I needs me a laptop for school on a budget!

[aznguy83]

I need a laptop before i start school. I am planning to buy one in less then a month. My budget is max $600-$800. Any suggestions?

Here are the options that I am looking at so far. They arent the best I just need one that will allow me to do internet, word processing, slight gaming and movies. If you find any deals let me know.

Dell
Studio 15
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5850 (2.16GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition SP1
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2
Size: 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
8X Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
Dell 1397 Wireless-G Card
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal (2.0)
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
56 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Integrated Finger Print Reader
Back-lit Keyboard
My Software & Accessories
McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days
Microsoft Works
My Service
1Yr Ltd HW WRTY, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis, 24x7 Phone Support
Included 3 GB DataSafe Online Backup for 1Yr
6 Months FREE EarthLink Internet Access
Also Includes
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 LCD (1280x800) w/ 2.0M pixel Camera
Windows Vista™ Premium
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1

HP
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ...ustomerRatings
HP Pavilion dv2910us 14.1" Widescreen Entertainment Laptop
Product Name dv2910us
Product Number FE989UA#ABA
Microprocessor 1.83 GHz Intel Centrino Processor Technology featuring Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5550
Microprocessor Cache 2 MB L2 Cache
Memory 3072 MB
Memory Max Up to 4GB DDR2 (Up to 1 GB may not be available due to 32-bit operating system resource requirements)
Video Graphics Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Video Memory Up to 358 MB
Hard Drive 250 GB (5400 rpm)
Multimedia Drive LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Display 14.1" WXGA High-Definition BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Fax/Modem High speed 56K modem
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN
Wireless Connectivity Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Sound Altec Lansing speakers
Keyboard 101-key compatible
Pointing Device Touch Pad with dedicated vertical and horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad
PC Card Slots

* One ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)

External Ports

* 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
* 3 Universal Serial Bus USB 2.0
* 1 VGA (15-pin)
* 1 RJ-11 (modem)
* 1 TV-Out (S-video)
* 1 RJ -45 (LAN)
* 2 headphone-out
* 1 microphone-in
* 1 notebook expansion port 3
* 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin)
* 1 Consumer IR

Dimensions 13.15" (L) x 9.33" (W) x 1.02" (min H)/1.54" (max H)
Weight 5.48 lbs
Security

* Kensington MicroSaver lock slot
* Power-on password
* Accepts 3rd party security lock devices

Power

* 65 W AC Adapter
* 6-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

What's In The Box HP Pavilion WebCam with stereo Integrated Microphones

Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones (1 pair)

HP Mobile Remote Control

[WRXTuan]

Originally Posted by aznguy83

I need a laptop before i start school. I am planning to buy one in less then a month. My budget is max $600-$800. Any suggestions?

Here are the options that I am looking at so far. They arent the best I just need one that will allow me to do internet, word processing, slight gaming and movies. If you find any deals let me know.

HP
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/produ...ustomerRatings
HP Pavilion dv2910us 14.1" Widescreen Entertainment Laptop
Product Name dv2910us
Product Number FE989UA#ABA
Microprocessor 1.83 GHz Intel Centrino Processor Technology featuring Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5550
Microprocessor Cache 2 MB L2 Cache
Memory 3072 MB
Memory Max Up to 4GB DDR2 (Up to 1 GB may not be available due to 32-bit operating system resource requirements)
Video Graphics Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Video Memory Up to 358 MB
Hard Drive 250 GB (5400 rpm)
Multimedia Drive LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
Display 14.1" WXGA High-Definition BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Fax/Modem High speed 56K modem
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Ethernet LAN
Wireless Connectivity Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
Sound Altec Lansing speakers
Keyboard 101-key compatible
Pointing Device Touch Pad with dedicated vertical and horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad
PC Card Slots

* One ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)

External Ports

* 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
* 3 Universal Serial Bus USB 2.0
* 1 VGA (15-pin)
* 1 RJ-11 (modem)
* 1 TV-Out (S-video)
* 1 RJ -45 (LAN)
* 2 headphone-out
* 1 microphone-in
* 1 notebook expansion port 3
* 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin)
* 1 Consumer IR

Dimensions 13.15" (L) x 9.33" (W) x 1.02" (min H)/1.54" (max H)
Weight 5.48 lbs
Security

* Kensington MicroSaver lock slot
* Power-on password
* Accepts 3rd party security lock devices

Power

* 65 W AC Adapter
* 6-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

What's In The Box HP Pavilion WebCam with stereo Integrated Microphones

Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones (1 pair)

HP Mobile Remote Control

I would go with the HP in your list, I really like it as a basic laptop. However the one you linked is overpriced, you can get basically the same one at Office Depot for 150 dollars less. I would stay away from 15'' screens, 14.1'' is the max I would go, lugging 5lbs around is really painful after a couple of hours.

Link: http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...-1-Widescreen/

[ormand]

Actually, I think the Dell is better in terms of specs

[ormand]

If you need a business laptop, get a Lenovo/IBM...they are indestructable!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834146459

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834146459

Pro or Con: it has XP Pro

[WRXTuan]

Originally Posted by ormand

Actually, I think the Dell is better in terms of specs

I don't know if I would go Dell again, my XPS 1330 is having minor nagging problems (well not really problems) already. But price wise, the Dell configured is near the upper range of his budget ($754-$731 without calculating taxes/shipping) Where the HP is cheaper. I do like the lenovo's that you recommended also, I was looking at lenovos until I found my current laptop.

Here is another laptop you can look at:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1211587728253
(This one is if you really want one ASAP. Buy online and select instore pickup if you really need it now.)

But basically it's a good price range for a basic laptop.

[aznguy83]

Originally Posted by WRXTuan

I would go with the HP in your list, I really like it as a basic laptop. However the one you linked is overpriced, you can get basically the same one at Office Depot for 150 dollars less. I would stay away from 15'' screens, 14.1'' is the max I would go, lugging 5lbs around is really painful after a couple of hours.

Link: http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...-1-Widescreen/

yea i saw that one in the office depot ad. unfortunately im not ready to buy yet lol

and yea i might stick to 14.1" i would be walking quite a bit.

[WRXTuan]

I think I just jinxed myself, our Dell home desktop died on me this morning. FUUUUCCCKKKKK

[aznguy83]

Originally Posted by ormand

If you need a business laptop, get a Lenovo/IBM...they are indestructable!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834146459

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834146459

Pro or Con: it has XP Pro

sound like a good deal just a bit light on the hard drive and ram side.

Originally Posted by WRXTuan

I don't know if I would go Dell again, my XPS 1330 is having minor nagging problems (well not really problems) already. But price wise, the Dell configured is near the upper range of his budget ($754-$731 without calculating taxes/shipping) Where the HP is cheaper. I do like the lenovo's that you recommended also, I was looking at lenovos until I found my current laptop.

Here is another laptop you can look at:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1211587728253
(This one is if you really want one ASAP. Buy online and select instore pickup if you really need it now.)

But basically it's a good price range for a basic laptop.

anyone know about gateway and their build quality?

[WRXTuan]

Originally Posted by aznguy83

anyone know about gateway and their build quality?

Review:
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/gate...-33088556.html

[WRXTuan]

Actually if you are interested in the HP one you should check the OD ad for 8/3 as the price is now 549.99 AR