looking for a sleek laptop in the $1300-1400 range

[MrHappyMonkey]

I am looking to get a laptop mainly to use as a second computer. This machine will mainly be for web surfing and doing a bit of graphic design work when I don't feel like going to my office. A nice screen in the 14"-15" range is very important to me. I also want something that is very small and sexy looking. I will sacrafice style over speed since this won't be my main computer. Gaming isn't an issue since I've got a PS2. A DVD drive would be nice also.

Anybody have any recomendations?

Let me rephrase my original post. When I said graphic design work, i meant Adobe Illustrator. I currently run that on a 1Ghz P3 and am just fine. I won't be doing a whole lot of it, but it is something that I will occasionaly do.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Apple iBook. The 14" model is a little more expensive though...

 

[Utterman]

I agree, an ibook would be great for what you are describing.

 

[MrHappyMonkey]

I've already got a mac. I want a PC laptop. Plus, the 14" iBook has the same screen res as the 12" which means that the 14" will look more pixilated and less crisp.

 

[Zugzwang152]

It's a tough place you're putting us in, a graphics design notebook for under 1400? heh.

I recently set my gf up with a $1500 Winbook N3..it's not the best, and probably too weak for what you want. It didnt come with any graphics support, only the onboard S3 graphics (went up to and past 1600x1200 res on the 14.1" screen, but no matter what the res, it didnt support anything above 60Hz refresh, blech). DVD drive was included, 20 GB Hdd, 256 SDRAM, and a 1.13 Ghz celery...

 

[MrHappyMonkey]

Let me rephrase my original post. When I said graphic design work, i meant Adobe Illustrator. I currently run that on a 1Ghz P3 and am just fine. I won't be doing a whole lot of it, but it is something that I will occasionaly do.

 

[MrHappyMonkey]

-

 

[iamme]

Check out the Compaq 2800 series. They have a $150 off instant rebate. You can get a P4 1.4GHz w/ a 32MB Radeon 7500 card. It's about $1400 - $150. Under 6lbs.....pretty thin a light for a high end machine.

Definitely worth a look considering your price range....

Check out Anandtech's review of it

 

[iamme]

btw, i think the 2800's look sleek too

 

[MrHappyMonkey]

the 2800 series Compaqs look pretty nice. I'll have to go over to Best Buy and look at it in person. Are there any other machines I should look at?

 

[Tripleshot]

I'm ordering a Dell Inspiron 8200 now for $1499 with P4 mobile,cdr/rw/dvd combo and 256 DDR ram upgrade.Only 20 gig Hdd but I can handle that.

Booyaaaaaa!!!!! Yep the rep just called and its on its way!

 

[MrHappyMonkey]

Originally posted by: Tripleshot
I'm ordering a Dell Inspiron 8200 now for $1499 with P4 mobile,cdr/rw/dvd combo and 256 DDR ram upgrade.Only 20 gig Hdd but I can handle that.

Booyaaaaaa!!!!! Yep the rep just called and its on its way!

What confrigurations did you use to get that price? What is the weight and sturdyness of the 8200?

 

[vec]

I'm not sure if you can classify the Dell 8200 as "sleek".