Want a new Sub-notebook

[Wuzup101]

Lately I've been thinking about getting myself a notebook for here at school. I've finally decided to go ahead and get one; however, it will be a little while (probably summer) before I get the cash together to make a purchase. Still I like to do my research early. I have been looking at the sony TR2, the fugi lifebook 5020, and the 12" apple g4 ibook and powerbook. As it stands now I am leaning towards the lifebook. It seems to have the most features (including wireless g, spdif out, and various memory card readers... compact flash being one of them). It also costs considerably less then a similar TR2. The apple notebooks have caught my eye also, and I do like osX and wouldn't mind running both osX and windows (on my major rig). However, I don't know if I want to go through the trouble and expense of getting software for the apple that I already have for the PC. Also, while the apple has great build quality and looks (though I do like the looks of the others also). The other two sub books blow the 12" apple screans out of the water.

Price wise the cheapest book in the config I want is the ibook at just over $1000 (student discount) + 512mb ($100) crucial memory immediate upgrade from 128mb. Next we have the Powerbook at about $1500 + the 100 for more ram. The lifebooks at newegg run about $1700 and I would also be getting an additional 512mb stick for them which would bump that up. The TR2 is a hair over $2000.... and that's with winxp pro and 512mb

I'd really like to hear from some past and present lifebook owners to hear what they have to say about these machines. They seem to have the best balance of power/features/price. The sony is nice, but the use of a 1.8" hdd, special ddr that only sony sells, and a fixed optical bay really bring the hammer down.

Anyway, just wanted to see what you all had to say about the idea. I'm sure many of you own sub-notebooks and if you have any other suggestions I would be open to them. I should also state that this computer will be with me all the time.... class, diner, library, etc... I have no need for extreme amounts of power (graphic and otherwise). I have a box pelnty capable of doing everything I can throw at it.

 

[sdaccord01]

I still have the 12" powerbook that I need to sell since I got the IBM T41, the only reason why I am selling it is because I can't use my engineering apps on OS X, but I love the laptop. I only used it for a month, so it's pretty much brand new. I got a radtech sleeve for it, airport extreme, 512mb additional ram (for total of 640) + panther cds. This is the 867mhz version with dvd-cdrw drive. I'm selling it for $1550 shipped OBO if you are interested let me know.

 

[Wuzup101]

Sorry man, I'm still in the position to make any offers; however, I can get a new one for about that price. I know it sucks from a reselling value, but I can get a 12" powerbook w/ the combo drive and the airport card for $1480 with my student discount. 512mb of extra ram would then bring me up to 768mb (the new 12" powerbooks have new upgraded motherboards w/ 256 on board) for under $100 at crucial. So for me to buy a used one at that price wouldn't be a smart business move on my part. Besides the new 12" books have bluetooth, 1ghz procs, and come with panther... not to mention they haven't had as many problems as the older variety w/ overheating and all (not saying that yours does).

 

[frazzled]

FWIW, I owned the precursor to the Fujitsu 5 series, the P2010 . Slow as a DOG (Crusoe processor) but ran like a top and was a great form factor. I carried it everywhere ....it traveled all over the world with me and never gave me any problems.

Have you checked out the great forums at LeoG ? These guys really know their stuff when it comes to the P series.

I had to give up the Fujitsu because of the small screen and my lousy eyesight ... the "joy" of aging .

What did I replace it with? A 12" Powerbook . My first Mac, ever. I absolutely love the thing .... goes everywhere, OS X is fun to use and the interoperability with Windows is far better than it used to be. If you're a student you should be able to get good student discounts on any software you need (I've been pleased with Win Office on the Mac) and some companies will do cross-upgrades.
Again, the portability is superb and the "sleep" function really works, I hardly turn my Powerbook off. I also use a WinXP notebook, but although hibernation is getting better, it is not as instant-on or foolproof as the Mac "sleep" . I'm now very spoiled by it.

Good luck with your choice!

JT

 

[Wuzup101]

Thanks for the helpful input m8. I am going to have to check out them all in person. However, i can say that I've been playing with an imac every time I have been over to the computer lab this week. OSX is quite nice. I think it would be a good solid platform to run on a laptop especially with panter and all... mmm can run linux programs on the mac now