Looking for a thin and light notebook

[vfouquereau]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a nice thin and light notebook for my everyday computing and I have no idea of which model to try... I don't need any kind of powerful thingies in there, I'll mainly use it for web surfing and maybe some office work. I absolutely need 811.2G inbuilt connection and a good longlasting battery. My goal with this notebook is to eliminate all my needs of wire in the house.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Laughingman234]

the 12in ibook or 12 powerbook are awesome. or you could step it up a bit if you dont value battery as much. My 14" ibook (1st Gen) gets about 5 hrs if you dim the monitor and 3.5 if you dont, thats just like surfing the net. I ushually plug it in when i watch movies cause then it goes down alot. I would highly reccomend the mac series but thats just me .

 

[jvarszegi]

If you really don't plan on using it for any tasks besides surfing and Office work, a Mac is okay. I'd never buy a machine that was so limited in software availability, but that's just me; I do wish we had more choice when it comes to these things, but things are as they are.

If you stick with PC notebooks, I'd take a look at the Fujitsu S6000 series. It's cheaper than IBM laptops; it has dedicated graphics, but that won't bother you. If you buy from a reseller like portableone.com you have greater control over components than ordering from Fujitsu direct. It comes with a modular bay, and can achieve 8.5 hours of battery life with both batteries in; you can also use the modular battery as a bridge on long flights etc., so you don't have to power down to switch main batteries. The form and finish, and durability, of their laptops are legendary; the most I've seen someone complain about them durability-wise was a little rubbed paint after VERY heavy use.

They also make other laptops that are even smaller, but they're probably not as easy to use; I have to say that the S6210 is the only one I've actually handled. Fujitsu, in my personal belief, has a better durability reputation than Toshiba, a somewhat similar brand, and a much better one than Sony. Their laptops are cheaper than IBM's, and built much more solidly than those from Dell/HP etc.

 

[fbrdphreak]

As far as a laptop you can see in a store, go check out the Gateway Centrino series @ BBY. They're selling a model with a P-M 725 (1.6GHz), 15" Ultra-Bright screen, 60GB?, CDRW, 802.11g, etc for $1200 in store (no MIR). I don't know what the ultra-bright screen will do for batt life, but I know the previous model (which they also have for $1200) would get 5 hours on a 6-cell batt w/no wifi & low screen brightness.
If you can get a good deal on an IBM Centrino or P-M notebook, get a 9-cell batt for $80 online and you'll get 6 hrs plus (supposedly). GL

 

jvarszegi, do you know if the Fujitsu S6000 series has a metal case, or is it plastic? I'm thinking of getting one this spring, but one of my absolute requirements is a metal case.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Originally posted by: jvarszegi
If you really don't plan on using it for any tasks besides surfing and Office work, a Mac is okay. I'd never buy a machine that was so limited in software availability, but that's just me; I do wish we had more choice when it comes to these things, but things are as they are.

What limited software are you talking about? Explain to me what you mean by this. There are many programs that run on the PC that are on the Mac. If the program is not on the Mac, there is a substitute. So list me some software that is "limited" on the Mac.

 

[vfouquereau]

I don't consider buying a Mac for numerous reasons that not everybody share so I'll skip explaining this. As far as PC Notebook goes, is there anything based on VIA C3 that would do an acceptable job? I know the Centrino is pretty much unmatched in the mobile area right now but I want to maybe look at a cheaper way to get my BASIC computer needs fixed. I'm not talking Photoshop/Doom3 performances here. I'm talking Firefox/Word performances.

Thanks for all the great input!

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Thanks for telling us what you are planning to use your laptop for. I recommend the Centrino if you wont consider the Mac. Out of what I have seen at like Best buy, I like the Sony laptops. I like them because they are so small. You should maybe stop by your local Best buy or Circuit City and check them out. I am sure you will find something you like.

Good Luck to your decision!!

 

[vfouquereau]

Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
Thanks for telling us what you are planning to use your laptop for.

I said it from the very beginning!

 

[imported_Lucifer]

LOL!!! I cant believe I missed that!!!

 

[Wuzup101]

I'm not exactly sure what that "limited" software package is about either. You can do pretty much anything on the Mac OSX. The playform's weak points are gaming and CAD design.... which don't seem to be what you're after anyway. Office apps the Mac has down fine. I too would recomend an iBook as the battery life is quite decent and you can get a new 1.2ghz G4 12" for under $700 with all types of rebates and stuff (outlined in another thread about an iBook/Powerbook decision on this page).

 

[imported_Lucifer]

It's not true at all that the Mac is limited to software. People who say this probably have never used a Mac before, and probably say this to convince people the Mac is only good for office apps and web browsing. It is true the Macs weakness is games, but many people are not aware that there is a CAD program for Mac. Its called VectorWorks. I too would recommend the 12'' inch iBook, but it seems he wants to stick with a PC.

To vfouquereau: If you change your mind and maybe you will consider a Mac, let us know. There are many of us Mac users here that will be happy to help you out. Here is the thread Wuzup was talking about. It is a very helpful thread.

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
Thanks for telling us what you are planning to use your laptop for. I recommend the Centrino if you wont consider the Mac. Out of what I have seen at like Best buy, I like the Sony laptops. I like them because they are so small. You should maybe stop by your local Best buy or Circuit City and check them out. I am sure you will find something you like.

Good Luck to your decision!!

Sony's look nice and sleek, but be prepared to pay the price. I know someone who paid $800 for a long lasting battery for their Sony laptop.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Originally posted by: bhanson

Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy
Thanks for telling us what you are planning to use your laptop for. I recommend the Centrino if you wont consider the Mac. Out of what I have seen at like Best buy, I like the Sony laptops. I like them because they are so small. You should maybe stop by your local Best buy or Circuit City and check them out. I am sure you will find something you like.

Good Luck to your decision!!

Sony's look nice and sleek, but be prepared to pay the price. I know someone who paid $800 for a long lasting battery for their Sony laptop.

Wow!! That is way too much for a battery!! :Q

 

[hopejr]

Just more on the 12" iBook G4 that wuzup was talking about, it comes with a 802.11g Airport Extreme card in it, and the battery in those last between 3.5 and 6 hours (the latter if the screen is dimmed). Just beware that it only has a 30GB hdd in it, but if all you want it for is surfing the net and using office, then it'll probably be fine. I do more on mine than that, and 30GB is ok.

 

[ElFenix]

my 600m was able to last from london to houston using 2 main batteries and 1 spare battery playing divx movies off the hard drive. not particularly thin and light but lots of battery weighs a lot.

for just web surfing with the screen dimmed and on both batteries it'll run 6 or 7 hours, i think.

 

[Robor]

I love my new IBM T42. It's slim, light, has wireless B/G, and good battery life. The downside is it's not exactly a cheap option but after using it I know why IBM's cost so much. They're really well made. The KB, touchpad, and buttons are the best of any lappy I've used and this thing feels so solid.

 

[Wuzup101]

Thin Lizzy: thanks for posting a link to that post I was talking about. It was last last night and I didn't get around to it. Also, I wasn't aware of vector works, it looks like an interesting package indeed.

I would also recomend an IBM if you don't want to go mac, but be prepared to pay the price for their thin and lights (IE T42). Both Apple and IBM make very solid machines... and for the most part you pay for what you get. However, the iBook fits a niche that you seem to be in. It's fairly thin and light, full featured, has good battery life, and is farily durable (yes the polycarbonite bodies are very durable even though they are "plastic"). There's also a ton of accessories made just for them (cases and such that are specifically made for mac laptops in various sizes). Before you dismiss the idea you owe it to yourself to go to an Apple store and actually check them out. Just don't look at the powerbooks b/c you'll fall in love and sell your children/internal organs to get one

 

[Tiamat]

Although i like the S series notebooks, I heard Sony's Customer support for notebooks was lacking. Anybody can confirm or deny? Otherwise for 2200$ you can get a nice 13.3" widescreen with 9700 mobility
Maybe cheaper...

 

[imported_Lucifer]

I also have my eye on one of the new iBooks. I was looking at the 14'' iBook. But I sorta wasted my money on the new Powermac G4 setup I got, so now I have to save up a little more money.

I also think you should go to an Apple store to check out those iBooks. I would go to an Apple store, but I live in San Antonio Texas, and there are none here. Nearest one is in Austin.

Wuzup101: You are welcome. I actually stumbled across it right after I read your post. I also think that the Vectorworks is a nice looking package. I dont even remember how I even came across it.

 

[SuprNatrl]

I have a Sony S260 and its very well made, better well made than the Dell 700m that it replaced. The parts are better quality and the overall look is better. You can get the base s260 with ATi Mobility Radeon 9200. It has about 2.0 - 6.5 hours of battery life, and only 4.2 pounds. It also has the amazing XBRITE screen technology.

 

[jvarszegi]

Originally posted by: jumpr
jvarszegi, do you know if the Fujitsu S6000 series has a metal case, or is it plastic? I'm thinking of getting one this spring, but one of my absolute requirements is a metal case.

I believe that it has a magnesium alloy case.

 

[jvarszegi]

Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy

Originally posted by: jvarszegi
If you really don't plan on using it for any tasks besides surfing and Office work, a Mac is okay. I'd never buy a machine that was so limited in software availability, but that's just me; I do wish we had more choice when it comes to these things, but things are as they are.

What limited software are you talking about? Explain to me what you mean by this. There are many programs that run on the PC that are on the Mac. If the program is not on the Mac, there is a substitute. So list me some software that is "limited" on the Mac.

What I mean is limited software support on the Mac is not an issue on a PC. This simple fact, whether you like it or not, is why most people don't even consider buying Macs; most of the people that do buy them seem to be dyed-in-the-wool fans from way back, not new converts. For some things that I do, there is Mac support; for others, not. That's why lots of people who have specific development environment requirements (like me; I have to develop some software for Windows, and I can develop for Linux on Windows), or who want to play most popular games, etc. are stuck on PCs.

In the end, I'm not going to the expense and trouble of switching to a Mac (which would involve buying new licenses for some software I already own for PC, if it's even available), just to have somewhat spotty support for things I already enjoy. Not only that, but I have much, much greater purchasing flexibility with PCs, hardware-wise. Apple made a mistake long ago when it refused to separate its hardware from its OS, and when it repeatedly employed protectionist tactics to keep other vendors from competing in the extremely limited Mac arena.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

Originally posted by: jvarszegi

Originally posted by: Thin Lizzy

Originally posted by: jvarszegi
If you really don't plan on using it for any tasks besides surfing and Office work, a Mac is okay. I'd never buy a machine that was so limited in software availability, but that's just me; I do wish we had more choice when it comes to these things, but things are as they are.

What limited software are you talking about? Explain to me what you mean by this. There are many programs that run on the PC that are on the Mac. If the program is not on the Mac, there is a substitute. So list me some software that is "limited" on the Mac.

What I mean is limited software support on the Mac is not an issue on a PC. This simple fact, whether you like it or not, is why most people don't even consider buying Macs; most of the people that do buy them seem to be dyed-in-the-wool fans from way back, not new converts. For some things that I do, there is Mac support; for others, not. That's why lots of people who have specific development environment requirements (like me; I have to develop some software for Windows, and I can develop for Linux on Windows), or who want to play most popular games, etc. are stuck on PCs.

In the end, I'm not going to the expense and trouble of switching to a Mac (which would involve buying new licenses for some software I already own for PC, if it's even available), just to have somewhat spotty support for things I already enjoy. Not only that, but I have much, much greater purchasing flexibility with PCs, hardware-wise. Apple made a mistake long ago when it refused to separate its hardware from its OS, and when it repeatedly employed protectionist tactics to keep other vendors from competing in the extremely limited Mac arena.

And you still didnt not answer my question. What limited software? How about you name me some software that you are using that isnt going to run on the Mac other than games. If the app does not run on the Mac, there is a substitute. i.e Microsoft Access is substituted by FileMaker Pro.

Are you saying you cant develop software on the Mac platform? Mac OS X Panther comes with Xcode, a program used to develop software for Mac.

If you want to stick with PC, that is your choice, and I respect that. No one here is trying to make you switch. But saying that the Mac is limited to software is just pure BS. Oh, and by the way, dont say CAD is limited on the Mac. VectorWorks.

 

[jvarszegi]

Aha, but you cannot take a Microsoft Access application and run it on FileMaker Pro. Nor can you take a Visual Studio .NET project and use it on a Mac; neither can you provide functional parity for thousands of other programs.

Notice that the reason people use Microsoft Office is largely because it's well-known, and because other people use it to create proprietary-format files. So just to develop a Microsoft Office competitor that runs on Mac isn't enough; it also has to have perfect support for Office file formats. Even the Mac version of Office from Microsoft is not perfect, and OpenOffice.org (which I am currently using), while not bad, isn't perfect either.

Now take this logic and apply it to all the other popular software packages out there. Even when a company develops for the Mac themselves, often the code is significantly different, and often doesn't integrate perfectly with the PC version of the same software. It's often even written and maintained by different developers at the company.

The vast majority of software development isn't done for Macs. Don't you know that? I never said that software isn't developed for the Mac, or that it's impossible to do any computing on a Mac. I'm saying that Mac doesn't have across-the-board support for software that people want and need (and already get easily) from their PCs.

Ask anyone besides a sandal-wearing Mac fan and you'll get corroboration for this. It's why people don't switch. Call it BS if you want; slinging crap on some web board won't offend me, and you won't achieve anything at all. You definitely won't convince anyone to switch to using a Mac that wasn't considering it before. If you doubt me, it might be instructional to run a survey on Anandtech and ask PC users why they haven't switched to Macs.

You also didn't mention the fact that hardware choices are seriously limited with Macs. That's bad for the consumer, and bad for Apple; they've chosen all along to go their own route, instead of trying to establish standards for which everyone could create hardware. Now many individual PC hardware manufacturers and resellers have higher hardware revenues than Apple.