Notebooks / Laptops

[Furious]

Looking at getting one, something with some decent spec's ( ~1.8ghz / 512mb RAM ), anyone have any suggestions or warnings?

[MyndFyre]

I absolutely recommend getting it at Best Buy and getting their warranty plan.  So far I've had a notebook replaced entirely, probably four batteries and an LCD screen.

I paid $1750 plus tax plus the $300 for the warranty plan on the first laptop.  That covered two batteries and the cost of the second computer.  I paid another $300 for the warranty plan on the second laptop, have gotten two batteries (probably will get a third) and a new LCD screen (17" WXGA).

Their service plan is unbeatable.

[CrAz3D]

x2.......


I like my HP zv5080.  2.0 amd64, 512ram, 15.4" wxga screen.
its big, isnt lite, doesnt have awesome battery life....but its good laptop-desktop thing

[Sidoh]

I have a Dell.  Intel Core Duo 1.53 GHz, 1 GB Dual Channel, NVidia 7800 Go, 17" WXGA.  I love it so far, but I haven't had an encounter with their warrenty plan.  I did get the 3 year warrenty, so I guess we'll see.

[MyndFyre]

Oh yeah, definitely go for a Core Duo - I hear for mobiles they kick all manners of ass.

If you do any programming I also recommend a wide screen.  It's handy having (roughly) the normal size of a screen for just code, and then having the toolbox and solution explorer on either side of the notebook screen.

[Joe]

Oh yeah, definitely go for a Core Duo - I hear for mobiles they kick all manners of ass.

If you do any programming I also recommend a wide screen.  It's handy having (roughly) the normal size of a screen for just code, and then having the toolbox and solution explorer on either side of the notebook screen.

I have to agree with the widescreen. Using Tory's laptop for some random Java stuff has left me scrolling left and right non-stop. =p

[iago]

I have a Centrino 1.5ghz with 512mb ram, and it's served me well for almost 2 years now.  And yeah, definitely get warranty. 

[dark_drake]

My brother has a Toshiba laptop.  It's a pentium 4 3.0 ghz, 17" screen, and 1 gig of RAM (I think...).  I'm not real sure about graphics card.  He was happy with it until he decided that 1 hour of battery life wasn't enough.  Also, he has to be really careful when he takes it off a desk and puts it in his lap as it can easily overheat.  However, it did serve quite well as a desktop replacement.

I really think that the reason he's getting an Apple now is because his girlfriend has one; he's trying to impress her. 

[Ergot]

My brother has a Toshiba laptop.  It's a pentium 4 3.0 ghz, 17" screen, and 1 gig of RAM (I think...).  I'm not real sure about graphics card.  He was happy with it until he decided that 1 hour of battery life wasn't enough.  Also, he has to be really careful when he takes it off a desk and puts it in his lap as it can easily overheat.  However, it did serve quite well as a desktop replacement.

I really think that the reason he's getting an Apple now is because his girlfriend has one; he's trying to impress her. 

My Acer Aspire 3002 that weak battery life, and although it doesn't overheat, it sure gets hot.

[iago]

Incidentally, I'm not sure if everybody knows this, but Pentium M chips (which is what the Centrino has) go on a different scale.  1.4ghz - 1.8ghz on a Pentium M aren't the same as those speeds on a P4. 

[Furious]

This will be used mainly for school work, and misc. things related for my girlfriend.  It also has to be able to run WoW smoothly ( I got her addicted /sigh, hence the 1.8ghz and 512mb RAM )

[rabbit]

Well, don't get a Gateway.  My personal experience with them has been horrid, although they are good about fixing stuff, the one my dad has just sucks too much to be worth it.  It's had a new battery, a new charger unit, a new charger cord, overheated twice, and has nuked itself 3 times.  We sent it back again (it won't boot anymore) a couple days ago.