Looking for a new Laptop

[tedski]

You might consider checking Craigslist in your area. I bought and sold 4 laptops there and have been very satisfied.

 

[Josh.CHI]

You might consider checking Craigslist in your area. I bought and sold 4 laptops there and have been very satisfied.

Great Idea and i use cragslist for cars and tvs why not Laptops.... but i still need some direction on Which laptop.

 

[Electric Sheep]

Hey Josh, lemme look around later and see if I can come up with some examples of what I'd get. Can't do it right now, too busy with work to research.

 

[Josh.CHI]

Hey Josh, lemme look around later and see if I can come up with some examples of what I'd get. Can't do it right now, too busy with work to research.

Ok, ty. I am looking at actually buying friday. I am going to go to best buy tonight to shop some... take some notes

 

[Electric Sheep]

Lenovo ThinkPad T61u 6475-DSU
2.5 Ghz Core 2 Duo
1 GB RAM
100 GB HDD
15.4" screen
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
Vista Business
$759.97

This looks like an older system that's been steeply discounted. Not great, but serviceable.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4538500&CatId=2289



Toshiba Satellite A505-S6970
2.1 Ghz Core 2 Duo
4 GB RAM
500 GB HDD
16" screen
ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4570
Vista Home Premium
$847.99

This is a real powerhouse for the money. The video card isn't as good as an NVIDIA, but it's better than an Intel GMA.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4830660&CatId=2289



HP Pavilion DV5-1160US
2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo
4 GB RAM
320 GB HDD
15.4" screen
NVIDA GeForce 9200M
Vista Home Premium
$799.00

This is a very good deal, very well equipped, and is setup perfectly for an everyday notebook.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-DV5-1160US-15-4-Inch-Processor-Premium/dp/B001GCUVJQ/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1246310924&sr=1-24"]Amazon.com: HP Pavilion DV5-1160US 15.4-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium): Computers & PC Hardware[/ame]



Dell Studio 14z
2.0 Ghz Core 2 Duo
3 GB RAM
320 GB HDD
14" screen
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
Vista Home Premium
$899

*NOTE* does not have an internal CD/DVD drive. You'll need an external if you want one. Nice if you like small laptops.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellst...a3&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&kc=laptop-studio-14z

 

[twenty5]

Duane is there anything halfway decent for 5-700? 9 is a little much for me. I plan on doing Works stuff, internet and maybe some gaming. I hate small (8-12") screens and itty bitty key boards/ lol Any help?

 

[Electric Sheep]

If you're willing to compromise on gaming (because the video cards in a 500-700 laptop won't work for gaming) then you can totally get any number of good laptops at your budget. And besides, shouldn't you be playing games on a console nowadays, anyways? :crosseyed

Here's what I'd look for in a more budget-friendly laptop:
- Intel Core 2 processor (no Celeron, no Pentium)
- Intel GMA 4500 video (not good, but good enough for business use)


Here's a few options that I'd seriously consider:

HP Pavilion G70t
2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2
3 GB RAM
250 GB HDD
17" screen
Intel GMA 4500 video
$649
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-G70t-2-0GHz-Webcam-Wireless/dp/B0018A8PSU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246320227&sr=1-3"]Amazon.com: HP Pavilion G70t Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 2.0GHz 3GB 250GB 17.0" Webcam DVDRW Wireless Vista Home Basic: Electronics[/ame]



Toshiba Satellite A355-S6931
2.13 Ghz Intel Core 2
4 GB RAM
320 GB HDD
16" screen
Intel GMA 4500 video
$649
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-A355-S6931-16-0-Inch-Laptop/dp/B001UQ6PYI/ref=pd_ts_zgc_pc_565108_2?ie=UTF8&s=pc&pf_rd_p=477158671&pf_rd_s=right-4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=565108&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1N0SMW06SX7T2E1ZBNP3"]Amazon.com: Toshiba Satellite A355-S6931 16.0-Inch Laptop: Computers & PC Hardware[/ame]



Lenovo IdeaPad Y530-5342U
2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2
4 GB RAM
250 GB HDD
15.4" screen
Intel GMA 4500 video
$595
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-59019777-Y530-5342U-15-4-Inch-Processor/dp/B0026PV0SI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=pc&qid=1246320935&sr=1-4"]Amazon.com: Lenovo 59019777 IdeaPad Y530-5342U 15.4-Inch Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T5900 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, Vista Home Edition): Computers & PC Hardware[/ame]



PS - If you wonder how good a video card is and where it falls in the spectrum of good-to-bad, check this link:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Comparison-of-Grafic-Cards.130.0.html

 

[twenty5]

I ONLY play PS3 lol. I don't actually need it for gaming but I do use photoshop and AutoCAD, I have a desktop where these programs could remain/ I just want something fast that can handle my crazy surfing abilities and regular daily tasks. I have worked on several netbooks and hate them all. I will look into your suggestions and if you think of others LMK!! Thank you!

 

[Electric Sheep]

I don't know about AutoCAD, but Photoshop performance is much, much, much more dependent on available RAM than the video card. And FWIW any of those last 3 would be fine with Photoshop (well, as fine as you can get with just 4 GB of RAM).

 

[Tegu]

I have been looking too, I found this and think its a good deal but don't really know too much about specs eyc. Let me know what you guys think/

http://www.staples.com/office/suppl...logId=10051&partNumber=786974&cmArea=CIRCULAR

HP G60-230US Notebook PC

Reg: $599.90
Save: -$50.00
Now: $549.90
Instant Savings: -$70.00
Price before rebate: $479.90
Enter Coupon Code 25835 -$80.00
Total before rebate: $399.90

Price after rebate = 349.90

Is this any good?

Some specs:
• Processor Intel Pentium Dual-Core Mobile Processor T4200
• Memory (RAM) 3GB
• Memory Type DDR2
• Memory Expandable to 4GB
• Hard Drive Size 320GB
• Hard Drive Type SATA
• Optical Drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVDñR/RW with Double Layer Support
• Display Size 16.0"
• Display Type High Definition HP BrightView Display
• Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1
• Battery Type 6-Cell Lithium-Ion
• Network Card Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN
• Video Graphics Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Other ports 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
• Bluetooth Enabled No
• Dimensions 14.88" (L) x 9.9" (D) x 13.8" (min H) -1.72" (max H)
• Weight 6.57lbs
• Warranty 1 year

I own this laptop, got it for $450, great laptop for the price, yes low end proc and so so video, but better than a netbook, the dual core 2.0 is superior to an Atom 1.6, it runs vista fine, perfect low end desktop replacement perfect for surfing, not gaming though. But it is heavy. I also have an HP 2177 mini netbook it is sweet, I just picked up an HP touchsmart, it is awesome for the kitchen and living room, 22" screen $850 bucks refurbed http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4682326&CatId=2650 , I also just got an HP tablet that I like alot, http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4251733&CatId=3992 , I have a quad core desktop for gaming so I just surf etc... on the others and they all work fine, but the netbook struggles with Vista. I like my macbook but I find myself using it less and less and would not get another one or recommend it to anyone for the $.

 

[Josh.CHI]

Based off what sheep showed us this might be good 25....

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9390802&st=laptop&lp=13&type=product&cp=1&id=1218097993447

HP - Pavilion Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor
Model: dv5-1099nr

ProcessorIntel® Core™2 DuoProcessor Speed2.0GHz

Screen Size15.4"

System Memory (RAM) 4GBSystem Memory (RAM) Expandable To 8GB

Hard Drive Size 320GB

GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 9600M GTVideo Memory512MB (dedicated); up to 2302MB total available graphics memory

$679.99

 

[bohizzle]

I just recently bought a computer threw dell!! If you call them directly they hook you up with the best deal. I would call then and do some haggling, the longer you talk to them the better deal you get!!! Good luck bro!!!

 

[Electric Sheep]

Josh, that HP from BB looks like a good laptop.

And Tegu, I agree with you 100%, that $349 HP is much better spec-wise than a netbook (other than the physical advantage of a tiny netbook) but only in the way you use it--as in, not a primary computer.

 

[CWS]

I like my Toshiba Satellite. $600 and it bounces.

 

[daniyal]

The Sony VAIO FZ180EB $950

Display Type: WXGA with XBRITE HiColor™ Technology

Screen Size: 15.4"

Maximum Resolution: 1280 x 800

Memory Type: DDR2

Memory Size: 2GB

Memory Speed: PC2-5300

Memory Slots (Total): 2

Memory Slots (Available): 0

Maximum Memory Supported: 4GB

Capacity: 200GB

Lifestyle: Thin & Light

Condition: New

Operating Systems: Windows Vista Home Premium

Startup Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® Vista Home Premium

Platform: Notebook PC

Expansion Ports: 1 - Express Card Slot

Processor Brand: Intel

Processor Class: Core 2 Duo

Processor Type: Dual-Core

Processor Speed: 2.0GHz

Processor Number: T7300

Processor FSB: 800MHz

Processor Cache: 4MB

Additional Technologies: Intel Centrino Duo Mobile Technology

Graphics Description: Dedicated Graphics

GPU/VPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GT

Video Memory: 256MB

Video Interface: S-Video, HDMI, VGA

Optical Drive Type: Dual Layer DVD±RW

Supplemental Drive Type: Media Reader

Capacity: 1

Media Types: Secure Digital card

Media Types: Memory Stick Duo

Audio Description: Integrated Audio

Audio Chipset: Sony® Sound Reality™ - Audio Enhancer

PS/2 Mouse Connectors: N/A

PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: N/A

Serial Communication Ports: N/A

Parallel Ports: N/A

USB Ports: 3

FireWire Ports: 1

Fast Infrared Ports (FIR): N/A

LAN Ports: 1

Modem Ports: 1

Audio Out Jacks: 1

Line In Jacks: N/A

Microphone Jacks: 1

VGA Ports: 1

S-Video Connectors: 1

DVI Video: N/A

Port Replicator/Connector: N/A

Communications Description: Integrated LAN
Integrated Modem
Integrated Wireless LAN

Interface Type: RJ-11 Phone Connector
RJ-45 Ethernet Connector
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965 AGN

Data Transfer Rate: 10/100Mbps NIC
56Kbps Modem

Protocols: V.92
802.11b
802.11a
802.11g
802.11n

Width: 14"

Height: 0.98" - 1.4"

Depth: 10.02"

Weight: 5.75 lbs

Mouse Type: Electro-Static touch pad

Buttons: 2

Keyboard Type: 82 Key Qwerty Keyboard

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Battery Life: 2.0-4.0 hours

 

[joshua]

Was gonna offer up my dell employee discount but its not much of a deal...

INSPIRON 15
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6600 (2.20GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
LCD Panel
Bright, glossy widescreen 15.6 WLED display (1366x768)
Combo or DVD+RW Drive
8X CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Memory
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz
Hard Drive
250GB2 SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Video Card
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD
Battery Options
6-cell battery
System Color
Cherry Red

and 2 year in home service with that for $687

2Ghz/2GB/160GB is $566

If anyone is interested PM me.