Need help deciding on a laptop! HELP!

[p0ntif]

Okay, so here is what i want first and foremost in a laptop:

1. portability
2. ability to run a unix OS (debian, freebsd, etc)
3. best bang for the buck.

I have been very interested in the c1 picturebook by sony (i give up a bit of performance for portability) but damn, that's a hefty pricetag. I still may get it, as it very much fulfills requirement 1 and 2, but i'm skeptical about #3.

I have also considered the sony SR series notebook, especially the SR33 as it is promotioned at $999 after the $100 rebate. Definately fulfills number 3 i think, and its almost a pound heavier, and a tad larger (though not necessarily thicker) than the c1. I certainly won;t be stuffing this in my coat pocket though. 🙂

I was wondering what owners of these books think, or if anyone else has been researching this topic, to share your opinions about these notebooks, or other notebooks that you think may suit my needs. On another note, battery life and the ability to insert a PCMCIA card is a necessity 😉

thanks for all your input!

 

[pulpp]

as far as value, Dell is probably the best, but be ware of long delays in shipping.

you might also wanna take a look at the new Compaq Presario 1700, looks very nice and comes with the new Mobility Radeon, though with only 8mb, its not very heavy either and priced nicely.

 

[p0ntif]

i checked those out, you are right, dell has nice value. Dell always has nice pricing strategies 🙂 The presario is also nice . . . but the smallest dell laptop that i looked at had similar specs to the sony sr33 series, but cost about $500 more. The Presario 1700 was interesting . . . I wish those C1's would come down in price . . . i really like em.