I NEED HELP!
I am a college student trying to find the perfect laptop for school!
Can someone give me some good suggestions of notebooks? I can go mac
or windows!!! I found this questionnaire on the internet took some
time to fill it out and was thinking this might help someone find
something great for me. Also, it might help me if there were reviews
of the laptops included...?
If there are any other specifications I didn?t cover, just drop me an
email and I will try to help!

1) What is your budget?
Up to $1800 (probably, could be more if it?s the perfect one I suppose :P )

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? 
Word processing, internet, watching DVDs, music, maybe some photoshopping..

4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or
leaving it on your desk?
Taking it with me [campus] but will be using it at home too.

5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Nope, not a gamer

6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I have heard a lot of different reviews? not if the computer is good
with good tech support!

7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Probably five hours, at least three though

8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Don?t really care, I have heard it is better to buy online anyway, but
if possible would like to see a model or one similar

Screen Specifics

10) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
a. XGA = eXtended Graphics Array; 1024x768; This resolution will give
you the largest viewable text and images while offering the least
amount of screen real estate.
b. SXGA = Super eXtended Graphics Array; 1400x1050; This resolution
offers a middle ground between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA = Ultra eXtended Graphics Array; 1600x1200; This resolution
will give you the smallest viewable text and images while offering the
greatest amount of screen real estate.
d. WXGA = Widescreen eXtended Graphics Array; 1280x768 or 1280x800;
This resolution offers the same as XGA except that there is more
horizontal real estate; 1280 versus 1024. Popular for movie viewing
due to support for widescreen.
e. WXGA+ = Widescreen eXtended Graphics Array+; 1440x900; This
resolution is offered on 17" widescreen notebooks and is comparable to
WXGA in terms of text and icon size versus available screen real
estate. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
f. WSXGA+ = Widescreen Super eXtended Graphics Array; 1680x1050; This
resolution is comparable to SXGA in that it offers a middle ground
between WXGA/WXGA+ and WUXGA. Popular for movie viewing due to support
for widescreen.
g. WUXGA = Widescreen Ultra eXtended Graphics Array; 1920x1200; This
resolution offers the smallest viewable text and images while offering
the greatest amount of screen real estate.
I don?t really know enough about screens to say?

11) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen? 
Preferably matte (maybe a screen that I can see when I am outside?)

Build Quality and Design

12) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
YES!

13) How long do you want this laptop to last?
2-3 years?

Notebook Components

14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
Don't really care, as long as it's fast

15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive?
Yep.

IBM Thinkpad T43, PENTIUM M 760(2.0g) 512Mb, 40G, COMBO, 15"TFT,
GIGLAN, 11g, FPR, XPPR.
Price:$3,219.00 GST Inclusive
The most secure notebooks available are now even better with one
integrated security solution out of the box (select T42 and T43
models). The combination of the Integrated Fingerprint Reader and the
Embedded Security Subsystem is like having a security guard for your T
series notebook. The Integrated Fingerprint Reader is built
conveniently into the palm rest area of your notebook, making your
passwords available at your finger tip. Having to remember and enter
multiple passwords is eliminated with a swipe of your finger, and
security software is preloaded for an integrated solution out of the
box.
The new Computrace Complete (by Absolute Software Inc) BIOS-based
agent on T43 models is a PC tracking and loss control solution to help
monitor asset locations, protect valuable corporate data and attempt
to recover PCs if they are stolen. A valid subscription with Absolute
Software, Inc. is required. Absolute Software, not IBM is solely
responsible for this service.

Performance features abound in highly portable ThinkPad T Series
notebooks, which start at about 1" thin14 and have a travel weight
starting at only 4.5 lb2. Select new ThinkPad T43 and T42 models offer
larger 15.1" TFT displays that are ideal for viewing spreadsheets,
presentations, Web pages and more and are still only 1.2"14 thin. They
offer one of the latest IntelR PentiumR M processors on select models,
and up to 128MB graphics adapters. Select new T43 models include the
Intel 915GM Express Chipset, providing fast performance, integrated
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, one ExpressCard slot, and one
Cardbus Plus slot that runs 2.5 times faster than the PC Card. Select
T series models also offer all-day computing (up to 9.5 hours6 with
the optional ThinkPad T40 Series High Capacity Li-Ion Battery plus the
optional ThinkPad Ultrabay Slim Li Polymer Battery). It's like a
single tank of gas for the entire day's journey.

Flexible optical and storage solutions available in ThinkPad notebooks
include an integrated, easy-loading modular bay for fast swapping of
optional Ultrabay? optical and storage devices. Ultrabay optical and
storage device options let you tailor your ThinkPad notebook to meet
your computing needs. The Ultrabay Slim, available on ThinkPad T43,
T42, and T41 models, enhances portability by supporting lighter,
thinner 9.5mm (.37") device options, including the ThinkPad
Multi-Burner Ultrabay Slim Drive (standard on select models).

High-performance wireless networking to help increase mobility and
productivity is easy with integrated 11b/g
Wi-FiR wireless technology10 ¡X now available in select ThinkPad T43
and T42 notebooks. This technology not only offers the flexibility of
choice but also provides a cost effective wireless solution for
customers who don't need 802.11a technology. Other ThinkPad T Series
models offer a variety of integrated Wi-Fi wireless solutions. Wi-Fi
wireless upgradable32 models are also available, allowing you to
experience the freedom of wireless networking when you're ready using
one of the new optional Wi-Fi adapters.

Cisco compatibility is provided on select ThinkPad T43, T42 and T41
notebooks, which are rigorously tested by a Cisco SystemsR-authorized
test facility to verify they'll work with appropriate Cisco products.
The Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) Program for wireless LAN devices
provides proven compatibility with key security features of Cisco
infrastructure products.

Optimized for connectivity, select ThinkPad T Series notebooks feature
up to five built-in communications capabilities: Wi-Fi wireless10,
BluetoothR technology, Ethernet, 56K V.923 modem and Infrared port.
RJ-45 and RJ-11 ports are standard on all models.

High-speed Gigabit Ethernet connectivity is featured on select
ThinkPad T Series notebooks. The Gigabit Ethernet standard provides
speeds up to 10 times faster30 than existing 10/100 Ethernet
technology, helping to transfer information quickly and increase
productivity.

Image compatibility for easier rollouts... The ThinkPad T42 and T41
preloaded software is image-compatible with ThinkPad X40, X31, T40,
R51, R50, and R40 models. This makes for easier rollouts and helps
save time and reduce costs by simplifying deployment and image
management ¡X great for enterprises rolling out a combination of
models.

If you can wait another month or two, Apple has just started
production on the new Intel iBooks.  They're either going to be slower
(~1.6gHz) dual-core systems or one pretty fast (~2gHz) Intel
processor.  They'll come out in a 12 or 13" model and a 14 or 15"
model with the option of a DVD writer (SuperDrive).
It sounds like you don't need a huge hard drive, so I would recommend
sticking with a 60 or 80gb drive.
You'll probably want to stick with the smaller of the two models, as
they're easier to carry around with you to class, and cheaper =)
Since you're a student, make sure you use the edu. store for Apple or
show your student ID when you go to buy it.
Also, a huge recommendation: Buy the minimum amount of RAM that Apple
provides with the laptop and get extra RAM yourself (Kingston would be
a good brand to buy).  Apple's ram is literally 3x the price you can
get it for on the street =)

If you can't wait a few months, you could definitely get away with one
of the current powerpc iBooks...  They start at 899 for students, and
you can stick with the basic model, no upgrades (SuperDrive if you
need one?).  You might have luck trolling the Apple store under the
discount section (refurbished) and getting one for even cheaper.
If you have any questions, let me know.  The iBooks are beautiful
machines, fast, and get the job done.  Perfect for a college student.
You'll probably want to buy Office for Mac; I bet your college
bookstore will have it for around 80 bucks (mine does), or you can get
it from the Apple store for 150.  Worth the buy, you'll need it. 
iWork is ok, but MS office is the de-facto standard.
If you need to run Windows on the laptop, make sure you get an Intel
iBook; you can use boot camp.  You shouldn't need to based on your
requirements, but if you're more comfortable, it's definitely
possible!
-Shaun

Last year I was in this situation, I am in high school thought but my
parents aree divored. The thing is I work a lot on my computer for
school, instant messaging, email, photos, music, few games, lots of my
bussiness. So generally I thought laptop.

Now here I am $4,000 later 
I spen 2,800 on a 3,500 on ebay got it new and custom.
Then I added a dock a great idea if you go laptop
Printer
Bag
Security Cable
Software
Lots of other stuff

But now my thoughts are to buy a nice desktop to keep at my main house
or in your case your dorm. Then have a cheap laptop. The key thing is
today there is software to get acess to your home computer from
anywhere that has internet. Hence you on campus wireless internet
could get any file you needed. Thefore you have it for class and home
you can keep your favorite music and other important item on your
latop.

My guess you would spend is

on your new desktop you can get a really nice one for 1,500

and a laptop for 1,000 or less

Just to let you know I am seriosuly consider selling my powermachine
laptop for this. You will understand.

This are just the min parts there the video card and other parts that
arent that important to you I also sugguest to look at Consumer
Reports Top Picks for Computers you can buy there mag or visit there
website

I do know computers for you if you go with what I say look for

`Desktop
Dual core intel Processer
atleast 100gb (that is what m y laptop has most desktops give you a lot  more)
1 Dvd drive
1 cd rw drive so you will have 2 cd  drive 1 for making cd's 1 for dvd's
atleast 1gb of ddr ram

`Laptop 
intel p4 processer or amd athlon
60gb hard drive
atleast 512mb of ddr ram
1 dvd/cdrw combo drive





Will Reynolds-Young
WRRY RLR Sales

PS: Make sure you find what brand is best for what you want such as
mac/apple is video edting and music stuff dell is cheap unless you max
it alienware gaming compaq bussiness hp inovation gateway Dont know
IBM Bussiness

I perfer Mac, Hp, IBM, Compaq

PSS: Some Colleges perfer certain brands and types so check that out too.

The Sony VAIO Is What You Need
SONY VAIO VGN-SZ1HP/B

TOSHIBA M50 series.
i own a TOSHIBA M50P345, and its gorgeous (and it comes in blue and copper colors)
its perfect for all that you need it for, and some!

>>Word processing, internet, watching DVDs, music, maybe some photoshopping..

The cheapest Dell Inspiron will work great for that stuff. Just buy
the cheapest one that has a DVD writer, since you added that on. 
$3200 for a laptop for modest use like that?  You can buy 5 decent
laptops for that $3200 mentioned.

For that $1800 you can buy a Dell latitude, which is the most stable
Dell model, not even listed in catalog mailings to general public. My
son is in medical school, and that is what he got and about what he
paid. His advantage is at his med school, they have a Dell support
person on campus, and he can get amazing support if he has a Latitude.
  He is borrowing money from the taxpayers, and he has to pay it back,
so I didn't say a word. But, if I had to help him, he'd have learned
to do it with an Inspiron. He does nothing more with that machine than
I do on my 3 year old $800 Inspiron. The computer industry sees these
naive people coming...

Don't let anyone cause you to spend that ridiculous amount of money to
do such basic things.  Not too many years ago, one had to get a really
expensive machine to do much stuff, but today the basic machine is
fast enough and comes with enough HD and memory that you can do
everything you mention.

check out the Sony sz110 or sz120. Best Buy and many other retailers
carry it, but it JUST went discontinued, so instead of 1800-2000,
you'll probably get a great deal on it. Very thin laptop, 14" screen,
dvdrw, 1gb ram, 100gb hard drive. Great battery life (5-8hrs), dual
video cards (with a selector switch) allows you to set for "speed" or
"stamina"

hmm

If you are going to be taking the computer with you to class and where
ever and hauling it around all day, the (IBM/Lenovo) Thinkpad X60
might be right up your alley. The actual computer is about 3 pounds,
batteries last about 7 hours and they come with a default 1 or 3 year
warranty depending on the exact configuration. The catch is there's no
optical drive (CD/CDRW/DVD/DVD-R) in the computer itself, it'd come in
an accompanying docking station so you'd have to wait until you are at
home to use any of that. The entry price is about $1500, and the base
+ superdrive (CD/DVD burner) is about another $350. If you know anyone
who works for IBM they can get you their employee purchase plan
discount which will knock about 20-25% off the price. You can browse
them at www.lenovo.com.

I'd also recommend the Thinkpad (Lenovo) brand. Apart from picking a
few things like styling and weight, you just need to make sure you
have good minimum stats for your machine, so that you're running
properly out of the box:

http://www.andybrain.com/extras/pc-hardware-recommendation.htm

Also note that there are a few "gotchas":

http://www.andybrain.com/extras/pc-software-recommendation.htm

And remember that a LOT of software you might originally pay for has
free equivalents. Use this list to save a LOT of money:

http://www.andybrain.com/extras/commercial-software-free-equivalents.htm

I prefer IBM T43, 
Now I'm using that notebook

Specs: P M 750(1.8GHz), 512MB RAM, 40GB 5400rpm HD, 14.1in 1024x768
LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon X300, CDRW/DVD, Intel 802.11bg wireless(MPCI),
Modem(CDC), 1Gb Ethernet(LOM), UltraNav, Secure Chip, 6c Li-Ion batt,
WinXP Pro