Where to shop for a LAPTOP?

[DannyLarry]

I'm all over the desktop market, finding good prices mostly on Newegg, but occasionally some deals at other odd places.

I've never really shopped for a good laptop though, I don't even know where to start (except here, asking you guys..)

What's the best brand? Should I wait for a particular time of year for a sale?

I am looking for a desktop-replacement (excellent vid card, ddr, 15 or 16" monitor, etc..)

Of course, I would like to keep it as CHEAP as possible (I've been seeing some decent-looking deals on some Toshiba stuff in the weekly BestBuy paper..)

TIA for any thoughts/suggestions - I really do appreciate any help!

DL

 

[Daniel]

For a desktop replacement check out the Dell 8100 series, if you like that check out the hot deals forum as there are always discounts on dell machines.

 

[DannyLarry]

I know abuot the solid rep that Dell has, I was just wondering if there was a lesser-known brand or company that puts out the best machine that tech people prefer.. Thanks for the suggestion though.

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS ON WHERE OR WHAT TO LOOK FOR?

DL

 

[TGCid]

actually, Dell's rep is going down. According to a recent test by pcworld, dell went from Extremely high reliabitlity rate to average.

 

[Gibson486]

Dell does not sell the 8100 series anymore, they have begun selling their 8500 series which looks so ugly. I don't know what Dell is thinking. However, on the plus side, it has a 15.4 in screen and you can get it with the 4200go. However, if you decide you don't want teh 4200go, you can only get the 32 MB varient of the mobility radeon 9000. So, then, why sell a notebook that has a lower line with a better videocard configuration (the 8200 has the 64 MB mobility 9000)? If you don't want the 4200, you might as well get a gateway which has a 15.7' screen and sports a 64 MB mobility 9000. The screen of the dell may be a wide aspect screen, but after a while, how much will you notice it?

Anyways, I like Toshiba and Gateway.

edit, want a desktop replacement? Look to powernotebooks.com. They sell the Sagar line of notebooks which is as much as a desktop replacement as you can get.