Converting to a notebook PC, and I need suggestions

[Glengoyne]

I am replacing my desktop PC at the office with a notebook. The deal is I know just about nothing about what makes or breaks a laptop performace wise. This is especially the case when it comes to display options. I have no clue what that alphabet soup means. I am even at a loss for brand selection. Toshiba used to be top dog. Then I was told that they had lost ground, and been replaced on top of the pyramid by the likes of Dell. Now I am told that Toshiba has made up ground. I dunno. I am looking for some of your experience here.

The only options I clear about are I want a 7200 rpm hard disk, and I want bluetooth capability. It will primarilly be used as a desktop unit with a docking station. I will likely have a seperate monitor, unless the display I get is sufficient.

[Ksyrup]

I'm glad this topic came up. I'm looking to get a laptop, but primarily for travel purposes. I was shocked today when I went to Best Buy and only found one laptop with under a 15" screen. I want something relatively small, lightweight, and easier to carry than thos 8-10 lbs. monsters. What gives? Why are their fewer choices for smaller laptops? The only thing I can figure is that people are doing what Glengoyne is doing - replacing a desktop with the laptop. In that case, you'd want the bigger monitor.

[dawgfan]

I'd welcome thoughts on this as well as I've been seriously contemplating getting a notebook.

From what little research I've done on the matter, here's what I know:

- Most notebooks will have a Monitor Out port;

- Regarding the alphabet soup of displays, here's the info I have:
XGA is the general all-purpose display
SXGA+ will give you enhanced resolution (something like 80-90% higher) than XGA
UXGA will give you enhanced resolution as well as wider viewing angles (+25%) and increased brightness (+20%)
you should also be able to get each type in a wide-screen format
- Intel has a new processor for notebooks called the Pentium M; you'll find that the clock speeds are lower than for the standard P4's, but the gain is supposedly in energy drain; the M will give you longer battery life, and is lighter;

- Dell still has a variety of sizes, ranging from 3 lbs up to 7 lbs, so if you want a small and light option they are still available

Anyone have any recommendations on brands and models? I've always had success with my Dell desktops and workstations - are their notebooks similarly reliable?

[hukarez]

- Intel has a new processor for notebooks called the Pentium M; you'll find that the clock speeds are lower than for the standard P4's, but the gain is supposedly in energy drain; the M will give you longer battery life, and is lighter;
Is that the same thing as that 'Centrino' processor?

[jeff061]

don't know to much about the wide screens, but to further clarify the XGA stuff with regular non widescreens.

XGA= Max resolution of 1024x768
SXGA= Max resolution of 1400x1250
UXGA= Max resolution of 1600x1200

I've found the most expensive notebooks are the small ones with long battery life. But you can get some 14.1 inch dells(not what i call tiny, but smaller than 15) for 700-900$. Course it all depends on your budget. We've had good luck with Toshibas at work. Sony makes some impressive notebooks, but i don't trust Sony or the quality of the notebook. Mostly heresay there though.

I believe the centrino is a technology involving the motherboard and the processor. The processor being a Pentium M. People have also told me that clock for clock the M is faster. Such as, a p4 2.0 = a Pentium M 1.6 I haven't read that though, just something my boss believes. Quick comparison, at work we have 2 comparable notebooks, but one with a P4 2.0 and one with a Pentium Mobile 1.6. The mobile gets 4.5 hours to the p4's 2.

In the end i'd recommend Dell, Toshiba and IBM Thinkpads.

[Draft Dodger]

Pentium M does indeed have lower clock speeds, but, because it's optimized for mobile use it benchmarks out very well - a 1.3 Pentium M benchmarks comparably to a 2.2 Pentium 4M.

The Centrino chipset does use the Pentium M processer. In order to be called "Centrino" the notebook has to use intel's 802.11b technology - if it uses a different wireless card, it can't be called Centrino (which is not necessarily a bad thing)

Centrinos / Pentium M laptops are great for people carting around notebooks all day. If looking for something more along the lines of a desktop replacement, you may get more bang for the buck with a P4M processor (sort of a modified desktop processor).

7200 RPM drives and bluetooth are by no means standard on notebooks - even a 5400 rpm drive is something you might be paying a little extra for.

I have zero experience with Dell...as far as the other brands go, I think Toshiba and Sony are both good in terms of "bang for the buck" (usually good feature lists for the money). IBMs have a nice reputation for reliability, but are generally a bit more expensive.

[Peregrine]

I'm glad this topic came up. I'm looking to get a laptop, but primarily for travel purposes. I was shocked today when I went to Best Buy and only found one laptop with under a 15" screen. I want something relatively small, lightweight, and easier to carry than thos 8-10 lbs. monsters. What gives? Why are their fewer choices for smaller laptops?

There don't seem to be that many Ksyrup. I use my Apple iBook for travelling, it's small, pretty light, and I've had no problems.

[stevew]

I have a 12" powerbook and It rocks. Most of the Laptops I see are heavy as crap these days, I agree. Don't be afraid to look at the Powerbooks tho.

[Glengoyne]

7200 RPM drives and bluetooth are by no means standard on notebooks - even a 5400 rpm drive is something you might be paying a little extra for.


Looking at the Dell site, the 7200 rpm drives are about a $150 upgrade over the 5400 rpm models. Looking at the Toshiba site, I am not even seeing 5400 rpm drives. Everything is 4400 rpm. After seeing the impact of a fast drive on system performance, I am not sure about using a 4400 rpm drive on my desktop computer. Then again, I use my computer for the MS Office applications and some java and X applications, so that drive performance may not really be all that much of a deal breaker for me. See I am already coming to terms with our procurement people telling me they'd prefer if I went Toshiba.