Please recommend me a notebook

[psynaps3]

Hi ppl

I am planning on buying my first notebook by the end of this month. I would really appreciate it if you could recommend be a few good notebooks based on my requirements.

Processor: Centrino 1.6+ or an AMD equivalent. (what is the difference b/w a centrino and a Pentium M ?)
RAM: 512 mb (333mhz)
GPU: Not shared.
HDD: 40GB+ (5400 rpm+)
Max screen resolution (1024*768) ... btw what is this called ... sxga ?
Prefered brands: ACER, HP, IBM, DELL [not any others cause i don't think they will have service centres at where i stay]
Price: Max 1500$

I will be using this system mostly for programming, watching movies and a little bit of occasional gaming (CS)

Thank you
psynaps3

 

[robs546]

I just bought myself a laptop just like you described except it only has 256mb of ram, but you can easily buy another 256. I bought a refurbished IBM ThinkPad T41 for $1583.

Here's the specs:

1.6 pentium M

40GB 5400rpm HD

32mb ATI graphics (not shared)

XGA screen (1024 x 768)

802.11b wireless card

It seemed like a great deal to me for college. Hope this helps.

 

[thraxes]

If you are staying x86 then you won't regrett saving up a little more for an IBM IMO

 

[zerogear]

IMO, the IBMs are built solid, but way overpriced. After my last ibm I refuse to spend that much on something I can get just as good from Acer or Hypersonic-PC

 

[ShellGuy]

This one seems to be mostly what you are lookin for. If you want 2 spend a bit more i config a Don in it for sub 2K. As for the Diff Centrino is still the cheaper less powerfull chip of the intel line.

Will

ps.. AMD RULZ

 

[dfi]

Pentium M refers to the cpu (not to be confused with Pentium 4 M). Centrino is intel's designation for notebooks that have 1) pentium M processor, 2) intel chipset, 3) intel internal wireless. When 1, 2, and 3 are combined, they form the ultra-mega dynozord! Or maybe it just uses less power.

dfi

 

[aakerman]

Yeah, as dfi pointed out, centrino is just a marketing name. Look for notebooks with pentium-m instead.
1024x768 is called XGA - I don't know why you would want xga, especially if you are a programmer - the screen space available is just too limited .. 1400x1050 (sxga+), will give you 87% more screenspace.

 

[ShellGuy]

My bad i was thinkin of Celron

Will