Buying a new laptop

[avx]

Hey guys,
I just started school at DeVry, and it's starting to look like I might need one. I checked out laptops.com, and it really only told me things I already knew. Can you guys give me any info, or maybe tell me which laptop you think I might get the most use out of.

I was kind of looking at the IBM thinkpad series, and I checked out IBM Certified Used Equipment, and found this one IBM Thinkpad T40 (http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=8785824&storeId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=2576396&dualCurrId=73&catalogId=-840)

I was kind of hoping I could find one that would be an all around good computer...good for school, some half decent games, web surfing, etc...

Any info helps a lot guys. Thank you.

[Stuey]

I think that you could do better than that for less money.

Personally, I'm weary of used laptops, especially those with 6 month warranties. I'm overly paranoid about durability since I tend to abuse my devices, so you will definitely want to consider other opinions.

I think that "widescreen multimedia screens" are nice, but I prefer traditional screen sizes since they're not as short. Head down to the local computer/electronics/office supply store to see the differences between various display sizes. Also, I saw that Dell released new models with 17" screens. That may be beneficial for any large projects you may be given.

[EzyStvy]

Recent Article:

10 Best NoteBooks by CNET (http://msn-cnet.com.com/Top_10_notebooks_laptops/4520-6022_1-102337-3.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=re_1-102337-3&tag=msn_home&GT1=7935)

[786ARS]

in my opinion, ibm's are great if your are a workahollic and want something light, and built to last. But spec wise not that good. Try a toshiba, very good realiability wise and will last. Also have a look at acer comps, they are quite good as well.

[mairving]

Recent Article:

10 Best NoteBooks by CNET (http://msn-cnet.com.com/Top_10_notebooks_laptops/4520-6022_1-102337-3.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=re_1-102337-3&tag=msn_home&GT1=7935)
How can you trust an article that has Gateway's at the top?

[glc]

Get a NEW laptop. If you can't afford a Thinkpad, get a Dell.

[avx]

My budget is about $1,500, maybe even $1,800 if its worth it. Would IBM's also be good for gamming? I know they are geared towards business apps and the like. I will check out that top 10 list.

I appreciate all the info guys. How do you feel about purchasing a laptop on ebay?

[rspassey]

How can you trust an article that has Gateway's at the top?

They aren't actually in order... check the ratings, halfway down in a Dell XPS that scores higher than the Gateway at the top.

[glc]

I wouldnt buy an IBM to game with. Can't you just game on your desktop?

[thefultonhow]

If gaming isn't going to be your primary use for the laptop (i.e. you're not going to be gaming often at all), then ThinkPads are okay. My T43p handles the occasional game just fine.

If you want a ThinkPad and are only willing to spend $1800, this is about the best you're going to be able to do:

http://www.euclidcomputers.com/frameset.cgi?finditem+laptop+IBM-Lenovo+200749U+yes+0+New+0

[avx]

If you want a ThinkPad and are only willing to spend $1800, this is about the best you're going to be able to do
only willing to spend...wow, you and I have a very different concept of what a good deal of money is, I didnt think I had to drop 4k on a laptop to get something half way decent

[thefultonhow]

You can get a decent laptop for $1800, just not something that's decent AND an IBM AND can play games well (with an X1400 card -- those are going to be at least $2400). I spent $2100 on my T43p and that was with a 43% discount through my college. There are some nice Sagers for less than $1800, though.

[glc]

The issue that makes laptop prices skyrocket is games. You can get a laptop relatively cheap that will be an excellent performer and very durable with chipset integrated video. The minute you start putting in discrete graphics solutions, the price tag (and heat, and low battery life) rears its ugly head.

[avx]

ohh...I see. Well when you put it like that...

I really dont need to game, school and work take up enough of my time.

[glc]

Therefore, get a Thinkpad with integrated Intel graphics or one of the low end Radeon video chips and you will have a virtually bulletproof laptop. Newegg has some T43's in your price range.

[avx]

Ok guys, due to all of your help and advice I think I know which one I want.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834146122

The only downside that I can see is its only 512, I would prefer 1gig, but on a laptop is that even necessary?(for basic work and maybe some business apps, and net surfing)

and then there is the 5400rpm HDD, should I be looking for 7200?

Tell me if you guys see anything I might want to reconsider.

And thanks again.

[glc]

5400 is plenty good for a laptop. It has 2 memory slots and it probably ships with a single 512, so you can add another module whenever, that's very easy to do.

Just to keep things in perspective, my laptop does everything I need - it's a Thinkpad T20 with a P3-700, 20gb 5400 rpm drive, and 256mb ram running Win2K. You only really need to look at the little performance tweaks when you are using a laptop for a desktop replacement. The reason I'm kinda pushing a Thinkpad is its long history of durability and quality support.

[thefultonhow]

My T43p only came with 512. I bumped it up to a gig by ordering RAM from Newegg.

For $1800, though, the laptop I linked to above is a better buy IMO. It has a higher resolution screen, dual-core, and a better graphics card.

[ktkendall]

I'm selling my Sony laptop:

http://www.pcmech.com/classified/showproduct.php?product=150&cat=18

We just don't even use it at all anymore, and hardly did ever use it much, lots a goodies included, and even a wireless router by Linksys if you want..

[avx]

Fulton, can you answer something for me? This Dual-core, does it really make a big defference in performance? Or is it just one of those things that sounds really cool, but is essentially the same thing as your standard hardware?

ktkendall; I appreciate the offer, but I wanted to get XP pro with mine, and since my dad offered to go half way with me, Im going to go ahead and just get a new one, but a friend of mine at work is looking for a good laptop too, and your offereing an excellent deal, so I will send him the link. Thank you very much though.

[thefultonhow]

Dual-core will give you better performance while multitasking, but not while running a single CPU-intensive program. It also won't help while on battery, as the Core Duo shuts off one of its cores unless it's plugged in. But if you frequently multitask, it will be useful.

[avx]

Ok guys...Just one more question and then I will leave you alone and just buy the stupid laptop already.

I was at Office Depot today and they had this one
http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=613219&Ntt=z60t&uniqueSearchFlag=true&An=text

Only it was a 60gig HD, what do you think...they had it for about 1799, with a 100 Mail in Rebate

[Stuey]

That one has shared video memory. If you want shared memory, you might be able to save several hundred dollars if you digress from the Thinkpad line.

[ktkendall]

Thinkpads are nice, but pricey, and Office Depot is probably not a place where your going to get the best deal.

[thefultonhow]

This is the exact same laptop:

http://www.costcentral.com/proddetail/Lenovo_ThinkPad_Z60t_2511/2511E4U/H16842/

More proof for me that B&M stores are out to rip you off.

[avx]

Ok guys, I ordered it. This is the one I got.
Thanks Fulton (http://www.euclidcomputers.com/frameset.cgi?finditem+laptop+IBM-Lenovo+200749U+yes+0+New+0)

I do appreciate everyone's advice and recommendations, and If I dont like it each and everyone of you can expect a pretty nasty email, and a bill for your half of the cost:D

Thanks again guys, I dont know what I would do without you.