Trying to decide on a laptop around $1500

[Nutdotnet]

I was all set to buy a Dell Insiron 8500 for $1500 but decided to do a little research first.

I REALLY like the idea of a wide-aspect screen, but I also want some thing that is going to last a few years.

I am probably going to replace both my desktops with this, or at least one of them. It will be my primary laptop. I would like it to be powerful enough to do anything I throw at it. However, I do not play a lot (any) games. It would be nice to have the option I suppose but I haven't played a computer game since Counter-Strike a couple years back. But I do Audio Editing/Recording type stuff. I would like to use the laptop for that.

I'm not too concerned on hard drive size as I will probably buy a USB 2.0 OR Firewire External HD.

I will probably be taking this occasionaly on flights, how often I am not sure but at least a few times a year. So a DVD-Rom would be a neccesity and wouldn't mind a CD-RW combo.

Dell?
Compaq?
Toshiba?
Something else?

Any help would be great!

 

[Nutdotnet]

No one has any suggestions? Maybe a site to do some research or something?

I'm primarily looking at Dell but other manufacturers are a possibility.

 

[Alt]

The Compaq X1000 / Hp xt3000 have good build quality for around that price point.

 

[Abhi]

Hey.... i have a similar budget, and have done quite a lot of reasearch on the subject.... bugged the hell out of lot of AT'ers and well i also chose the 8500.

I will order it in a day or so. (Small Business 10% off coupon!!)

What i have discovered is that the Inspiron 8500 doesnt do anything exceptionally well, but does everything decently. I.e. jack of all trades.

But i do recommend you look at other brands too HP/Compaq, IBM, Toshiba and even Sony.

P.S. If you are spend 1500$.... you ll get a REAL good config with the 8500....

 

[BudAshes]

my brother got an compaq x1000 recently and it is a mighty fine notebook. Good weight, good battery life(centrino processor) and a decent graphics card(9200) with a very nice widescreen display. Im not sure if you can get it for 1500 but when he bought his he got a 5% student discount and there was a 10% off coupon floating around.

 

[jd103]

Heres a pretty good deal on that Compaq Presario x1000 from HPShopping page, choose the customize option and configure:

Pentium(R) M 1.4GHz "Intel Centrino"
Microsoft(R)Windows(R) XP Home
256MB DDR SDRAM(1X256MB)
40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
Microsoft(R) Works/Money
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
Built in 56K modem+10/100 LAN
15.4" WVA WXGA (1280x800)
64MB Mobility Radeon(TM) 9200
8 Cell Lithium Ion battery
add on items:
2-year express repair warranty upgrade [$99.99]
top load nylon notebook case [$59.99]

$1558.98- 10% coupon code- $100 rebate + free shipping = $1303

Go to Crucial.com and get another stick of 256MB memory for $51 and you have a pretty nice laptop for $1354. Ofcourse you could lower that price to about $1200 if you decided against the 2 year warrenty & carrying case

 

[blazerazor]

If I was you I get a POWER BOOK. I got to use on the other day and I loved it, every thing just 'worked', and Id NEVER used a mac. Like riding a bicycle. Just prettier.