Time to purchase: What do I need?

[spitz10]

Hey guys, I started a thread a little while back on whether or not it was worth it for me to get a laptop:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=51&threadid=1990062&enterthread=y

But since I am taking a trip for spring break, I have determined that I definitely am going to buy a laptop in the next 2.5 weeks. I am a lifelong desktop guy and have done my fair share of gaming and video editing in my day, so I am used to having at least close to top of the line equipment. With that being said, I have decided that my laptop is only going to be used for essentially basic use: chatting, internet, papers, movies, burning dvds. My main use for it will be to connect to my main desktop. So basically, no gaming, no video editing.

I guess my question would be, what is the cheapest set-up I could get, that isnt just a complete POS with no warranty? There were a few deals over the last weekend in the 500-600 range that seemed pretty good:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=2005140&enterthread=y

And one last thing - I know that in my price range getting a dedicated GPU is basically out of the question, and apparently you cant run vista aero glass without it, so I have also decided that I am just going to do a fresh install of xp once I get it. Would that be advised? I have tried to find set-ups that come with xp, but they all seem to come with vista.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[spitz10]

A couple other things: I am looking in the 14-15 inch range, I do want it to have pretty decent looks, and I am not real picky about a keyboard.

Also, after reading a few reviews on some of these budget laptops, I think the best way to go is just to get one that has vista already installed, and then if I want, I will just go back and install xp. The reviewers said they surprisingly had no problems running aero on vista with integrated graphics.

 

[Brainonska511]

You're not going to find pre-installed XP unless it was a machine manufactured before Vista was released. If you want to get something that cheap, I suggest looking in the Dell outlet (most likely looking at the E1405). Keep an eye on the hot deals forums as sometimes, really good laptop deals spring up at B&M stores.

 

[IlllI]

if you want something really cheap, there are a few deals going on at places like office depot/best buy etc. some with rebates, some without. one example would be Text

 

[spitz10]

how much impact do the slow hard drives have, and how much difference is there between the 4200 and 5400 rpm ones?

 

[alimoalem]

i've never had a 4200rpm but i've heard bad things from them. i have a 5400rpm and see no bottlenecks from the hdd. definitely go with a 5400rpm drive, whether the laptop comes with one or you choose to add one

 

[spitz10]

I have never dealt with laptops, but I have built numerous desktops. How hard is it to add things to laptops?

 

[IlllI]

depends on what things you are talking about

 

[spitz10]

sorry, basically just a hard drive or ram

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: spitz10
sorry, basically just a hard drive or ram

i have never done any replacement of parts part i've heard these are the easiest. i think the ram is easiest, then the hdd. you do need to remove the battery/plate for the hard drive (i think).