Buying an Inexpensive Laptop

[thecoroner]

I'm looking for a solid, inexpensive laptop under $800. I would like it to have an acceptable processor (Pentium M 1.4- 1.8 Ghz is good) and dedicated graphics.

I know what I'm looking for (especially the dedicated graphics) is hard to find. So far I've looked at Dell Outlet, Newegg, Tigerdirect, Best Buy, and HP.

In addition, how well do Celeron M processors with speed of 1.4 GHz-1.6 GHz perform? Do they suck as much wind as they do on the PC?

NOTE: I previously posted this in the wrong forum but posted a new topic here. Sorry if it causes any confusion!

 

[JMoore]

I'd go with a Dell. Wait until they come out with a really good coupon code (like 750 off 1500$) and then buy. You can find these coupon codes online.

Celeron M is basically the PM with less l2 cache and the Celeron M doens't have Intel SPeedstep technology which means the CPU does not throttle back when your not using its full power. Hence you have a lot more battery time on a PM because it throttles down.

 

[DaWhim]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834115324&ATT=34-115-324

 

[Gibson486]

what is your def. of inexpensive?

Toshiba Direct has 20% some of their customizable laptops now.

 

[thecoroner]

I'm lookng for something under $800.

 

[imported_blablabla]

Try circuitcity.com, I just got a laptop for 900 after rebates. The deals they have now are good until tomorrow(2/4), some are in-store pick up only, some are web only.

I would suggest the 5020us, it has 128 video shared, and 1gb of ram. If you are looking for dedicated graphics at the $800 range.. I cant think of anything.

 

[niggles]

Dell Inspiron 6000, as pointed out earlier, wait for a coupon. I have one and love it. It's cheap and it works well. I recently saw a deal where Dell was offering the ATI X300 at the same cost as I payed for mine.

 

[cheesehead]

Dell should be avoided, if you ask me. Far too much of a headache.
I've got an Inspiron 9100 for sale, though. Good condition, 3ghz p4, m9700, 7200rpm 8mb 60GB HDD, 1GB DDR400. 900$, but I'll trade for a heck of a lot of odd things.

 

[deathwalker]

Just dont forget regardless of what you get...there are good inexpensive laptops...and there are inexpensive cheap laptops. Do your homework and be able to recognize the difference.

 

[21stHermit]

Here's one: HP dv5000z, $774 AR The link may not work, customize a dv5000z, upgrade the CPU & graphics.
- AMD Turion64 CPU (A T64 is comparable to a P-M, GHz to GHz)
- ATI dedicated graphics w/128M

You'll want to add RAM, either yourself or on the customize screen.

Hermit

Originally posted by: thecoroner
I'm looking for a solid, inexpensive laptop under $800. I would like it to have an acceptable processor (Pentium M 1.4- 1.8 Ghz is good) and dedicated graphics.

I know what I'm looking for (especially the dedicated graphics) is hard to find. So far I've looked at Dell Outlet, Newegg, Tigerdirect, Best Buy, and HP.

In addition, how well do Celeron M processors with speed of 1.4 GHz-1.6 GHz perform? Do they suck as much wind as they do on the PC?

NOTE: I previously posted this in the wrong forum but posted a new topic here. Sorry if it causes any confusion!

 

[ChiPCGuy]

Check out the Acers on NewEgg. At $800 and below you are definitely restricted to AMD Sempron and SiS760GX onboard shared memory graphics territory. If you go this route, just be sure to add a 512MB stick of DDR333 to the notebook. The Acers come typically with two 256MB sticks taking up both memory slots to give you 512MB, but you will have to chuck one of them to bring you up to 768MB (actually less than that, because the onboard graphics will use 32MB or 64MB or 128MB depending upon how you configure it). The Acers have a great reputation and are very reasonably priced, but they are not all that wonderful on battery life. Some suggestions:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834115222 for the notebook (which is a Sempron3100+, 40Gig HDD, 256MB RAM, wireless, modem, etc.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820211126 for an additional 512MB RAM

Total brings you to under $700.

 

[HumbleFish]

Check this monster out here at: http://www.saveateagle.com/avavavp43gra.html for $799.95 Shipped... Anyone know if "AVERATEC" is a good brand?... There are all kinds of reviews that say this company is top notch when dealing with it customers... You might want to give it a go... Also checkout: http://www.pricewatch.com .

Love You,
HumbleFish