So I'm interested in getting a new laptop but I just don't know what to get. I have an old prowerbook Ti, and it's just getting too old to use effectively now. Since most of my work involves developing on a Windows platform, I'm interested in getting a pc laptop. So, I was hoping some of you out there might suggest a few killer laptops to look at. I trust all of your opinions much more so than that of some sales guy at CompUSA/BestBuy.

So here are my personal requirements.

1) Design is a big thing to me. I like a laptop that is sleek looking (e.g. like a powerbook). From that standpoint, I like the vpr matrix and the e-machines laptops.

2) I'm looking for a smaller laptop. I like the widescreen of my powerbook, but it just takes up to much room on those little starbucks tables. I'm looking at 14.1" monitors, but I might even consider a 12.1" if the resolution is decent. I like the new Dell 300m, but I'm not sure about performance, and I heard the battery life is rather short.

3) I would like wireless integration.

4) I would like to not spend more than $2000

So, with those pre-requisites, does anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks!

- trs

I'd be hesitant to go with either the vpr matrix or emachines, as vpr is a house brand, and emachines is known for being the cheapest possible. The 17" emachines me-too laptop I looked at had far lower resolution than my 15" screen. What's the point of carrying around a big low resolution screen? It seems like you have to order machines to get the real high resolution screens, especially if you don't want all the other bells and wistles. I've never seen a 12.1 screen with resolution other than 1024x768, which is one of the main things stopping me from buying a smaller laptop. (Anyone know of any?)

The general consensus in the laptop world is once you switch to IBM, you won't go back. I've been meaning to switch, but I'm never willing to pay the price permium. They're supposed to be some of the most solidly build laptops around.

Whatever you decide on, see if your budget will afford a "corporate" model instead of consumer. By all accounts they're better built, be it toshiba, compaq, dell, or whoever I'm leaving out.

Matthew

the dell 8500 is really nice. a little larger screen that what your asking for though. 15.4"

Might want to take a look at the refurbished Dells. I have a Latitude C610 that I bought used and I love it. Most all of the Latitude series meet all of your prerequisites. I'd recommend sticking with that series, as Matthew stated, as they are the "business" class.

I bought a refurb Dell Latitude X200. Saved $600 off the price of a new one plus I got XP Pro (instead of home), CD-RW/DVD drive, and 640MB of RAM for that price vs. a new one. It's the best laptop I have ever used (IMHO).

IMO and for the quality of my vision, there is no reason to get a 14 or 15 inch XGA screen. XGA is usable on a 12 inch screen so you might as well save the size, weight and power usage. A larger screen only justifies itself if it has a higher resolution. I think a 14" SXGA+ (1400x1050) is the current sweet spot for resolution vs. size.

If you are looking for an ultraportable the Fujitsu P5000 looks like a very nice machine. It's the current object of my tech lust.

-Dylan

Dunno. I've got a 15" 1600x1200 screen and it's really nice IMO. You have to set Windows to use large fonts though which sometimes screws up applications but apart from that it's cool.
If I get another laptop then I'll still be getting one with a minimum resolution of 1600x1200.

Thanks, everybody, for the info! I looked into the Latitudes, and I really like em.

Another question: How's the performance with the Pentium M vs. the Pentium 4m? Is it a good deal slower or is it just a Mhz myth?

- trs

The M has significant battery life advantages (like 8 hours with a standard battery) over P4's. They're also usually bundled with WiFi due to the supporting Intel chipset (Centrino?). The clockspeed is slower, but I think most would be hard pressed to show a true performance hit from the slower clockspeed, which is why Intel doesn't list clockspeed with the M's, as it's contrary to the marketing they've been beating us on the head with for the last umpteen years.

-Zeke

I know Costco has a referb compaq for a great price. $1379.99

P4 2.66 GHz, 1GB RAM, 60GB Hard drive, DVD/CD-RW combo drive, 15" SXGA+ (1400x1020), modem, LAN, etc...

I thought it pretty good for the price. Link here

I wouldn't touch a brand new Compaq laptop, much less one that's been returned already.

The performance of the M chips compares with P4 chips rated about 1GHz higher. The M is definitely the way to go. The battery life tends to be about twice as long as the P4 machines. It runs cooler which means less need for a fan, easier to design into a smaller case and doesn't roast your thighs

And don't discount the value of the Centrino wireless chiipset. It too is designed to be power thrifty. Laptop magazine does their battery runtime tests with and without the wireless connection on. The Centrino machines only lose a small amount of time when using wireless. Non Centrino machines vary wildly with some of them losing nearly half of their runtime due to wireless.

-Dylan