I'm looking for a laptop

[imported_Krypto]

Ok, first thanks for viewing this and any comments or recommendations are welcome.

My wants in a laptop:

Prefer Silver
Prefer Thin
Must have good graphics (no shared crapola)
PREFER AMD, but I guess I can slide over to the Pentium's dark side just for my laptop
RAM i would prefer atleast 512mb


Hard drive, cpu speed, drives, and stuff don't really matter to me. I just want to be able to surf the net, chat, play some games ie counter strike, doom3 (heh, joking here), just some minor games, nothing taxing.

Also, I've been an AMD person all my life, i've owned pentiums before, but that was back with 166mhz With a laptop does it matter, i know lappy's aren't really meant to be used for gaming, i'm trying to decide whether i should get a pentium instead. I'm looking at getting an AVERATEC, and the laptops that are penitums have a 9600 ATI video card in them. That alone makes me want to get one. The AMD laptops for AVERATEC have some weird video controller in them.

If anyone has used an AVErATEC on here please give me some feedback on them, how you like them, pros/cons. Thanks for looking.

Please post links if you have a lappy in mind. You can check out the AVERATECs at www.averatec.com and you can see what I'm looking for. Thanks, let's hear it! My budget is around $1000, i would prefer something lower, but i can pay around there.

 

[ActuaryTm]

You might want to post a ballpark budget, as some of the previous suggestions in an alternate thread seemed higher than you wished.

 

[imported_Krypto]

Thanks, knew i forgot something.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Not certain one can find those type of specifications in a machine well under $1,000 on a regular basis. There are certainly a few Celeron based models that would come in the $600 to $999 range, but from the specifications above, it may not fit what you describe as your needs.

To be quite honest, the first criteria ("Must be silver") is rather inane, and should be a luxury choice rather than a requirement. As to the rest of the desired specifications, lower priced notebooks are going to be (in general) a bit thicker, heavier and bulkier than a higher priced, sleeker model. Shouldn't be a terrible problem to find a machine around $1,000 that weighs between 5 and 8 pounds, however. Remember also ram can always be added rather inexpensively and easily, so keep this in mind when selecting a machine and do not dismiss it simply due to the lack of memory. Do however note the memory configuration, type, maximum potential (in so far as total memory is concerned) and speed.

In most cases, do not expect Pentium M type (4+ hours) battery performance.

A few suggestions:

- Toshiba Satellite Ax5-Sxxx* models: Price - $600 to $1,1000 - Actually, these machines are quite well built and perform, even at the lower end of the price range. Should expect the use of an Intel desktop processor (a lower Intel 5xx series, or a Celeron D 3xx series), although in a few cases you might find a Celeron M or the bottom rung Pentium M (usually the 715 1.5GHz, if at all). "A" Satellite notebook seems a regular occurrence in ATHD, so be certain to check there often (this coming week's offering can be found here).

- eMachines M68xx models: Price - $1,000 to $1,250 - Typically AMD Athlon 64 Processor based, coupled with an ATI M10 (Mobility Radeon 9600). Many experiences here on this forum concerning this machine. In general, at that price point it is quite feature-rich in the offerings, usually employing a 5400 RPM drive (instead of 4200 RPM which most budget machines make use of). The search function can find quite a bit of information on this machine within several sections of Anandtech.

- Compaq Presario/HP Pavilion line: Price - $600+ (up to $2,000) - This lines employs AMD Mobile Xp, AMD Mobile Athlon 64, and a number of Intel's line of processors. Many souces for these machines (Fry's/Outpost, OfficeMax, Office Depot, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc), and many offerings in this price range. Here's a recent example.

- Increase your budget $200 to $400: A number of the models available at the $1,000 price point aren't going to be all that spectacular; however, there is a much larger selection in the $1,200 to $1,400 range. Will not bother to go into details here at the moment, but (in general) notebooks are very much like other commodities in life - one gets what one pays for.

- Consider used: May not be ideal, but chances are users wishing to upgrade from last year's bleeding edge mobile machine will part with a well taken care of machine for $1,000 to $1,500. In fact, most ultra-high end users upgrade yearly or so, and typically lose 30 - 50% in depreciation (much like a new car, only moreso) in resale. This can net the end purchaser much more machine for far less money. The FS/FT forum here, and the FS forum at notebookforums.com are excellent starting points for this route.

Regardless of your decision, good luck with your purchase.



* - x denotes alternate model numbers

 

[imported_Krypto]

Thank you for taking the time to research all that. I very much appreciate it and I will certainly look into. Do you have any suggestions or preferences reguarding the AMD or Pentium choice? Below are some links of what I have been looking at. You are correct, I would prefer a silver, thin laptop, and those are preferences so I changed my starter post to reflect that. I do agree that RAM is upgradeable, but I would also like to get either pc2100 or pc2700. I'm probably aiming waay to high for my price range but I will most certainly look into the ones you posted and also loo around for some used ones. Thanks again.

http://www.averatec.com/notebooks/3200series.htm Thinking of the AV3255P1 for this choice

http://www.averatec.com/notebooks/6100series.htm I've found both of these for cheaper

I would like to know what you think of those, at the bottom of each page there is a link "Download Product Specs" That will take you to a page that will display the specifications in detail. It will open in Adobe.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Excellent advice, couldn't have said it better. Couple notes to add: with any of those models listed, they are not thin/light (compared to Pentium M/Centrino) nor are they silver. A silver, thin notebook usually means Sony or Apple (both = $$$$$). I would say for the money, the eMachines is best bang/$. Downsides to it are so-so battery life (2 hrs usual, 3 hrs max) and relatively heavy (like 8lbs).
If you want to look at something more portable but not as powerful, look @ the Gateways in Best Buy. They've got a 1.5Ghz Pentium M, 512MB, CD-RW, 15" XGA, 5 lbs, 5hrs batt life for ~$1250 after instant rebate (on whatever given week they are on sale). Good value IMO and they should turn out to be good quality. Had a buddy who bought one and seems to be doing well overall. Also remember that Gateway bought eMachines last March and put the eMachines CEO in charge of Gateway, so IMHO they've improved from the cow-box days

 

[ActuaryTm]

First - be aware these machines are essentially two totally different classes : an ultraportable, and a DTR. Comparing the two is difficult as both are intended for entirely different user types.

Originally posted by: Krpyto
http://www.averatec.com/notebooks/3200series.htm Thinking of the AV3255P1 for this choice

First specification to note on this machine would be the screen size - 12.1" XGA might be a stretch for some users. Make certain to check a 12" screen at that resolution at a local store if possible to ensure it is compatible with your needs and eyesite. All users are different (my personal DTR uses a 16" UXGA display, and some people find this insane), and considering the display is such an integral (and integrated) part of the overall interface, it bodes well to make certain this display will be to your liking.

S3 UniChrome is a VIA controller, I believe. I would list it as adequate. If you are a heavy gamer (I am not, but certainly some users are), do not expect Mobility Radeon performance.

The XP-M 2000+ is a lower end mobile processor in today's market, but still adequate. Most likely employs the 45W model (or by slim chance, the 35W model. no reference in the specifications); older Thoroughbred core (as opposed to the more recent Barton). Considering the price, more likely the 45W variety, which translates to slightly lower battery times. (specifications list a wide battery range: 1-3 hours, and would be safer to assume closer to 1.5)

Other important items to note: no Firewire (1394b) port, and maximum memory of 512MB (quite low for a notebook at this price point - most allow at least to 1024MB and some as high as 2048MB).

http://www.averatec.com/notebooks/6100series.htm I've found both of these for cheaper

Have seen the AV6128H1 on a few occasions - as noted on their website, it is sold at Staples.

The 6100 series is more along the lines of a DTR, and employs a desktop Intel processor, which of course translates to lower battery times. Note that battery run times are missing from specification documents, which was rather odd.

Surprised to see PC2700 paired with these desktop chips. Dependent upon which chipset is employed (no mention in the specifications), it may handle PC3200. Expandability up to 1024MB is expected in this class, and this machine doesn't disappoint in that regard. Regardless, the Intel chip is quite powerful (I run a 3.4GHz Northwood in my personal DTR), and if opting for the 3.0GHz chip, HT is an option.

From a brief bit of research, appears the 60GB drive is a 4,200 RPM model - just be aware (and this is always something that can be upgraded later on). Would guess the same for the 40GB drive as well, if opting for that particular model.

Personally would not opt for the optional DVD+RW on the AV6130Hx unless an absolute necessity.

Firewire and a media reader are nice additional features.

In the end, as mentioned prior, difficult to compare the two classes of machines as they are for much different intended usage. Would label the 3200 series an adequate ultraportable, and the 6100 an entry level DTR, with a lure toward the mobile gamer (hence the inclusion of the ATI M10).

 

[imported_Krypto]

You have been a great help, I can see how the 2 are different classes now. So basically it is up to what fits me and what I will be using it for. I'll have give this some thought. But overall do you think that either of them is worth the money? I love the 12" screen/size, but I'm worried about how it would handle some games. I am not a hard core gamer, the most I'll play is around counter-strike specifications. But you've given me something to think about. I looked at the models you recommended and the specifications are ok, but I don't really care for the looks. Maybe I should get out of my desktop mentallity, that it has to look good first and have the best parts. But I don't really care for black laptops. Thanks again.

 

[videobruce]

Office Depot just had a $300 rebate(s) on a HP with a AMD processor. Mine was $700 after rebates (plus tax). $85 more for 512MB of RAM

(It expired Saturady the 4th)

 

[imported_Krypto]

http://officedepot.crossmedias...ingid=-2097827291&

That seem like a good deal?

 

[SJP0tato]

Originally posted by: Krpyto Do you have any suggestions or preferences reguarding the AMD or Pentium choice?

What I recommend in this case (the old AMD vs Intel debate) is find the computer you want, with the processor speed you want/need at the cheapest price and buy that. If it happens to have an AMD, great. If it happens to have an Intel, great. It really doesn't matter which brand you choose, except for extremely rare conditions (in which case, the brand/model/whatever you'd already KNOW you needed). Basically I shop with my wallet in mind and if I can get the same performance from brand X as brand Y with the cost of X being 15% less than Y, I buy X everytime. Anyone who doesn't is either a fanboy, or has a high enough requirement that only a specific processor will do the job required.

Hope that helps a little

 

[imported_Krypto]

That's a good point. I'll keep that in mind.