Help me make a decision!!!

from WinCustomize Forums
Hi guys. Need some help out on this.

Looking to buy a notebook (cannot use a Mac) to use at the institute. So I would like your opinions.

The minimum config:

30 GB
256 MB RAM
CD-R/RW/DVD
802.11b wireless connectivity.

I am looking to spend approx $1500 (now remember that this is 65 K in Indian Rupees) + import duty.

I am loooking for something with a good battery life and something that would help me for the design work that I do too (cause I would be using the laptop in the hostel).

BTW, I have been admitted into the MBA program in a very good university.
15,962 views 45 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
More memory (512+)...and see if you can get the 'g' variant of the 802.11 series...

The desktop Im on now only has 256mb of ram and is slow as hell...

Decent graphics card (64mb at least) wouldnt hurt at all either...

Congrats on getting accepted as well.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks EventHorizon.

About the wireless, the institute has 'b' standard. Would 'g' work with it?
Also, I need models, which oe should I go for?
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yes, ''g'' is backwards compatable with ''b''... Faster too.

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto/computer_customize_start.do

^^Hp has some good ones...zt3000 series look pretty good to me...


Processor: Pentium M at 1.4ghz
OS: XP Home
Memory: 512mb DDR
HDD: 40gb
CD Drive: DVD/CDRW
Networking: 802.11b/g
Display: 15.4" WVA WXGA (1280x800)
Gfx Card: 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) 9200

Price: $1400


(Custom Config)

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Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0164991

....of course that is $1600 up front before the mail-ins
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I was able to configure an Inspiron 600m at DELL for $1458 with:

Pentium M @ 1.4GHz
512 MB RAM
802.11 b/g Centrino
30 GB HDD

If you have the time, you can probably get more for less if you wait for a good rebate like double the RAM for free or free HDD upgrades, Free Shipping etc.. This price also includes a 10% rebate that expires on 4/30 but they have them all the time.

Good Luck! I just recently bought my first laptop and I absolutely love it!
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
@shu, what may possibly make a difference in your purchase is the processor...

Intel''s Pentium ''M'' has slightly lower speeds than their Pentium 4, but is much more conservative on battery power, and (if I remember correctly) is generally more ''efficient'' data-processing wise.

You could add a couple hundred mhz to the processor in my setup^^ for $50-100...but, I dont think that would make much of an overall difference.

XP pro was also avaliable for $75 more...I think there was free shipping as well...
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Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

BTW: 802.11g (54 Mbps) is backward compatible but is a bit more expensive. It may be only $50 more or so, but why spend it if your network is limited to the b standard (10 Mbps) ? Your connection will not be faster than what your network supports.
Only get it if you think of using your laptop on a faster network some day. 802.11b is still 10Mb/sec. which is fast enough IMO unless you have huge files to transfer (like 1 Gb files or such).

I dunno, I may be anal, but I hate to spend money for nothing, even if it's not much.

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The Pentium M is almost the same as a regular Pentium with the difference that it allows to have the processor change its speed when you're using the battery. For example, a Pentium M 2.4 Ghz may run at full speed on AC power, but will run at maybe 1.8 or 1.6 Ghz on battery (to save power).  But it's configurable anyway, if you like it full speed on battery, you can, it's just that your batteries will run out real quick.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
paxx, you never know when that extra speed (802.11g) will help...
It comes standard on my setup also...
Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Intel or AMD, it really wont make a whole lot of difference when you actually use your computer, they both get the job done.

It seems to me that Intel''s chips are more common in laptops than AMD''s...But, if you really want to go AMD, then Im sure you could find something to suit your taste...
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Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I was thinking in terms of Acer's Ferarri model. It seems a good enough config. might be a bit costly though...
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Definately look like a good one...

...how much were they asking?
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hi! Excuse me for adding my .02 cents here, but have you looked at Gateway notebooks? Here is a link to one that is close to your price range with more than you are looking for in your first post. http://products.gateway.com/products/GConfig/prodDetails.asp?system_id=m350x-f&seg=hm I really like my three "cows" that I've bought from Gateway....they mooooooove right along!

Happy shopping!

Blessings to you........lovesblessing
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...Looked at what they (Gateway) had to offer...

I still think the HP setup I originally metioned is the best deal, but thats just my opinion.

...Old link I posted was dead...Try this:

http://shopping.hp.com

...Then Hover the cursor over ''notebooks'' and go to HP Pavilion notebooks...Then zt3000 series...

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Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Ah! I see what you mean....it has a better graphics card....good idea!

Well, I was just thought maybe they might have something that would work. This farmer's daughter sure does like her "cows"....2 desktops and a notebook, that work extremely well. Don't know why more people don't mention Gateways, like on TechTV, they mostly go with Dell. I guess "Dude, yer gettin' a cow!" just isn't that catchy of a slogan, huh?

Anyways, like I said before, "Happy Shopping!"

Blessings to you....enjoy! lovesblessing
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I looked at Dell also, but they didnt have anything within @shu's price range with a graphics card...Integrated graphics wont do the trick if your doing anything more than Internet browsing/email checking.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Dude, yer gettin' a cow!




Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I certainly hope not, I wouldn't know what to do with one...
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So @shu,

Have you made your decision?
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think he has too many choices.
www.pricewatch.com
for some more choices
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Too many choices? And then you give him some more?


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Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://emachines.com/products/products.html?prod=eMachines_M6809



$1649.99
mail-in rebate -$100
$1549.99


Specifications
Display: 15.4" Widescreen TFT LCD WXGA (1280 x 800 max. resolution)
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
CPU: Mobile AMD Athlon™ 64 3200+ Processor
64-bit Architecture operates at 2.00 GHz
System Bus uses HyperTransport™
Technology operating at 1600 MHz
1 MB L2 Cache
Memory: 512 MB DDR SODIMM (PC 2700)
Hard Drive: 80 GB HDD
Optical Drives: DVD +/- RW Drive (Write Max: 2.4x DVD+R/RW, 2x DVD-R/RW, 6x CD-R, 10x CD-RW Reads 24x CD, 8x DVD)
Media Reader: 6-in-1 Digital Media Manger (Compact Flash, Micro Drive, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro)
Video: ATI® Mobility RADEON™ 9600 with 64 MB Video RAM
Sound: PC2001 Compliant AC ''97 Audio
Built-in Stereo Speakers
Modem: 56K* ITU V.92 Fax/Modem
Network: 802.11g Built-in Wireless (up to 54Mbps)
10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet
Pointing Device: Touchpad with Vertical Scroll Zone
Battery: 8-cell Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Dimensions: 1.6"h x 14.0"w x 10.4"d
Weight: 7.5 lbs. (8.65 total travel weight)
Internet: AOL 3 month membership included, click here for details
Ports/Other: 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 IEEE 1394, 1 VGA External Connector, 1 S-Video Out, Microphone In, Headphone/Audio Out, 1 PCMCIA Slot (Card Bus type I or type II)
Pre-Installed Software: Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Money 2004, Encarta Online, Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™, Microsoft Media Player, Real Player, PowerDVD, Internet Explorer, Roxio Easy CD & DVD Creator (DVD Edition), BigFix®, MSN®, CompuServe®, AOL (with 3 months membership included**), Norton AntiVirus 2004 (90 day complimentary subscription)


I just picked one up and it it flipping fantastic

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