Help with laptop!

[mshp27]

I am in the process of researching hardware to build an amd-based 64-bit desktop system. However, it's been hard to dedicate enough time to this since I don't have my own machine (and haven't for almost 2 years). In the meantime, I will be getting a laptop - when I finally decide which one to get.

So, does anyone feel like offering up some advice on laptops?

What I want is a stable, reliable, well-constructed machine with decent performance. I don't need a feature-rich, cutting-edge laptop, since I'm planning on having a high-end desktop as my primary machine (once its built). It won't be used for gaming, or even for business-type applications. I want to be able to easily (and as flawlessly as possible) use everyday applications - everything associated with the internet, cd/dvd burning, etc. While I don't need a whole lot of newer features, I would also like it to be able to perform well for as long as possible - meaning it won't be out of date by this time next year.

Portability is somewhat important. I like the idea of being able to comfortably lay on the couch with the machine on my lap. And although it will be going with me on weekends if I leave my apartment, I really wouldn't care about having to take a 7 or 8-pound machine.

Also, I've been considering using a Mac. Even though I think they are a bit overpriced, I'm really drawn to the styling/design and the OS. I've played with linux alot in the past, and if I had the time, energy, and brain power to learn more, I would consider a completely linux-based system. So I like the idea of a Unix-based sytem.

Since I've been reading that the current line of powerbooks might be on their way out, I've been thinking about an iBook - a 14" w/ superdrive (since I'd like to burn dvds). Like I said, I realize these are more expensive than comparable non-macs, but if the OS will perform better than Windows for what I want to do, then I'm completely open to spending a bit more and learning something new.

Thanks!!!

 

[fbrdphreak]

Okay, so we've got a couple of non-Mac options.

High-End
IBM T42 -- 14.1" for portability, 15" if you want bigger screen; Pentium M 1.6 or 1.7 will run all your apps very well; Start with 256MB to save money, add your own RAM later (minimum 512MB total); 60GB 7200RPM for best out of box performance or get the baseline 40GB 5400RPM for now & wait for the 100GB 7200RPM's to come out in the fall; either Intel b/g wifi or IBM a/b/g is fine; will run between $2000 & $2500 IMO; expensive, but top of the line quality & will last you for a while; avg 3-4 hours batt life w/6-cell; DVDRW is an expensive option unfortunately; ~5.5lbs

Budget
Gateway 72xx Series -- Gateway's replacement for the famed eMachines M68xx series; Athlon 64 for great performance, but mediocre battery life (~2 hours); IIRC the new model comes with 1GB RAM & 60/80GB HDD; DVDRW is a cheap option; 15.4" BrightView screen; ~7-8lbs; Overall a good desktop replacement with mobile tendencies, great lappy for the price (IIRC ~$1200 on sale, maybe close to $1500 for the 80GB/DVDRW model); go to local BBY and check it out, they have them on sale frequently with instant rebates

As a good inexpensive option, try this
HP dv1000 series -- Small, very portable (~5lbs, 14" widescreen); Pentium M 1.6 or 1.7 again; Very well built IMO, my gf just got hers in the mail & I am very impressed; unfortunately no fast HDD options, so I suggest getting the smallest/slowest HDD & swapping out whenever you want; if you order thru HP, definitely put your own RAM in (Note: This lappy does use the 855GM chipset, which apparently supports PC2100 DDR instead of PC2700, even tho HP will ship it with PC2700; if you add RAM, same $ and go with PC2100); Intel b/g wifi or Broadcom, either one; DVDRW available for reasonable price; 6-cell batt standard gives you 3-4hrs batt life, optional 12-cell boosts that to 7-8 hours with low brightness & wifi use, minimum 5 hours batt life on the 8-cell; can be had with 256MB, 40GB, CDRW, BrightView screen, 12-cell batt for around $1100

Hopefully this gives you a place to start. There are a LOT of other mid-to-high-end models otu there, this is just a small sampling. If you can narrow down your price range and specs, it'll be easier to pinpoint the right model. GL and welcome to AT

Please write back with more questions

 

[mshp27]

Thanks for the response!

Well, for price range, I'm willing to spend up to around $2000, because that's what I figured would get me something with good quality, reliability, and performance. While I'm willing to pay that much for good performance and all, I don't want to be paying extra just for features that I probably won't use.

For example, I've read some good things about the HP zd8000, and it seems to be an incredible value for what you get. However, a TV tuner, radio tuner, ability to play music/movies without booting up, a video card worthy of gaming, tons of extra ports, etc. - these are all things that I can do without. However, I wouldn't mind hearing some opinions about that HP machine.

As far as specific specs, I really couldn't say. I'm not very up to date on what the best, or latest, or most widely used components are (cpu's and such). But I'm not at all computer-illiterate, so feel free to bring me up to date on what's out there, and what the best value is for good performance.


Oh, and just another note/question about the iBook - for anyone out there that has any experience. I'm kinda interested in Garageband, because playing the guitar (and music in general) is a pretty big hobby of mine. I wanted to know how well an iBook (with the RAM maxed out) would handle Garageband, and also if it's easy to connect various audio devices to the iBook - for example, line outs from amps, or monitor outputs from multi-track recorders.

Thanks again for any help!

 

[gethro]

I am in a swimilar position, i.e. about to buy a laptop but confused with the options. I have a similar thred running in the "Sonoma" section but it may not be well exposed.
This is that post
"I have researching the market for a laptop that will need to serve numerous functions. A bit of travel, a bit of multimedia and multiple apps at once plus most likely it will live beside the entertainment unit so should have the capacity to link to TV etc. I had just about decided on a Centrino based machine when I learned of the Dothan chip, then was advised that the Athlon 64 bit chip was the way of the future, then Intel launch the Sonoma...not in Australia as yet. So my question is do I go with the AMD 64, persevere with the Centrino Dothan or wait on the Sonoma chipset? Any feedback appreciated. "

 

[fbrdphreak]

mshp27, the zd8000 is awesome but realize its a hoss. Those have a 17" screen and weight probably close to 9lbs. I personally don't call those portable, but straight desktop replacements. But if you don't mind hauling that beast around and not having battery life, then it is a powerful setup.
As far as best value for performance, we pretty much touched on it. Either Pentium M or Athlon 64. If you want to go true budget, the Celeron M is respectable but I would say is probably below what you're looking for. If you look carefully, you can get a nice Thinkpad T42 for around $2000. Check out Thinkpads.com, the admin of the forums there (Bill) sells Thinkpads at respectable prices. The Gateway series are not as high quality, but have great features for the money and with BBY's warranty, you'd be good to go.

gethro,
The Athlon 64 isn't necessarily the "way of the future." 64 bit computing will take a long time to truly go mainstream and in notebooks is kind of a moot point. That said, the A64 is a POWEFUL CPU for the money and I love it to death. In a notebook, it does suck down the battery a lot more than the Pentium M (Centrino), but if you don't need more than 2 hours of battery life, its all good. The Dothan CPUs right now are very powerful for their clock speed and amazingly efficient with battery life too. The prices are coming down and you can get a good Dothan based notebook starting @ $1000 or so. The Sonoma version of the Centrino is going to sweet. DDR2, SATA hard drives, PCI-E video cards, etc. It is going to fill a lot of voids that Dothan and the old Centrino chipsets could not. However, it won't be widely available for several months and will be EXTREMELY expensive for a while. If you need to buy soon, don't bother with Sonoma. If you can wait towards the end of the year though, Sonoma has a lot of new technology that the Centrino package has needed.

 

[gethro]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. If I can get an idea on pricing and timing availibility from someone then I will be in a position to decide whether to wait or not.

 

[imported_haris]

The new Gateway model is still one of the best bang for the buck models available. If you can find it at Best Buy when it's on sale, it goes for about $1250. Another option however that allows for some upgrades might be to check out R&J System Builder They can custom build laptops, but some of the options are a bit limited. Then again, at least you get some options considering you get none from Gateway.