LAPTOP advice!!

[Alias]

hey everyone,
I am thinking of getting a new laptop... but seeing i am ignorant about whats out there in the market... i would like to ask if any of you could advise me on what to get...

I want
* High speed
* Space
* durable mouse
* stable
* lightweight
* not too big or not too small.
* has inbuilt wireless, DVD/Burner, bluetooth, infrared, etc...
* compatible with most external devices.

[aussiemu]

For laptops quality - go for IBM or Toshiba.

Thinkpads are my favourite laptop. They are thin and light. (T Series is the lightest I think). They are more expensive than the others but they are much better quality.

How much do you want to spend?

Basically with all new laptops, you'll get the features you want.

I'm looking for one too

Avoid Compaqs/HP in my opinion. Dell seems ok (depending on what model you go after). Sony's dont seem to have a good reputation on their quality even though they look pretty.

[Shadower]

www.dell.com.au

[aussiemu]

I think the dell website is a rip off usually.

You can get brand new systems with warranty on ebay for a whole lot less.

[Alias]

yeah ive been doing some research and toshiba or thinkpad or dell i think are the best ones... i've seen some sony ones and they seem to receive bad rep from every site i've been to.

I forgot to mention long life battery.
I have a toshiba satelite and the battery doesnt last for more than an hour (prolly coz i have it on high power) -- but if i dont have it on highpower then the screen becomes very dark..

SO... i want bright screen...

FEWER CABLES!!!

i don't care about the screen size... but want it to be light weight.. i dont want it to be TOO small though.

[Shadower]

I personally hate laptops. Cannot stand them.

[aussiemu]

You can get a longer life battery because generally the standard batteries last I think 2.5-3 hours max?

You'll get better specs on a Toshiba than an IBM but IBM will probably be lighter/better quality. But to get the same specs, you'd have to pay more for the IBM.

I have a Satellite too at the moment.

How portable do you need it? Most of the new laptops are 15" which is a good size if you are only using it at home etc.

Anything smaller than a 14" will be too small in my opinion for general use.

Do you have a wireless router/modem for your broadband connection? So you won't need to worry about wires then for the internet.

Get at least 512mb ram. 60-100gb hard drive. DVD burner.

Get one with a warranty too so you dont need to have a hassle with parts after a few months of use because laptop parts can get expensive.

The one good thing about IBM and Toshiba is that their parts are readily available on eBay etc so you can upgrade alot more easily.

The Thinkpad T series are very lightweight.

I forget which Toshiba one is light.

[aussiemu]

I hate desktops. I also hate their keyboards. After getting used to typing on a laptop, it feels horrible when you need to type on a normal keyboard.

I love laptops. I havent had a desktop in about 4 years now.

[Khaled]

The new bright screen laptops look pretty interesting. What kind of screen do they use?

[aussiemu]

Amir: What laptop do you own now?

[Alias]

aussiemu...
The laptop i have is 3.2kg (i think 7 lbs?)
I want something lighter than this. My back can't take it anymore! :P

I do have a wireless card but i have to insert it into the port... If i am going to get a new computer, I would prefer it to be inbuilt.. but i guess it doesn't matter all that much.

what matters is as you said
*dvd/burner
* light weight
* STuRDY -- I am not a good carer...
* fewer cables.. as in - the one i have now uses two cables... one is the AC adapter, the other is the normal cable that connects to that.. i just want one thin cable... possible?
* I want to be able to connect it to the tv etc. i know some laptops arent compatible in that regard...
* Long life battery -- i want it to last at least a two hour lecture. :S

Anyhow I will look into IBM and Toshiba only from now on i think.
thanks guys..

[Alias]

Amir... any links?

[aussiemu]

Do you have any kind of specific budget in mind?

The thinkpads will definately be the lightest. I remember picking one up in Malaysia and I was amazed at how light it was.

I'm not too sure on the thin cable you are talking about but I doubt it because I haven't seen any like that (without the middle power part where it plugs in).

You need the laptop to have a TV-Out port to play it on your TV.

I'm pretty sure the new ones have a wireless card built in.

Most new batteries should last 3 hours. There is the longlife ones I mentioned. I was reading one review where the guy said the standard 6 cell battery lasts around 2.5-3 hours on his T42 and the 9 cell battery lasted around 4.5 hours.

[Alias]

budget would be as low as possible ... maybe $1500?

[aussiemu]

I saw a couple of r51's or t42's go for less than 1500 I think on eBay lately but the main thing they are missing that you want is a dvd burner.

[Alias]

thanks for the link Amir.

I'm a little confused.
There are so many 'series' -- which is the latest or lightest model? T series?
Also what is the diff between pentium centrino and pentium M?

[Alias]

1834BM9 is probably what you are after.

Looks great!

But its 3 kg ! my current laptop is 3.2kg...

[Hope]

agreed on the IBM thinkpads

but now ive got a HP and its doing really well

[Houda*]

I have a HP one too, and alhamdulilah it's doin good.

[mujahed]

Asus :d