Best Centrino laptop?

[andrewjm]

I am looking for a new laptop to use in college. I've been looking all over for the perfect one, yet I haven't been able to find the perfect one. I will spend around $3000, so price shouldn't be that big of an issue. I would like the best desktop replacement laptop there is, and from what I've seen, the Toshiba S1 seems to be the best. Theres only one problem with it... It has no IEEE 1394 ports. They have an M1 version that has IEEE 1394, but it has a 14.1" screen, while the S1 has a 15" screen.

Has anyone use any centrino laptops yet that can offer some advice on what is the best to get?

The toshiba has a DVD-RW too, which is a nice bonus, but it is only 1x RW and 2x R

 

[bemused]

well anandtech had a pretty good write up over laptops in like may. forget which, however the laptop you would probrably be most interested in is: http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/products/model_latit_latit_d800.htm

The Dell Latitude D800. It has everything you more then likely want. Plus it has the nifty widescreen. DVD burner you won't find over 2x though, probrably of the power constraint, and the size limitations probrably invoked as of now. If you wait a couple months till August, then you could order it then and see if they have it then.

It's a nice laptop, but Centrino I don't think was designed to be used as a desktop replacement, you may just want to stick with the P4m.

 

[w0rmh0l3]

Hmm.. well, right now, I'd hold out for a little while and wait for the new mobile graphics chipsets to come out (but that's just me, I'm rather patient.

The centrinos can be used as desktop replacements, but you'll want to get the most powerful centrino available (1.7 Ghz ones should be out this month) to match the speed of a desktop processor such as a P4. Dell has a laptop that's exactly (well, almost exactly) like the D800: the inspiron 8500. Same flimsy keyboard, same possibly feeping power adapter, but lower build quality and a P4 2-2.5 Ghz processor.

 

[gordita]

Just spend the $$$ and get an IBM.
They just feel so right.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: bemused
well anandtech had a pretty good write up over laptops in like may. forget which, however the laptop you would probrably be most interested in is: http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/products/model_latit_latit_d800.htm

The Dell Latitude D800. It has everything you more then likely want. Plus it has the nifty widescreen. DVD burner you won't find over 2x though, probrably of the power constraint, and the size limitations probrably invoked as of now. If you wait a couple months till August, then you could order it then and see if they have it then.

It's a nice laptop, but Centrino I don't think was designed to be used as a desktop replacement, you may just want to stick with the P4m.

you can select your file system with dell now

lol they had 3 choices

NTFS
FAT32
NONE

wonder what they would do if i selected the last one

 

[mocca]

I really like IBM T40/p. I got one and the machine is fabulous (very thin and light for its class). The laptop look profesisonal and have great performance. IMO, the best laptop in each category is

The best overall laptop available now is IBM T40p (with FireGL9000, it is so sweet)
The best desktop replacement laptop is Dell D800 (the WUXGA LCD seem to have the burn in problem, so beware)
The best ultrathin laptop is Toshiba R100.
The best budget laptop is probably the new eMachine laptop (available at circuitcity for about 1150 and you also get the widescreen with good performance abeit with integrated graphic chip).

IMO, IBM T40p have the best performance for its weight (5lbs with optical drive and battery). It is expensive though but you get what you pay for. IBM have the best technical support IMO. Dell TS can be very troublesome sometime.

Mocca

 

[nicowju]

I love my IBM T40. Build quality is stellar, and I haven't had any real problems with it. Runs quiet, runs cool, and it's fast enough for what I need it for. And wireless is great

 

[andrewjm]

Any comments about the Toshiba Tecra M1 or S1?