Which Laptop?

Hey everyone,

So I'm in search for a new laptop for school. I've always just used desktop computers, so I am not in the mix when it comes to knowledge with laptops. It doesn't have to be amazing, because it's just for school. Mainly I just need to web search, MS Word, hold music, and a few little games here and there. Since it doesn't have to be amazing, I'm trying to keep the price down as well. I know about every laptop now comes with Vista, which I'm guessing slows down the computer more than XP does. I did a little searching and found some laptops in my price range, do you suggest any of them are better than others, etc? I'm just not sure with how much RAM I should have for Vista, processor speed, etc.

1. http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...0354&PCName=laptop_under_799&logon=&langid=EN

2. http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...5253&PCName=laptop_under_799&logon=&langid=EN

3. http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...5253&PCName=laptop_under_799&logon=&langid=EN

4. http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...5253&PCName=laptop_under_799&logon=&langid=EN

5. http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...5253&PCName=laptop_under_799&logon=&langid=EN

I'm also considering going with Dell, but not sure. Another person in my family bought a Dell Inspiron 1600 or something along those lines 3-4 years ago for a total of about $1700 in the end, and the battery ended up dying just a few years in and I hear that's a common problem with Dells.

Thanks for you help!

 

I got a dell inspiron myself before heading off to college last year. I am not sure the model number heh but I do know it was pretty much best inspiron they offered and i spent about 2000-$2500 with all the extras. I have had 0 problems with it and everything works fine and I did get the 3 year warranty with LoJack.

The same specs on my laptop would probably go for $1000ish now.
As for the battery, All batteries loose life over time(cell phone, ipod, etc) It is pretty much unavoidable to loose a battery over time. Anyways they arent over the top expensive either.

One mistake I made is getting the largest monitor for a laptop possible. Dont do this as it will be imposible to take it to class heh.
Also check with your university to see if they have certain deals on laptops. I know my school had some sort of discount through dell.

Anyways, to the laptops you posted... They are all pretty similar with a few differences. Its really up to you what you would like. The Sony Viao you posted has 1gb ram which is kinda low. Also look too see what ports they have and if they are things you would use. For examply my laptop has a S-Video connection and this way I can connect it to my TV and this feature is somthing that got a lot of use for me. Someone else may not even notice they ahve it but for me it was a big deal.

 

How about this one: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10108457&catid=

3gb of RAM, but it is an AMD.. good/bad?

 

The 14.1 screen one is most ideal imo.

My laptop has HDMI for video out.

Are there Costco outlets in Canada? They offer some superb laptop deals.

 

I sure wouldn't buy one at Best Buy if there's any way around it!! There prices are a tad over the edge in my opinoin.

If I was in your shoes...Compared to what you showed in your links...here is what I would get/consider. It's got a good bang for your buck!!

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3571907&CatId=2510

It's got a faster FSB...the hard drive is a 7200, not a 5400, it has gigabyte lan, it's not intel graphics, and it's middle of the road for size...not the megamongo 17" and not the tiny 14", but a nice portable 15.4 in and big enough to use for multimedia without feeling like you are watching an IPOD or a portable dvd player. And Acer is a pretty good brand. I picked out a couple differnet models for my nieces over the the last couple three years for there going away to school, and they've never had an ouce of trouble, and they love them cause they are light.

Just my 2 cents!!

Roger