Need help buying a laptop

[imported_sanjuro]

I had this on the general hardward category, but it fell off the first page without any replies. I didn't see this category until after I made that topic. I figured it'd be better to post it here than to bump that topic up. Onto the original message:

I don't know much about computers. I've been using the same piece of trash Desktop PC since '00. It gets the job done for what I want to do (surfing the net, organizing music). But I want to get away from Desktops and go with a Laptop, because I also want to use it to listen to music. I'm a big music listener, so sound quality is VERY important. Instead of going out and spending $300 on a new MP3 player, I'd rather put that towards a new computer. Since I do a lot of listening in my room, a Laptop will work perfectly for that.

My budget: $700 MAX -- ideally in the $600-$650 range

I don't need a great computer. I want something as close as I can get to great, while still staying in my price range.

My questions:

1. Does it really matter who you buy it from (HP, Dell, Gateway, etc.) if you pick all of the parts yourself? I'm not sure who to buy from. I was leaning towards either Dell or HP, since they both seem to have lower prices.

2. Any processors I should avoid? I've heard bad things about Celeron. What are the best bang for you buck processors? Something that's good but won't destroy my wallet.

3. I've noticed that most companies don't really offer anything different when it comes to sound. It just mentions 'integraded audio'. Is that my only choice? I could always upgrade the audio with a sound card, so I guess this isn't a big deal.

I know I'm asking a lot. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Also, I'm willing to wait for new technology to be released/prices to go down, so if that's happening any time soon, I don't mind waiting. I was already thinking of waiting for Vista to come out anyway. I'm just trying to gather some info. right now.

 

[imported_2x]

HP or Dell is fine. Try to avoid celerons if possible but it may be a little hard with the budget. If you want upgraded sound, you need to do it at time of purchase, not later because a laptop sound upgrade is not as easy as a desktop. I would stick with integrated sound, save that money and upgrade the processor. You will not be able to tell the diff on a laptop between integrated sound and dedicated sound. Buy the laptop when you have the money, playing the waiting till prices / new stuff happens will only have you waiting forever. Also I doubt that any 600 dollar laptop will run Vista well, so you may as well forget Vista.

2x

 

[Doh!]

Yonah-based Celerons (65nm, 533 MHZ) are pretty good performers. You'll find them in sub-$600 notebooks. I have one & Vista runs very well w/ 1GB RAM.