I'm replacing a 3yr old HP P3 1.2G / 512MB/ 40GB HD/ CD/DVD-ROM with wireless card and 15.2" screen.
Budget is flexible, but the HP cost $1200 back in 2002, and I don't think they want me much above that this time. I was told "don't let a couple hundred bucks either way deter you from getting a machine good for another 3 years." I would say $1500 would be pushing it, since we just got a $850 low-end IBM R51 laptop for our conference room. My laptop is for use mainly at home, some traveling and customer visits. It's basically a perk of the job; I have a desktop PC at my office. MY HP has died and I'd like it replaced yesterday.

The upgrades I'm looking for now are 1GB of RAM (although I can upgrade later), DVD BURNER is a must, integrated wireless, decent video performance (occasional graphics work and DVD viewing) and at LEAST 40 GB hard drive. I'm flexible on brand. My boss likes Dell, we also have an IBM-only freak at the office, so I have no real brand requirements. Maybe no Gateway or Acer, or "Jim's" laptop, since service may be important over the life of the machine.
So far I've looked at IBM THinkpad R51, HP dv1340 refurb (great specs), Dell Inspiron 6000 or Latitude D610. The convertible tablet PCs seem a bit pricey just yet. Any ideas or good options I'm overlooking?

 

Try a Toshiba Tecra M2, look it up on the toshiba website for the specs. This is the laptop that i helped my company pick.

 

Here's my front-runner so far, at $1199:
http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...pno~633997.asp

Yes it's refurbed, but that doesn't scare me. Any thoughts? I can't get over the bang-for-the-buck adn the coolness factor of the LightScribe DVD burner.

 

What exactly will you be doing with it? That would make a difference to me. I use 3 computers for different reasons:

1) I use one really basic laptop for basic office functions (MS Office, Quickbooks, etc..) which has a 1.6Ghz Celeron, 512 RAM, 80GB HD, etc.. Nothing special, but it gets the job done. screen size is around 15" widescreen (can't remember exactly)

2) Another for more heavy lifting (vb.net, CRM development, light to med database work with sql server and oracle) which has a Pentium M @ 2.13 Ghz, 1 GB RAM, 80 GB HD, DVD Burner, etc... Not the most expensive or fastest out there, but it gets the job done. screen size is around 15" widescreen (can't remember exactly)

3) I also use a tower for the heaviest lifting (Data integration, and most of my larger develpment projects) which has a dualcore pentium D @ 3.0 Ghz, 2 GB RAM, 520 GB hard drive space (split between 2 drives). I also use this as an "intermediary backup" for the 2 laptops. For this pc, I use a 21" lcd screen.

What you buy should be determined by what you plan on doing with it. For example, a DVD-burner is a necessity for many people, but one with LightScribe is a waste of $$ as you have to buy special DVD/CD's for it to work..

Just my

 

I got an IBM Thinkpad T42 a couple months ago and love it. It's very thin, light, Magnesium skin with stainless hinges. I was hesitant at first because IBM's are kinda plain and simple, but this thing has a different feel, very solid and sleek, not bulky and cheap plastic feeling. The other thing nice about an IBM is if you buy accessories (docking station) it will work on all laptops. So a couple years from now, my stuff will work as it does now. Get most any other brand and they change models completely as with their accessories.

 

I use a Thinkpad T42 for work as well. This thing rocks, the hard drive has impact sensors, and knows if dropped. Plus you gotta give it up to the useless LED keyboard light, but it's cool none the less. It's one of the most durable laptops I've ever used.

 

dude, if you have around $1500 plus to spend on a new laptop, get the new Thinkpad Z60, the specs look awesome, and since it was just introduced a little over a month ago, pricing is around $2000, but if you're an A/E card holder, go to A/E website for mywishlist promotion. There you'll find the link to lenovo website for that deal. NOTHING beats a thinkpad, IMHO.

 

I have Dell 700m and I use it work mostly.

 

Acer TravelMate 8000 > *

 

hey fast-tl, what are you going to do w/ the current laptop? what condition is it in?

 

If you go IBM go with the T-series, not the R-series - the build quality is not there on the R-series.

I have worked extensively with both models.

 

Can you back that up ?

 

3-year, died HOW ?
You spilled on it ? droped it ?

 

You mean Lenovo? IBM is gone foor good in the PC/Laptop market

 

DITTO

I will highly recommend the Tecra M2

 

Asus laptops and IBM>*

 

www.apple.com/powerbook

 

So, you're going to stay with the company?

 

Funny how Lenovo markets its laptops as THINKPAD and not LENOVO.

 

 

That was kinda vague wasn't it? I was looking for a keygen and I got one with a virus and spyware. I cleaned as much as I could, but it even affected the bios and hd. I can't put the hd in anything and get it to work, and the restore CDs won't work because the BIOS is infected as well! That'll (almost) teach me!

 

reset the bios and then format? or get new HD?

 

They started me on the search because my DVD drive was acting up. That was before I dropped the bomb on them, and even after I hit them up for a raise, I got the "get one that will last you another 3 years" so that's a good sign that they'll ante up, I 'd say.

 

funny how ?
what you think they really paid for ? the designers ? engineers ? technologies ? LOL
they paid $$$ for that name brand

..and they're going to cash it in sell BIILIONS of PCs in China.

 

That's where I come up short. I should probably know how to reset the BIOS, but I don't. I could certainly take care of the HD, but the BIOS is untouchable with my current knowledge. How would I reset it?

 

Folks, any thoughts on the loaded HP I'm currently favoring:
1.86GHz Intel Centrino Pentium M Processor 750, 1024MB RAM, 100GB Hard Drive, Lightscribe DVD+RW/CD-RW Combo Drive, 802.11BG WLAN & Bluetooth, 14" WXGA BrightView Display, XP Pro, hp Refurbished

for $1199!!!!! DV1340US is the model #

 

I work in graphic design at a printing company. I will primarily use the machine for web surfing and playing video and DVD. UNLESS I have to travel on business or to a client. This machine will have the full Adobe graphics package - Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. on standby just in case which is why I need somewhat of a performer without breaking the bank. I figure I don't want to spend more than $1500. I start to cringe when looking at $1499 machines, so I'd prefer to stay south of that figure. Most of the time the m,achine won't be breaking a sweat. For example I figure I can get away without a dedicated graphics board if I have 512MB or 1GB of RAM to share. I've priced out IBMs and geez, they're $$$ if you want ANY real features.

 

Great specs on that HP, however:

The magic word here is ===> Refurbished


IMO pony up the $$$ and get brand new....

My vote is on a IBM T43, great computer. Lenovo or not, this computer is rock soild.

 

They are using the model not the BRAND.

 

The T43 is out of range, I believe. I'm trying to stick to $1500 or less. It IS a good machine though.

 

This is what I just ordered for $1169:
http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/de...pno~633997.asp

It's refurbed, but I also bought a 3yr pickup and return extended warranty for $195

This mother is LOADED!

 

I got mine finally, and I love it. We can close this thread!
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...04#post4594504

 

you haven't forgotten about me, right? :P

 

Eagle eye! I haven't. When I return to work next week, I'll ask the bosses. It will likely be passed on to some peon, but I'll ask. I'm been trying to find thos model (zt1145) on ebay to see what a fair price is.

 

haha, thanks