Realistic expectations?

[Sam334]

So we have a bit of extra student loan money and wanted to get a new laptop for school/internet/maybe some light video game playing...

I would ideally like a Macbook since I've never had any experience with their OS and wouldn't mind giving it a shot, but they're just too pricey. And I'm a bit wary of buying one through ebay for a bit below retail...

We were looking to spend around $700 max, but would also like for it to last for several years. Can I expect to get a Core Duo system with a decent hdd, 14-15" sceen, at least 512 mb of ram, and sub 6 pounds (since we'll be lugging it to class)? Or is it more realistic to expect to buy a unicorn?

I'm just not very sure what makes a "good price" with repect to laptops. Any info or links will be greatly appreciated

 

[fbrdphreak]

In sub-6lbs? No. The Dell E1505 15.4" comes in at $649 with Core Duo T2050 but it probly weighs closer to 7lbs and a 15.4" machine is a bit large to tote to class IMO.
The E1405 is smaller, but is $700 with Core Solo.

If you want a new notebook, just get a good one with Core Solo or Celeron M. The Celeron M is plenty powerful and is even pretty power thrifty, no doubt about it. I don't think Dell even offers a Celeron M in their Inspirons, LOL

You can get this Lenovo N100 14" WXGA for $599 after $100MIR with Celeron M, 512MB, 80GB, CDRW, WiFi. Add $200 and you get Core Duo, DVDRW, Bluetooth, and fingerprint reader.
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/notebooks/3000/n-series/nseries_byo_n100_14.html

 

[Rob9874]

Dell 1505:

Weight: Starting at 6.18lbs (WSXGA+ display, 6-cell battery, DVD combo drive)

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Rob9874
Dell 1505:

Weight: Starting at 6.18lbs (WSXGA+ display, 6-cell battery, DVD combo drive)

Not bad. Still a large notebook to tote around to most people

 

[Sam334]

Thanks for the replies

Found the following on TechBargains.net and was wondering what y'all thought:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopp...ompaq_presario/V3000_series&aoid=35252

HP V3000T 14in Notebook $529, Sep 9, 2006
HP Home Store has their V3000T Notebook 5.3lb Celeron M 420 1.6Ghz, 14in WideScreen, 512MB/40GB, Free DVD writer, 802.11g on sale for $629.99 - $100 rebate = $529, Free shipping.
Free HP F380 All in 1 printer after rebate.

Select Free DVD Writer. Core Duo T2050 +$150
$100 rebate Exp 12/16/06

 

[Cloud Strife]

Have you considered buying a used Thinkpad? I just bought a X30 on ebay for $299 shipped. It has 1.2Ghz Mobile Pentium III-M processor, 40GB, 256MB, and 12" screen. This is for word processing, internet, and no gaming (maybe starcraft). It weighs in at about 3.5lbs, so it doesn't have a floppy or CD/DVD drive.

You should take a look at some used Thinkpad T series.

 

[Commodus]

I don't know if I'd say a MacBook is pricey - at $999 edu pricing for a 1.83GHz Core Duo (probably to be upgraded to a Core 2 Duo in the next few weeks) with Bluetooth and a webcam, that's pretty good. The real question is whether or not you really want the speed and the features.

If not, I'd still try for a Core Solo system. A Celeron M is perhaps too far down the totem pole to last too long.

 

[fbrdphreak]

A Celeron M is perhaps too far down the totem pole to last too long.

How do you figure that? It has most of the performance of a Core Solo, only limited by the FSB and less cache (which doesn't impact performance much). It doesn't have Speedstep so battery life isn't as good, but still rather good for a budget CPU. It is 65nm and Yonah core. Pretty damn good for the money.

 

[Sam334]

Originally posted by: Commodus
I don't know if I'd say a MacBook is pricey - at $999 edu pricing for a 1.83GHz Core Duo (probably to be upgraded to a Core 2 Duo in the next few weeks) with Bluetooth and a webcam, that's pretty good. The real question is whether or not you really want the speed and the features.

If not, I'd still try for a Core Solo system. A Celeron M is perhaps too far down the totem pole to last too long.

I wouldn't be so opposed to paying a few extra hundred dollars to own one, but I'm wondering if Apple limits their warranties to the original buyer...? Has anyone had any experience buying a Macbook off ebay or know of a good place to get lower priced Apple products? Also, how long would you guess the Macbook's (in general) lifespan will be?