[Godotology]

My godbrother said it'll just be a waste of my money if I were to buy a laptop right now. He says I should wait until my graduation and then buy it. I won't ask for it as a graduation present because I know my mom will say no. You guys that got cars & stuff for your grad presents, LUCKY YOU!

My limit is like $200 on my graduation present next year IF I'M LUCKY.

Anyways, should I get it now or should I wait?

Here are the specs of the laptop I'm thinking of getting. I just need a durable laptop that'll be suffice for internet browsing, homework doing, music listening, and stuff like that. I'm no hardcore gamer.

Toshiba Satellite® A105-S4001 15.4" Widescreen Notebook Computer With Intel® Centrino® Mobile Technology And Intel® Core™ Solo Processor T1300 Operating At 1.66GHz

Specs don't help if you don't know what you need. And a $200 limit won't get you a laptop period. In general waiting is always better because there is always something better later on and prices will always drop.

[malevolent.]

I edited the original post & took out the $200 thing. That's kinda irrevelant & isn't my limit. I just copied & pasted what I had in my thread that I made but that got locked.

Specs don't help if you don't know what you need.

I thought I stated what I said or do you need more info?

I just need a durable laptop that'll be suffice for internet browsing, homework doing, music listening, and stuff like that. I'm no hardcore gamer.

[Godotology]

I edited the original post & took out the $200 thing. That's kinda irrevelant & isn't my limit. I just copied & pasted what I had in my thread that I made but that got locked.
I thought I stated what I said or do you need more info?

ah I'm sorry, I missed that part
hmm. well your needs are pretty basic and could be met by any computer quite honestly. How much are you looking to spend here? You should go to a computer store and try to play with different laptop sizes first, see which one you feel most comfortable with and then from there, we can narrow down a number of models in that screen size range. but seroiusly, if you can wait, then wait.

[malevolent.]

The one I listed is $949. That isn't that bad. Maybe I WILL wait.

I want to experience the feeling when I use my brand new shiny laptop on the first day of college.

[Godotology]

The one I listed is $949. That isn't that bad. Maybe I WILL wait.

I want to experience the feeling when I use my brand new shiny laptop on the first day of college.

but for $50 more, you could get a Macbook that is lighter, smaller, much better built, sturdier, has a Core Duo instead of a Core Solo, more HD, a higher spec'd CPU, and a free Ipod. You could probably get a better spec'd Dell too.

[£ítõkïtkåt]

thanks for the info.

for sony wat type of laptop woudl you recommend for college and media?

[Godotology]

thanks for the info.

for sony wat type of laptop woudl you recommend for college and media?

if by "media" you mean watching avi files, dvds, photoshop, etc.. then yes, any computer can do that..thus any sony can do that. Or if you're being tech geeky.. media as in requiring dvi and hdmi ports, then only their larger ones have em (like that new expensive 17" model).

Right now, their most popular model is the SZ series. a 13.3" that has options for carbon fiber and dedicated video. What's interesting about this model is that you could the gpu on and off. on when you need its power to play games.. off when you need to conserve battery life. The only other laptop manufacturer I know that also does this is Uniwill (Alienware's ODM).

Build quality varies, the cheap models are all plastic.. the expensive ones have carbon fiber lid and an aluminum palm rest. viewing angles are nice and the screen is great.. but the lid (even with carbon fiber) is really thin and easy to bend..although it doesnt ripple when you bend. Keyboard is quite different.. you'd have to type on it to feel it..I personally thought its one of the worst keyboards ever. some love it. but its far from reaching the standards of lenovo thinkpad's keyboard or the new macbook keyboard. And like most namebrand notebooks, it'll be full of bloat ware.

[moonsite]

You can get a dell inspiron 1505 with core duo for around $600-700. Check out the dell website. They always have good sale and coupon to make thing cheaper.
One thing about laptop is that, people tend to think the bigger the screen size the better. The bigger the size, the heavier it is. To me a laptop is a portable computer. So I prefer it to be a bit light. If you travel by plane a lot with the laptop, consider getting a 14" or less. A 15" is too big to fit on the little tray infront of your seat. Plus it does get heavy carrying it around, even around campus. If you don't plan to carry it around much or not at all, I would get a 17". Dell also has the inspiron 1705 for a $100 more or so.

[MONICA]

i was going to go buy a laptop today, but best buy and circuit city didnt have the vaio model taht i was going to get, but they have this other one, but it's a bit pricey...i think my parents are going to buy it for me but i want to make sure it's worth it. can you tell me if it's okay for me? i just need it to have wireless internet capabilities, be relatively fast, and have lots of space for mp3s and stuff. i dont intent to play games and stuff. just watch dvds and listen to music. simple stuff i guess.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP....puters_SZSeries

[Godotology]

i was going to go buy a laptop today, but best buy and circuit city didnt have the vaio model taht i was going to get, but they have this other one, but it's a bit pricey...i think my parents are going to buy it for me but i want to make sure it's worth it. can you tell me if it's okay for me? i just need it to have wireless internet capabilities, be relatively fast, and have lots of space for mp3s and stuff. i dont intent to play games and stuff. just watch dvds and listen to music. simple stuff i guess.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP....puters_SZSeries

I hope you're not going to get THAT particular one as paying over 2k for just basic needs is ridiculous. Any lapop can play music, dvd and mp3s.. you just need a hard drive, a dvd drive and the programs to play them with, and most laptops released now come with wi fi as standard.

Vaios are always pricey, you pay for the looks and the name. You could do all those with a $600 Dell laptop.
its not very pretty, but it meets your needs.

[malevolent.]

I've gotten my laptop and so far, it's pretty good. Then again, I've only had it for like 4 hours.

It's the Sony Vaio FS940 for $820. Did I overpay for that model?

I also got the 5 year warranty for $300 because I know the guy that I bought it from and he says no matter what happens, he'll replace it for me for free no questions asked if something happens to it, even the tiniest thing. And if they don't have the model anymore, he'll give me the next model up. So nice of him.

Overall, I paied $1315 total for the laptop, warranty, wireless router, wireless mini mouse, and a case for the laptop.

[Godotology]

I've gotten my laptop and so far, it's pretty good. Then again, I've only had it for like 4 hours.

It's the Sony Vaio FS940 for $820. Did I overpay for that model?

I also got the 5 year warranty for $300 because I know the guy that I bought it from and he says no matter what happens, he'll replace it for me for free no questions asked if something happens to it, even the tiniest thing. And if they don't have the model anymore, he'll give me the next model up. So nice of him.

Overall, I paied $1315 total for the laptop, warranty, wireless router, wireless mini mouse, and a case for the laptop.

$820 for a Vaio isn't half bad. keyword, for a vaio.. that is last year's model. You could get a newer (but uglier) inspiron for the same price, if not less. I think $300 is a bit too much for 5 years as you'll most likely replace your laptop within 2-3 years.. but hey at least you have ease of mind!

[superivystar]

I'm thinking of buying a dell laptop but i don't get the difference between the solo and the duo processor? same 1.66ghz..what's the advantage of having 2 processors instead of 1? is it worth the extra $$?

[Godotology]

I'm thinking of buying a dell laptop but i don't get the difference between the solo and the duo processor? same 1.66ghz..what's the advantage of having 2 processors instead of 1? is it worth the extra $$?

yes there is a big difference. The Core "Solo" has replaced the Celeron in being Intel's low-end/cheap card for budget models while most others use Core Duo. For one, it is better performing, higher memory latency, and has some upgradeability to the 64-bit Merom chip that will be released at the end of the year (although I don't think anyone has performed tests in replacing the Napa "core duo" chip with Merom as its not available yet). Its also more future proof.

but if your needs are basic, either will be able to perform your needs.

[superivystar]

^aha i liked what you said about the core duo being more "future proof" thanks for the info another question though, would you still go for the core duo 1.6ghz as compared to core solo 1.86ghz? i'm thinking the dual processor outweighs the faster speed?

has anybody seen the screen of the e1405? most people's concern is about the screen..they say it's terrible..but i can't try it here coz our country doesn't offer the inspiron line (i'll be buying if off the website)

[Godotology]

^aha i liked what you said about the core duo being more "future proof" thanks for the info another question though, would you still go for the core duo 1.6ghz as compared to core solo 1.86ghz? i'm thinking the dual processor outweighs the faster speed?

has anybody seen the screen of the e1405? most people's concern is about the screen..they say it's terrible..but i can't try it here coz our country doesn't offer the inspiron line (i'll be buying if off the website)

quite honestly, i don't think you will notice the speed difference from 1.66ghz and 1.86ghz.. keep in mind a faster speed also means power power being consumed and thus, slightly less battery life.

Inspirons in general, are great deals, because in the US, you can get a complete system for under $1000.. and for others, even less than $800! this is with out those special coupons! However build wise, they are very "average". typical all plastic build, and average screens. Some aren't too fond how the whites look grainy and have a "sparkley" effect.. but hey, you're getting a new and complete machine for a very good price.. you're going to have to compromise somewhere. the e1405 is one of those that have such screens.

[superivystar]

true true..thank you so much for your help i'm already 95% sure that i'm going with this one

[superivystar]

help..now i am torn between the e1405 and the 640m..i'm leaning more towards the 640m because they are offering free upgrade to 1gb (but no free shipping boo ).

from what i gather the e1405 is more multimedia-ish?!? but i compared the specs and they are almost exactly the same!

[MONICA]

I hope you're not going to get THAT particular one as paying over 2k for just basic needs is ridiculous. Any lapop can play music, dvd and mp3s.. you just need a hard drive, a dvd drive and the programs to play them with, and most laptops released now come with wi fi as standard.

Vaios are always pricey, you pay for the looks and the name. You could do all those with a $600 Dell laptop.
its not very pretty, but it meets your needs.

well, at circuit city they were having a sale and it was 200 bucks less than that it lists on the sony storeeeee. i like that one because it's small and cute looking...haha.

[megaSTEPxo]

but for $50 more, you could get a Macbook that is lighter, smaller, much better built, sturdier, has a Core Duo instead of a Core Solo, more HD, a higher spec'd CPU, and a free Ipod. You could probably get a better spec'd Dell too.

Do you know if the free iPod is only offered online or is it also available at retail stores too?

And I remember reading a few reviews awhile ago about some problems with the Macbook (like lagging and heat problems I think) .. but I can't remember if it's the Macbook Pro or this one. So for this one, has MacBook received pretty good reviews so far?

And I also want to know what word program Mac uses and if the file would be openable if I transfer it to my desktop (Windows XP)? And lastly one more question.. Mac supports file extensions like .rmvb right?