• 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.

Looking for a notebook / netbook suggestion

C

CurseTheSky

Diamond Member
There are a lot of great laptops out there, but I can't find one that's the perfect balance of battery, size / weight, performance, and price. It's going to be used for note taking (will be carried in a backpack often), web browsing, programming, some light duty Photoshop work, and light gaming. My price range is $600-800. I could go up to $1000 for a truely amazing deal, but I'd prefer not to.

I'm looking for something relatively small and light, probably in the 12-14" range. I will consider up to a 15.4" screen, or as low as 10".

I'd really like a dual core processor. As far as I can remember, most of the netbooks are using single core. It's not the end of the world, but my current laptop is single core (Mobile Athlon 3200+, but eh...) and the difference is huge.

I would love to have a discrete video card, but would settle for onboard if the price was right. If possible, I'd like to stay away from the problematic nVidia cards. ATI HD 3450 / 3650 would be great.

Everything else is icing on the cake. I'd take a 7200RPM drive over 5400; more memory is always better; XP or Vista are both fine; etc.

Basically, I'm torn between getting a small, light, inexpensive, battery-life-friendly note taking machine and a larger, more powerful all purpose laptop.

Anyone care to throw some suggesitons around?
 
Are my requirements too tough? I'm willing to look at just about anything, just trying to find what's popular these days or what the best deals are.
 
if you want to ever do anything serious, a netbook wont do. theyre made to be light and have battery life, not powerful (no photoshop, "light gaming" will be very light, etc)

thinkpad T400s may work for you. you can get intel 4500 or ati 3470 and make yourself happy with 2gb ram and 100gb/7200rpm (grab the 6 cell battery upgrade for cheap, also). theyre built well, for sure, and light enough. you can configure one of them nicely for $1000 or less

otherwise check the hot deals forum and some deal sites. you can also look into the dell outlet, but youre getting a refurb unit, so you dont get to customize....just hunt and peck to try and make yourself happy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top