Advice for a first time laptop buyer

[Zukatah]

Hi everyone

I'm a graduate student in political science and I'm looking for a cheap, portable notebook with a battery life of at least 3.5 hours. I don't need something too powerful as I already have a very capable desktop, only something I can take notes on during classes, type work, browse the web, check email, watch dvds and stuff like that!

I was set on buying the 12" iBook as it's highly portable, good battery life, good construction, people really love OSX in general and it would do pretty much everything I want. The problem is that today Apple announced they're switching to Intel chips in the future so I'm wondering about the lifespan of that little iBook when the new chips are finally released and also its resale value (as I'll probably be selling this baby to get a new one).

So I'm asking you, what do you think about that situation and what would my options look like (only the 700m comes to mind as the X4x is way too expensive for me)? As for the budget, I'd like to spend less than 2000$ Can, so less than $1650 US.

Thank you very much!

Edit: I have to have it by next month so I can't wait for all those "back to school" discounts!

 

[worshipsf]

edit: Just saw that the $750 off $1500 Dell deal is U.S. only. Too bad. :-(

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Zukatah
Hi everyone

I'm a graduate student in political science and I'm looking for a cheap, portable notebook with a battery life of at least 3.5 hours. I don't need something too powerful as I already have a very capable desktop, only something I can take notes on during classes, type work, browse the web, check email, watch dvds and stuff like that!

I was set on buying the 12" iBook as it's highly portable, good battery life, good construction, people really love OSX in general and it would do pretty much everything I want. The problem is that today Apple announced they're switching to Intel chips in the future so I'm wondering about the lifespan of that little iBook when the new chips are finally released and also its resale value (as I'll probably be selling this baby to get a new one).

So I'm asking you, what do you think about that situation and what would my options look like (only the 700m comes to mind as the X4x is way too expensive for me)? As for the budget, I'd like to spend less than 2000$ Can, so less than $1650 US.

Thank you very much!

Edit: I have to have it by next month so I can't wait for all those "back to school" discounts!

HP dv1000: 14" widescreen, Centrino, 7 hours batt life w/12-cell, comes LOADED for $1650. You might be able to get an academic discount too :thumbsup:
dv1000 Review

 

[Zukatah]

That HP looks nice but we only have the dv1240CA model available here in Canada and it's said (on HP's website) that it weights a whooping 9.38 lbs!!!!!! That's not something that I want to carry around all the time!

 

[beverage]

9.38 lbs?!? no way... i have a customized dv1000 and i'd say it's not much over 5 lbs.

 

[fbrdphreak]

That's got to be a typo, it is the same 14" widescreen
It weighs at most like 6lbs w/the 12-cell battery; but it still feels like as a feather

 

[trikster2]

Let me get this straight.

You've decided the 12" iBook is perfect for you but you won't get it because in a year or two Apple will switch to intel and you are afraid the resell value on your 2 year old laptop (that originaly cost about $900 (U.S. edu pricing)) will be dimished?

How little do poli-sci majors make that the delta due to the intel announcement on the resell value of a $900 laptop would be relevant in two years?

I would understand your quandry if you were considering a $3000 17" uber powerbook but the 12" sub $1000 ibook?

The things people fret about.......

Get the iBook, use the heck out of it, get your degree and worry about dumping it later. There has to be a poli-sci major in two years or so that won't know his intel from his powerpc and will give you some $$$$$$ for the laptop....

 

[hopejr]

I wouldn't worry about the intel announcement. Just get the iBook. You won't regret it.

 

[Artek]

Get the ibook. Intel not selling till atleast 2007.

 

[Zukatah]

Thanks everyone! As for the value thing, well I'm short on cash and every buck counts!

 

[alent1234]

wait until the next $750 coupon and get the 700m for less than $1000. people on notebook review say it gets like 8 hours of battery power with the battery upgrade