Question:
grad student: portable desktop replacement...Processor??
1) What is your budget?
no more than 1500, preferably under 1400!!
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Lots of word processing, creating powerpoints, researching, and using research softward...normal psychology grad student things!! No games, but definetly lots of multi-tasking!
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
I want it as a desk top replacement, but capable to transport it to school/library about 2x per week
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
nope
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I've been looking at Toshibas and Sonys just because my family has had success with them, but I am open to HPs/Compaqs as well, maybe Dells if I can be persuaded
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
doesn't matter, I can always plug it in
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
I don't mind
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
USA
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
widescreen
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
I don't really understand the differences in these...I haven't been comparing my choices based on resolution, so I guess it doesn't really matter
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
matte
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
not a primary concern, if it comes down to chooosing between two that are equal on everything else and same price I'll go with the prettier one, but otherwise not important
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
I'm buying it in the next 2 weeks and plan to keep it for as long as possible, probably about 3 years
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
preferably at least 1 GB, but I would settle for 80 if everything else was better. I was told that 80 was more than I would ever need my a salesperson at circuit city, but if I download lots of music and save many research papers and research outputs, I'm wondering if it will slow it down a lot???
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
I want to be able to read and writer CDs and DVDs, whichever one that is...this confuses me as well!
I've been looking at the toshiba T2300E and some Sony Vaios and focusing on getting a Core duo processor, but at Best Buy and Circuit City today they were telling me about the new AMD Turion 64 X2 processor with an HP notebook that both sales people said was much better. Why is it better and why does it tend to be cheaper??? I'm sure there are differing opinions on these processors, but for what I will be needing it for, which is best for my money and will give me the least number of headaches!
Thanks
Answer:
Re: grad student: portable desktop replacement...Processor??
Firewire/USB2 external hard drives are cheap now. Use those for music, video and backing up the main files. No real need to pay $99 for 20GB more internal drive.
You need a good backup solution anyhow.
Answer:
Re: grad student: portable desktop replacement...Processor??
The core duo is better performing than the x2. You might want to consider the dell e1505 or e1705 because the price is right.
Answer:
Re: grad student: portable desktop replacement...Processor??
For your needs, you could buy a laptop from 3 years ago and still be perfectly fine.
I'm using a thinkpad T30 that is 4 years old, and have been perfectly content. Specs become important only if gaming is involved.
I will say that RAM will make a difference - get at least a GB.
Being a grad student, reliability will be important, as well as keyboard quality (lots of typing). I think the Thinkpad Z60M will be perfect for you. Right now they have 1000$ off it for a total price of $1330.
$1330 +tax gives you:
2.13 GHz Pentium M 770
1.5GB RAM (select 512 mb additional in free offers).
7200 rpm 100GB HDD
15.4 screen.
3 year depot warranty
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...Number=2529RCU
Its really quite a good deal. If you were to look for a gaming machine, then perhaps you might want a better video card etc, but for work, this machine rules.
Dont forget to buy with a CC that extends warranty (see my sig) for a total warranty of 4 years.
Answer:
Re: grad student: portable desktop replacement...Processor??
well, if you are multi-tasking a lot, i would consider the core duo. the hp dv5000t or dv6000z are nice notebooks. the sony fe is a nice one, but sony only has glossy screens. if you want durability and better customer support, i woudl consider a business notebook, like the dell d820, hp nx7400 or the thinkpad t60.