Suggestions for new Laptop

[jcampi]

I need some suggestions for a new laptop. The laptop will be purchased for work. Work functions will include using the laptop for the internet, word processing, spreadsheets, image or photo editing and other routine computing. I need some suggestion on a brand of laptop and model. I don't want the cost to be super high, but the laptop can be performance oriented and be able to multitask without slowing down much. I also require the laptop chip to be made by intel. Please provide your insight. Thanks.

[mylanta]

www.hpshopping.com (http://www.hpshopping.com)
Right now HP is rings around the others and Compaq (HP Promo is fine too).
Tell you a story behind my Compaq 6000 P4 3.0 1 gig 5500 DDR ram, 5400 rpm 80 gb Hdd...
I was on my 2nd Dell laptop last year a 5000 inspiron P4, 2.66 ram faster Hdd and I kept reformatting it as it was so slow I could not stand it.
I was hoping it would fall off desk somewhere as I had that insurance on it. I upped ram to 1 gig and it made little difference. Had a client to hook for Dsl on a 1.5 gh P4 512 ram HP notebook and it was so fast I had trouble following it so I went to Worst Buy and Short Circuit City and tried some and the same experience.Everyone knows I hate HP products except laser printers too. I bought the Compaq last year...you get software cd's and a real OS, no restore crap, and I have been in love ever since. Not a spec of trouble ....it's a 17" and because of how that is done there is a slight distortion which is necessary really, but this Laptop is the best I have ever used and I still feel that way a year later. Oh and if you are going to buy one, test them at WB and SCC but buy at HPshopping.com for the best deal. Free freight, better warranty, free dvd-rw or ram upgrade etc...always something going on and NO TAX!!!!

[Terry Hanushek]

John

There are several good manufacturers of laptop computers. I have used Thinkpads from IBM / Lenovo for the past dozen years and highly recommend them. I have heard positive comments on Toshiba, Sony and Dell. How was your Latitude? And as Rich mentions - HP / Compaq. The Apple Powerbook has drawn much praise and may be available with Intel chips now :) .

Before selecting a specific manufacturer or model, you should consider how you are going to use it. Is battery time important? - typical time is in the 2-3 hour range but some models get 6-8 with extra battery (good for long flights). Is weight important? Typical weights are in the 5-8 lbs range but there are anorexic models significantly lighter than that. Screen size is an important variable - small, medium, large. Will it be a desktop replacement with port replicator / monitor / keyboard or used primarily standalone?

One option you should definitely consider is integrated wireless - there appears to be increasing availability of signals - particularly in hotels.

I believe that most of the manufacturers have web sites where you can custom design your own machine (processor speed, display size, o/s, hard drive, etc.). This makes more sense than someone suggesting a specific model

IBM
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10000001&catalogId=-840&langId=-1&categoryId=2035724

Dell
http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

I currently have a T series Thinkpad and think it is great. The T-43 is nearing the end of its cycle may have some good deals.

Happy shopping

Terry