Recommend me a good laptop

[IdioticBuffoon]

I'm looking to get a notebook soon. This is what I need it for:

- Technical computing
- Multimedia (no heavy gaming or 3D animation but some video-editing/photoshop)
- Surfing

Features I would like it to have:

- Screen size >= 14.1" (4:3 preferable)
- Fast processor
- Fast RAM (>= 1GB)
- Good storage capacity (>= 7200 RPM)
- Graphics card (>= 128 MB)
- TV-out
- USB & Firewire ports
- Bluetooth enabled
- Good battery life

I know that's an exhaustive list but some of the features already come in standard in most notebooks today. I certainly want a solid skeleton, i.e. CPU/RAM/HD/Video Card. The rest I can compromise on.

I have never had a laptop before so I'm hoping you guys could tell me what are some of the things a first-timer should be aware of and look out for when buying a notebook since I really have no idea.

Some good names/links/deals would be appreciated.

Also, please feel free to offer any suggestions on feature/component selection and common mistakes people make when buying laptops.

Thanks!

 

[imported_fx]

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/product...20?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&adv=NBAdvisor

I think that laptop suitable for your needs.

 

[InlineFour]

fujitsu lifebook S series.

 

[pkme2]

Get a Dell E1505, load it up to $2000 and use the $750 Dell Discount Coupon and go from there. You can google by "Dell Discount Coupons".
Every month the coupons appear for a limited period, expire and then magically reappear later. Its still the best deal in town, Dell still commands laptop sales, do the math. Good hunting.

 

[Chris2wire]

I absolutely LOVE the Dell Latitudes. Theyre built so solidly and feel great to use and do work on.

 

[bX510]

Alien ware.

 

[pkme2]

PM'ed you.

 

[SparkyJJO]

one word:
dell

browse their models, find one you like for the price you want it for.

 

[tropic]

Originally posted by: InlineFour
fujitsu lifebook S series.

Ditto. Just ordered another Turion-powered LifeBook S2000 yesterday. Well-built, light, and killer screens.

 

[IdioticBuffoon]

Any other suggestions?

 

[aniruddha23]

Thinkpad T42

 

[Chris2wire]

The Thinkpads are nice, Ive tried T40 and T42. One downside is they do not look or feel fancy.. You feel like you're on a regular day laptop, and sometimes that can kill your motivation as odd as that sounds.

Ill re-iterate the Dell Lattitudes feel great, like metal almost, and have a fancy, solid look that makes you want to work.

 

[IdioticBuffoon]

Originally posted by: Chris2wire
The Thinkpads are nice, Ive tried T40 and T42. One downside is they do not look or feel fancy.. You feel like you're on a regular day laptop, and sometimes that can kill your motivation as odd as that sounds.

I don't really care about looks as long as it's a solid system. I'll look into the Thinkpads.

Originally posted by: Chris2wire
Ill re-iterate the Dell Lattitudes feel great, like metal almost, and have a fancy, solid look that makes you want to work.

I have been looking at Dell and they're not bad but since their prices are based more or less on the processor, the jumps are too high between families of systems. I can customize a medium-end system to everything I need (1GB ram, 7200rpm HD, non-Intel graphics card) and it's usually a good price but the processor as I said is slow.

 

[IdioticBuffoon]

Just took a look at the Thinkpads and they are much more expensive than Dell systems.