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Q: computers ( Answered,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: computers
Category: Computers
Asked by: jasper11-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 05 Jun 2005 09:32 PDT
Expires: 05 Jul 2005 09:32 PDT
Question ID: 529575
what is the best notebook computer to buy when looking for excellent
performance for general, not highly complicated, results, such as word
processing and e-mail use, and when looking for a reasonable price?

Request for Question Clarification by nenna-ga on 05 Jun 2005 12:42 PDT
Could you tell us what you consider excellent performance and a
reasonable price? That's a subjective couple of words, and we want to
make sure we meet YOUR requirements.

Nenna-GA
Answer  
Subject: Re: computers
Answered By: djbaker-ga on 05 Jun 2005 15:58 PDT
 
Greets Jasper!
There are a lot of great, reasonably priced notebooks available which
will provide superior performance while performing what I consider
basic business/home related tasks (word processing, email & internet
use, calendar and address book programs, online chatting, etc.). 
Things get a little trickier when it comes to playing games but it
does not sound like this is much of a factor for you.

Below I have listed what I feel are the top laptops at a couple of
price points up to $2000.  I created this list by looking at the top
reviewed laptops on various sites, taking into account power,
reliability and overall user satisfaction.

All of the laptops on this list should be more then capable of
handling your current needs.  The question becomes how able will they
be in two - four years.  That is one of the advantages (aside from
additional features) that the higher priced laptops have over the
cheaper ones.


*** Top Overall Laptop ***
The top laptop available for what you are looking for is the HP
Pavilion dv4000.  One of the newer laptops to hit the market the
machine sports a great price tag along with some powerful hardware. 
In addition to being able to with ease office related applications it
is also built to provide a nice multimedia experience.

- Price: $1,182
- Screen Size: 15.4
- Weight: 6.4 lbs
- Primary Optical Drive: DVD +/- RW
- Harddrive Size: 80 GB
- Processor Type: Pentium M
- Processor Speed: 1.86 GHz
- RAM: 512 MB
- Standard OS: Windows XP Home

"When we first reviewed the HP Pavilion dv1000 a couple months ago, it
easily won Editors' Choice honors in our multimedia category. Its
upgrade, the Pavilion dv4000, joins it at the top of the heap, with
its own Editors' Choice title. It's got the same look and feel, plus a
more impressive 15.4-inch widescreen, improving on the dv1000's
14.1-inch display."

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1780090,00.asp

### Awards and Ratings ###
PC Magainze: 4.5/5
PC World 4/5
3rd Best notebook available according to PC World


*** $1800 Range ***
Easily one of the top laptops available for business and general
computer needs is the IBM T43.  The only thing that kept it from
earning the top spot is the price tag.  This laptop is fast, has a
great feature set and tt is made by IBM which is one of the top names
in computers. It is fairly light weight, very powerful and features a
hearty security system.  If you are looking for a business laptop and
you need something with some extra security, then the extra couple
hundred dollars might be worth it.

- Price: $1,849 - $1,899
- Screen Size: 14.1
- Weight: 5.5 lbs
- Primary Optical Drive: DVD +/- RW
- Harddrive Size: 60 GB
- Processor Type: Pentium M
- Processor Speed: 1.86 GHz
- RAM: 512 MB
- Standard OS: Windows XP Professional

"The upgraded components, robust security suite, and top-of-the-line
management tools make the IBM ThinkPad T43 our business notebook of
choice, and the perfect business tool for any professional."

"The ThinkPad T43 is strong and sturdy. It uses a tough titanium
composite to fortify the cover surrounding the screen and has steel
hinges below the screen to prevent flexing. And the T43 is terrific
for travel. Weighing just 6.3 pounds with the 9-cell battery, it
slides easily into any briefcase, with room to spare. The 14.1-inch
SXGA+ (1,400-by-1,050) screen is great for working through the night.
We love the keyboard and pointing stick. Time and time again, we have
praised IBM for these components."
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1788030,00.asp

"This notebook is perfectly suited for day to day computer operations:
emailing, word processing, work related projects, browsing,
presentations, etc., especially if you are more concerned about
general mobility than a price tag. It's adept for other scenarios, as
well, due to its well developed integrated security (hardware and
software) solution, which means this notebook is ready for the
corporate deployment.

Remember rule number #1 when it comes to shopping: "you get what you
pay for." While the T series is generally more expensive than other
business notebooks, even those from Dell and HP, this business
notebook is thinner and lighter comparatively. In a nutshell, the T43
continues the T series tradition of being a straightforward no frills
professional thin and light notebook. Not short on performance, it is
suited for the mobile business professional and, to a lesser extend,
mainstream user and many in between. In the end, we are giving the IBM
ThinkPad T43 a high 9.5 on the HotHardware scale"

http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.cfm?articleid=674



### Awards and Ratings ###
Hot Hardware: 9.5
PC World 4 Stars
PC Magazine: 4.5
PC Magainze Editors Choice

*** $1500 ***
Dell Inspiron 9300

"The Dell Inspiron 9300 packs advanced multimedia features and blazing
performance for gaming and home or business applications."

http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Inspiron_9300/4505-3121_7-31351063-2.html?tag=glance

- Price: $1528
- Screen Size: 17
- Weight: 8.1 lbs
- Harddrive Size: 80 GB
- Processor Type: Pentium M
- Processor Speed: 2 GHz
- RAM: 1024 MB
- Standard OS: Windows XP Media Center

"All told, the Dell Inspiron 9300 is a very good system if you're a
multimedia fanatic, a DVR junkie, or a part-time gamer."

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1785173,00.asp

---- Conclusion ----
Each of the above laptops have something to offer which accounts for
the price.  Given what it sounds like you will be using it for the
Pavilion shown above sounds like your best bet.  It has a lot of power
and a small price tag.  If you do plan on playing some games then you
might opt for the Dell.  It features some additional power and Ram
which will give your games and future games a boost.
If you are a business traveler and need the extra security then the
IBM would probably be the best.

I hope this answers your question.  If you have any questions or need
something cleared up, please request a clarification before rating my
answer and I will be more then happy to help.

Best, 
djbaker-ga
Comments  
Subject: Re: computers
From: andykaiser-ga on 07 Aug 2005 10:12 PDT
 
I've also posted (and continute to update) an article that has good
general-purpose recommendations for laptops and desktops:

http://www.andybrain.com/extras/how_to_pick_PC_hardware.htm

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