Need a Laptop - Under $750

[teddyv]

Hi Folks,

In need of a new laptop. Using it for keeping in touch via wireless while on the road - basic web browsing, Outlook e-mail, place to download digipics, CIV-II and maybe some other games, and watching DVD's on planes.

Would really like a 15.4" or smaller screen with dedicated Gpu, 60-gig or bigger HD, DVD-RW, 8-cell LiIon battery.

Any advice on bang for the buck, quality, customer support? I'd like to order from the Egg, Best Buy, CompUSA or maybe Costco.

On the low side, this Acer is only $580 AR:
Acer AS3003WLCi - looks like Gateway has the middle ground, and Toshiba the upper end of my price range. I will not ever own a Compaq laptop again so they are out.

Any help much appreciated-

Thanks folks!

 

[pikachu656]

Check out Dell. They run alot of specials all the time. If your not on their email list get on it so you will know when they have their specials.

 

[teddyv]

I'd love to get a Dell but for a decent one, even with the specials they are running $800 to $1,000. Also, I can't wait three weeks to get it, I'm heading to Australia in 10 days for a couple weeks.

I did notice a couple in today's paper and would appreciate any comments...

2. $579otd - Best Buy - Toshiba (A105-s101) Intel Celeron 380: 256mb DDR2, 60gig, dvd/cdrw, g wireless, ATi 200M
1. $650AR - Office Depot - Toshiba (A105-s1013) Intel Celeron 380: 512mb DDR2, 60gig sata, dvd/cdrw, g/b wireless
3. $699AR - CompUSA - Acer Pentium M 725: 512mb DDR2, 80gig, dvdrw, g wireless, ?? Video
3. $779otd - Best Buy - Toshiba (A105-s11712) Intel Celeron 380: 512mb DDR2, 80gig, dvdrw, g wireless, ATi 200M
4. $849otd - Best Buy - Gateway (MX6421) AMD Turion 64 ML-32: 512mb DDR2, 80gig, dvdrw, g wireless, ATi X300

From the list it looks like the Acer has what I need at the best price. However, the Gateway has the AMD chip and as it is $850 out the door (ie no waiting for rebates) I think I can swing it.

I'd sure appreciate any comments on quality, customer service, speed, etc. on the above systems.

TeddyV

 

[teddyv]

SCORE!!! Don't trust the online inventory, I scored the last Acer 1691 at a CompUSA near my house. Added bonus is the online CompUSA rebate registration, nothing to send in. Big plusses are the 8-cell battery, DVDRW, 512megs & 80-gig HD.

Not bad for $699AR

Specs:

The Brilliance of Innovation and Affordability

The Aspire? 1691 is a thoroughly practical notebook packed with high-end features, including a wide-screen display with Acer® CrystalBrite Technology, dual layer DVD+/-RW optical drive, integrated wireless LAN and Intel® Centrino? Mobile Technology. A great choice for home users who want a work/entertainment system.

Notes:

* This model features an integrated Wireless 802.11b/g LAN connection.
* A 4-in-1 media card reader is included.
* Both memory slots are full. Each slot has a 256MB RAM module.
* A 1.44MB Internal 3.5-inch Floppy Disk Drive is not included. An optional 1.44MB External 3.5-inch USB Floppy Disk Drive is available.

Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Class: Pentium M Processor
Processor Number: 725
Processor Speed: 1.6 GHz
Bus Speed: 400 MHz
Mobile Technology: Centrino
L2 Cache Size: 2 MB
Memory Speed: PC-4200 (533MHz)
Memory Technology: DDR2-SDRAM
Installed Memory: 512 MB
Maximum Memory: 2 GB
Hard Drive Capacity: 80 GB
Drive Controllers: IDE (Ultra ATA/100)
Additional Drives: DL DVD+/-RW
Sound Support: Digital Audio (16-bit)
Video Chipset Brand: Intel
Video Chipset: Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 900
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Display Size: 15.4 in
Display Type: Active Matrix LCD (TFT)
Port Connectors:

* 3 USB 2.0
* 1 IEEE-1394 FireWire
* 1 Ethernet (RJ-45)
* 1 Modem (RJ-11)
* 1 External display (VGA)
* 1 S-Video/TV-Out
* Microphone/line-in jack
* Headphones/speaker/line-out port with S/PDIF support
* 1 Infrared (FIR)
* 1 DC-in jack for AC adaptor

Card Slots: Memory Stick
Memory Stick Pro
Secure Digital(SD)/MMC
(1) Type II / Type I CardBus
Network Support: Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps)
Wireless Protocol: 802.11b
802.11g
Modem Speed: 56 Kbps
Input Devices: Keyboard
Touchpad
Battery Life (average): up to 3.5 Hours
Number of Batteries: 1
Installed Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition
Included Software:

* Acer GridVista
* Acer eManager (ePresentation, eRecovery, ePowerManagement and eSetting)
* Acer Launch Manager
* Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
* Acer Arcade
* Acer System Recovery CD
* Cyberlink® PowerDVD? (OEM, not full-featured, version)
* Norton AntiVirus? (OEM, not full-featured, version)
* NTI CD-Maker? (OEM, not full-featured, version)

In the Box:

* 65W AC Adapter
* 8-cell Lithium-Ion Battery Pack

Regulatory Compliances:

* ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) 1.0b

Height: 1.5 in
Width: 14.3 in
Depth: 11.0 in
Weight: 6.6 lbs
Limited Warranty: 1 Year (12 Months)
Warranty Information:

* International Travelers Warranty (ITW)