In the market for a laptop

[thacabbage]

I know this topic has been discussed many times but I could not find any of the other threads.

I'm looking online and my budget is around $1200. My main required specifications are either P4 2.8 or Athlon 2600, 512MB RAM, 60 gigs, atleast a 1400X1050 screen resolution (I know, I just have to have everything small or it drives me crazy), and wireless. Unfortunately, the only companies that meet these requirements within my price range are HP with their Pavilion and Compaq models, and I've heard nothing but bad things about them. Should I put stock into this? I customized the Dell Inspiron 5150 and it came out to $1373, but I've heard that it's possible to not include any software and save money? Is this true? Any other help would be greatly appreciated.

[FrancisFan]

What about a Compaq R3000Z:

AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3000+ 1.80 GHz
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home (+$50.00 for Pro)
512MB DDR SDRAM (1x512MB) (One free to expand)
FREE Upgrade from 40GB to 60GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
FREE Upgrade to 54g(TM) Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN !!
15.4" WVA WSXGA+ (1680x1050)
64MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 4 440 Go +1394 & 5-in-1

price $1,254.00
mail-in rebate -$30.00
-$100.00 (http://slickdeals.net/#p4947)
price $1,124.00

Looks like a pretty good deal.

but I've heard that it's possible to not include any software and save money? Is this true? Any other help would be greatly appreciated.

As far as software I believe Dell only gives the OS (Windows XP Home is standard) and MS Works. I think that you have to take those. Anyways...XP Home Full is $100+ and Works comes free with most OEM PC's/

[thacabbage]

Yea, I was looking at that one but I've heard bad things about Compaq laptops...

Would anyone recommend a Mac?

[Mango]

Originally posted by thacabbage Yea, I was looking at that one but I've heard bad things about Compaq laptops... Would anyone recommend a Mac?

I looked at the list of active members and it seems most Mac supporters are offline.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

Originally posted by Mango I looked at the list of active members and it seems most Mac supporters are offline.

all 3 of them :D

[Dr of Dunk]

Originally posted by thacabbage Yea, I was looking at that one but I've heard bad things about Compaq laptops... Would anyone recommend a Mac?

Depends on what you're using it for and what you need it for. If it's just for surfing the 'Net, email, word processing, etc. and don't mind paying the cost, sure.

FYI : the bad thing about that R3000Z model is that video card. It's an ancient video card on a futuristic platform. That processor is one of the best in the market, though. If you're looking at that one, I'd much rather have this one it's a little less than $300 more after rebates, but it's got an 80GB hard drive, 512 MB of RAM, a faster processor, and a MUCH better video card. Of course the cost is around $1400 + tax which is a bit beyond your budget.

[arkoe]

Originally posted by KaiSeR SoZe all 3 of them :D

There may be only three, but they are extremely vocal. Makes it seem like there are a dozen of them.

[Dr of Dunk]

* EDIT *

Wups... ignore this post.

[ragingFire]

Originally posted by FrancisFan What about a Compaq R3000Z: price $1,124.00

http://techbargains.com/
points to HP shopping for the same with 256MB mem for $874, extra $75 for 512MB.

HP Athlon 64 Notebook Sale $874 or less, Jul 14 HP Shopping has the very fast 8lb desktop replacement Compaq R3000Z Notebook AMD Athlon 64 (64-bit!) 3000+ 256MB/Free 60GB HD, DVD, Free 802.11b/g wireless card, 15" XGA Screen, 1394, 5 in 1 card reader, 56K, Ethernet, MS Works/Money, XP Home $1004 - $30 rebate - $100 off $999 Code: NB8218 (Exp 7/31) = $874 shipped free. Tax only in CA, TN, WI, VA. Select 256MB/Free 60GB upgrade/DVD/15" XGA Screen - Continue, Review, Add to cart, Enter coupon at checkout.

[Bailey]

Originally posted by KaiSeR SoZe all 3 of them :D

One thing's for sure... none of us are offline because of a virus!

:D

[VooDooPope]

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back...

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....1.1.0.0.0.1.0

[Supermac34]

I have that Compaq. No problems at all.

I don't know who you've been talking to, but most trade magazines list Compaq laptops at the top of the list...they are much better in notebooks and laptops that their desktops.

[Dr of Dunk]

Originally posted by Supermac34 I have that Compaq. No problems at all. I don't know who you've been talking to, but most trade magazines list Compaq laptops at the top of the list...they are much better in notebooks and laptops that their desktops.

Nope. He's right. Compaq/HP ain't what it used to be. They've been average to sucky in the past few years.

2002 PC Mag Survey : http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,364590,00.asp

2003 PC Mag Survey :
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1185200,00.asp

Technology Business Research 2000 Survey :
http://www.businesswire.com/webbox/b.../202512053.htm

The only saving grace Compaq has had recently is that HP's service ratings may be a bit higher thereby pulling them up a bit as well. Reading some of the technical forums online, you'll also notice Dell has taken a hit recently.

[drapg]

I bought a simple Compaq laptop from Best Buy last March.

1.6ghz Celeron processor
256 MB Ram (I added a 512 MB stick to that puppy)
CD-RW/DVD
XP Home
40GB HD

After rebates it was $700.

The only reason I bought it was to surf the web while I watch TV downstairs in the living room, since my beefed up desktop is upstairs in my bedroom.

For just surfing the web, updating my web site and checking my e-mail, its a great little notebook.

Oh, and it had no wireless adapter, so I had to buy a wireless PC card for it.

[Supermac34]

Maybe its the enterprise notebooks that get the good ratings...heck, I don't know...mine works fine...so I can only speak for one I guess.

[allan]

Originally posted by Bailey One thing's for sure... none of us are offline because of a virus! :D

So true. I had never once had a virus in my 10+ years of using a Mac.

[NIKEstrad]

Laptop question myself...

Through my school (UT), I can get a deal through Dell on a Latitude D600 (or D400)...

-Centrino 1.6 GHz, 855PM chipset
-1 GB of RAM (on 2 DIMMs)
-60 GB hard drive
-wireless card
-DVD/CDRW combo drive in mod. bay
-14'' XGA screen, ~4.7 lbs.
-3 yr On-Site plus Complete Care
-Windows XP Pro, Office XP, other business school software

I can get that system for under $1700+tax/shipping. Seems like a pretty solid deal, any red flags?

[adeelsiddiqui]

celeron sucks

[Dr of Dunk]

Nike, that seems like a great deal especially with that specific 3 year warranty.

[Saad]

Well whatever you do, be sure to use the coupons on

www.coupon-codes.net

Some great ones on there.