*CLIFFS AT BOTTOM*
Hey everyone, I'm going into my 4th year of university. My laptop of 3 years (HP dv2000t) is in need of replacing. The biggest reason (among many) is that I have 2 cracks in the LCD that are bleeding. My baby brother was standing on the laptop...so yeah.
The reason I didn't initially get a business laptop was due to budget. For this one, I'd like to keep it cheap (~$600), but going up to $800+ is doable.
I'm considering:
Dell Latitude E6400, E4300, E4200
Thinkpad T400
I'd like to hear your opinions on the laptops listed above, and I was also wondering how the Thinkpad SL line is. I do like MBP's, but they are out of my price range, and I don't like OS X.
Specifications I'd like:
Core 2 Duo (P8400+, slower is fine if it isn't an option)
160GB HDD (I really don't care if it's more, but I wouldn't mind paying $10 more for a 250GB one)
RAM: 2GB+ (I don't mind upgrading it on my own)
Graphics: integrated is fine
Webcam: nice to have one, not a deal breaker if it doesn't
Good battery life. At least 3 hours, preferably more.
I don't mind buying from the Outlet, but I do want something new. If it is not new, I want it to at least look new.
So,
Question 1: how is the Thinkpad SL-series relative to the T-series?
Question 2: which laptop is best for ~$600, and also for ~$800?
Question 3: For the Dell Outlet, realistically, how new should I expect a Certified Refurb to be? I'm not sure what Dell's definition of "minor blemishes" is.
CLIFFS:
1. Looking for a business-class laptop (preferably 12.1-13.3"...14.1" is fine though)
2. Budget: <$900 (preferably <$700)
2. Question 1: how is the Thinkpad SL-series relative to the T-series?
3. Question 2: which laptop is best for ~$600, and also for ~$800?
4. Question 3: For the Dell Outlet, realistically, how new should I expect a Certified Refurb to be? I'm not sure what Dell's definition of "minor blemishes" is.
EDIT:
Alright, so I settled on a T400. P8400, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD 5400rpm, card reader, and 6-cell battery. Pretty basic as far as T400's go, but it has everything I need. Came out to $704.65.
Thanks for your help everybody!
Hey everyone, I'm going into my 4th year of university. My laptop of 3 years (HP dv2000t) is in need of replacing. The biggest reason (among many) is that I have 2 cracks in the LCD that are bleeding. My baby brother was standing on the laptop...so yeah.
The reason I didn't initially get a business laptop was due to budget. For this one, I'd like to keep it cheap (~$600), but going up to $800+ is doable.
I'm considering:
Dell Latitude E6400, E4300, E4200
Thinkpad T400
I'd like to hear your opinions on the laptops listed above, and I was also wondering how the Thinkpad SL line is. I do like MBP's, but they are out of my price range, and I don't like OS X.
Specifications I'd like:
Core 2 Duo (P8400+, slower is fine if it isn't an option)
160GB HDD (I really don't care if it's more, but I wouldn't mind paying $10 more for a 250GB one)
RAM: 2GB+ (I don't mind upgrading it on my own)
Graphics: integrated is fine
Webcam: nice to have one, not a deal breaker if it doesn't
Good battery life. At least 3 hours, preferably more.
I don't mind buying from the Outlet, but I do want something new. If it is not new, I want it to at least look new.
So,
Question 1: how is the Thinkpad SL-series relative to the T-series?
Question 2: which laptop is best for ~$600, and also for ~$800?
Question 3: For the Dell Outlet, realistically, how new should I expect a Certified Refurb to be? I'm not sure what Dell's definition of "minor blemishes" is.
CLIFFS:
1. Looking for a business-class laptop (preferably 12.1-13.3"...14.1" is fine though)
2. Budget: <$900 (preferably <$700)
2. Question 1: how is the Thinkpad SL-series relative to the T-series?
3. Question 2: which laptop is best for ~$600, and also for ~$800?
4. Question 3: For the Dell Outlet, realistically, how new should I expect a Certified Refurb to be? I'm not sure what Dell's definition of "minor blemishes" is.
EDIT:
Alright, so I settled on a T400. P8400, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD 5400rpm, card reader, and 6-cell battery. Pretty basic as far as T400's go, but it has everything I need. Came out to $704.65.
Thanks for your help everybody!