laptop question - looking to buy

ok, i'm in the market for a new laptop, as my other one died (1st the h/d went out, now it has some power problem). anyway, i just want to get another one, and if i get my current one fixed, then whatever (i'll deal with that later on). i'll probably use it more when i got out of town (which isn't alot), but i like to watch movies on it (when i'm out of town), and of course not be without my internet. so, this is what i've got it down to. should i get the dell, as it has a faster processor? my current one is a gateway, windows xp, either 128 or 256 ram (i don't remember). i'm not too worried about storage, as i've got an 80gbyte external h/d, and of course i'll be able to wirelessly (sp) xfer files to my home computer on my network. any ideas/suggestions, or have alternate sites i can check out? - sos

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...0_series&catLevel=2&tab_switch=true&tab=specs

Compaq - $599 with free shipping

Intel(R) Celeron(R) M 350 (1.3 GHz)
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
15.0" TFT XGA (1024x768)
256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB)
40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
8X DVD Drive
Intel Extreme Graphics 2
Integrated 56K Modem + 10/100 Ethernet LAN
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
System Bus 400MHz front-side bus
Memory Total memory slots: two DIMM
Maximum memory expansion: 1GB
Expansion slots One PCI I/II PCMCIA slot
Communications High-speed 56K data/fax modem
10/100 Base-T Fast Ethernet interface USB 2.0
Warranty One-year limited hardware warranty
Software Apple iTunes for Windows 4.6
Muvee AutoProducer DVD Edition 3.5
Adobe® Acrobat Reader 6.0
Microsoft® Works 8.0
(if Microsoft® Works/Money is selected)
Microsoft® Money 2005 (if Microsoft® Works/Money is selected)
MSN® Encarta Plus (if Microsoft® Works/Money is selected)
Microsoft® Office Trial 2003
Microsoft® JukeBox DVD 2.0
Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0
Number of slots/ports 1 Type I/II PC card slot; CardBus-enabled
1 IEEE 1394 port (4-pin, non-powered)
2 Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0)
1 headphone-out
1 microphone-in
1 RJ-11 (modem)
1 RJ -45 (LAN)
Speakers Internal JBL Pro Speakers



http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=i1000T1&s=dhs

Dell - $599 (after rebate? - not sure if rebate is required), @ $50 for shipping

Mobile Intel® Celeron® Processor 2.20GHz, 14.1-in XGA
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
256MB, 1 DIMM
30GB Ultra ATA Hard Drive
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
8-Cell 43WHr NiMH Primary Battery
no floppy drive

Also included in this system

Dell Media Experience™
Internal 56K Modem
Integrated Network Card
Integrated Graphics Card


http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4318775

HP - for $699 (what it says in the newspaper, but on site it says $799)

HP ze4933 Notebook: Cel.M-350 [1.3]; 512MB; 40GB; 802.11g; XP Home; Combo; 15" XGA
HP:
Outpost #: 4318775
Hewlett Packard ze4933 Notebook PC with Intel Celeron M 350 [ 1.3GHz ] and 15.0" XGA Screen

FEATURES:

* Microsoft XP Home
* Celeron M 350 [ 1.3GHz ] Processor
* 15.0" XGA Screen
* 512MB Memory
* 40GB Hard Drive
* 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* CDRW / DVD-Rom Combo Drive
* 802.11g

i guess the only real difference between the compaq and the hp are the ram, and the combo drive. i don't really know if it's worth the extra dough ($100 over the compaq), but i'd have it now, and not in two weeks.

 

Check out my dell below . .. might be a bit out of your price range for what you listed as an example but GOD to i love it . . . financing available

 

ok, what about intel celeron vs. amd? i do realize that the celeron is the low end intel chip, but i'm not sure about amd stuff (i don't mean their quality). if i can get one for $599, would it be worth it (the extra $100) to get more ram, and a combo drive, as well as a different processor?

$699 after rebates

http://officedepot.crossmediaservic...enumber=1&rapid=118571&listingid=-2097241176&

Compaq Presario R3000Z Notebook Computer Bundle with AMD® Athlon™ 64 Processor 3000+

• With Enhanced Virus Protection
• 512MB DDR memory
• 40GB hard drive
• DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive
• Windows® XP Home
• HP Deskjet 3847 color inkjet printer
• 8-cell li-ion battery
• 54g wireless


$699 after rebates

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=114387

HP Pavilion Notebook PC (ZV5404US)

HP ZV5404US
• AMD™ Athlon™ XP-M 2800+
• PowerNow!™ technology
• 60GB hard drive
• 256MB RAM
• DVD/CD-RW drive
• 15" display

HP Pavilion Notebook PC (ZV5404US)

The basics: AMD Athlon™ XP-M 2800+ processor, 256MB RAM, 60GB hard drive.

PowerNow!™ technology: This technology maximizes your notebook's performance with extended battery life for power when you need it. You get a powerful AMD Athlon™ XP-M 2800+ processor and up to 3 hours or more of battery life.

DVD/CD-RW drive: Create and edit video CDs and music mixes, back up your files or watch movies on the road.

Wireless: Built-in 54g™ 802.11b/g WLAN wireless capability with 125HSM/Speedbooster™ support lets you roam while online, plus connect to wireless networks and public hotspots.

Awesome graphics and sound: Built-in Harman Kardon speakers and Nvidia GeForce™ 4 420 Go graphics make all of your programs look and sound great.

Display: The XGA TFT 15" display delivers clear and bright images with great contrast.

Slim, mobile design: At less than 8 lbs. and just 1.8" thick, it fits into almost any notebook case to go with you anywhere.

Software:
Windows® XP Home
Microsoft® Works
Money
MSN Encarta Plus
Office 2003 Trial (Student/Teacher 60-day trial)
Sonic RecordNow
InterVideo WinDVD
InterVideo Home Theater
Muvee™ autoProducer
HP Image Zone Plus
Apple iTunes/Music Store
Norton AntiVirus™ 2005 (60-day free updates)
Notebook Help & Support
Adobe™ Acrobat Reader
HP camera and printer drivers
Restore CDs
AOL dial-up

 

A big issue with laptops is the amount of heat generated in a confined space. I don't know what the lowest priced laptop available with a pentium M processor would cost. If it was close to your price point, this is what I would opt for. The pentium M was designed for laptop use and runs cooler than a desktop p4 chip stuck in a laptop. For any model you are considering, search the net for any reviews -- pay attention to any coments about overheating. Also, if possible, go for a model with 512mb vs. 256mb RAM. On a desktop, one of the easiest ways to get a performance boost is to increase the RAM --this should be true for a laptop.

 

well, i opted for the compaq from office depot (i get money back with purchases). i was hoping to get a little info between the intel vs. amd chip, but figured i'd go the amd route. i'm not in a real hurry, but we are going out of town in a little over a month, so i wanted it prior to get it somewhat setup how i want, add/remove software, etc. these are the specs that i got, and if i got it at the same price from compaq, i'd have to do with (what's on lower part), less ram, no combo drive, and different processor. anyway, i thought they had them in stock, but i actually had to order it online (there). so now i wait!! - sos

Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3000+ 1.80 GHz
15.0" TFT XGA (1024 x 768
64MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 4 440 Go + 1394
512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Works/Money

Included features
All systems come with the following included features:
System bus - 1600MHz using HyperTransport⁜ technology with up to 9.6GB per second total processor-to-system bandwidth
Memory - Total memory slots: two DIMM
Maximum memory expansion: 2GB
Expansion slots - One PCI I/II PCMCIA slot
Communications - High-speed 56K data/fax modem 10/100 Base-T Fast Ethernet interface 16-bit PCMCIA and 32-bit card bus
Warranty - One-year limited hardware warranty
Software - Norton Antivirus 2004 (includes 60 days of complimentary live updates)
RecordNow CD & DVD Creator (preinstalled with rewritable drive systems)
InterVideo WinDVD Creator (when configured with a DVD+/-RW/R drive)
Apple iTunes for Windows
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Internet service offerings - AOL Dial-up
AOL for Broadband
MSN Dial-up
MSN Premium
Earthlink Dial-up
Earthlink High-speed (cable, DSL, satellite)
SBC Yahoo! DSL
Weight - 7.94 lbs
Dimensions - 11.18" (L) x 14.25" (W) x 1.82" (H)
Number of slots/ports - 1 Type I/II PCMCIA card slot
1 IEEE-1394(Firewire) [*w/64MB video card only]
3 Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0)
1 Parallel
1 5-in-1 Memory Reader [*w/64MB video card only]
1 headphone-out
1 microphone-in
1 TV-Out (S-video)
1 RJ-11 (modem)
1 RJ -45 (LAN)
1 External VGA monitor port
1 expansion port for use with HP Expansion Base(sold separately)
Speakers - Internal JBL Pro Speakers

(if i ordered from compaq - base model)
AMD Athlon(TM) XP-M 2800+ (1.60 GHz/128K L2 cache)
32MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) 4 420 Go)
256MB DDR SDRAM (1x256MB)
8X DVD Drive
Built in 56K Modem+10/100 LAN

 

nice one, I'd get the same lappy.
the Athlon64 3000+ runs at 2,00Ghz though, at least mine does.