Help for a notebook noob

[gorcorps]

Okay guys, I'm heading off to college and it's becoming clear that my desktop will just be too much of a hassle in the dorms and everything. It sucks because I've spent a lot of money over the years on this thing, and don't wanna get rid of it, but I have to so I can afford a new notebook.

I wanna find a good value notebook for under $1000 that can still run games. I don't need em fast, I just need em to run. I wanna be able to play HL2 and CSS, but it doesn't have to have great detail. My schoolwork is priority #1, so I need to have wireless net if at all possible. RAM isn't an issue, I'm going to upgrade it anyways. Also, if it's cheaper to get one without an OS on it, I don't need that either. Help me out please! I've been looking at the Dell refurbished notebooks, but don't know what's a better buy.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Find out if there are any educational discounts available through your college, then buy one after you have matriculated. Educational discounts can typically save you a few hundred bucks when buying a laptop.

HTH.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Are you planning on taking this laptop with you or will it stay at your desk most of the time?

 

[gorcorps]

I'm planning on taking it with me (dont really trust it in my room). I was going to get a notebook backpack for all my stuff so I could have it with me. I don't know if my college offers discounts, it probably would because it's a fairly good engineering school, who just happen to rock at football too.

I thought this looked okay:
SYSTEM SPECIFICATION
Inspiron 8600 (System Identifier 04LAVZA7)
Dell Inspiron 8600 Notebook: Intel Pentium M Processor 725 (1.6A GHz),15.4in WXGA, Internal NIC/Modem/Sound
Microsoft Windows XP Home
System Price $928.00
Promotion Discount ($75.00)
Discounted Price $853.00

Dell recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home
Memory: 256 MB DDR SDRAM 333MHz (1 DIMM)
Floppy Drive: External 1.44MB USB Floppy Disk Drive
Hard Disk Drive: 40 GB EIDE Hard Drive (5400 RPM)
Video: 64MB nVidia GEForce FX GO5200
NoteBook Screen: 15.4 inch WXGA Notebook Screen
Network Interface Card: Wireless 1350 Internal Wireless
CD Read-Write Drive: 24X CD RW/DVD Combo Drive

It's got what I need, 40 gig hdd is a plus. DVD is good too. I don't know about the gcard though, I don't know much about nvidia and even less about mobiles. If it would play my games, I would be happy. I also saw another one on hps site that was an athlon Mxp 3000, but the site's upgrading right now so I can't get to it.

 

[wisdomtooth]

The thing weighs 6.9lbs. I would not want to carry that thing around campus, especially if you are an engineering student and have to lug around a 5-pound Physics with Calculus textbook. :laugh:

 

[fbrdphreak]

Word of warning: the 8600 will be a boat to take with you. A ~7lbs 15.4" notebook isn't exactly the most mobile thing out there. If you're getting a notebook backpack, it will pull on your back more and not leave as much room for books unless you get an expensive notebook backpack.

A 15" notebook would serve you better, but you don't get the same desktop realestate with an XGA 15" unfortunately; and in that price range a 15" XGA is all you are looking at. Ever used a 15" CRT monitor? That is what a 15" XGA notebook looks like, just with a little more viewable space. Personally, I hate it. If you can deal with it, your best bet for a 15" notebook is Gateway. They make several Centrino notebooks that get to around $1000 on sale at Best Buy, with CDRW/DVDROM, 512MB, and 60GB hdd's. For like $1100-1200, you can get a DVDRW, glossy screen, 80GB hdd, and faster CPU. In your price range, $1000 won't get you a laptop that can play any games reasonably. The Go5200 in that Inspiron is nice because it won't sap your system resources just doing 2D stuff since it isnt integrated, but it won't play any games worthwhile except very old ones.
HP does have 15.4" notebooks with Athlon XP-M processors for decent prices, but again with a 15.4" screen & heavy chassis. However, you can get an HP ze2000: 15" XGA, Centrino, CDRWDVDROM, 40GB and up, etc for a good price. If you get the 12-cell battery, you will get 6+ hours of battery life. You can also get an educational discount with HP.

Hope this helps narrow it down. After you consider the screen size, write back with what you really want and we'll get one picked out for you.

 

[gorcorps]

'tis very true. Of course, my pack weighs a lot now, as I never take any papers out. It's gonna be hard to find a lighter notebook with the power I'd like with the strict budget I have. Gotta keep reshearching

 

[fbrdphreak]

Its going to be impossible with your price, I assure you. Anything thin & light in that price range uses integrated graphics, but is still VERY functional for general usage if you don't mind an XGA screen. Like the ze2000, dv1000 (14" widescreen), or Gateway 15" laptops @ Best Buy

 

[fbrdphreak]

Let me amend that: if you use one of the big money coupons for Dell and buy it under Small Business, you might be able to get like a Latitude with discrete graphics if you skimp a little on the other specs

 

[gorcorps]

Just saw your reply fbrdphreak after I posted. Ya, it might be too big (thats sounds a little dirty). I think I'm actually gonnna weight my backpack now and see how much it weighs for comparison. The screen size isn't a big deal for me. I played on a 15" crt with less viewing space for 3 years, and just now got a 19". This 19" is a beast, but I'm not picky with the screen. As far a games go, I'd like to play older games (AvP2, NOLF2, etc) as well as new games (hl2, riddick, etc.) The new games don't have to run well, they just have to run without crashing. I'll definately buy more ram since it's getting pretty cheap and install it myself, so I could live with 256 at first. And to be completely honest, I doubt I'll have enough time to play the games anyways with how much work I'm getting into. I definately don't wanna go over $1000, and would like to stay under 950, but may not have a choice. It may come down to this: buy a cheaper laptop now and dont worry about gaming, and get something better later. I'm going to check with my school to see if they offer discounts, which could really help my decision. Is there like a list somewhere of schools with discounts?

 

[gorcorps]

Oh and how do I get one of the coupon codes? I've seen em posted, but they're always censored or something so I can't use em.

 

[fbrdphreak]

If you don't mind a 15" XGA screen, check out the HP ze2000 (15" XGA) or dv1000 (14" widescreen). Both are Centrino laptops, so they are powerful for general usage; but if you order the 12-cell battery for the extra $25 you will get 6+ hours of battery life!! :Q Check out my review on the dv1000 if you're interested.
The Gateway notebooks (Can't think of the model #) at Best Buy are decent too. They also use Centrino, but come with a bigger hard drive for the money. I wish HP's site was up and running, but I think even a 1.6GHz 40GB 12-cell BrightView dv1000 will run you close to $1100. However, HP does offer academic discounts so look into that! People in the dv1000 thread on AT have gotten dv1000's for ~$900, so I'm sure you can do it.

The best way to find out about school discounts is to either go to your bookstore or contact somebody in your specific department. If its an engineering school, they likely have a deal with IBM. But any THinkpad worth the money in features will run you >$1500. I love Thinkpads, but they are not a budget notebook

I hope this helps and write back if you have more questions.

Oh yeah, the Dell codes. There are sites like Fatwallet and TechBargains that usually list them. You can also look here, they are updated with the latest codes pretty frequently as well as other hot deals on laptops. Feel free to post in the forums there too! [/END SHAMELESS ADVERTISING]

 

[gorcorps]

Thanks for the help. I'll check into it. My neighbor actually works for ibm, so I could ask him about some stuff.

 

[RichieZ]

ask you neighor for his SN so you can use his EPP discount, they ahve good prices now that the t43 is out. i used to work for ibm and my dad still does so I just checked

thinkpad t42 cheapest

ThinkPad T42 (IBM Think Express Program)
2378R4U
Customize & buy
Your price
$1,049.25*
IBM Web Price
$1,399.00*
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
256 MB
40 GB
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725 1.60GHz
14.1"
1024x768
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
4.5-4.5
UltraNav
Ultrabay Slim
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
None
One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)
Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
56K V.92 designed modem
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.

better deal (IMO)
ThinkPad T42 (IBM Think Express Program)
2378FVU
Customize & buy
Your price
$1,199.25*
IBM Web Price
$1,599.00*
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
256 MB
40 GB
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 735 1.70GHz
14.1"
1400x1050
64MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600
4.6-4.6
UltraNav
Ultrabay Slim
CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo
None
One year parts and labor (system battery: one year)
Integrated Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
56K V.92 designed modem
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0

i would of course want to upgrade the warranty which costs 118 to upgade to 3yr depot service

 

[gorcorps]

I like that second one. Is that "your price" part before the employee discount, or after? And how much would it be? It may not even be worth it if the final price is over $1000.

 

[RichieZ]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
I like that second one. Is that "your price" part before the employee discount, or after? And how much would it be? It may not even be worth it if the final price is over $1000.

those prices are after employee discount

 

[gorcorps]

Thanks, but those are still too much for me. I'm probably only going to get about $600 for my PC right now, and I can't put in too much extra of my own $$$.

 

[roguerower]

If you can spot the extra cash, IBM. If not Dell. Where are you going to college gorcorps?

 

[Tiamat]

Get a part time job. Spending the extra $$ on that second IBM Thinkpad T42 you spec'd out is worth it. IBMs are built like tanks.

If you don't have the time for a part time job, look at dell, but get a good warantee.
With 600$ coupon code V929$6QK7GHP3J, the best I could do for ya was this:

Inspiron 600m
Pentium M 745 (1.8ghz)
14.1" SXGA+ w/64MB ATI Radeon 9000
Windows XP Home
2x256 MB Ram
40GB Harddrive
Internal 56K Modem and 10/100 Ethernet
24x CD-RW/DVD Combo
Intel PRO Wireless 2200 Internal 802.11 b/g
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (53Whr)
2yr Ltd Warranty, 2yr @ Home, 2yr Tech Support
Complete Care for Accidental Damage 2 years

Price had to exceed 1699$ in order to use the coupon
Total price came out to $1116
Free shipping. Ships as early as March 18th.

If you want to bring the price down to 1399$ by dropping the processor to 1.6ghz, and taking away the Accidental Damage (not recommended), dropping the ram to 1x 256, and maybe lessening another spec, You can use this coupon:
9$86KPK1P?BJVZ, and get 500$ off of your purchase for 900$ laptop.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Both the Dell and the IBM are great machines for $1100. They ARE you best bang for the buck.
But it all comes down to $ and if you can't afford that, an HP or Gateway is your next best bet IMO.

 

[gorcorps]

I have a part time job, but it doesn't pay well and most of it goes to insurance and cell phone bills. I'm going to college at the Colorado School of Mines. I think I'm gonna go with a dell if I can't get a deal from my neighbor for ibm.

 

[gorcorps]

Oh, and do I have to have an account and log in to use the coupon codes? Or am I just slow and missing something. I enter it in and it has no effect.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I believe you just supply the coupon codes at checkout, it will have a box to enter any coupon codes you have.

 

[gorcorps]

<sigh> Just when I thought I found a good deal at outpost:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4278814
it turns out it's not even offered anymore. I think I'm just gonna get a cheaper notebook and not worry too much about the speed or games right now. I can invest in an upgrade later.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I configured a dv1000 w/Celeron M 350 (1.3GHz), Free Upgrade to 2x256MB, 40GB, BrightView, Intel 802.11b/g, 12-cell battery, and CDRW/DVDROM for $974 with an additional $50 MIR. And you can get a student discount on this, I'm just not sure how to get it applied so just call HP Shopping. Depending how much of a deal they give you for academic pricing, you can upgrade to a Pentium M 715 1.5GHz for $150. Or just wait till you have some money, but a Pentium M CPU online and swap it out yourself.
Hope this helps

P.S. Check retail stores for the dv1010 if you want that deal, that is where it is supposedly sold