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General discussion

yet another question on a laptop for school

by janchan18 Jul 14, 2006 9:29PM PDT

I am looking to buy a new laptop for the upcoming semester. I've read a lot of the reviews here on cnet and a lot of your opinions here in the forums. From everything I've gathered I've somewhat narrowed down a list of a few laptops:
Dell XPS 1210
HP DV5000t
HP DV2000t
Dell Inspiron 1505
Dell Inspiron 1705
Out of those models which one do you all think is the best for a student who listens to a lot of music, will occasionally play some games, and will be carrying the laptop around campus and on the road? Do you recommend any other options? I'm thinking of going with a system configuration of:
Core Duo T2400 (1.83 GHz)
1GBRam
not sure on the video card
100GB hard drive
a nice wireless networking card to get connected on campus
Any other suggestions? Your help is appreciated.

Discussion is locked

8 Posts
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forgot to mention
by janchan18 Jul 14, 2006 9:36PM PDT

My price range is up to $2000.

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Since no games...
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 14, 2006 10:53PM PDT

The cheapest unit wins that has a 2 or so year warranty. Our kid is getting the 550 buck unit. We plan to replace it in 2 years for 550 bucks for what you can buy then. Today's 550 buck unit could not be had for 2 grand 2 years ago so it's not like we are shortchanging them.

Bob

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but in 2 years
by janchan18 Jul 15, 2006 3:25AM PDT

the thing is in 2 years would have graduated.

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The kid or the notebook?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jul 15, 2006 7:29AM PDT

Since this notebook is way beyond what we could get just 2 years ago, it's no slug. I've watched as some pony up 2+ thousand and then fret.

Sorry, I won't fret but will get something better for him in 2 years.

Bob

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Thought about a Mac?
by Machiavelli Jul 15, 2006 5:54PM PDT

Hey, I'm in a similar position (going back to college in a month), so I've been dealing with the same question.

I've decided on a MacBook (midrange) because Apple offers a $100 student discount and a free Nano.

If your limit is $2000 you could get the base model and option it up to the teeth.

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For under 2000 $ U.S., he will have better graphics with ...
by Ghost26-20878886633866019035262628200812 Jul 16, 2006 1:38AM PDT

a PC. MacBook laptops have an Intel integrated graphics chip while PC laptops liek the Dell Inspiron E1505, XPS M1210 and the HP Pavilion dv5000t have a nVIDIA GeForce GO 7400 or an ATi Mobilty Radeon X1400. These GPU will be a better chocie for future more demanding graphics applications and games and also AERO Glass of Windows Vista. Integrated chips steals moemory from the system RAM to make its own VRAM so the system will have better performances, will be more responding with a dedicated GPU. The GPU determines the life of the laptop, having a good GPU will be better in the near future.

You woill not have fun playing with an integrates GPU. But it has a good side : battery life will be better Happy

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how about for less than $800
by chazz26 Jul 16, 2006 9:25AM PDT

How about if I were to buy a laptop that costs less than $800? I don't need that much features but enough for a senior computer engineering?

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Dell
by Ghost26-20878886633866019035262628200812 Jul 16, 2006 10:55AM PDT

You always have the Dell Inspiron 6400/E1505 with the Core Duo.

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