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Miscellaneous laptop discussions : Best Laptop for $1000
Best Laptop for $1000
by Helj - 11/27/05 5:50 AMI'm thinking of getting my wife a laptop as a Christmas present, but the problem is that I am a senior programmer for a living and don't know how to compromise. My last desktop was around $2500 ... and I'm afraid to buy a Celeron (or equivalent), go cheap on RAM, etc.
What I am looking for is a laptop that for under $1000 (preferable, although I could I guess go to 1100 or 1200 if its worth it) that:
1. Runs Windows XP well
2. Would be used for surfing, email, MS Word, etc
3. Has a decent, readable screen
4. Not too heavy
5. Reasonable battery length (more than 45 mins)
6. Wireless-capable
7. Reliable
8. Will have hardware that will last longer than 6 mos.
I started looking at the HP dv1000, reviews were solid but not great.
My perfect scenario is her using the laptop around the house at will, being able to surf while watching TV on the couch, etc, and me not being in Hell dealing with it's shortcomings and problems all the time 
Thanks in advance!
Helj
So far I have perused ...
by Helj - 11/27/05 5:59 AM In reply to: Best Laptop for $1000 by HeljThe HP dv1000 and the Dell Inspiron 6000. Both get around a 7.5 user rating, which as I said isn't great, but not bad.
If that 7.5 was from Cnet, that's quite good....
by togus - 11/27/05 7:41 AM In reply to: So far I have perused ... by HeljHowever, there are lots of good places to get opinion, these are all good sites:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/index.php?
http://www.pcworld.com/index/0,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/
http://www.laptoplogic.com/
http://www.mobilityguru.com/index.html
epinions is another interesting place for reviews
by ackmondual - 12/2/05 1:13 PM In reply to: If that 7.5 was from Cnet, that's quite good.... by togusIt's made FOR reviews, so ppl have wrote away, uninhibited by 1000 word reviews or restrictions of not including any links or mention competing products.
Another cool thing is u can comment on ppl's reviews. Definately not THE source for reviews, but worth checking out noneoftheless
Thinkpad R series
by Nooorm - 11/27/05 6:50 AM In reply to: Best Laptop for $1000 by HeljThey start at $799
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=2302835&storeId=10000001&catalogId=-840&langId=-1
There's a free $512 memory offer right now.
Also, the new Z series start @ $799
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=4611686018425011252&storeId=10000001&catalogId=-840&langId=-1
Widescreens and all wireless
(NT) that IBM kicks the hp to the curve.
by Qosmio - 11/27/05 7:45 AM In reply to: Thinkpad R series by NooormNow there's a $599 sales model...
by Nooorm - 11/28/05 10:04 AM In reply to: (NT) that IBM kicks the hp to the curve. by Qosmio...perfect for people who need just the basics.
http://www-131.ibm.com/content/home/store_LNV_PublicUSA/en_US/featured_notebooks.html
Without Wireless Though?
by Helj - 11/28/05 12:42 PM In reply to: Now there's a $599 sales model... by NooormLooks like the $599 deal was for a Celeron without wireless. The $799 one had wireless and a Pentium M.
Wish I could test drive them all for a few days each to see which ones were dogs
There are no Thinkpad dogs.
by Nooorm - 11/28/05 1:35 PM In reply to: Without Wireless Though? by HeljYou can go buy Office Depot and check out Thinkpads...they now carry them. You'll be able to get a sense for the quality of the build. Type on a Thinkpad keyboard, try to flex (twist) the screen, tap on the back of it, then do the same to some of the other laptops OD carries. I think you'll quickly see why Thinkpads are considered the gold standard in laptops.
IBM Support???
by joe23504 - 12/4/05 5:24 PM In reply to: There are no Thinkpad dogs. by NooormIn the past, I've enjoyed Dell laptops. I'm starting to hear good things about the Thinkpads from IBM, but what I haven't heard is "how is the support from IBM". I've heard a lot of horror stories about Dell and HP support. Any one had any issues with support from IBM?
No change
by Nooorm - 12/5/05 12:38 PM In reply to: IBM Support??? by joe23504Support for Lenovo ThinkPads is still being handled by IBM Global Services...he standard by which all others are measured.
Get ACER!!!
by hijack masta - 11/27/05 12:33 PM In reply to: Best Laptop for $1000 by HeljGet the acer 4402WLMI all for 1117 at zipzoomfly.com, it has a AMD turion ML-30 1.6ghz processor, 512 1 dimm of ram, ATI mobility radeon x700, can play all the games out there!!!(WOW)100 gig of ram(Impressive), 3+ hours of battery life(good), 15.4 inch wxga 1280*800 display, dvdrw burner, and xp pro!!! It also has a wireless card. Thats cheap. Acer is a pretty reliable brand and it can last at least more than one year.
Try the HP DV4000
by lappyhappy - 11/28/05 11:16 AM In reply to: Best Laptop for $1000 by HeljI have read some good reviews on this one. It will run around $1000 if you get the Intel graphics chipset which would be fine as long as your wife is not planning on any gaming. If she is planning on gaming some then I would spring for the ATI x700 chip that would increase the cost to around $1200. Also, maybe the HPze2000 would be good for your needs. It would give you the AMD 64 Turion which would "future proof" you when Windows Vista comes out. Anyway, just some suggestions. Good luck with your purchase!
I love my Dv4000, but for you I'd recommend the...
by togus - 11/28/05 11:46 AM In reply to: Try the HP DV4000 by lappyhappyDv1000. Great computer, small and light (14 inch sidescreen, under 5.5 lbs)good battery life, great display and gets good reviews from people who own one. The Dv4000 is heavier, a 15.4 and is good for gaming (with the X700 GPU).
Yikes
by Helj - 11/28/05 12:41 PM In reply to: Best Laptop for $1000 by HeljSo far everyone recommends something different!
Two votes for the HP dv1000
Two votes for the IBM Thinkpad R Series
Two votes for the Dell Inspiron 6000
Heh ...
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