Question:
FAQ filled out, which laptop...
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
$900 - $1500 CDN
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Programming.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Leave at home most of the time.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
no games other than the odd ball toy like tetris or command & conquer in a windows emulator...
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Dell, Lenovo, HP. No experience with any other ones. Annoyed with Dell's tactics.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
2 - 2 1/2 hours 'd be fine.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
So long as I can minimize my risk. This is the reason why I'm on this forum in the first place.
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Standard, but I realize I must cave because all the dvd kiddies turning into the mail slot letter box. I will need the scroll button a lot.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Standard
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.
Widescreen
1440x900 / 1680x1050 / 1920x1200
not 1024 or 1280, too low.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Glossy 'd be ok. Sharper & crisper?
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
no
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
asap, my current notebook died of age.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
80 or more.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Your normal dvd writer 'd be ok. I'd like to be able to create dvd's from my camcorder that will play in normal dvd players.
Answer:
Re: FAQ filled out, which laptop...
Check out the 15" Dell Latitude D520 and HP nx6325. Both available with 15" SXGA+ screens and should fit your budget.
The 15" Lenovo Thinkpad T60 is worth a look as well, but the SXGA+ models are probably more than you want to spend.
Edit: Forgot about the Thinkpad R-series, the R60's with SXGA+ is right at the top end of your budget.
Answer:
Re: FAQ filled out, which laptop...
Thanks for the feedback.
> Check out the 15" Latitude D520
I don't like Dell's horsing around with the numbers, particularly on this model. 40 GB hd? upgrade prices are sooo inconsistent with the upgrade prices on the other models. Scaling things down like a straight CD writer, having to spend a bunch more for a dvd writer, or more for some mystical dvd writer with some mystical extra stuff on it?
I've had it with Dell.
> The 15" Lenovo Thinkpad T60 is worth a look as well, but the SXGA+ models are probably more than you want to spend.
On that model they also horse around with the CD/dvd combo. Always this darn combo thing. Like a dvd writer is some sort of holy thing, a club you can only belong to if you spend the earth - r-e-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s - ! ! !
Again, over and over. Lenovo 3000 N100. I'm putting in my order before midnight, unless someone convinces me there is something better. So far, there isn't.
Name me one laptop with an wsxga+ or sxga+ with dual core or turion x2 for under $1k CDN, other than the Lenovo N100 and Dell (cough).