Looking for advice on notebook purchase

[Trashman]

Hey all, need some advice, looking to buy a notebook for my granddaughter, this will replace a desktop but also with the intentions on school, so i'm thinkin 13"-15" would be nice. no gaming at all, just your basics, internet, email, office apps and such
I have an option to purchase these 3, $750 total is price max, that hopefully covers tax and shipping.

Dell Inspiron 13 $739.00

Intel® Core? 2 Duo T5800 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Glossy, widescreen 13.3" LCD (1280x800) w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 (2 Dimms)
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Size: 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

Sony VAIO CS190 699.00

Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor T5800
14.1 WXGA LCD XBRITE-ECO? Technology
Mobile Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
3GB PC2-6400 (2GBx1 + 1GBx1)
Wireless LAN : Intel® WiFi Link 5100AGN (802.11a/b/g/n)
250GB Serial ATA 5400rpm

Dell Studio 15 719.00

Intel® Core? 2 Duo T5800 (2.00GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Bright, glossy widescreen 15.4 WLED display (1280x800)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Intel WiFi Link 5100 802.11agn Half Mini-Card
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Back-lit Keyboard


these 3 are the best deals i could find in price range, if there is something else to consider i would sure appreciate

Thanx

 

[Oil]

Since the specs are the same, I would get either the 13" or 14" laptop. Most people at school don't want to carry around a larger laptop

 

[CoachB]

Also look at the low end Dell Latitudes, D630 I think. Look on the DEll Small Business website. The Latitude has a nice beefy chassis and stands up to abuse a bit better. My oldest has used a D600 thru undergrad degree and now into Grad school. Had to replace/upgrade the harddrive about a year ago but that was cheap and easy.
I also recommend nothing larger than 14.1 inch screen so as to be comfortably portable. The 15.4 inchers tend to be too heavy and bulky to carry around campus easily.

 

[LeetViet]

Originally posted by: Trashman
Hey all, need some advice, looking to buy a notebook for my granddaughter, this will replace a desktop but also with the intentions on school, so i'm thinkin 13"-15" would be nice. no gaming at all, just your basics, internet, email, office apps and such

Have you considered a 10" netbook? It'll be cheaper and have a longer battery life.

 

[Trashman]

I had given the netbook some serious thought, HP 10" mini, but as a desktop replacement, as well as looking at them @ BB they just seem too small for everyday use, to me, netbooks compliment your main system.

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: Oil
Since the specs are the same, I would get either the 13" or 14" laptop. Most people at school don't want to carry around a larger laptop

Yeah she is a girl so she should carry light notebook

 

[Blain]

If you can spend a bit more $$$, get a Dual display laptop. :shocked:

 

[Rottie]

If you still have not made a decision you can visit Notebook Reviews

 

[SJP0tato]

Originally posted by: Trashman
I had given the netbook some serious thought, HP 10" mini, but as a desktop replacement, as well as looking at them @ BB they just seem too small for everyday use, to me, netbooks compliment your main system.

You could get the netbook, and then a full sized monitor & keyboard/mouse for when she's back home doing schoolwork. That way when she's on campus she'd have the portability, and could use the full sized components (which would be the same thing as a full sized PC) for more heavy usage.