Laptop Suggestions

[Beantown]

Pretty straight forward.

My current laptop is breaking (a Dell Latitude D620), and I'm going to be either ordering a new one or buying a new one at a store this weekend.

Open to any suggestions...except for Macs. Not a fan of them.

Don't really need anything too fancy. I'm not looking to play any hardcore games on it (maybe some Text-Sims, though) just need it for school.

[dagger55]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

Pretty straight forward.

My current laptop is breaking (a Dell Latitude D620), and I'm going to be either ordering a new one or buying a new one at a store this weekend.

Open to any suggestions...except for Macs. Not a fan of them.

Don't really need anything too fancy. I'm not looking to play any hardcore games on it (maybe some Text-Sims, though) just need it for school.

So not even getting a free iPod touch will convince you get a macbook??? From what you describe, the macbook fits perfectly!

[/end recommending mac in every laptop thread]

[fishepa]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

I would go with Dell again from their online outlet. Excellent prices.

[SqueakyD]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

I've purchased the Dell XPS M1530 a couple months ago... still pretty happy with it so far! Great size compared to my last lappy (Inspiron 8500, it's like a brick)... Less fan noise... comes with built in fingerprint scanner, webcam, and the CD/DVD is slotloading (Blu Ray optional). Fits in my backpack quite easily too... Come to think of it, any POS laptop could have been better than my 8500 but this exceeds my standards I also recommend the M1330 model if you want something even smaller but I don't think it has the fingerprint scanner.

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

So not even getting a free iPod touch will convince you get a macbook??? From what you describe, the macbook fits perfectly!

[/end recommending mac in every laptop thread]

Already have an iPod Touch, and I've played around with the Mac before and it's not for me.

I'll probably end up going Dell again, just looking to see what else people would recommend so I could look around.

[Double Eights]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

I've purchased the Dell XPS M1530 a couple months ago... still pretty happy with it so far! Great size compared to my last lappy (Inspiron 8500, it's like a brick)... Less fan noise... comes with built in fingerprint scanner, webcam, and the CD/DVD is slotloading (Blu Ray optional). Fits in my backpack quite easily too... Come to think of it, any POS laptop could have been better than my 8500 but this exceeds my standards I also recommend the M1330 model if you want something even smaller but I don't think it has the fingerprint scanner.

I ordered the M1530 about a week ago.

Longhorn, I would recommend an Inspiron or an XPS from Dell. www.notebookreview.com You can also go there and look around. You can also use their forums to ask any questions you might have. They are very knowledgeable over there.

[mgoblue]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

I'll be getting a Dell laptop in the next few months...What are the things I should concentrate on improving? CPU, Video Card, Memory, Sound Card, hard drive, etc?

My desktop's doing ok, just getting old and I'd like a laptop to be able to be somewhat portable. The Dell M1530 people mentioned looks good, just wondering what the big things that are a must improve on a laptop nowadays (been a while since I got a new computer, basically 5 years).

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

I'll be getting a Dell laptop in the next few months...What are the things I should concentrate on improving? CPU, Video Card, Memory, Sound Card, hard drive, etc?

My desktop's doing ok, just getting old and I'd like a laptop to be able to be somewhat portable. The Dell M1530 people mentioned looks good, just wondering what the big things that are a must improve on a laptop nowadays (been a while since I got a new computer, basically 5 years).

Yeah, that is what I'm wondering as well.

If it doesn't need much updating, I may look for it at one of the stores around here so I don't have to risk having my current laptop completely break and being without a computer until the custom laptop was shipped out. I think my estimated date, when I customized one was the 27th or so...and I doubt my laptop makes it that long.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

I'll also be in the market for a laptop soon. My Dell Inspiron 6000 is heating up a LOT and I'm starting to get scared.

[mgoblue]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

Yeah, that is what I'm wondering as well.

If it doesn't need much updating, I may look for it at one of the stores around here so I don't have to risk having my current laptop completely break and being without a computer until the custom laptop was shipped out. I think my estimated date, when I customized one was the 27th or so...and I doubt my laptop makes it that long.

Yeah, I know hard drive size is important, but you can have external HD's at home...I don't need all that portable. I just have no clue if the processor upgrades at the different examples Dell gives is worth it, or if the memory is key, or video card, etc. Some stuff is easy to upgrade and some isn't, I'm just sadly not as knowledgeable as I used to be.

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

I think I'm going with the XPS M1530.

It's basically the basic package, though I think I went up one level on the processor and upgraded to the full high def screen instead of the standard one.

Couldn't get too outrageous with it, since my parents are paying for it - my mom is going to then get mine fixed and use that as her own, so couldn't upgrade the processor to something ridiculous, nor could I upgrade the gaming card. Did upgrade the battery, the speed of the harddrive and then the screen like I said.

Totaled out, with tax and shipping, to around 1,800.

[Double Eights]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

Damn, I got my XPS M1530 for just under $1,300.

What were your specs, Longhorn?

Edit: Oh yeah, I ordered mine on Memorial Day weekend, so I got a discount. I also used a coupon I found on that notebookreview site, which took it down another 25%.

If you haven't ordered it yet, http://www.notebookreview.com/dellCoupon.asp . See if you can use one of those.

[SqueakyD]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

Damn, I got my XPS M1530 for just under $1,300.

What were your specs, Longhorn?

I'm curious about it too... I picked mine up for 1,600... Originally 2,400 but there was an online deal for 599 off + I added the college student discount.

[mgoblue]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

Damn, I got my XPS M1530 for just under $1,300.

What were your specs, Longhorn?

Edit: Oh yeah, I ordered mine on Memorial Day weekend, so I got a discount. I also used a coupon I found on that notebookreview site, which took it down another 25%.

If you haven't ordered it yet, http://www.notebookreview.com/dellCoupon.asp . See if you can use one of those.

Awesome, whenever I get mine I'll remember that. Mine'll probably end up being about 1600 or so...I've got to see what I really want or not. That Dell looks great though!

[Beantown]

Re: Laptop Suggestions

My specs look like this:

-XPS M1530, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800MHzFSB, 3M L2 Cache)
-2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
-15.4 inch Full Hi Definition Wide Screen WUXGA TrueLife LCDwith Camera for XPS M1530
-256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
-160G 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
-Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
-85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for XPS M1530


I actually secretly (to my mom, that is) upgraded the processor and the video card to make the laptop that much better than my current one, upgraded the size and speed of the hard drive, upgraded the battery and the screen.