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Notebook recommendation

CraKaJaX

CraKaJaX

Lifer
I'm looking to buy my first notebook for college but I don't know much about notebooks and what's good or not. I'll be using it mostly for school (internet browsing, word processing, email, etc.) and I have about $1,500 to spend. I don't want it to be cheap and slow, but I don't need a fast one either. Looking for some recommendations, thanks in advance.
 
I'd say... look for something with a good warranty package. So that way, if anything does go wrong with it, you can have it fixed immediately. I had to
purchase one for college as well, in fact it was required for my major, had to bring to classes every day. I also had to bring it along everywhere, to the library, coffee shops, etc. for group projects and what not. If you've read what I posted before, my laptop(5150) failed me twice, as much as it is dell's design at fault, I am very greatful for their excellent warranty.

Again, not so much focusing on the brand, but more on the warranty. I'm assuming that you'd want this laptop to last you until graduation. IBM's seem
to offer a good warranty as well(kindof pricey though). If I were to do it again(can't go back in time, but with current models), right now I might look into
an Inspiron 6000, or a IBM T42.

(I didn't cover specs, but if you are looking for the basic, I'd say almost any laptop, even of entry level power, would be able to handle what you described, unless you
are looking into graphics or gaming..and storage..)
 
Portable - yes, it will be at a desk at school though. Screen size doesn't matter and I won't be playing any games on it.
 
The biggest deciding factor will be gaming. If plan to play ANY modern games, you will need at least some dedicated graphics. If not, integrated graphics are fine, and will even run most older games. I would get a laptop based on the Sonoma chipset: better integrated graphics, SATA, Expresscard, and more stuff. I just ordered a Fujitsu S7020. Its a 14.1 inch screen and only 4.3 pounds. IBM, Fujitsu, and ASUS all produce quality stuff. Dell, Toshiba, HP are average.
 
For portability I recommend a 14" or 15", you could even stretch it to a thin 15.4" model.

HP dv1000 -- 14" widescreen, Centrino, 6-7 hrs batt life w/12-cell, easily configured for under $1500
HP nx6125 business line -- 15", AMD Turion, 3-4 hours w/8-cell (approx), comes decently loaded for $999 w/3 year warranty included

Basic IBM T or R series -- well built, Centrino based, 15" screens; a little more expensive, but better quality than most machines

Dell Latitude D610 -- not sure if these come into the sub-$1500 price range, but are well built & come w/3 year warranties; Centrino based
Dell Inspiron 6000 -- great bang for the buck 15.4"; comes very cheap with Dell coupons; Centrino based EDIT But the 6000 isn't going to be the most portable. An Asus Z71v has a nice 15.4" widescreen, but will go over your $1500 budget I believe

I'm sure there are more, but my brain is farting right now
Hope this helps
 
Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
For portability I recommend a 14" or 15", you could even stretch it to a thin 15.4" model.

Dell Latitude D610 -- not sure if these come into the sub-$1500 price range, but are well built & come w/3 year warranties; Centrino based
Dell Inspiron 6000 -- great bang for the buck 15.4"; comes very cheap with Dell coupons; Centrino based EDIT But the 6000 isn't going to be the most portable. An Asus Z71v has a nice 15.4" widescreen, but will go over your $1500 budget I believe
Click to expand...


I'm a huge fan the Dell 6000, but in this case I'd agree with fbdphreak due to the portability issue. Asus is an excellent choice. The ones that I've seen are bare bones Laptops that you have to put in a CPU, the RAM, the harddrive. You can either install the parts yourself, or get your retailer to install it for you.

Best of luck.
 
If you're not going to game at all and need a very portable laptop, I suggest you take a look at the iBooks, especially the 12" since it's so cheap right now. You can also use the promotion to get a very cheap iPod (which you can sell afterwards to sweeten the deal). The only downside that I can find, apart that it's a Mac (if you're used, like me, to a PC) is that the line should be updated fairly soon, so hold on before buying!
 
If you go IBM they offer pretty good student discounts. Just make sure you go to the education site and then select students and alumni.
 
another vote for the iBook. I've had mine for almost a year, after using PC's all my life and have found it a welcome change. It's very nice.
 
Originally posted by: User1001
If you go IBM they offer pretty good student discounts. Just make sure you go to the education site and then select students and alumni.
Click to expand...

link please.. i checked but only found K-12 and High education section.. no alumni area.
 
Yea, I can't find the IBM deal either. But I know if I go IBM my uncle can get me a discount... he said I could get a couple hundred bucks off and he recommended the T43, still debating though.
 
Originally posted by: WayneTeK
Originally posted by: User1001
If you go IBM they offer pretty good student discounts. Just make sure you go to the education site and then select students and alumni.
Click to expand...

link please.. i checked but only found K-12 and High education section.. no alumni area.
Click to expand...
High Education is what you need. Under that Students & Alumni are listed.
 
Originally posted by: CraKaJaX
Yea, I can't find the IBM deal either. But I know if I go IBM my uncle can get me a discount... he said I could get a couple hundred bucks off and he recommended the T43, still debating though.
Click to expand...
What kind of discount does your uncle have? If it is EPP, he should have more than a few hundred off. Usually 30% IIRC.

If he can get you a T43 14", that will be a portable powerhouse.
I hear the 14" T42's have a poor screen; not very bright & relatively poor viewing angle.
A 15" SXGA+ T42 is great; awesome screen, runs very cool, just not as portable as a 14".

While some Thinkpads are better than others, you won't be disappointed with a choice of any Thinkpad. Esp if you get a good warranty w/accidental damage coverage. :thumbsup:
 
Don't know what kind of discounts he gets, he just said I need his IBM serial number or something and said he could probably get the T43 for like $1200-1300. Thanks for all your help.
 
consider a fujitsu with their CrystalView screen..I have a N5010..there is no better laptop screen anywhere period...if game is no issue..(not sure why anyone would make this a priority on laptop...but this is my opinion only)

You will spend most of your time looking at the screen...get a good one....
 
I just ordered myself a 14.1" T43 for the same purposes you listed.

Yeah, it's overkill in so many ways. Then again, it is an IBM T series, and there's no arguing that it will last for the four or more years I'll use it in college, not to mention the standard 3-year warranty it comes with.

Mine came out to $1600-something (pre-tax) with a student discount, which is certainly reasonable. If your uncle can you get the EPP discount (which, by the way you described it [serial number], he can), you can get yourself a very, very nice T43 that'll last you for a very, very long time.

PM me if you want to know the configuration I ordered. (And if you don't really care what I got exactly and do end up getting a T43, be sure to get the SXGA+ screen if you get the 14.1" screen.)
 
My favorite is the HP dv1227... it's got a 14.0" widescreen and a lot of cool features... especially the Quickplay, watch DVDs without booting to Windows. 😉
 
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