• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Laptop (1100-1500$)

A

anandn

Junior Member
Hi,

I am planning to buy a new laptop in a few weeks time with a budget
of around 1100-1500 (+/-100) dollars.

With the plethora of options available to choose from, I need some
helpful advice. I have been reading reviews top to bottom and I think
I have to choose either from IBM/Dell/HP lower end models. Reviews
suggest that Dell latitudes/IBM thinkpad/HP Pavillion are more sturdier
ones than any. On the fly tech support plus extreme variation in
climate are major concerns.

I have a few models in mind such as:
. HP Pavilion zv6000 (Its AMD 64bit 3200!)
. IBM thinkpad t41(2,3)
. Dell Lat 600 series.

All I guess fit my budget:

I know too less about AMD. I really liked the HP one in the above list.
It pretty sober in speed, super graphics card, but very bulky.
I have never owned a laptop before so I have no idea on the service
options which we have in India.

Also I have never used Linux on laptops. But I reading what it takes.

If you guys have any one laptop which you could recommend, please let
me know. This is like my first laptop... 🙂

Anand
 
If you've got the dough I'd go for a T4x series IBM. I've had a T41 and a 42 for a while now and am constantly impressed at how well made and stable they are. - but for a better deal/bang-for-your-buck keep checkin' out HotDealsClub.com.. there seems to always be a links to killer e-coupons for Dells. - e.g. below (expired though)

Dell SB - Inspiron 6000 Laptop, 1.6GHz, 512MB, 40GB, 15", DVDRW $752
(expired)

Now available at Dell Small Business is the following deal on a Dell Inspiron 6000 Notebook computer:

* Pentium M 730 1.6GHz processor
* Windows XP Home
* 8x CD & DVD Burner
* 1 year mail-in warranty
* 15" LCD
* 512MB DDR2 memory
* 40GB hard drive
* 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon X300 graphics
* 6-cell battery

Price is $1502. Coupon code Z221VS94T7LRWG gives $750 off, making it $752.
Click to expand...

You really can't beat a deal like that. Anywhere.

 
Dell 9300

NEW InspironTM 9300 (17")
Outstanding Display and Performance
An affordable, lightweight notebook with long battery life.

$898
[After $475 Instant Savings and $150 Mail-in Rebate.]
Expires 07/04/05.

Processor/Display
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Memory
512MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm

Hard Drive
40GB2 Hard Drive

Module Bay Devices
8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW3) with double-layer4 write capability

Wireless Networking Cards
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps5)


NEW InspironTM 9300
Outstanding Display and Performance
 
Couple things:

1) Where are you planning on buying the machine (retail store/online/etc)?

2) Which is more important to you: Speed&Power OR Mobility (long battery life/less heat/etc)?

3) Do you already own a desktop, and if so, is this REPLACING your desktop or is it meant SUPPLEMENT it?

4) Do you plan on gaming AT ALL? (define games as well, ie doom3 or solitare?)

5) What software do you already own? (MS Office/Antivirus/AntiSpyware)

Basically what I'm trying to get at first is what CATEGORY of notebooks you really are going to be satisfied with before I even look at the models you suggested....a DESKTOP REPLACEMENT or a more CENTRINO/TURION based notebook (that will have a MUCH longer battery life, generally be smaller and thinner, run cooler, but won't really be gaming oriented per say). I currently sell the 6000 series HP notebooks @ bestbuy and they are fairly good desktop replacement notebooks.....although for the average person that DOES NOT PLAY GAMES OR DO VIDEO EDITING, a centrino notebook would be better suited for them over the life of the machine. Anyways, I was just trying to establish some background first and maybe get you thinking about a couple of different things before you dive in...especially if this is your first notebook. One final word of caution would be just to realize that laptops really aren't all that upgradeable at all, so basically what you get at the start is what you're stuck with....little things (that HP offers on a lot of their notebooks suprisingly) like a mirror coated display, extra headphone jacks, s-video and vga outputs, and multiple (5-in-1) format card readers, among many other things, all add up to create a machine that you'll be able to grow into and be happy with for quite some time.

Be sure to check out some of the other centrino models from HP (4000 series and 1200 series) and other companies...
 
I am sorry, I missed out posting my work profile:

>1) Where are you planning on buying the machine (retail store/online/etc)?
1. Online/store any which suits

>2) Which is more important to you: Speed&Power OR Mobility (long battery life/less heat/etc)?
2. Speed. Graphics power is plus

>3) Do you already own a desktop, and if so, is this REPLACING your desktop or is it meant SUPPLEMENT it?
3. I own a super hifi dektop which I love, but I am required to move around now a days

>4) Do you plan on gaming AT ALL? (define games as well, ie doom3 or solitare?)
4. Grand Prix 4 period (At the age of 27 I still do a hot lap before every GP weekend...)

>5) What software do you already own? (MS Office/Antivirus/AntiSpyware)
5. All the in the list(licensed) + Linux. My aread of work is more s/w development, java related

Anand
 
>CENTRINO/TURION based notebook (that will have a MUCH longer battery life, generally be smaller and thinner, run cooler, but won't really be gaming oriented per say


For me gaming is good thing to have. But if I am able to buy a laptop with better value for money void of good gaming, I had take it. It must have sober speed though
 
I think you're on the right track with getting an AMD-based notebook, especially if speed and power is more important to you than battery life.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopp...mpaq_presario&storeName=computer_store

Compaq (HP) Presario R4000, customized
Athlon 64 3200+ (2.0 GHz, 512 KB L2)
15.4" widescreen "brightview" WXGA display
ATI Radeon Xpress 200M (128 MB)
512 MB DDR SDRAM (single DIMM)
60 GB 4200RPM hard disk
DVD burner
WLAN
12-cell lithium ion battery
GRAND TOTAL: $1,093.00 ($1,043.00 after $50.00 mail-in rebate)

That's just an example. But you see that you can get something very nice for under your $1,100 budget.
 
Originally posted by: anandn

For me gaming is good thing to have. But if I am able to buy a laptop with better value for money void of good gaming, I had take it. It must have sober speed though
Click to expand...

Centrino and Turion are basically for longer battery life. Mobile Athlon 64s or Pentium 4s will be much faster that Turions or Pentium Ms.
 
I was able to get a Dell for 880 bucks including tax.
1.6Ghz Pentium M 533FSB
60GB HD 5200rpm
512MB RAM
Intel 2915 Wireless
ATI x300 64MB
DVD-Burner
2 year warrenty
It was a heck of a deal. Hopefully it will live up to my expectations. It's a Dell 6000D. I think without the coupons this one would average about $1080.

Edit: Oh yeah, and this post was partially to gloat😀
 
> I think you're on the right track with getting an AMD-based notebook...
Feels great to get some direction to move on... I need it. Thanks

HP Pavilion zv6000 <--- I like this the most!

Its fits my budget, besides seems to fast on speed/graphics and runs
Fedora Core 3 easily.

This is what I think would be good config on the HP 6000?

AMD Athlon (TM) 64 3500+ 2.2GHz / 512KB L2 Cache
128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory
1.0GB DDR SDRAM (2x512MB) (SD is the option, which makes it cheap?)
60 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive (Should I buy a DVD writer?)
54g(TM) Integ. Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)

I have an option choose from the processors going for either 3200/3500/3800.
But the these things get costlier by with each jump? I have settled for 3500.
Is this okay?

Actually is this laptop okay? :-|

Anand
 
> If you've got the dough I'd go for a T4x series IBM.

Obviously, I am short of it. I read thinkpad in the higher price
range are the ones that really rock.

Anand
 
Originally posted by: shoRunner
i'd definately add a DVD burner to that.
Click to expand...

I agree. Definitely get a DVD burner.

If you need to shave off some kind of feature to make room in your budget for the DVD burner, you might consider skipping bluetooth. Also, the 5400RPM over 4200RPM probably isn't going to give you much of a performance boost. If you skipped bluetooth and the 5400RPM drive, you could get a DVD burner with the money you save.

Lastly, while I do very much like HP/Compaq, their RAM prices are a little crazy. You might consider getting your system configured with one 512 MB DIMM, then getting another 512 MB from a third party and installing it yourself. But that's just a thought--I'm not sure which would be best for you.
 
Ok. 4200RPM.

Is the RAM really expensive? From what I can see on that online cart,
adding 512 to exisiting 512 costs 125$, so?

No, I am not at all a h/w guy. I will need help to add the RAM module.

Anand
 
Originally posted by: anandn
Ok. 4200RPM.

Is the RAM really expensive? From what I can see on that online cart,
adding 512 to exisiting 512 costs 125$, so?

No, I am not at all a h/w guy. I will need help to add the RAM module.

Anand
Click to expand...

Ah, then nevermind.

Just make sure you get a DVD burner. Other than that, what you have looks great. Best of luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top