Gonna buy a lap top...Help?
 

I am going to buy a new lap top today. I know some of you are totally up on these things. I just want to be able to do the basics...email, internet etc. Like a good quality/sized screen. Probably going to buy a Dell. That is what my home computer is and I have been happy.

Appreciate any knowledge you may be willing to pass on.

'52

beware of buying one too large. Some people buy a 17" or larger, and then loathe it because it weighs 13 pounds and is as big as a cookie sheet.

I have a 15", and love the size. My brother bought a 12" and while it is small and light it is a pain to use because it has such a small screen.

Thanks. I was going to buy a 17". We are so trained that "bigger is better" that I never thought about too big.

I recently came into a Dell Precision M6300. Running Vista Ultimate on it. It's sweet, 256MB video card, 17" screen, DVD burner. Plenty of USB ports and IEEE 1394.

It depends on how much you tote it around. My plan is to buy a small one (I currently have a 12" one and have loved it because it is functional and light and small), then hook it up to a docking station so I can have a keyboard and huge monitor.

Yeah, screen size is a personal preference, but you've gotta have a good use for a 17" screen to buy one. They're pretty cumbersome to lug around IMO. 15's are about right for most people.

If your uses are fairly basic, you don't need to worry too much about most of the other stuff. However, make sure that you have AT LEAST 1 gig of RAM, preferably in only one slot in case you want to upgrade later. Windows Vista is one hell of a memory hog.

You really should stick with 2 gigs as a minimum. Vista is such a resource whore, you'll hate yourself otherwise.

Best bang for your buck right here.

http://www.dell.com/content/products...=04&l=en&s=bsd

They are listed as "business" laptops so if you order one you will have to enter a business name - just make one up if you want. I have a Vostro 1500 and love it. Since they are built for business use, they dont come bloated with tons of advertisements and crapware. For the same specs on any other brand you'll pay anywhere from $200-$500 more. The only downside is you may have to wait 2-3 weeks for them to build and ship it.

don't buy "top-of-the-line" unless you have money to burn because you can't just upgrade a laptop, you have to buy a new one.

you'll want another one in a couple years so make sure you go for best "value" instead.

should be under $1000 imo

Yup, I turned my parents and PIL's onto those around Xmas. They got comps worth a 1,000 at a place like BB or CC for 599, and still had XP on them.

How long are the batteries supposed to last? I used to have a gateway and the battery would die every 35 minutes. It was annoying. I'm also looking for a laptop that can last about 3 hours on battery alone.

It depends on what size of battery you have and what you're doing with it. If you're just browsing the internet, a 4-cell will last about an hour and a half, a 6-cell 3-4 hours, and a 9-cell up to 7 hours.

Thanks;

I have not ordered anything yet. I will check this out. I plan to spend around $1000. We will see.

I do appreciate the input. I have no clue about this stuff. I am going to put off ordering for a day or so and see what else comes up.

Heres a good deal I just found on slickdeals.net. It doesnt get much better than this if you're looking to spend about a grand.

HP Shopping has a new $500 off $1400+ laptops NB0500 available. The code works on all HP Pavilion laprops, including tx2000z, dv2700t, dv6700t, dv 6700z, dv9700t and dv9700z series. Thanks hova1982
Well equipped HP dv2700t 14.1" laptop with dedicated nVidia graphics card and Intel Core 2 Duo (Penryn) T9300 2.5 GHz Processor $909

1. Click here then Customize and Buy
2. Select the following options (or any other combination to get you to $1400 or more (before $100 instant rebate)
   1. Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) [$225.00]
   2. FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!! [add $0]
   3. 50% OFF 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS!! [add $35]
   4. HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone [add $25]
   5. Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM) [add $20]
   6. 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive [add $40]
   7. LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support [add $15]
   8. HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner [add $100]
   9. 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery [add $49]
3. Checkout, apply coupon code NB0500
4. Your final price is $1409 - $500 coupon = $909 with free shipping

Specs:

• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• 14.1" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
• 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS!!
• HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
• Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
• 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner
• 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0

Very well equipped DV6700t 15.4" LCD laptop with Core 2 Duo T9300 (Penryn) 2.5 GHz, 2 Batteries and Vista Ultimate 64-Bit $913

1. Click here, then Customize and Buy
2. Select the following options:
   1. SAVE $100 - Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit) for $60!! [add $60]
   2. Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) [add $225]
   3. FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!! [add $0]
   4. 50% OFF 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors [add $49]
   5. HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone [add $50]
   6. Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM) [add $35]
   7. LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support [add $15]
   8. HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner [add $100]
   9. One 6 Cell and One 12 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries [add $129]
3. Checkout, apply coupon NB0500
4. Your total will be $1413 - $500 = $913

Specs:

• Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
• 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
• 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
• HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
• Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
• 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner
• One 6 Cell and One 12 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries
• Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0