Suggestion on purchasing a laptop

[jmalm]

I've been looking to purchase a laptop for about the past month or so. I've been scouring around to find ONE laptop which would best fit my needs but have been unsuccessful in really find one in particular which meets the criteria i'm looking for.

Primary features i'm looking for:
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Intel centrino/mobile processor (doesn't really matter what speed as long as it's over 1.2Ghz)
Portability (doesn't weigh like a brick)
Integrated wireless
Decent sized hd (40GB)
Nice display (not particular on size)
Integrated DVD-RW (if possible, but can do without)
Good looking exterior
Not a Dell
Wont put a huge hole in my wallet
Decent battery life

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For look of the laptop, I must say anything comparable to almighty apple powerbook g4. I'd get a powerbook, but there's two reasons why I choose not to: price & it's a mac. It doesn't have to be identical, but just something which looks contemporary and not like the standard IBM style.

If any of you guys(and ever-so-rare girls) have any suggestions, comments, or anything is appreciated!

 

[bttjsj]

You can find IBM X31 on eaby for about $1300 without optical drive. It's a very decent notebook. The only problem is that some of them come with Win2K so you may need to buy an external USB optical drive for installing XP, which is highly recommended.

 

[jmalm]

The X31 looks very appealing. Thanks for the suggestion. I also like the idea of the "ultrabase". My only thing is I probably can't do any 3D based gaming on it. :roll:

 

[Wuzup101]

12" Powerbook/Superdrive okay so it's not a centrino... or a PC for that matter... but it does fit your other specs.

Edit:

Crap...um... I missed that last part on the first read through. I have to admit I was hardcore against macs for quite a while... but I just bought my first one. I got myself a beautiful powerbook (in my specs) and I have no regrets what so ever. OSX is truly amazing (though I really never had any problems with XP at all). Also, the machine's fit and finish is great. It is IMHO bare none the best looking laptop you can buy period. The keyboard easily is as good as my best friend's thinkpad t42 (he thinks the same). Anyway... good luck

 

[rainypickles]

since you say you have been scouring, you probably have looked at the hp zt3000 and the x1000, right? if not, have a look at them. seems to fit your criteria, except i dont know how deep your pockets are and what you think of the appearance of those two laptops.

 

[jdiddy]

Another vote for the x31 just no integrated optical drive. Also take a look at the Gateway 200x I've had mine since they came out July03. No issues with it. It weighs 4lbs less about a inch thick and you can get it with a internal DVDRW. Plus its quite the looker in a slim sleek silver casing.

 

[Abhi]

Not a dell ... lol

Whats your budget?

 

[jmalm]

Wow, I really like the zt3000's look, and the fact that it comes integrated with w DVD-RW. The x1000 is great because of the 64MB ATI so I could probably actually do some gaming on it, plus the 80GB harddrive versus the 60GB in the zt3000. Only drawback of the x1000 for me would be the lack of the DVD-RW. Is it possible to upgrade the drive in this laptop, and if so any reccomendations on drives? Also, for zt3000 is there anyway I can expand the HD space? On eBay i see some good deals on zt3000's only thing is they are refurbished, what's your guys' opinions on the refurbs? I really like the look of the zt3000 and would like to stick with one of those if possible.

 

[jmalm]

The gateway 200XL is also really nice, but doesn't seem to have as much features as the ZT3000 or x1000 for the money. I do like the weight of it though - very light for all the features.

 

[rainypickles]

http://shopping.hp.com you can go there and customize the zt3000 or x1000 to your liking. afaik, there is a $100 coupon, educational discount, and $100 rebate going on, but i'm not sure if thtey can be used together.

 

[jmalm]

WOW! This one is perfect!! It's a shame I don't have the money together now

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3494558339&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT