Notebook for School

[jumpthru]

I will be heading for college this fall and need to buy a notebook. Does anyone have any suggestion for good companies/setups? I think I want something thin so its easy to lug around. I used to love Dell, but it seems they have gone to commericalised crap. Other than them I have no idea who to turn to...I wish it was as simple as building a desktop...

It is important to me to have at least 1024x1280...what screen do I need sxga? I dont really get the screens, and it makes me mad that when you choose Dell they basically force you to have XGA. How can anyone live iwthonly 1024x268?

I need to keep it around $1000-$1200.

Nate

P.S. Whats the difference between a notebook and laptop?

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: jumpthru
Whats the difference between a notebook and laptop?

Nothing really. I have an eMachines M6805 and it does everything I need it to. It's a bit heavy though, and battery life is only about 2-2.5 hours without some extreme downclocking of the VPU and other stuff which only really gives another 25-30 minutes.

 

[Sahakiel]

If you want the SXGA screen, I'd go with the IBM T40 series. It seems you want a desktop replacement without the weight. You can also get a docking station for working in your room. Of course, this also depends on how much you trust your roommates and dorm in general.
Personally, I'd get a subcompact like the X40 (6-10 hrs battery life) with a docking station (or use the media slice) and use a seperate desktop for dual-monitor, horsepower, and storage. The only times I have ever needed more than what a subcompact can offer is when I'm not doing schoolwork.

As for screen size, I use 10x7 on my laptop and it really doesn't bother me. I'm sitting so close to the screen because of the keyboard it's really just fine. When I dock, I have a 19" LCD and wireless keyboard. There really isn't too much difference in workspace and when I really need more room, I just switch to my desktop and fire up the second monitor.

 

[aakerman]

the x40 only runs 2.5 hours on the standard battery - if he were to reach 6-10 hours, he would need extra batteries, and that's certainly not within the budget. I'm not even sure a stock x40 is.

But if you can afford an X31, I would go with that instead. It has an XGA screen.

 

[Sahakiel]

Standard battery provides 3-3.5 hours for the X40.
Hi capacity battery gives up 6-7 hours.
Hi capacity plus extended battery = 10-11 hours