Notebook Computers

WelshWitchPMD · #1 03-25-2004, 10:03 PM

I am thinking about getting one. I don't want to spend a lot of $. I want to use it when I travel mostly to watch DVDs and get online.
Anybody have any good advice while I am shopping for one?

Mad4stevie · #2 03-25-2004, 10:36 PM

I just broke down and bought one, too. And now I wonder what the heck I was waiting for!

I love the portability of taking it between work and home, and my ability to get online when I travel.

I found that Best Buy has some good computer deals, and they set everything up for you, if you are "technically challenged".

WelshWitchPMD · #3 03-25-2004, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mad4stevie
I just broke down and bought one, too. And now I wonder what the heck I was waiting for!

I love the portability of taking it between work and home, and my ability to get online when I travel.

I found that Best Buy has some good computer deals, and they set everything up for you, if you are "technically challenged".

Thats what I want to be able to take it with me. I am just so confused with all of this technical talk. I am not sure if I need all of this stuff. I guess the big difference in price depends on the processor. Is a Celeron much different then a Pentium? Then there are some AMDs (which I have in my home system) which seem pretty less $ only I can't find the cheaper one in stock anyplace.

I am so confused.

Then I am toying with the idea of a PDA but that just seems like a big organizer and you can't use it for Internet access.

hayley · #4 03-26-2004, 11:28 AM

I really like my Dell Inspiron notebook. I love Dell computers, and they've had some GREAT deals on laptops. I received mine as a gift, but I think they paid $700 for it- it's big, has a DVD/CD-R combo, great hard drive, and a great protection plan. I love it.

strandinthewind · #5 03-26-2004, 11:40 AM

I think a notebook is a great idea. I do not know what you plan to use it for Patti, but for run of the mill useage, there is no significant difference between the Celeron and Pentium processors. Pentium is just more efficient, esp. the centrino technology in some higher end notebooks.

Im had a Dell Lattitude 400, which is a smaller notebook. I loved it. I did not mind the smaller screen than reg. notebooks (usually 15 inches), because the notebook's portability was what I wanted. I think it weighed three pounds as opposed to a reg. notebook, which will weigh around nine pounds fully loaded.

Also, a friend of mine got a Pentium Centrino notebook with 512 MB of RAM (memory), a 60 GB hard drive, the super shard screen, an internal internet access port, DVD/CD-R, and all the other bells and whistles by looking below the notebook displays at Best Buy and Circuit City. This was like a $2,000 notebook, but the model had changed and the store was trying to unload their remaining inventory. So, I'd def. check that out.

Also, buy the warranty - you will thank yourself when you do not have to pull out the hair on your head in frustration to fix a problem

In the end, I'd probably go with Dell, which is only available online.

Speaking of online, there are tons of notebooks for sale on Ebay. I, however, would not be brave enough to go that route.

Happy Shopping.

sodascouts · #6 03-26-2004, 11:43 AM

Revealing my ignorance - what is the difference between a notebook and a laptop?

strandinthewind · #7 03-26-2004, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sodascouts
Revealing my ignorance - what is the difference between a notebook and a laptop?

Nothing anymore. A laptop used to be somewhat portable comp that you could put in your lap while using. They were bulky. Conversely, notebooks were designed to look like a notebook, etc. I guess there are no more laptops in the true sense of the word. They are all notebooks now. But, laptop has stuck around!

Rob67 · #8 03-26-2004, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by strandinthewind
I think a notebook is a great idea. I do not know what you plan to use it for Patti, but for run of the mill useage, there is no significant difference between the Celeron and Pentium processors. Pentium is just more efficient, esp. the centrino technology in some higher end notebooks.

Actually...there is a marked difference between a Celeron and a full blown P4. Think of the Celeron as a 4-cylinder vehicle to the P4's 6-cylinder. If you are simply doing internet browsing and writing Word documents then a Celeron should be fine. But, a full P4 will assist wil gaming, video, mp3 conversion and any graphic intensive or number crunching work.

If anyone is confused by Centrino. It simply is a Pentium M processor (these are the new chips for notebooks that use less power which = longer battery life) system with wireless Internet technology built in. That's it. Mainly a marketing gimmick from Intel.

One of the most important parts of a system is the amount of Ram...especially if you are running Windows XP. I wouldn't settle for less then 512mb.

Hope that helps!!!!!!

BTW....Dell's support stinks. We blow them out of the water in terms of quality and support. (My little plug!)

Rob

GardenStateGirlie · #9 03-26-2004, 01:52 PM

I need a new computer. Badly. I type at an incredibly fast pace but I find it difficult to move around laptops so i'm not sure if i'll go with a laptop or another desktop.

::types away on her Gateway 2000 P5-166 Windows 98 upgraded computer circa 1997::

This thing is "Dance" old....

Violet · #10 03-26-2004, 02:41 PM

I have an HP Pavilion x155 with a Celeron processor. I love it...I never have a problem playing CDs or DVDs on it (although we don't usually do DVDs on it since we have a portable DVD player for traveling). The only probably I've had with it in a year and a half is the printer port had an issue with the prongs inside. But I have a "key" I keep plugged in it 24/7 for a program I use for work, and that probably caused it, because I was taking it back and forth to the office with the key plugged in. I've since upgraded my printer and use the serial port for that.
I bought it at Best Buy and they were okay with the repair, but it took a month, no loaner. Sucked big time as I had to use my husband's MUCH slower desktop for work.
I paid about $1,100 for it in Dec. of '02.

Good luck!

Carol

strandinthewind · #11 03-26-2004, 03:24 PM

www.hp.com has an outlet store that often has greast deals!!!!!!

WelshWitchPMD · #12 03-26-2004, 08:41 PM

Thank you all for your imput. I think I want to get one where I will be able to put all of my digital photos that I take on my travels right on the PC. I am going to go to CompUsa tomorrow just to "pick their brain". Wish me luck!

estranged4life · #13 03-26-2004, 09:15 PM

thinking of purchasing a laptop/notebook (Debbie may purchase one still to work on her book), But now I will wait for the new unreleased test system I signed up to receive and try out for a major system designer.