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Need help to choose a laptop

P

plaidfro

Member
I have recently started an MBA program and I need to get a laptop. I know squat about laptops. I know I have a budget of about $850 - $999.

Things I assume I want... but I am subject to change do to better opinions.:

at least 1.67 Ghz Duo CPU
at least 15.4" display
at least 40 GB SATA HD
at least 1 GB RAM
a decent video card enough to run NeverWinter Nights and possible NWN2
at least a DVD player
whatever network card will do the job well.
whatever battery isn't going to piss me off
I dont care about it being super small and super light

I am open to all suggestions about which models, and where to look for them. Even if you know about certain components that I should have.

Thanks for you advice in advance
 
SYSTEM OPTIONS

Heres a Dell Latitude E1505, opinions? total came to $893

Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T5500 (2MB Cache/1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD PANEL 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife?
MEMORY 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
HARD DRIVE 60GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
OPTICAL DRIVE 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
VIDEO CARD 256MB ATI MOBILITY? RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory?
WIRELESS OPTIONS Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
BATTERY OPTIONS 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Alternative CPu Raises cost to about $1018
Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
 
Go for either a Dell e1505, or an HP DV 5000. Both have good graphics options that offer a decent balance between performance and battery life.

And make sure you go with Core 2 Duo instead of Core Duo, now that it's out it's not a matter of wait and see anymore for current buyers like yourself.
 
Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic
Go for either a Dell e1505, or an HP DV 5000. Both have good graphics options that offer a decent balance between performance and battery life.

And make sure you go with Core 2 Duo instead of Core Duo, now that it's out it's not a matter of wait and see anymore for current buyers like yourself.
Click to expand...

Based on his budget, at the moment, it will probably be cheaper to go with a Core Duo instead of the newer Core 2 Duo.
 
Get the Radeon X1400 upgrade on the Dell E1505

Core 2 is 20% faster than Core 1 at the same clock speed, and it would let you install the 64-bit version of Vista instead of the 32-bit. But you can live without either of those, especially on your budget.

Don't get a faster CPU with crippled intel motherboard graphics.
 
I would really try hard to get a 120GB or 120GB HDD. And, 2 GB of RAM if it will take it. But, for essential work, post 2 looks OK.
 
Originally posted by: corkyg
I would really try hard to get a 120GB or 120GB HDD. And, 2 GB of RAM if it will take it. But, for essential work, post 2 looks OK.
Click to expand...

I would love to drop in 2GB Ram but that would blow the crap outta my budget....

my options are take the 2Duo core 1.66 GHZ/2MB Cache CPU and get an 80 GB 7200 RPM HD... or get the 2Duo core 2Ghz/4MB Cache CPU and keep the 60 GB 5400 RPM HD
 
For the extra $100, I would get the T7200 and keep the 5400RPM drive. Also, how much does it cost to upgrade the RAM? Can you drop it any lower? Aftermarket RAM is cheaper and you can get DDR2 667 instead of the 533 they include.
 
Thanks for all your input, Here are the specs on the Dell Laptop on its way:

Inspiron E1505 Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
LCD Panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife?
Memory 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY? RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory?
Hard Drive 60GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
Additional Power Adapter 90 Watt Spare AC Adapter
Network Card and Modem Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Combo/DVD+RW Drives 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Sound Options Integrated Audio
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
Primary Battery 53 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

TOTAL:$1,142.00
 
No DVDRW or 9-cell? I guess if you don't burn DVDs and don't run it on batteries that works.

otherwise great config :thumbsup:
 
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
No DVDRW or 9-cell? I guess if you don't burn DVDs and don't run it on batteries that works.
Click to expand...

I will usually have it plugged into the wall, or the cars AC. And I do the DVD burning on my home desktop... I think I did alright 😛
 
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