Laptop considerations

[Mr. Keith]

Well, I think I am finally ready to buy a laptop.

I have not used a laptop very much over the years. I do not know a whole lot about them.

I am looking for any advice or knowledge on how to get the right laptop for me.

Realistically, my budget could max out at a little over a grand (U.S. dollars), but that is a bit of a stretch. I know I could probably get a passable laptop for $500 or so, but about 6 years ago I bought the cheapest desktop I could find. Although it has stood the test of time, I was always a little irritated that I cheaped out on something I used so much.

In terms of the things I think I need it to be:

-I'll mainly be using word processor, spreadsheet and internet. I don't need it for anything crazy.
-It has to have at least a decent, comfortable keyboard. I will be typing a lot.
-I don't know about "ultraportable" but I guess I should probably get something I wont mind using at coffeeshops and libraries and such. Right now I am using what I believe is a 14 inch widescreen laptop. I wouldn't want anything bigger than this and I guess I'd prefer somthing slightly smaller.
-Not sure if I should bother with a video card or a DVD burner.

And really, I am just trying to reconcile my desire to get a laptop I will enjoy using, with the reality of my financial situation.

Also, there is a decent chance this will be my only computer for quite some time, if my desktop dies on me.

Thanks in advance for any knowledge you all can pass on.

 

[taper]

Except for the large keyboard, an EEEpc seems to fit your needs. It's about the only way to get Windows XP preinstalled without paying extra these days, if you want that. Also available with Linux If you want something bigger, I like the Dell Vostro. I've set 2 of these up for family members in the last year or so, and they're great. One has survived over a year with an English major in college who isn't always careful with it, and she does a lot of typing.

Whatever you decide, you don't appear to need a fancy graphics card or top of the line processor, and in today's market you should easily find a quality laptop at or below $700. Any integrated video card will be fine, and DVD burners are so cheap they're usually standard equipment on all but the smallest laptops. Get one, you'll miss it someday if you don't.

 

[GenMarshall]

So long as you dont use it for gaming, you should be alright.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Dell Vostro is good for cheap, Thinkpad T42's are also good if you find one on ebay that has a dedicated GPU. They wont be able to do much gaming, nor run Vista aero, but I like the keyboard, and they are build a little better than most ( metal body for one ). You should probably be looking into Dell if you want a new one though, imho the other manuf. are hit or miss on their lower end, with more miss than hit.

 

[Mr. Keith]

Dell Vostro is good for cheap, Thinkpad T42's are also good if you find one on ebay that has a dedicated GPU. They wont be able to do much gaming, nor run Vista aero, but I like the keyboard, and they are build a little better than most ( metal body for one ). You should probably be looking into Dell if you want a new one though, imho the other manuf. are hit or miss on their lower end, with more miss than hit.

I am browsing Dell's website right now. I am curious as to why you are recommending a business laptop.

 

[taper]

I always go with business laptops. They're generally higher build quality and with less crapware installed. There's no problem with a regular person buying one. I've found low end consumer laptops to be reduce-the-price-at-all-costs.

 

[Mr. Keith]

That makes sense. Thanks.

I am also wondering if I should bother putting a video card on a 13.3" laptop. (I am, after all, a Civ Fanatic.) The Dell Vostro 1310 has the option to add a 128 MB NVIDIA Geforce 8400M for $75. Is something like that worth it?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Depends on what they're offering as default and what you plan to do with it? If its just civ 4 and you dont mind low graphics, I think you can get by with an intergrated 4xxx series intel gpu. They suck major rear end mind you, but if thats all you plan to do, it may not be.

 

[Mr. Keith]

Well, the issue isn't the $75.00. I am more than willing to put down $1,000 or so on a computer as long as I am getting proper value for it.

The issue is whether or not I will have a comfortable gaming experience, within reason, on a 13 or 14" laptop monitor.

As far as what I get, I like the idea of a small business laptop. My desktop is a Dell and it has been very good to me, so I am very open to the possibility of going with a Vostro. I am using my mom's IBM ThinkPad right now and I like this computer as well.

 

[Mr. Keith]

I am thinking about buying a MacBook. Please don't hate me.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Oh thats fine, I love the way the macbooks look and feel. They're pretty damned light too. Its just that, its not worth the price premium to me, but if your main considerations are looks and weight, not price, they're a great notebook to have. Plus you can put Windows on them.

 

[Mr. Keith]

I went to my local Best Buy this afternoon to check out the aluminum macbook. I was basically ready to like it and become a Mac fanboy, especially since I love my iPhone.

It is without question an awesome looking computer but it just didn't feel right for me. I wouldn't mind spending $1,300 for a laptop, but only if I was convinced it was what I wanted. I was watching the iSuite demo on the laptop at the store and was thinking "THIS is what I am paying the premium for?" That, and having to buy Office for $150 was pretty much the deal breaker.

Also, I am sure this is purely personal preference, but I didn't like the clickable trackpad. It was a little too firm for my tastes. I also like the keyboard on my mother's ThinkPad much more.

I am glad I went to check it out though. I can now put the Mac vs. PC thing to rest for good.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Look at thinkpads then. Especially on ebay. Sure they're not new, but they're a lot cheaper.

 

[Mr. Keith]

I am glad you guys suggested the small business models. I honestly don't think that would have occurred to me.

At this point I am pretty sure I am going with a Vostro or Thinkpad, although I will keep looking and won't decide for another week or so.

 

[Mr. Keith]

Bought a ThinkPad T400:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz 1066MHz 3MBL2) 25W1
Genuine Windows Vista Business 6412
14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/ CCFL Backlight
ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 with 256MB
2 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM 1067MHz SODIMM Memory (1 DIMM)8
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160 GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm4
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim (Serial ATA)5
No Bluetooth
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology10
Integrated Mobile Broadband upgradable
6 cell Li-Ion Battery60
2764: 1 Year Depot Warranty - TopSeller7

More money than I had anticipated spending, but screw it.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

How much did it cost? I suddenly have a need for a laptop to take to school and have been looking for something thats relatively small, light, and has at least a C2D and a WXGA+ screen ( Look, if my Dell C600 can have a 1440x900 display, so should a new laptop )
Ive decided that I can live without a dedicated GPU -- after all, I have a powerful gaming rig at home, and I dont travel enough to want to game on the go, mainly Id be playing older games such as C3C, Hoi2 and OTTD, but I want at least an Intel X4500HD
I also have a rather limited budget -- 750$, give or take tax and shipping. It would need to be pretty light as well, something like 6lb would be about right for me to carry it in my backpack and not end up with a back brace. Battery life is also a pretty big one, 2 hours is absolute minimum, 4 would be much better ( around how much a school day lasts for me )

 

[Mr. Keith]

It was $1228 total.

$750 might be a little bit tough for the T400...not sure though since once I decided I was going with a nicer machine I was set on a GPU and decent processor.

I agree about not needing a Gpu in laptop though. I bought one because I might not be buying another computer for another five years.

 

[Mr. Keith]

I am definitely excited. I may add another stick of RAM if 2 gb isn't enough, but the 2.4 GHz CPU should be pretty solid. Switchable graphics sounds like a nice power saving option.... We will see.

My only real concern is that thinkpads are selling purely on reputation, and the screen really isn't that nice. I might have upgraded to LED but Lenovo is having some sort of supply crisis.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Well, I was looking at the studio 15" laptops, and the way they price screens makes no sense. 1280x800 to 1440x900 upgrade is 125$, even though its only adding about 250,000 pixels, while an upgrade from 1440x900 to 1920x1200 is only 25$, even though it just about doubles the number of pixels. Plus its a very high-def display in such a small format.
Such a big display also makes it pretty heavy, and at 875$ shipped, its a bit much. I can, for that much money, buy a much more powerful laptop.

 

[Mr. Keith]

The upgrade from wxga to wxga+ only cost me $30.