Best Notebook computer

[YBG]

OK, right now I'm in the market for a laptop. I'm not completely sure which to get, but I know I really want one :D

I'd really like to have at least a 15" screen, a high performance graphics card, and i'd like for it to stay somewhat cool (I like to use laptops while they're, well, on my lap. Go figure). Also, I would like to have either a Pentium M or an AMD that is at least a 1.8 ghz. Also, I need 512 ram and a CD burner/dvd player.

Any recommendations?

[ThunderRiver]

You sound like you want a big brick laptop. It is not hard then because IBM, Dell, AlienWare, and HP all have models that is over 10lb. With Dell, you can have up to 15lb models, such as Inspiron 8500.

15" screen is nice, but you are destined to have dents from the keyboad when you close the lid and put stuff on top of your laptop. Also, battery life is shorten when you have 15" screen.

Ideally, if you want a nice laptop that sits comfortablly on your lap. It should be only about 14.1" screen, which will most likely reduce your weight to under 5 lb.

[multimediatechy]

Check out dell for competitive prices...it's good for configuring what you are after. Centrino based laptops are by far the outright winner for me...thats a must! Remember that Centrino based and AMD may be coming out with an upgraded versions of their current laptop processors. I predict a price drop coming this year so don't buy too soon as you may regret it.

[Toastyone]

How much do you want to spend?

[se7en.hu]

Toshiba M30 15.something" Widescreen Pentium M about 5 hour battery life using it if it is switched on but not being used like 10 hours with standard battery btw longer lasting battery you will have a ard time emptying seriously it will drive you nuts. Great laptop looks good weight nothing asin I can easily lift it with one finger. (Y)

[ZZOOzzoo]

I strongly recommend IBM Thinkpad T42.

They're think compared to other comptetitors such as Dell or HP, yet very powerful.

Thinkpad is amazingly well-built, that you can spill water on the keyboard and the water will flow down to the bottom, and it is very solid overall.

I think most of the T42 series comes with CD writer and DVD player, but you can swap the drive with extra harddrive ,DVD writer or any other thing that are sold seperately.

There are large selections of CPU speed (Pentium M) and graphic card, and you can choose the amount of memory when ordering from IBM website.

[youm0nt Veteran]

moved to mobile devices

[YBG]

joseph0324, this IBM does have a touchpad right? That stupid red button mouse thing annoys the crap out of me..

ThunderRiver I thought most laptops were either 12", 15" or 17". I do know there are a few that deviate from the norm.

One computer that I really like the size of is the Dell 700m (despite the 12 inch screen, but I can work with that). If I could find something like that, but with a really good video card I'd be sold.

[YBG]

OK I did some more research, I definetly like the Toshiba notebooks. They have some that go up to 17", which is very sexy (It will probably be plugged into the wall most of the time, so I'm not too worried about battery power)

[Toastyone]

If you can try to get a Toshiba that is not a Satellite model I have one and the keyboard is a little small compared to other laptops, non of their other laptops have this problem it is just the Satellites

[NetRyder]

You said you liked the Inspiron 700m and that you also liked the 17" offerings from Toshiba.

Did you look into the Inspiron 9200? It has the same external design as the 700m, with a 17" screen, a Pentium-M (Dothan) CPU and a 128MB Mobility Radeon 9700.

Just something to think about... ;)

[Mac-It-Up]

hmm i like fujitsu lifebooks. really like the 12" models. i know you don't mind having a big one, or one with shor batt life, but you might change your mind, especially if you go to school with it. Trust me, I got a smaller one after a year of a 15" Sony (~8lb)

i'd recommend apple, but it really seems like you'd game on it so that's out.

oh and LG had some nice ones on display but i'm not sure how good they are

[Xer34]

Id also suggest Apple, but if you want gaming I'd say go with a Dell. They have pretty much unbeatable pricing. I dont know, you should go with what you feel is right for you. Good luck.

[topher1078]

Whatever your decesion is - my advice is to actually try and find the laptop you want before you buy it and see it in person - certain things like how the keyboard feels and how solidly the laptop is built may not seem like the most important decesion now, but once you buy it these little things can turn into huge annoyances. Most of the high-end laptops are pretty similiar specs wise (or at least you can customize them to be anything you want) so pay very close attention to the aspects of the machine that aren't listed on the spec page.

[ZZOOzzoo]

  r3v3rb said:

joseph0324, this IBM does have a touchpad right? That stupid red button mouse thing annoys the crap out of me..

585378555[/snapback]

T43/R51 serieses all have touch pad + red thingy, and an extra middle-button that functions as magnifier+wheel, I love them.

In fact, I never touch touchpad. :p

It's very easy to configure them, since good applications for Thinkpad comes by default.

[YBG]

Now that I think about it, I would prefer a somewhat long battery life without being plugged in (like maybe an hour and a half). I considered getting an Apple before, but I'd really like to be able to play games on this notebook and Apple doesn't really have as large of a variety of games like PC does. If the 700m had a better video card I'd buy it. I've read some reviews on it and all the ones I've read say it's a solid computer. If possible, I'd like to get either a 12" widescreen or a 15" widescreen. 17" widescreen looks a little to excesssive for my needs.

if anyone could recommend some good solid 12 inch or 15 inch notebooks with 512 ram, 60 gb ram, and it must have a high-quality video card, such as a Radeon 9700 Pro. Not Apple.