydan
I have another question as well. How useful is UXGA? I was figuring I'd go with SXGA, but I've yet to see anything above XGA in person. I would be doing a lot of coding, so I need the space, but it has to be readable. For example, i have a 19" monitor for my desktop, and my resolution is 1280x1024. I just can't see a higher resolution than that on a much smaller screen being readable. I would see it useful for dvds and maybe games if you had a sweet notebook, but other than that.... I don't know. I appreciate your opinions and thoughts. Thanks!

My desktop screen is about 3ft from my face and my laptop is about 1.5-2ft away. I personally would have gotten more than a xga, but not for a 200-300 premium.

 

[rainypickles]

Originally posted by: energydan
I went to Best buy and while they didn't have any x1000 or zt3000 there, i did get to mess around with other compaq and hp laptops.

i have a x1000. i say that the x1000 build is MUCH better than the other compaqs laptop. the other laptops are pretty crappy. x1000 is great. www.x1000forums.com i like it. i like the build qualty, 4hrs battery time, and i really do like the widescreen. i use the lowest res (1280x800) and personally, i couldnt read it if it was higher res.

 

[rainypickles]

oh, and why is widescreen pointless to you? i didnt really care either way, but it is really neat after a few days. it's nice for watching some movies. not terribly useful, but definitely neat.

 

[NGC_604]

Well my assumption was, that the bigger the screen the bigger the price. But for some reason no one wants to have 15" centrino systems, atleast not the big makers besides IBM. I was hoping I could get a 15" instead of 15.4" widescreen and save a few dollars, but it doesn't seem like that will happen. So I'm assuming I'll end up with a widescreen now. I'm still debating on whether to get the x1000 or the zt3000. Only difference that there seems to be is the look. But I have yet to see either in person, and doubt that I will, so I don't know if the build quality is the same. Would be great if someone could confirm that or not....Thanks!

 

[rainypickles]

http://www.x1000forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=4432&highlight=differences

http://www.x1000forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=4120&highlight=differences

http://www.x1000forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=4175&highlight=differences

 

[andyman7]

http://www.ibuypower.com/confirm/configurator-battalion-E.htm

 

[NGC_604]

How respectable is ibuypower? I was looking at them before with powernotebooks.com and abspc.com, but I wasn't sure about their build quality and such. I never really see anyone recommending them, i usually only see the big brands.

 

[Frightcrawler]

Of course, they are resellers. Resellers sell big brands, basically. They rename it, though. (For example, Gigabyte (#?) = Gateway M505.)

 

[NGC_604]

Any specific recommendation on a reseller then? How does an ibuypower laptop compare to an x1000 or zt3000? I really appreciate all the help you have provided so far, I'm getting closer to not being notebook-dumb

 

[andyman7]

here and here
those are both from people who purchased the AOpen 1557 laptop (the iBuyPower is this model)
here is there resellerratings score
not bad

 

[Mermaidman]

edit: sorry--posted in wrong thread!