Here we go again - Looking for Laptop Advice

[shawnc]

OK folks, I really like my Toshiba Satellite with one (maybe two) exceptions. It's a little larger than I would like (7 lbs) and no integrated wireless (G-card).

I've spent considerable time over the past 3 days researching what to buy (I have actually set up CNET reviews as a web page favorite). Here is what I want and I'm looking for suggestions from the gallery.

• Internal Wireless G (no cards or B)
  Lightweight (prefer around 3 lbs or less) though willing to go as high as 4 lbs for the right machine
  Would really prefer integrated SD drive and absolutely do NOT want integrated floppy.
  CD-RW/DVD optical drive. Don't feel strongly either way about internal vs external
  Hard drive size not that important, though I don't want to go less than 30GB
  Centrino Mobile (I guess, don't really understand the significance of this)
  Battery life not that important. If I can get 2 hours on the right machine, I'll take it.

It looks like it's going to be the Dell 300M though I really like the Toshiba Portege R100. Problem with the Toshiba is that it is wireless B. I also like the Gateway 200X but at 4.4 lbs, it's a little heavier than I'm looking for.

Lastly, I would like to be around $1,500 though I'm willing to go a little higher.

Any help/advice is appreciated.

[shawnc]

OK folks, I really like my Toshiba Satellite with one (maybe two) exceptions. It's a little larger than I would like (7 lbs) and no integrated wireless (G-card).

I've spent considerable time over the past 3 days researching what to buy (I have actually set up CNET reviews as a web page favorite). Here is what I want and I'm looking for suggestions from the gallery.

• Internal Wireless G (no cards or B)
  Lightweight (prefer around 3 lbs or less) though willing to go as high as 4 lbs for the right machine
  Would really prefer integrated SD drive and absolutely do NOT want integrated floppy.
  CD-RW/DVD optical drive. Don't feel strongly either way about internal vs external
  Hard drive size not that important, though I don't want to go less than 30GB
  Centrino Mobile (I guess, don't really understand the significance of this)
  Battery life not that important. If I can get 2 hours on the right machine, I'll take it.

It looks like it's going to be the Dell 300M though I really like the Toshiba Portege R100. Problem with the Toshiba is that it is wireless B. I also like the Gateway 200X but at 4.4 lbs, it's a little heavier than I'm looking for.

Lastly, I would like to be around $1,500 though I'm willing to go a little higher.

Any help/advice is appreciated.

[Zack Mahdavi]

I'm a big fan of the IBM Thinkpads (next to Powerbooks, of course.. ), but they are slightly more expensive. However, they are generally more reliable and are built a lot better.

The X Series matches up mostly with what you are looking for.

For $1499, you get...
1 Ghz Pentium M
256MB RAM / 20GB hard drive
Integrated 802.11b
12.1" display
Weight: 2.7 pounds
No optical drive, but you could get an external

You can also find some really good deals on refurbished Thinkpads at IBM's eBay store. They come with full warranties.

Hope this helps...

[shawnc]

zkmusa,

V-E-R-Y helpful, However. one of my main requirements is 802.11G. It appears as though this entire line only comes with "B".

Thanx anyway for the tip.

UPDATE - Apparently this line is available with "G". I'm going to do some more research as I really like this line.

Thanx again.

[The Yaz]

Don't buy without looking at the Fujitsu Lifebooks

http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Eco....do?series=P5D

They are small, have "g", decent battery life, and even have the modular bay for extended battery life.

Base starts at $1,500.

Good luck,

Steve 8)

[ignar]

Fujitsu P7000 series is rumored to be available by the end of June. Also S7000 series gets an update and worth a look.

[shawnc]

ignar - thanx for the info. This is similar to the Dell in specs but a little heavier (3.3oz v 3.0oz). When you add the optical drive to the Fujitsu, the Dell seems to be the better value.

Thanx to all for the help. I have one final question - if I go with the Dell, I can pay $150 for a DVD burner (as opposed to the CDRW-DVD drive). I don't terribly mind the extra $150 if it's worth it. I'm just not sure what one would do with a DVD burner. With a CD burner, I can make copies and listen to them in the car or rip to SD card and listen to on the Ipaq. What do you do with a DVD burner? I have some old VHS tapes that I would love to convert to DVD, but how do you hook up the VCR to the laptop? Is this even possible?

I would rather pay the $150 if I will get some use out of this. Since I plan on keeping this laptop for a few years, I don't want to miss out on something that is about to become pretty popular. On the flip-side, I surely don't want to pay $150 for a technology looking for an application.

Again, opinions are appreciated.

[Kati Compton]

Keep in mind listed weights are usually without the optical drive in the bay, sometimes without even battery! Make sure you read the fine print.

[shawnc]

OK, I went with the Dell w/o DVD burner. Thanx again to all who posted. It's always nice to know your options and I feel much better about my purchase now that I know my research was thorough.

But I do have ONE rant! Before deciding to purchase, I needed that extra incentive. I just wanted to read a reveiw in addition to CNET's (you will be surprised to know how difficult this search was). Went to Google and put in something like "Dell laptop reviews". The first hit I got was for a sight that had "Coupons". It listed a promotional code that I could use to get an additional 20% off of my laptop. I'm thinking "yeah, right", like thats really going to work. Guess what, it did! I spend two minutes and saved an additional $200. WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH THESE MANUFACTURERS! JUST GIVE ME THE BEST PRICE :evil: ! Can you imagine how pissed I would have been had I found out about this little scheme AFTER making my purchase. I would have NEVER purchased another item from Dell. I would have felt very taken advantage of. I didn't do anything to earn that $200. Just got lucky. Of course, I took the discount. I mean c'mon, I'm no fool !

Oh well, check the buy/sell section of this forum. I'm putting my Toshiba laptop for sale prior to listing it on ebay. It really is a sweet machine, just to heavy for my taste. Though it's considered lightweight for a true P-4 desktop replacement at less than 7lbs. Probably going to try to get $800 for it prior to listing it on ebay. Then it goes to $900-$1,000. I paid around $1,800 less than a year ago. PM me for more info or wait until I post the spec on this forum later today.

Again, thanx for all the help.

[tanalasta]

Well, good luck selling your Toshiba! Dell's make fairly decent machines. Whilst it is a bit late now, I can also put in a good word for Fujitsu for anybody else interested. Toshiba's also make some of the thinnest and most beautiful Pentium-M laptops out there.

As for integrated wireless, my brother has a centrino with 802.11b. Don't let that stop you buying a laptop as it only costs $50US to buy either a USB (better - you can use it on your desktop too!) or PCMCIA 802.11g card.

[js415]

Shawn,

Please contact me about your toshiba.

Thanks,

Jerry