Just for reference.

I purchased a Dell Inspiron 9300 notebook for $1400 about 4 months ago, which came with the following:

- 1.6 Ghz Pentium M class processor
- Intel 915 chipset
- PCI express 533 Mhz FSB
- ATI Radeon X300 mobility 128 MB graphics card
- 2 GB DDR RAM
- 17" Widescreen display
- Windows XP Home
- 40 GB hard drive
- DVD Rom optical drive
- Intel Pro wireless (b/g)

The nice thing about the Dell products is that the hardware is extremely easy to replace, the drivers and software are readily available for download from their web site, and you can ask for the operating system installation CD.

Whatever you decide to purchase, make sure you will be able to get the MoBo drivers, video drivers, audio drivers, and USB drivers.

Any newer (2004/2005) notebook should be relatively easy to upgrade for the next 5 years or so.

I did not shop for the best bargain, so I am sure you could find something similar (perhaps with less RAM) for around $1200 - whether it be Toshiba, Sony, HP, Dell, or Gateway.

The machine I got is not a gaming machine (I am not really a gamer by any stretch), but it will do just about anything else, with the exception of Video Editing, and 3D modeling.

Good luck.

I had a look at the CL56. I find it amazingly ugly. But I think the two of us can agree that he shouldn't buy a Toshiba

well it does not look fancy and doesn't glitter, that's for sure, but ugly this is being harsh! Considering the performance difference there is when comparing one Dothan (Pentium M) with another, I say it is a big deal performance-wise. One is not slightly faster than another like you would say a P4 3.6GHZ is, compared to a 3.4GHZ. Talking about Centrino processors you have to put things in the proper perspective.

A laptop is, imho, an appliance that is supposed to perform certain tasks, not a pure bang-for-buck metre.

100% correct. Yet laptops have changed a whole lot in the past year and they can now perform a lot of tasks only desktop PC's could - which is consistent with market trends, laptops selling more than desktops this year!

Bash2cool agrees with #26

Corky_O has a Sanoma, look for one too. They're cheaper to make than Dothans (the Toshiba one has a Dothan) and include newer components. You'll be able to upgrade HDD, memory, graphics card pretty easily when you'll need to! They all have a 533MHZ FSB and the processor numbers are 730, 740, 750, 760...

Bash2cool still agrees with #26

Overall:
In laptop-brands world, everyone is contradicting everyone. I was said that IBM, Toshiba and Vaio were the most reliable (higher price, higher quality components/lower numbers). Some say Toshiba is unreliable, some the opposite. Would most knowing laptops well agree on Toshibas or else?

About HP:
The problem with HP is that their video is worst than my 5 years desktop. Intel onboard video card? Well.... 32VRAM nVidia seems better than 128VRAM Intel.

Compal:
Never heard of. It could fit, but for warranties... and how do you buy those? I'll be in China in 2 weeks, so it might just be impossible.

For everyone to look (especially North Americans):
here is my "Good Deals Website", all liquidation: http://pages.videotron.com/thedeal/ (click "laptops" on the left's yellow section). I look at Pentium M.



Oh and... can I NOT buy Windows with a laptop? Paying Gates for blocking development, no thx

"Some say Toshiba is unreliable, some the opposite."

It's possibly coincidence that Toshiba laptops were always the most feared for their unreliability and power consumption in three companies I worked at. But I'd not take that risk, considering that Dell are cheaper, Sony more stylish, and HP more business-like. There is just nothing that speaks for Toshiba, but I have seen a lot that speaks for keeping away from them. And I don't even use PC laptops at all.

About HP: you are probably right.

And of course it is possible to not buy Windows with a laptop. But if you don't want to run Windows anyway, why not buy an Apple laptop? Linux, at least on a laptop, doesn't really have that many advantages over Mac OS X. And while Apple laptops are slower than PC laptops (until next year, of course), if you don't play games (which is likely if you don't want Windows) this shouldn't be an issue.

Compal: Never heard of. It could fit, but for warranties... and how do you buy those? I'll be in China in 2 weeks, so it might just be impossible.

Many websites sell those. Look it up, you might come across a clearance sale! Dell used to distribute a customized CL56 under their brand.

Did you find anything interesting on dell.com? Is that too late for delivery?

If they deliver in ONE week, seems short but ok. I'm looking at second hand ThinkPad too, since they have a reputation for being undestructible.

About Dell:
They are cheaper, but I was said that they cut the price by taking cheaper components. I built my desktop exclusively with QUALITY component, and if Dell doesn't do that they are then the opposite of Apple/IBM (and my desktop). Better pay a quality premium since it's worth it on the long haul, no? So is what I heard for Dell true?

No Windows:
How can you get the computer without Windows? The seller at "Liquidation Direct Thedeal" didn't know how or even if it was possible! (D'uh!) And if I later need a Windows partition, does any normal Windows copy do as well (some computers got their own "adapted Windows")?

And again, thanks to everyone

And if I later need a Windows partition, does any normal Windows copy do as well (some computers got their own "adapted Windows")?

Sure, as long as you have a CD packed with all the necessary drivers on the ready.

If I had $1200 my first choice would be an Apple. If I really had to have a Windows machine I would go with one of these:

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4440226?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Use the extra money to add memory and maybe a bigger HDD.

#26 looks pretty nice, and if you are up for a little challenge just get it with the minimum amount of ram you can get it from DELL with and then buy the RAM from a third party. Everyone carries RAM for DELL's notebooks and it's probably at least 25% cheaper than what you'll get it from DELL for.

Just got finished configuring the only two true gaming laptops out there: Dell XPS Gen2: $3602 discounting tax/shipping Alienware 7700: $4265 without office software/tax/shipping

Wow! That's absurd! Let's wait a minute here...I got my new Toshiba M60 for $1900 and it's quite nice for gaming. Not as spectacular as the above models, but it does the trick. Here's the specs:


Toshiba Satellite M60-S8112TD
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 [1.73GHz, 2MB L2 cache, 533MHz FSB]
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (SP2)
1 GB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz SDRAM (512MBx2)
17" Diagonal Wide-screen SXGA+ w/TruBrite™ Technology (1680x1050)
ATI® MOBILITY® RADEON® X600 SE PCI-E x16 with 128MB DDR SDRAM
60GB HDD (5400rpm)
DVD/CD-RW multifunction drive, Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200BG (802.11b/g)


Not to mention all of the nice software Toshiba pops on there (Yes it's bloatware but GOOD bloatware suprisingly), and a FREE printer. Ca-ching, I was sold. (Look at NotebookReview.com's opinions too) I'd check out Toshiba if I were you, I'm really happy with mine.


Here's some pictures of it: http://doctornick.wincustomize.com/photos.aspx?a=12


And, to brag a bit about the gaming...how does playing World of Warcraft at 1680x1050 sound to you?

Hey Doc your lappy looks good! Could you tell me where I could find your wifi detection app please? or was it bundled with your Toshiba laptop?

$1200 will get you alot on ebay.

Night Train: Agreed. I guess I will aim at getting good brands from eBay, since I can't chose precisely when it comes from auctions. But even then, older laptops show a few drawbacks like durability and warranty.