what's a good weight for a notebook?

[Semidevil]

ok, I know that for everyone, it is different, but I just want to get an overall opinion on you guys. What do you consider a light laptop for a college student? Where is the cutoff weight? I know I could go and hold a laptop and see what happens, but then again, any laptop could seem light at first; but once the traveling between classes start, that's when the aches and pains happen.

I know that an 8 pounder is too heavy too carry around, and a 3 pounder is too light to have a fast processor and a reasonable price(for a college student). What about the stuff in between? Would you guys consider a 5 pound or 6 pound laptop a reasonable weight for a travling laptop? How do you guys feel about it?

I"m looking at the fujitsu E series, saying that I can get a 1.6/1.8 ghz pc for 5.3 lbs, or 5.7 lbs(with CD rom). would you guys consider this a heavy laptop??

edit: here is a question. Like I said, the specs say that this computer is 5.3-5.7 lbs. I go look around for reviews, and found this site link

click on the "read more" link. This site states that the compter is 6.5 lbs. So which one is correct? 6.5 or 5.x lbs? Of course this is the 15 incher laptop. I"ll probably just get the 14.inch one. Is that extra inch of screen really gonna give it an extra pound??

 

[gsaldivar]

I carry a 3.5 pound Sony R505 "SuperSlim" laptop on a 320 acre campus in sunny Southern California. Even at that slight weight, let me tell you - it can get heavy QUICK.

All my friends who bought laptops after seeing me carry mine around, insisted on getting the 5+ pound feature-packed models -- and now all of them leave theirs in the trunk or at home now. At 3.5 lbs, mine is just light enough to be bearable after adding in books, notes, power adapter, etc. etc. Since I already have a fast machine at home, I chose to get the cheapest/slowest one I could afford. It turned out to be the smartest choice I made...

My Sony R505 has a Celeron 650 with 320MB RAM. It's not breaking any speed records, but it's PLENTY fast enough to run Windows XP with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Explorer, Frontpage, WinAMP, PhotoShop, Illustrator etc. etc... It won't run any 3D games, but emulation stuff like NeoRAGE work perfectly. The extra RAM is the secret to running a bunch of apps all at once without any lag. My Sony "SuperSlim" comes with an external CDROM to save weight, but I only use mine to install software (I leave the CDROM at home) - I use the network connection for everything else (we have network connections in every classroom, and all over our campus).

The price was right - at $999 if I drop it, or it gets stolen - NO big deal - I can just go out and pick up another. Also, I don't have to "baby" mine like my friends do, because they spent $1700 on theirs. I just toss mine in my bag and go - I don't care about the nicks and scratches, because at $999 I obviously didn't buy it for resale value if you know what I mean.

I gotta say though, that my laptop purchase has been the best money I have spent in college. I use my lappy to do term papers, get course materials from the web, check mail, etc. etc. I don't have to carry floppies back and forth, or e-mail stuff to myself anymore. No more waiting in line for labs, or having to deal with crappy lab configured machines.

Bottom line - if you are like me, and you already have a fast desktop system at home for gaming, etc. Get the LIGHTEST, CHEAPEST laptop you can afford and make that your road warrior.

Hope this info helps you out.

Good luck!

 

[axelfox]

1000 dollars and can still afford to buy another just like that? You must be bank

 

[xZeusx]

gsaldivar -

Do you have a built in battery in your laptop? or do you just plug in to an outlet wherever you are?

 

[murphy55d]

I just bought an HP Pavilion xf315 this week,I believe it said it was 6.5 lbs, which IMO is not TOO heavy, definitely heavier than my old Toshiba portege, but that did not have a CDROM or anything, this has a CDRW/DVD combo drive, and only cost $1098. 14.1 screen, 1.2 ghz mobile Duron,256 mb ram, it is very nice. The video is lacking as it is some S3 crap but I dont play games on it anyway,

 

[gsaldivar]

"...1000 dollars and can still afford to buy another just like that? You must be bank..."

I wish!

Financial aid covers it. $1000 is still alot of money, but I'd rather lose that than $1700 or more, don't you agree?


"...Do you have a built in battery in your laptop? or do you just plug in to an outlet wherever you are?..."

All laptops come with batteries, don't they? The standard battery with the R505 lasts between 1.5 to 3 hours depending on use, but I rarely find that a problem. There are always plenty of outlets all over the place, so I use those whenever possible. As a result, my battery is almost always charged and ready to go. In the rare case when I can't find an outlet, I know I can still get up to 3 hours of work done, which is pretty much all I can handle at one sitting without driving myself crazy.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

This http://www.compaq.com/products/notebooks/n610c/n610c-subfamily.html seems to be a good balance between weight and features.

My big complaint with this notebook is the configurations. I'd like to get the UXGA screen with only a 1.6ghz P4 and 30gb HDD and save some money, not a 2.0 and 40.

 

[kgraeme]

I agree with gsaldivar. My preference is for a sub-3lb notebook. I carried a "normal" laptop for a while but developed back and shoulder problems.

Edit: Dynamism.com specializes in bringing Japanese market, lightweight notebooks to the U.S. I keep thinking that I need to buy something from them.

 

[manko]

Originally posted by: kgraeme

Edit: Dynamism.com specializes in bringing Japanese market, lightweight notebooks to the U.S. I keep thinking that I need to buy something from them.

Also check Conics for tiny Japanese laptops. I think they have better prices too.

 

[Eug]

Depends on what you're doing with it. For me, the cut off is 6 lb, but I much prefer 4-5 lbs. I had a 7-8 lb Windows 2000 one, but it was just so damn heavy I stopped carrying it around. I now have a 5 lb iBook, and my arms are soooo much happier. Remember you're not just gonna be carrying the laptop around either. Don't forget books, etc.

A 15" screen is not really very important for most people. I'd rather have a 13" one at 1024x768, or perhaps a higher resolution 14" screen. I currently use a 12" 1024x768. It's fine for me and most of my friends but a few older people I've come across find the screen a bit small.

My 5 lb iBook:
12.1" 1024x768 screen
600 MHz G3
DVD-ROM/CD-RW burner
ATI Rage Mobility 128
640 MB RAM
Wireless 802.11b LAN
10/100 Ethernet
Modem
USBx2
Firewire
VGA and A/V out
Mic input
Touchpad
Mac OS X

 

[karmasalad]

My first laptop was a Dell Inspiron 3200, coming in at around 8 lbs. I didn't really give weight much consideration at the time (never had a laptop before), so I went after the features and power.

The result? I never wanted to take it anywhere, defeating the very purpose of getting a laptop in the first place.

I agree with what gsalvidar said earlier; get the lightest, cheapest laptop you can afford that can run the applications you want. That's what I ended up doing when I got my Toshiba Portege, which is only 3 lbs. For me, the purpose of my laptop isn't to run any games or intensive applications -- that's what my desktop is for. My laptop is something that just allows me to run productivity apps like Office and to check my mail while away from home. Specs, therefore, aren't a big deal -- just make sure to stock up on RAM.

One thing that I'm not clear on though: Will this be your only PC at college? If so, then I would look at something more in the range of 5 - 6 lbs as they offer more built-in features at a reasonable weight. (I would stay far, far away from anything heavier.) Otherwise, if you already have a desktop as your primary PC in your dorm or whatever, then think light! Your back and shoulders will thank you for it.

 

[LikeLinus]

I guess it's true when they say geeks are weaklings. I've got an Inspiron 8100 that is around 8lbs? I carry it, an Extra battery, CD's/DVD, and other junk around in my backpack/bag to work everyday and it doesn't bother me. ::shrug:: I'd rather have a desktop replacement with a few extra lbs and a nice huge screen than some small thing. Thats just a personal preference though. I never understood people complaining about 6-7lb laptops.

 

[xZeusx]

What do you guys think about getting a used laptop? is ebay a good place to get a deal? is there any difference beteween HP, IBM, Sony, Toshiba, Compaq? I want one that is lightweight...

 

[gsaldivar]

"...I never understood people complaining about 6-7lb laptops...I carry it and other junk around in my backpack/bag to work everyday and it doesn't bother me. "

I'm sorry, did you miss the part about a 320-acre campus??

There's a big difference between being a road-warrior and a desk-warrior...

 

[LikeLinus]

traveling around campus i wouldn't exactly call a "road warrior", but i've got what you mean. My comments were not specific towards you or anyone, just people in general. A lot of "desktop warriors" complain about 6-7lbs too. I travel all over with mine and it doesnt bother me.

 

[ultimatebob]

I've found that the 5 to 6 pound mid-size laptops are the ideal size. The smaller laptops often have cramped keyboards, and no internal media bay for a CD-ROM or a floppy drive. The larger laptops often have two media bays and a nice big screen, but are just too damn heavy to carry around.

I'm a big fan of the ThinkPad T series, but Sony VAIO's are cheaper and almost as good.