Need suggestions for laptop please

[golfmore]

I was going to get a Dell, but decided not to. Looking for something similar to Dell 1505. Need ethrnet and wireless. Not the greatest, but not the bottom of the line either. Any help is appreciated. Need a starting place. Thanks.

[kern]

i suggest HP, the dv5000 series

www.hp.com

[Terry Hanushek]

Golfmore

I move your request for laptop recommendations to the Gaming / PC Building forum where there are other threads discussing new PC specifications.

You may want to check a couple of other recent threads that have discussed laptops

http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2970

http://www.kickenhardware.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2814

As you will see, I am a very satisfied IBM Thinkpad user. They have a little higher price but are a great value when you consider their features and functionality.

Terry

[golfmore]

Thanks for the help. I think there is an HP promo going on now. Don't know whats in it yet, but will look. Thanks again.

[Terry Hanushek]

Golfmore

Most of the major manufacturers have web sites where you can select and customize a laptop to your needs and budget. This is an excellent way to compare models, feature for feature. With a careful definition of features, you should be able to get a good apples-to-apples comparison.

Let your cursor do your walking :)

Terry

[kern]

golf,
you can customize the HP dv5000 with:
AMD Turion 64 ml-34 1.8gig cpu,
ATI Radeon xpress 200 128mb vid card,
1 gb ram,
80gig 5400 rpm harddrive,
54g 802.11b/g wireless lan,
12 cell lithium battery.
cost $870
add another $50 if you want DVD burner.

[golfmore]

Wanted to thank all that responded. I am enamoured with the HP 5220 something. It has Windows Media on it. Is that OK? Seems to do all the things I want. And more. I love that HP. Thanks again. It's abot 1 Kilo buck. More than I wanted to spend, but I may do that.

[kern]

Wanted to thank all that responded. I am enamoured with the HP 5220 something. It has Windows Media on it. Is that OK? Seems to do all the things I want. And more. I love that HP. Thanks again. It's abot 1 Kilo buck. More than I wanted to spend, but I may do that.

nice unit.
if you want the multimedia features of XP Media Center (essentially can act as a remote control unit for entertainment center) then go for it.

i suggest the following:
select the dv5000t, then click "customize" button.
XP Media Center,
Intel Core Duo T2250,
15.4 Brighview Widescreen (free upgrade)
128mb Nvidia 7400 (better video card- does not share system memory)
1 gb ram
120gb 5400 SATA harddrive,
8xdvd burner w/ dl (select light scribe unit if you want to label dvd's and cd's),
Intel pro wireless abg
12 cell LIO battery

cost $1040

[dbarrow]

ASP for dual-core Yonah notebooks drops to less than US$1,000
http://digitimes.com/systems/a20060804A7044.html

Notebook vendors, including Dell, Acer and Hewlett-Packard (HP), have begun cutting prices for Intel Core Duo notebooks that feature the Yonah T2300E CPU, in an attempt to accelerate inventory clearance of Sonoma models prior to the launch of Merom-based systems, according to sources. The average selling price (ASP) of Intel Core Duo notebooks has gone down to less than US$1,000, indicated the sources.

Notebook models based on Intel's Core Duo T2250 and T2050 processors, which are not listed with the other T-series Core Duo mobile CPUs on Intel's pricing or product website pages, are priced between US$699-799, according to the sources.

Intel's roadmap outlines that volume production of its Merom processors will begin in the middle of August, with Intel-based 64-bit dual-core notebooks to hit shelves as early as the end of the month, sources familiar with the roadmap noted. Intel intends to raise the proportion of notebook processor shipments for Merom to over 50% in the first quarter of 2007, indicated the sources. Consequently, the sources consider that dual-core Yonah CPUs have turned out to be a transitional product line, prior to the 64-bit dual-core platform.

*Work partner last night was showing off her new Dell Centrino laptop. Impressive performance!
She indicated a price matching item for item with a comparable HP/Compaq and the Dell came in 40% lower.
This is one of the higher end machines in the $1600 range.

[golfmore]

Confusion, confusion. May look a little longer. Still in favor of the HP, but will look at the Dell again. Whats an opinion on the AMD Turion processor? There's $130 diff between that and the Intel Core Duo T2250 (have no idea what all that means.) ? Been away from the technology for several years do to 4 years of fighting major illness. Oh well. This will prob be my last comp purchase. Thanks to all.

[golfmore]

How does one connect a para printer when the laptop doesnt have a para output? I have to have this printer for use in my business. Thanks for any help. Almost there. Still think I'm going with an HP. Found a Netgear print server that will work. Getting closer.

[golfmore]

Which is better, AMD Turion or duo core Intel? I do general stuff, some video and some photo work. Which is more reliable? Thanks for the patience.

[jcampi]

If I were getting a laptop I'd purchase one with an Intel Dual Core processor.

[Dan18960]

Golf,

I would go the print server route - even though there are USB - Parallel converters out there.

IF you are using an HP printer or Okidata pinter - they are very touchy about wanting to do ONLY parallel but they do play nice with print servers.

I use ONLY linksys or HP print servers so I don't know that much about the Netgear stuffl Had nightmares years ago with Netgear AND since Verizon supports Linksys, PLUS they are part of Cisco (THE NAME IN ROUTERS) I think of them as the company to be with. Cisco would not have bought a third rate company!

[golfmore]

Decided to get a laptop, and when my HP 1200 needs a drum, I will replace with a Brother like my friend has. Seems to be great.

[golfmore]

Can I put an IDE HDD in an enclosure and make an external unit that will run via USB? Thanks.

[golfmore]

I have heard that AMD processors run cooler. Is that true? Fine tuning the budget on that laptop. However now there isn't an option for the 128mb card for video with the AMD. What are opinions on extended warranty? I know they are profit centers. Thanks.

[dbarrow]

Can I put an IDE HDD in an enclosure and make an external unit that will run via USB? Thanks.

There are a number of external "boxes" for that if you have an existing drive you want to re-use. There were articles and links to several in hardware forum a while back.
For new, the deals on externals lately are far cheaper and you can get a pretty large external for around $100. Both WD and Maxtor externals have been regular with big rebates in the Staples, Office Max, CC, Office Depot weekly ads.

[golfmore]

Strange., I can't build a 15" machine with a good video card, not an option. I am going with the AMD 1.8 GHz cpu. Seems to run cooler than a duo 1.6. The absurd thing is that CompUSA has a 17" with all the goodies except the ram cheaper than I can buil one.

[kern]

Which is better, AMD Turion or duo core Intel? I do general stuff, some video and some photo work. Which is more reliable

Strange., I can't build a 15"[HP]machine with a good video card, not an option. I am going with the AMD 1.8 GHz cpu. Seems to run cooler than a duo 1.6.


The Turion is the top of the line AMD "mobile" cpu, designed to use less power and run cooler than a "desktop" cpu. As far as which cpu is better for your usage, either will suit your needs.

Depending on which unit(s) you are looking at, you can choose from an ATI express 200 128mb card or the nvidia 7400 128mb card

[golfmore]

I was trying to build a DV5000 series. If I choose the AMD, it won't let me choose the 128 card. (Maybe I'll try again with a higher speed CPU.) Can't build a 5000 series with the AMD and get the option for a 128MB video non shared. I was really wanting the 15.4 " screen. May have to go with the Intel CPU. Thanks all the help. Heck of a deal on a DV8305us from Compusa. $150 cheaper than OD. Hmmm.. But 17". Whats the opinion on erebates? Thanks.

[kern]

I was trying to build a DV5000 series. If I choose the AMD, it won't let me choose the 128 card. (Maybe I'll try again with a higher speed CPU.) Can't build a 5000 series with the AMD and get the option for a 128MB video non shared. I was really wanting the 15.4 " screen. May have to go with the Intel CPU. Thanks all the help. Heck of a deal on a DV8305us from Compusa. $150 cheaper than OD. Hmmm.. But 17". Whats the opinion on erebates? Thanks.

i prefer the "instant rebates", but that is a good deal on the dv830 from compusa.
a dv8000 "customized" on HP's website as per the "dv830" specs, is $924 with "free" upgrade to 1gb ram and DL DVD Burner(not LightScribe).

as for the 5000 series, youd have to go with the 5000t to get the nvidia 7400 128mb card.

[golfmore]

I may build that one from HP. No sales tax (about $70), free shipping, and I can get the 1 gig ram. Now it's about $799 + $70 + $?? for the ram. Sort of $969 from Cusa. Hmmmmm....... Or do the Intel duo, or ??????

[kern]

I may build that one from HP. No sales tax (about $70), free shipping, and I can get the 1 gig ram. Now it's about $799 + $70 + $?? for the ram. Sort of $969 from Cusa. Hmmmmm....... Or do the Intel duo, or ??????


Pick the laptop that has the feature(s) that are most important to you. for example: if you play games or watch movies on the laptop(or intend to), the 17" wide screen and the vid card with dedicated video ram are a must have; if you use the laptop for travel a 12 cell battery is a must have, burn DVD's and create your own lables, go with Light Scribe Burner, etc...
Get at least 512mb ram(1gb preferred), then go for the best cpu you can afford in an AMD Turion 64, or T64 X2, Intel Core Solo, or IC Duo.

[golfmore]

One other thing I noticed is that there are 3 types of wireless card. One that is a/b/g and another that is b/g. I assume that the a is faster for downloads?

[kelly]

a is history

b is still around

g is now and is faster. Note: g is backward compatible with b so you can run a 'b' computer with a 'g' router and vice-versa.

n is on it's way. There are some versions of it, but there is not standard yet - maybe in 2008.

- tony

[golfmore]

Thanks.....

[golfmore]

Well, XPBargains just emailed me about a coupon for $200 off + $50 rebate from HP. This was an additional $100 off. I went to get it. They said "No Joy". The coupon was for 600 uses at $200 off, now worth $20. Needless to say........ When I check the code it says nothing about useage. Just expires on 9/2/2006.

Oh well.