Looking for small (~12") laptop, help?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
W

wifi4lyfe

Senior member
Apr 14, 2004
383
0
0
I just got an apple iBook 12" 800mhz, 30gb, dvd/cdrw, radeon 7500 32mb, 640mb ram.

I LOVE the laptop, but only problem is I cant do as much as I thought i'd be able to do because of mac OS X. These things include a buncha programs that I use (no mac versions), programming apps, no linux, etc.

anyways - i'm looking for laptop recommendations.

Requirements:
12" screen (looking for something SMALL)
30gb+
dvd/cdrw
wireless 802.11b (g is good too)
decent speed
battery life is very important since this is a portable...

I dont play many games but its fun to do once in a while on trips, etc. I have a powerful desktop for most of my hardcore computing shit...

thanks for the help
 
M

Moogoo112

Member
Nov 30, 2002
72
0
0
yea i have the same question. i have been eyeing the dell 300m for the longest time for 1214 shipped. but i dont know if the battery life is any good and also if the external dvd docking is gonna be a hassle? will i be able to take the laptop on the go w/ the dock to watch movies or does it have to remain connected to the wall to watch movies? anyone know?
 
E

eriqesque

Senior member
Jan 4, 2002
704
0
71
You might want to check out the IBM X40
has all those rquirements except the optical drive is only available as an external or through a
media slice but even then with the base it's still under 5Lbs
without only 2.7-3.1 depending on the battery.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,808
311
136
Here's something close, Averatec for $749.99

12.1" XGA TFT display with 1024 x 768 resolution

40.0GB EIDE hard drive

S3 UniChrome graphics with up to 64MB video memory

3 plug-and-play USB ports for easy peripheral connectivity

Integrated 54g high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g); integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN; V.90 high-speed modem

Weighs 4.3 lbs. and measures just 1" thin for easy portability; high-capacity lithium-ion battery
 
W

wifi4lyfe

Senior member
Apr 14, 2004
383
0
0
yeah I've been checking the Averatecs. They have a buncha laptops that fit what I'm looking for, for well under 1000. I just dunno how reliable/sturdy they are, cant find any good reviews online.

anyone have experience with these? they seem perfect.
if I cant find something like this, i may just keep the iBook.

I'm wanting to learn c++ but knowing me, I'll prob never get around to it so windows laptop doesnt even seem worthwhile anymore....or does it?? aahhh
 
W

wifi4lyfe

Senior member
Apr 14, 2004
383
0
0
well after more research it looks like an IBM X30/31 fits my requirements fairly well. Do these have the same great reliability of the T40 series? I know those are amazing. What about battery life, screen quality, etc ??

thanks!
 
D

dementedlemur

Golden Member
Feb 23, 2004
1,080
0
0
I have the averatec 3225. It's a great laptop for the price, you get: 12" screen, 4.5 or so lbs, Athlon XP M 2000, 512 ram, 40gig hd, built in wireless g, dvd/cdrw. Check out averatecforums.com to read what users say about the notebook. The only problems I've read about frequently are that the case scratches somewhat easily, and the unit gets alittle hot. From personal experience it gets no hotter than my Dell Inspiron 1100 and older Toshiba Portege 3020. As far as scratching goes, I keep mine in a neoprene slipcase and don't wear a watch when typing, so I haven't had any problems.
 
W

wifi4lyfe

Senior member
Apr 14, 2004
383
0
0
hmm yeah scratches shouldnt be much of a problem, nor heat as long as it doesnt get too hot and cause system problems, etc.

can it run any games? that is another reason i'm considering ditching the iBook...

thanks
 
W

wifi4lyfe

Senior member
Apr 14, 2004
383
0
0
wow so bestbuy has the Averatec for $949 plus $200 in rebates. SERIOUSLY considering buyin this. sale ends today though :( and havent sold the iBook yet so... heh

it has:
XP-M 2000+
256mb
40gb
dvd/cdrw
12.1" LCD @ 1024x768
wireless b/g
S3 graphics w/64mb (meh)


so if I were to pick this up, would it be NOTICEABLY faster than the G3 800mhz, 640ram, radeon 7500 32mb ??
oh and would best buy allow me to buy this, and then return it in a few days incase I like the iBook better? will any retail store allow this?

THANKS for quick replies!! Sales ends today!
 
F

Frightcrawler

Senior member
Oct 15, 2003
603
0
0
I'm with eriqesque in recommending the X series. They are rock solid and have great performance.
Basically, the rule is that if you need to be on battery power alot, get the X40 series. Otherwise, get the X31.

I don't know about the exact build quality of Averatecs, but I do know that the X series have a better build quality.
However, in this case, price might be the ruling factor...
 
Wuzup101

Wuzup101

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2002
2,334
37
91
IBM in general has a great rep for all of their thinkpads especially the T and X series. I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed. I also have a friend who is extremely into computers (programming/building/etc..) who owns and loves one of those avertecs that you are talking about. I played around with it a few times and it's a very nice machine for the price IMHO.

One thing though. You can run linux on OSX... atleast on the newest version. You can run almost any linux program on a mac now with X11 (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/x11/). Not sure if you are running panther though or not??
 
W

wifi4lyfe

Senior member
Apr 14, 2004
383
0
0
wha? linux on mac?? :)

I'm running jaguar 10.2.8 right now, but I do have 10.3 panther waiting to install.

any linkage to places i can find more info on good distros for macs? i cant find much via google...

THANKS
 
W

wifi4lyfe

Senior member
Apr 14, 2004
383
0
0
yea screw windows, i'm keepin the mac. I already have an XP desktop anyways for games and such.

I just got 10.3.4 installed and am loading the developer software as we speak :)
cant wait to try this out, oh and thanks for the linkages.
 
Wuzup101

Wuzup101

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2002
2,334
37
91
Sounds good to me... they are very solid machines... hope you enjoy your new found linux toys :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom