Buying laptop: any lighthouse?

[Trifna]

Hello, and thanks for any help...

This summer I'll buy a laptop, around 900-1000 $US / 700-800€ (or maybe second-handed). I do play games at times, but what comes before that is:
- "Multimedia tank" ready to face future applications
- Reliable/robust/whattever enough (might be what I'll use to do some future job so... what is needed?)

What about the brands? I never bought a laptop, and built custom... but now it seems I have to pick a laptop brand (grr). IBM? Toshiba? Ford? What's the point of those, and how to chose?

Warranty-wise: normally I've always been ok with the manufacturer's normal warranty. Wise with laptops?

I didn't check computers components since... 5 years? So, is nowadays' DDRAM double of SDRAM 100MB? hehe
Here's my present idea of balanced comp (minimum specs):
1.5MHz (Pensium M or Athlon)
256 RAM
DVD + CD burner
30-40 Gig hd
video card: not a clue! These things change too much...
14-15" screen
wireless


Thank you very very much, especially for this brand thing...

[Q Classic]

https://www.ibuypower.com

If you go with intel, make sure you have a Centrino/Sonoma chipset.

[Fake Boris]

1.5MHz

Get a 8086

[Agathon]

Why do you assume he's gay, Q3?

[Q Classic]

[Urban Ranger]

Thinkpad.

Go for Pentium-M or some other CPU that doesn't use up a lot of power.

Usually your notebook doesn't have to all that high-powered.

[Nostromo]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Thinkpad.

Go for Pentium-M or some other CPU that doesn't use up a lot of power.

Usually your notebook doesn't have to all that high-powered.

Thinkpads are great if you have money to throw away. Otherwise, go for a Toshiba.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

powerbook

[Az]

I've got a thinkpad with a celeron-M for my dad.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
powerbook

They're great. I love mine.

@ Q3 – I was referring to those horrible cases on the page you linked to. They looked like Julian Clary designed them.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

i love mine too - ive had it for a year and a half and i dont even know what to do if the computer freezes, or how to force restart it.

[LDiCesare]

You'd better be very careful about the graphics card. Pick the one with the biggest RAM you can afford because you won't be able to upgrade it. My laptop is an ASUS, which is quite good, but I don't know about the wireless part. I personnally don't like IBM thinkpads because I hate their little red button which is supposed to be a mouse and prefer larger touchpads that don't hinder you when you're typing, but they are solid computers nonetheless.

[Agathon]

i love mine too - ive had it for a year and a half and i dont even know what to do if the computer freezes, or how to force restart it.

I like the 2 finger scrolling thing.

[Trifna]

Thanks all

Athlon or Pentium?

How do you see the best quality/price with 2 comps with similar specs? I see 2 comps (Toshiba vs IBuyPower.com), similar specs and prices...

[Az]

I'd go with Pentium-M or Celeron-M. I don't think that AMD can compete in the mobile processor department yet. ( Though I think they PWN Intel at the desktop, and probably server levels )