Small, semi-powerful, all purpose laptop?

[jodathmorr]

I used to own a Gateway 9300 (until it died) which I used constaintly but something that I didn't like was the huge 15" display and the weight. I wanted to use it as a notebook. Something I can take on the train or use in the car and something thats small and portable and has a smaller display so peeping eyes can't steal my code (im weird like that). Anyways I am looking for a new laptop computer but I want it to be small and portable but still have things like a DVD-ROM drive and a nice processor speed and a small but crisp screen (like 12"-8"). By powerful I mean around 600mhz-1.3ghz. I'm not going to be playing any games on this thing. Its just for coding, browsing, word apps, ect. And it will also be running Linux but I'm not scared about choosing an incompatible laptop. The best example I can find of the computer I want is a Casio Fiva (not the tablet one) but the Fiva is a little slower than I would like. Any laptops that someone could recommend? Thanks!

 

[RichieZ]

Thinkpad X31, but theres no integrated optical drive. Most 12" laptops are considered ultraportables so the optical drives are external. Only 12" laptop that I can think of that have a built in drive is the 12" powerbook but it weighs in at 4.6lbs which is about the same weight as a 14" thinkpad t40j

Also look at the Dell 300M/X300 and a few toshibas.

 

[Yomicron]

If you wan't an ultraportable with an integrated optical dirve you can look at:
Panasonic W2
Sony TR1
Fujitsu T90D

 

[jodathmorr]

Yea i've been to Dynatism and salavated a lot but those things are so expensive. I can take a hit in the MHZ department if it will cost me a little less.

 

[crabbyman]

I don't know why these boards are so scared of Averatecs *formerly Sotec*! They offer quite a few laptops that are worth their price. They have the 3100 series which is below 4 pounds and has intergrated drive and wifi...or for a few pounds and bucks more coming in @ 5.5 pounds you get a bigger LCD screen and a DVD burner with a centrino model all for less than $1500!

 

[jodathmorr]

Do you have a retailer's website? Google dosn't turn up anything for some reason. Spelling?

 

[ericboo]

I have a Sony 505BX with a P4 2.0 M, with WiFi, 512MB RAM and 12.1" screen. It is not the more recent Mobile CPU but works great and weighs in at 4lbs.

Don't care if it only has 16MB for graphics because I don't use it for games.

 

[akiraxtc]

How about:

Averatec 5110P

3150P

Those seems to be fairly cheap.
If you want top notch support, it will cost you money of course, by going to vendors such as IBM and get their business product line.

 

[OldSpooky]

I've seen the Averatec Centrino machine at Staples. It seems a bit big (because it has a 15" LCD), but it packs a hell of a lot of punch for the money. Overall, I'd say its biggest weaknesses are the 1-yr warranty, unknown service quality, and the use of Intel Extreme(ly) weak integrated graphics.

 

[crabbyman]

...but for $1500 I would like to see a better/similar equipped laptop! I am not partial to them...its just they seem so logical. They had the 12" right next to the 15" and the 15 looked huge!! Averatec are very popular in Japan...and slowly growing in the states. The only problems, that I know of, from the 3100 series is a couple of noise with fan complaints and the spacebar in a few has been non-resposive.


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Reading around the support is "responsive and helpful". Take it for what it is worth.

 

[addragyn]

A user, who codes, not scared of Linux or going w/o VS, who doesn't game and wants a quality portable(that is actually portable). You should at least look at a Mac. Specifically the 12" iBook and the 12" PowerBook.

 

[jodathmorr]

But I would like to be able to sync the things on my laptop with my desktop (a windows machine) with some ease. I'd love to switch to mac but I still live with my luddite parents : )

 

[gaidin123]

Fujitsu Lifebook P5010D. Ultra low voltage PM 900Mhz, every port you could want (USB2, firewire, 10/100, modem, vga, svideo, s/pdif, headphone, compact flash, sd card, memory stick (and pro), PC card, integrated 802.11g), 10.6" 1280x768 screen, onboard CDRW/DVD combo drive, longish battery life, and it weighs 3.85lbs with the battery and CD drive. Floppy is external USB if you even want one. Oh, you can get either a 40 or 60GB drive with them

Link

 

[dejacky]

FUJITSU P SERIES LIFEBOOKS <--- look at these..TRUST ME.