Need Laptop ASAP - $700/$800 or less

[teddyv]

Need a new laptop asap and trying to spend $700 or less, $800 if no rebates needed. I did notice a couple in today's paper and would appreciate any comments. Basic use will be web and e-mail while on the road, some CIV2 and Ultima Online, watching movies.

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

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

realize that the video card can never be upgraded. however, the processor can.
I'd go with any of the ones with either the xpress200 chipset, or the x300. I'd recommend going with the turion or the p-m, not celeron. Although the celeron isn't a horrible chip, and most liekly will be good enough for your purposes, it can not throttle, which means shorter battery life.

 

[Trey22]

If you happen to decide on a Turion based laptop, make sure it is the MT not ML version processor.

That Acer does look very attractive for the price.

 

[teddyv]

That Acer does look very attractive for the price.

Figures, not one within 200 miles of my house

 

[teddyv]

SCORE!!! Don't trust the online inventory, I scored the last one 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)