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General discussion

need notebook <$1100, advice?

Aug 28, 2004 9:14AM PDT

Hello, looking for a new notebook with the following things in order of priority:

1. Lightweight (preferably under 5.5lbs), small
2. Long battery life.
3. DVD/CD drive.
4. reliable.
5. decent warranty.
6. wireless capability.

If I can get it cheaper without it, I don't need an OS or any software. I'm a student.

I need this thing ASAP, so I can't wait for backordered stuff or anything. Places that ship next day or 2nd day air are preferred.

I'd appreciate any suggestions of what to buy and where to get it.

Discussion is locked

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Re: need notebook <$1100, advice?
Aug 30, 2004 5:03AM PDT

That is unfortunate you have waited until the last minute if you are a student as HP gives a 6% student APP discount as well as a $100 custom order rebate (Compaqs also). Both of these apply only to custom orders however and you can't get a custom order shipped immediately (only a prebuilt which is not a custom).

If you want a notebook under 5.5 pounds you are looking at a 14.1" LCD or smaller preferably with a Pentium M Dothan Cpu (715 or higher). Many notebooks smaller than 15" that are mainsteam (not ultralights) are business notebooks from IBM, HP/Compaq, Toshiba (Techra series).

The HPnc6000 is an 8.5 rated HP business notebook
(see Cnet review -- anything over 8.0 is very good)(with 1 year international warranty) with a 14.1" LCD at 5.5 pounds. The only thing it does not have of any significance is a firewire port (consumer 15" LCD's have this).

Again, however, you have to order this through HP and I don't know if you can get it in time (and you miss out on the discounts I mentioned at HPshopping.com).

If you live on the West coast or Southwest check out Fry's Electronics as they have a large selection and a 14 day return policy (no restocking fee if in new condition). Otherwise, you have Best Buy, Circuit City, Compusa (worst return policies). You have also missed the 1 year not interest (and 2 years a couple of weeks ago) that Best Buy had.

Look in the Sunday newspaper ads for these stores as well as the office supply stores (Office Depot, Staples, Office Max) but again the best notebooks that meet you criteria are business oriented and may not be available in these stores.

IBM, Dell, etc sell only online so check those out but Dell sells only custom order also.

Also, the only way you are going to get into the $1100 price range is likely to buy a consumer notebook and get some of the discounts I mentioned. Most business notebooks with a 14.1" LCD (instead of 6.5 pounds or so for a 15" square or 15.4" widescreen Pentium M like the HPZT3000 or Compaq X1000) are going to cost $1500 and up.

You could check out fringe brands like Averatec around that price range but they are not a large pc manufacturer with more certain repair and customer service like Toshiba, HP/Compaq, Dell, Gateway, etc.

Gateway does have some models they are selling out at Best Buy (they closed their retail stores) so check out those to see if one fits your needs.

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Re: need notebook <$1100, advice?
Sep 16, 2004 6:10PM PDT

Dell 600M, there is 20% on the internet to give you another 10 percent off the price