For custom ordering a HPZT3000/Compaq X1000 (see X1000forums.com) the cost of a 1.6 Pentium M is only 50 over the old 1.5 Banias Penitum M. That is a great value. The 1.7 is another $125 above that, the 1.8 is quite a bit higher (not sure how much but significant) and the 2.0 is $450 higher --
You are only picking up incremental mhz speed -- all of these have the 2mb L2 cache (but not the 705 1.5) so the 1.6 is the best value followed by the 1.7.
Sony has had Xbrite for awhile
Fujitsu has had Crystal view but many of their notebooks have integrated video not dedicated
HP has Briteview now (not Sony) and they have it on some notebook models but not this one yet
Toshiba has Trubrite and the M35 series is the one I recommend if you want this type of screen (10% off custom orders online or on sale for $1799 at Frys this week or $1850 at Best Buy this week (2 years no interest) as the fully loaded M35S456 (see specs at Toshiba site).
Of course the Sonoma chipset will bring more performance out of the Dothan cpu and they will raise the memory speed (PC2700 or 333mhz right now up from PC2100 originally) but if you can use the wi-fi and notebook now it is not worth it to wait.
You can easily get a 1.6 Pentium M Notebook now with 256gb ram (order more later much cheaper -- remember only 2 slots), CD-RW/DVD ROM (DVD burner $200 more -- HP is DVD + only, Toshiba is multiformat), 64gb video dedicated, 5400 rpm hard drive (50% faster than 4200rpm -- custom option not prebuilt) for $1500 or less with discounts ane rebates.
If you are not a student and want the Trubrite LCD on the Toshiba (XGA resolution only -- 1200x800) then buy that.
If you are a student (APP 6%) or work for a company with the HP employer discount EPP (12%) and also you can get a $100 custom order rebate through 9/1/04 you will get the best price with them.
I will have some extra money available which i will use to purchase another laptop. I currently use a Dell Inspiron 2650 which is okay, but a bit heavy and the battery life is not that great.
From reading many other threads, it seems the best current choices are a Dothan 1.6 or 1.7 chip with a Toshiba M35, or HP z3000 or the Compaq 1000 series.
I was in Fry's recently and noticed the Sony Briteview screen. I really liked it. Currently, it seems that Toshiba has the only other model with their Trubrite screen.
Has anyone had glare problems with the Briteview or Trubrite screens.
I have read some about the Sonoma chip and it certainly sounds exciting. I wonder if it will even be available a year from now. They are projecting 1st quarter of 05, but who knows. The combination of new chip and 533 frontside bus sounds appealing.
But it means waiting and the first models will be expensive. I guess another option would be to wait a bit longer and see if there is a price drop later in 2004 on the 1.8 or 1.7 Dothan. I can live with my Dell 2650 a bit longer, but the weight and short battery life are getting harder to live with.
Anyone else considering waiting for Sonoma?
Thanks,
Roger

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