What's the best laptop/notebook one can get for $1300?

[b0mbrman]

 

[Yomicron]

define "best"

quality?
performance?
portability?

 

[b0mbrman]

Hmmm...I think it would have to be a combination of all those...though performance might not be as important as service as it's for my girlfriend who rarely does anything real exciting with her comptuers

 

[Athlon4all]

Here (that review was written by me). that Laptop my family bought for $1500. It's great, a tad clunky, but good battery life, and I'd say good performance (No gaming tho, only 830M)

 

[MrBond]

Check out IBM's store on ebay. If she wants a portable laptop, the Thinkpad T series are excellent, but over your budget. The A-series are pretty stationary machines (heavier) but usually pretty decently priced. I love thinkpads, they're super durable and the keyboard is excellent.

Otherwise, look at Dell (check out the hot deals forums, there's always good deals it seems)

With any laptop, get the best warranty you can afford.

 

[Yomicron]

Granted I have limited experience with laptops, but of all the brands I've had a chance to use I feel that IBM makes the best. They feel very sturdy, Dells and Toshibas seem to cheap in their construction. From what I've heard, IBM offers pretty much the best laptop support. The biggest problem with IBMs is their price/performance ratio. But you should still check out their eBay Store.


Other than IBM the only other company I can recommed is Dell, simply because you can get the best bang for your buck (performance wise).

 

[b0mbrman]

Good...she got the storebrand computer at Best Buy...I just refuse to believe that's the best she could have gotten for her money ($1299 + tax)

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Yomicron
Other than IBM the only other company I can recommed is Dell, simply because you can get the best bang for your buck (performance wise).

Also, what's the cool one at Dell these days?

p.s. If she got an IBM from their Ebay store...would she get service/warranty?

 

[Darien]

No one said it...so I will.



iBook - $1299

800MHz PowerPC G3
512K L2 cache @800MHz
128MB SDRAM memory
30GB Ultra ATA drive
ATI Radeon 7500
32MB dedicated video memory
Combo Drive
Built-in 56K v.92 modem
AirPort ready
Up to 5 hr. battery life

 

[Yomicron]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Yomicron
Other than IBM the only other company I can recommed is Dell, simply because you can get the best bang for your buck (performance wise).

Also, what's the cool one at Dell these days?

p.s. If she got an IBM from their Ebay store...would she get service/warranty?

I haven't kept up with the deals and every thing lately, but the 8200 is the best performance wise, but is upwards of 8lbs. The 4150 is the best balance of size and performance. Check out hte Hot Deals, I'm sure someone has a way to save a couple hundred $.


The IBM eBay store, says it comes with one year parts and labor, I don't think the handling of the warranty is any different though, being that the eBay store is just their front for selling older backstock. You may want to send them an e-mail to check.

 

[b0mbrman]

Hmmm...a comparably equipped 4150 costs $100 more...is there some other stuff that should be looked at?

 

[Utterman]

Get an iBook...chicks dig it