Question:
Do me! Do me!
1) What is your budget?
Would be thrilled to stay under US$1500. Bit of a cheapskate.
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Storing and light editing of very large digital picture files. Music storage. Light audio editing. Serious writing.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
I travel extremely frequently and often in developing countries. The computer goes with. I need something light and rugged.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
None.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I love the brand that makes a fast, reliable, rugged, and cheap model!
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
3+ seems like a good standard answer
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
I guess not. Can't I go and play locally before ordering?
9) What country are you buying this in?
US, Japan or Singapore are all on my route. (Japan machines seem to come in Japanese, though. Go figure!)
Screen Specifics
10) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Please advise. I need a screen with good to excellent ergonomics as many hours at my current ancient beast (Toshiba Satellite S3005) are causing me quite a bit of eyestrain. I don't play games but I might watch the occaisional movie. I want a computer with a small footprint so no widescreens.
11) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Is one better for your eyes? If not, the glossy is pretty but not necessary.
Build Quality and Design
12) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Nope.
13) How long do you want this laptop to last?
Is 4-5 years too much to ask? I usually buy a pretty good mid-range and hang on to it a bit. I hate to flush the cash on a suped-up model, but need something that does a good job.
Notebook Components
14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
Pretty large, as much as I can afford.
15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive?
DVD (don't think I need to write, or do I?), CD/RW
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
I must have line-level (not just microphone level) input. This is probably the toughest criterion as it seems to be a specialty feature.
There's an element of "Should I buy now?" in my query. I've read the FAQ on that question and will summarize salient points: I can limp along as I am now but need to act within the next 6 months as I am bumping up against memory limits on my Toshiba--I am now dumping to a PHD--and the weight of this monster is a really dragging on me when traveling. But I gather there are many new machines coming out just now and will be for the next little bit. I can make do if there's a good value-to-cost machine coming out or if a current suitable model is likely to drop in price. I don't know enough to prefer the Intel to the whozits.
I really appreciate you gurus who take the time to advise us laypeople on these matters. I try to due the research myself but my brain fogs up after just a few specs. You're great to keep doing it.
Answer:
Re: Do me! Do me!
check out sager...those are wonderful notebooks @ www.powernotebooks.com. they are stylish.powerful.not too heavy. longlasting@!
Answer:
Re: Do me! Do me!
Sagers are good, but no Sagers that aren't old and outdated fall in his dize requirement.
www.powernotebooks.com is a very good reseller, but nothing there really suits his needs and budget.
I'd get the Lenovo X60.
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...goryId=2072542
The economy configuration on that page fits your budget and requirements. You said you'll do a lot of writing, well Lenovos have the best notebook keyboards there are.
Answer:
Re: Do me! Do me!
check out the asus z62f or the d620. however, i'm not sure if any of them have a line-level input.
Answer:
Re: Do me! Do me!
Dell D620 http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=04&l=en&s=bsd
Answer:
Re: Do me! Do me!
You might also consider the MSI MS-1013, or MS-1057, both available at Rawpower. Unfortunately, I don't think anything really has a line-level input these days; perhaps a Creative Audigy add-in card would help with that.