Good laptop?

[Imperito]

OK, the dept just gave me $2,000 to blow on a laptop, so does anyone know a good place to get a high-end, but still extensible, machine?

I've heard good things about Viao's, but it seems that I could get that kind of system for less if it didn't have "Viao" stamped on the back...

[Prelude]

I've used Dell without any trouble, but if you can afford it I believe Toshiba Tecra is the best laptop on the market.

-Prelude

[Cshot]

I'd go with the Vaio or Inspiron. The Vaio because of the large monitors and the Inspiron for their graphics.

I'm in sort of a dilemma. I dunno if I wanna upgrade my desktop or get a laptop.

[sean345]

I got a Dell not to long ago and I am very happy with it.

- Sean

[dirkduck]

I've also got a Dell, havnt had any problems with it. I got it with a ATI Radeon 7500 64MB, so it runs pretty much every game I have smoothly...a good laptop for graphics.

[ober]

We have dell's here where I work and they seem to work great :)

[FillYourBrain]

how bout old used ones? I was looking for something even as slow a 366 mhz and I can't find anything cheaper than $450

[Imperito]

If you have an opinion, you can reply here: Clicky (http://ars.userfriendly.org/users/?id=26923&tid=53839&cbst=1591248)

Or on this thread, up to you...

Right now I've somewhat targetted these two:

The Dell Latitude C640

or

The Toshiba Satellite 1905-S301

Now here is the current breakdown:

Processor-

Dell - 1.6GHz
Tosh - 2.0GHz

A trivial difference, as far as I am concerned. I'll still probably use my desktop for intensive applications.

RAM-

Both - 256Mb DRR SDRAM

HDD

Dell - 30GB
Tosh - 40GB

Probably could dualboot comfortably on 30, but more is always better.

CD/DVD

Dell - 24X max/10X min CD-ROM Drive
Tosh - DVD / CD-RW Drive

This is a biggie on Toshiba's side. I really want a laptop that plays DVDs.

WiFi-

Dell - Built in
Tosh - Optional add-on as built in or as PC Card

WiFi is a must, so points for Dell here, but the Tosh and the add on still costs less.

Warranty -

Dell - 3yr Parts and onsite labor
Tosh - 1-year parts and labor, 1-year battery.

Big points for Dell here, about the only thing keeping the C640 in the running.

Price -

Dell - $1,968.72
Tosh - $1,699.00 ($1,799.00 with WiFi)




So...

Anyone had experience with either of these two? The Dell has the warranty, and the fact that I have had experience with them and know them to be reliable, but I've known Toshiba to manufacture quality digital audio products, so they aren't a disreputable firm. The price difference means I would be able to deck out the Tosh, whereas the Dell barely fits my budget as-is.

Any advice would be helpful...

I'd really like a Toshiba Tecra, if anyone wants to donate $3,300 to the buy-justin-a-toshiba-tecra fund...

[Cshot]

Check the Dell website again. They're currently offering promotions for cheaper HDD upgrades and a free DVD/CDRW upgrade.

[Bajanine]

I know that you have already thinned out your choices to two computers, but I'd like to suggest a Gateway 600x. Wow, I am impressed with mine.

Specs:

Processor Mobile IntelŪ PentiumŪ 4 Processor 1.6GHz
Screen 15.7" SXGA TFT Active Matrix
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM
Hard Drive 30GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Floppy Drive 3.5" 1.44MB diskette drive
CD-ROM or DVD Modular 8x/8x/24x CDRW and 8x DVD combo
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 w/ 64MB DDR Video Memory

And now you can get this at 1.8 GHz for $1958. That's a fair bit less than I spent just 1 month ago.

[xlnk]

I have dell and it works great. Haven't had any problems with it.

[ripper079]

I bought a Dell laptop 6 months ago and havenīt had a problem yet. Dell also have a good support page on the webb. On the downside I think you are forced to go with an OS from Microsoft.

[kjdfhgkdjfh]

---
On the downside I think you are forced to go with an OS from Microsoft.
---

I read a story on linuxworld.com (?) that Dell would offer the option of shipping systems with no OS installed, they would include FreeDOS (?) on a floppy with the system. That would satisfy the agreement they have with Microsoft to not ship a system with out an OS. They are doing this since most corporations have a site license and have to wipe the disk anyway.

Makes you think how Microsoft could accuse a corporation of piracy when they paid for one license when they bought the systems, then had to overwrite it with the product they have a site license for. Is Microsoft double charging the license fees on some products? But this should be on a different thread.

[civix]

I have an older Apple Powerbook that I use quite frequently at school.. I know it's not exactly high-end, but I think mine is pretty reliable.

[hostensteffa]

I have an old toshiba p133. ( : Barely runs windows 98, but hey, you can hold a lot of jpgs, txt, and html files on a 1.2gig hard drive.

[RoD]

my laptops (i have two) are both dells n they kick ass.