Laptop Selection for College

[adam4925]

Okay... I think I've narrowed down the list of computers that I'm willing to get from 5,647 to 3 (I think.)

I've decided that I'm going to get a Pentium-M (Centrino) notebook, not a desktop and not a Mac like some people have suggested because of price and other issues; however, I would like to get people's opinions on these laptops.

Just so you know, I'm going to be using this laptop for mostly typing, watching DVDs, and gaming (even though this would be better accomplished with a desktop.) I will probably be carrying this for short distances (if ever) since I'm not planning on taking a laptop to class with me but my campus does have a wireless network. (Yes!)

1. Dell Latitude D800 w/ GF4 4200 Go

Pro - NICE 15.4" widescreen display. Fast computer with a great video card for gaming. Cool docking solution can add extra batteries. Good service and support.
Con- Whoa! This thing could double as an anchor: close to 7lbs and 1.5" thick. But hey, good ventilation right?

Also with the Dell, do things look distorted or odd with the wide screen (like for games and stuff) or do most programs just adjust?

2. IBM T40p w/ Mobility FireGL 9000

Pro - Can't get any better quality than IBM. Smaller and lighter with great battery life.
Con- 14" screen. Video card okay, (not the greatest though) still really fast in general. No way to add extra battery life on the go. Not the most stylish grey box.

3. Acer TravelMate 803LCi w/ ATI Mobile Radeon 9000

Pro - This thing got a great rating from CNET and appears to be selling faster than Acer can make 'em. 15" screen with okay graphics performance. Good size at 6lbs and (a little) less than 1" thick. Still very fast (fastest on CNET's list.) Extra batteries are available. Curved keyboard?
Con- Does anybody think that this Taiwanese laptop is going to last long? How can anybody get over Acer's horrible service and support record? Is the curved keyboard really a plus? (I currently have a curved desktop keyboard and I like it.)

4. None of the above.

If you think I'm nuts and shouldn't get any of these notebooks please recommend whichever Pentium-M/Centrino you would get and why. Thanks.

Also, which of these has the best video card for gaming? Just wondering.

Quick note: Most sites have not rated the D800 or the T40p edition (opposed to the normal T40) except for, of course, AnandTech.

Let me know what you think. Thanks everyone.

 

[GizmoFreak]

If you can afford it, without a doubt, the T40p!

 

[ceo2b]

Considering your needs and the price tag does not seem to be much of an issue I suggest you look at the Toshiba Tecra M1 (which I am also considering purchasing). The top of the line model is cheaper than the IBM T40, but has longer batter life, better performance, and includes a DVD-write drive. You cannot beat that. I hear the trident card can compete w/ the other vid cards but consumes less power. Depending the review you read you get different takes on its overall performance. Its featured in PC Mag and Laptop mags and they also review your above mentioned LP choices.

 

[adam4925]

Just out of curiosity, why would you select the T40P, or what didn't you like about the other ones and if does one of the others have something that you would want the T40P to have? Thanks.

Ceo2b

While I looked at the Toshiba I ruled it out because it didn't have great 3D acceleration and was not as fast as some of the others plus, since it's the same size and weight, I'd rather get the Dell D800 because it has a 15" screen.

Am I being an idiot about the 15" screen thing? I would really like to have a large screen but that really limits your Pentium M options (you're left with the Acer and the Dell.) I don't know. I'm thinking, since this is going to be a semi-desktop replacement, and I'm not going to have a lot of space in the dorm (for say, an extra monitor) I'd kind of like to have a larger screen... Any thoughts?

 

[GizmoFreak]

Originally posted by: adam4925
Just out of curiosity, why would you select the T40P, or what didn't you like about the other ones and if does one of the others have something that you would want the T40P to have? Thanks.

Don't get me wrong, I think the other units have their merits, but none are as good as the T40p. First of all, a laptop should ideally be very portable. I realize that a lot of people use them as desktop replacements but it's still nice to be able to tote it around without straining your back. Also with the better battery life of the Pentium M notebooks and the spread of WiFi, you're probably more and more likely to take your notebook with you. The graphics card is a bit lacking but if gaming is a really big deal to you, you should probably be thinking desktop anyway. While the D800 might give you slightly better 3d performance, I don't think it's enough to warrant choosing it over the ThinkPad. Batter life on the T40p seems excellent, according to all reviews. And performance doesn't seem to be an issue either. Lastly, I'm just a big fan of ThinkPad craftsmanship. While Dells tend to feel a bit plasticky and cheap, T series Thinkpads feel very sturdy and have that quality heft about it. While Dell slaps together a powerful laptop with great components and churns them out at a great price, IBM seems to take great care in design and development. There are thoughtful touches abound on Thinkpads, like the Thinklight and the wonderful keyboard. Oh, and in my experience, I've found IBM service and support to be superior to Dell's but that seems to be YMMV type of thing.
Of course this is all just my opinion. I've owned T series Thinkpads in the past but not yet a T40.

 

[adam4925]

I know about IBM's fantastic craftsmanship but I really am looking for a desktop replacement-type notebook mainly because I don't have the necessary space for a desktop and that I would like to tote around my notebook for VERY short distances, and I'm probably going to have it in a backpack. (Compared to the 20+ pound thing I carry on my back at my high school now.) Also, about the battery life, the D800 has one of those slots where you can stick in a DVD-ROM, an extra hard drive or an extra battery so if I needed to, I could just stick in an extra battery, right?

I also noticed that nobody has said anything about the Acer. Is it just a piece of junk or why isn't anybody considering it?

 

[ceo2b]

Originally posted by: adam4925
I also noticed that nobody has said anything about the Acer. Is it just a piece of junk or why isn't anybody considering it?

Its has gotten rave reviews from Laptop Mag, CNET, and PC Mag. I'm not too sure how they rank in the customer service/support. Its wireless capabilites are not up to par with the other Centrino systems. Also the machine does not include Gigabit capability. I also believe that the notebook case is a bit on the heavy side, around 6.8lbs. I'm not a big fan of the Acer's design for some reason, but maybe seen it in store versus a mag or other images will change my opinion on that issue. The speakers are placed over the area where your hand/risk will be lying during typing which might not be the best idea. The graphics card and its overall high performance will almost make me lean towards the Acer, but I am not a gamer and my needs (DW-MX, Adobte, etc...) might be able to be met with the Trident card Toshiba offers.

 

[jschuk]

While I have not seen a Acer 800 series yet, I can say that their build quality has really improved in the past two years. Build quality aside, my company has sold hundreds of them to clients and unfortunately I have not seen many of them in for service. I work on the service side of the company and I rely on computers breaking down for my paycheck. That being said, both Toshiba and IBM have always had great build quality and power management.

 

[OldSpooky]

Get the IBM if you have $2300 to spend. IBMs have top notch build quality.

 

[GizmoFreak]

Originally posted by: adam4925
I know about IBM's fantastic craftsmanship but I really am looking for a desktop replacement-type notebook mainly because I don't have the necessary space for a desktop and that I would like to tote around my notebook for VERY short distances, and I'm probably going to have it in a backpack. (Compared to the 20+ pound thing I carry on my back at my high school now.) Also, about the battery life, the D800 has one of those slots where you can stick in a DVD-ROM, an extra hard drive or an extra battery so if I needed to, I could just stick in an extra battery, right?

I also noticed that nobody has said anything about the Acer. Is it just a piece of junk or why isn't anybody considering it?

The D800 and the T40p both have a single modular bay. Both can accept an optical drive, an extra hard drive or an extra battery. If you want a 3 spindle notebook, then you'll have to go with an older Inspiron 8200 or a Toshiba 5205.

 

[Derango]

Originally posted by: ceo2b Also the machine does not include Gigabit capability..

I'd like to point out that for 99% of people, gigabit ethernet is useless

 

[Bloodstein]

Originally posted by: adam4925
Just out of curiosity, why would you select the T40P, or what didn't you like about the other ones and if does one of the others have something that you would want the T40P to have? Thanks.

Ceo2b

While I looked at the Toshiba I ruled it out because it didn't have great 3D acceleration and was not as fast as some of the others plus, since it's the same size and weight, I'd rather get the Dell D800 because it has a 15" screen.

Am I being an idiot about the 15" screen thing? I would really like to have a large screen but that really limits your Pentium M options (you're left with the Acer and the Dell.) I don't know. I'm thinking, since this is going to be a semi-desktop replacement, and I'm not going to have a lot of space in the dorm (for say, an extra monitor) I'd kind of like to have a larger screen... Any thoughts?

The Toshiba M1 has the trident card....Look at the Toshiba S1!

 

[NeoMadHatter]

Originally posted by: Derango

Originally posted by: ceo2b Also the machine does not include Gigabit capability..

I'd like to point out that for 99% of people, gigabit ethernet is useless

yes it is. but it's good to know that when it comes around we already have it. i like the 600m. i think you should go with the Dell D800. but if you wait a little, i hear they are going to be adding a DVD+RW drive to it soon. maybe.

 

[erikiksaz]

Have you ever thought of a tablet pc? Notebooks are useful, but not in classes that require diagrams--for example, math and science. With a tablet pc, you'd be able to word process or literally TAKE notes.

 

[adam4925]

I have thought about tablets but people have come up with a number of reasons against them.

1) Small screen sizes. In order to make the screen feel like a standard piece of paper, most screens are around 10-12inches, only very few have 14-inch screens (if any).

2) As normal computers they suck. Bad video cards, not great performance.

3) If I were actually going to take notes with a computer in class by writing I could just as easily scribble on a regular sheet of paper... If I really wanted to be a technogeek (which my friends say I am) I could also get one of those new pens that don't need any special paper (see the Cnet video here) and simply attach it to my notebook.

Oh well, if tablets could function more like their increasing high-performing laptop counterparts, I would seriously consider getting one, I'll see what the future might bring.