Thread: Laptop Comparison Questions

  1. #1
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    Laptop Comparison Questions

    I am considering to buy a laptop very soon and i have two possible candidates, but i dunno which one i should get...

    First of all, just some basic questions:

    1. is Centrino A LOT better than a non-Centrino in terms of battery life?

    2. is Pentium M better than Pentium 4 M?

    Okay here are the two models:

    Sony Vaio V505: 1730$

    Intel Centrino Pentium M 1.4Ghz
    512 MB Ram, 266
    40 GB HD
    24X DVD/CDRW
    12.1" screen
    802.11B
    Radeon 32MB
    4.4 lbs/1.3" thick

    Dell Inspiron 300 M: 1650 $ w/ extra 5 hr battery

    Intel Pentium M 1.2 Ghz
    384 MB RAM 266
    30GB HD
    24X DVD/CDRW
    802.11B
    Intel Integrated 64MB
    2.9lbs/1" thick

    the websites are http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...FA2NB&Dept=cpu

    and http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...=19&l=en&s=dhs

    So can someone gimme some advice Thanks

  2. #2
    5|-|1+|-|34|) ober's Avatar
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    I would personally go for the Sony. This is mainly a personal preference, but it looks like the Sony gives you more bang for your buck also. The only thing I don't like about that Sony is the lack of a good video card. But that only matters if you're going to play games. Otherwise, it's a solid system.

    I can't tell you the answers to the processor questions... you'd be best to check out Intel's site.

  3. #3
    'AlHamdulillah
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    1. yes, in terms of most recent computers, Centrinos get between 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours of battery time, while pentium 4 chips are lucky to be at 2 1/2 or 3 hours.

    2. depends on what you get, if you get a full scale desktop replacement model, a pentium 4 3.0C is of course going to beat a pentium M, but if you are looking at a regular laptop, a Pentium M @ 1.4 will beat a Pentium 4 at 2.0.


    and lastly, I would check out www.gateway.com or www.ibm.com as both have incredibly good laptops compared to say dell or sony. Dell is pretty much infamous in the laptop market and sony just overcharges for stuff that really isnt better than the next(the old japanese inferiority complex again i'd wager)

    EDIT::
    The only thing I don't like about that Sony is the lack of a good video card. But that only matters if you're going to play games.
    forgot to mention that ober, if he is going to get a computer to play games with, he better look at alienware or FalconNW or Voodoo's sites and check out their laptops, as they are really the only companies to provide suitable gaming portables.
    Last edited by EvBladeRunnervE; 01-13-2004 at 07:34 AM.

  4. #4
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    All about the Pentium-M and why it rules:
    http://www.cpuid.com/PentiumM/index.php

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    Thanx people but how come the Sony (with Centrino chipset) says only 1.5-3.5 hrs of battery life? I thought it is supposed to get 4+...?

    Gateways have no ultraportable laptops and IBM is more expensive

  7. #7
    'AlHamdulillah
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    because sony and dell are infamous for their power hungry, unefficient designs... also they are expensive(more than an IBM believe it or not).

  8. #8
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    IBM all the way. I mean, everything about them is better. But the best thing has to be its quality and its great support. My laptop, being never 6 years old still gets support, still runs amazingly fast, and has only needed one reformat. I've dropped it from 5 feet accidently, it survived. The screen only flicked black for like .1 seconds. Titanium case all the way .

    My dad has bought like 3 IBMs. Latest one is a Pentium-M 1.6 GHz (back 5 months ago, believe it). It sure kicks my P2.66 desktop system.

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    Personally, I would also like to get an IBM laptop because of its battery efficiency and titanium case but they are Godly expensive. (by the way, does it have the Centrino chipset?)

    I mean, with similar specs to the Sony and Dell the IBM Thinkpad was like 1900$ while the dell was like 1600$.

    I'm trying to find one that is reliable but not overexpensive but i might consider that ibm anyways

  10. #10
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    Yes the IBM T series laptops have centrinos on them. Thats what my dad has, its unbelievable.

    Don't just compare those exact specs. There are other factors such as quality, screen beauty, motherboard specs that you don't see. IBM are rock-solid, powerful laptops. Hell, I still use my 6 year old one

  11. #11
    Don't make your decision based on "I get better specs for less money" when it comes to laptops. You get a little slower stuff, but you get the quality stuff. Laptops are expensive as hell when something breaks and needs to be fixed.

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    Okay, so if i was to consider an IBM model, what would be the best choice (i need lightweight + small)? Should i go for the X or the T series? Specs + Prices?

    Oh sorry guys i was looking around for IBM's but IBM notebooks have a killer disadvantage. They do not have the ultraportable ones w/ a cdrw/dvd combo drive. I tried looking up the Thinkpad X31 but it can only have a CD drive. Do ya ll know any 12.1" ibms w/ combo drive?
    Last edited by KneeGrow; 01-15-2004 at 12:01 AM.

  13. #13
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    The X series is so portable that you if you want one of those drives, you gotta dock it with an iBM UltraBase/Dock.

    IBMs are sweet and are by far my only and #1 choice in notebooks.

  14. #14
    i want wookie cookies the Wookie's Avatar
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    dont get a dell!! they're horrible

    and i agree with Speedy5, IBM all the way. I'm getting a t40/41 for college next year..and ive tried out alot of laptops..the t40 is literally perfect...except fort he misplaces function key but thats ok.

    the dells...the new models, particularaly the d600 and 600m get too hot at hte arm rests, horrible springy keyboard and crappy performance..

    ibms all the way. its worth the extra money.

    i'd go with the T series unless you're willing to dock everytime you need a drive. they're not that heavy, about 4.5lbs, but they're great machines.

  15. #15
    Senor Member nomi's Avatar
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    Quality, YES, but IBMs seriously look UGLY....down to earth UGLY

    http://reviews.cnet.com/IBM_ThinkPad....html?tag=more

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