LaptopGuide

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 Table of content 
Introduction
What should I look for?
Laptop List
Apple
Dell
Toshiba
Alienware
IBM
Compaq
Sager
Asus
Acer

Introduction

This is an overview of current laptop models. The specs of these are probably different by now, the prices doubly so. If you've got updated information or experiences, then definitely edit this page


What should I look for?

Processor: Look for Pentium M's for long battery life. Pentium 4's are fast but suck power like nothing on earth, and Celerons are a lot slower clock for clock
Video Card: If you're looking to play the latest games, the X300 would be the bare minimum. Avoid Intel based chipsets, 9000 or lower ATi cards and the GeForce 5200 for games. (I'm in the process of compiling a LaptopGPUComparison guide)
Memory: If you want to upgrade later, make sure that you get a model with slots free. Usually, it's cheaper to get memory from places like Crucial or NewEgg.

Laptop List

This table was last revised on 17th August 2005: Created page

Apple

The original list was compiled for someone who needed Windows-specific software, but the author definitely recommends Apple laptops. The general rule of thumb is "go for an iBook, unless you've got loads of money or need a big screen or some other feature that the PB provides"

Pros: Sleek, runs OSX, great reputation, superfast hibernation
Cons: Doesn't run Windows apps, X86 transition coming soon

Comments:
CptUnderpant: If you don't need windows-specific stuff and limit game playing to Blizzard games, then I put this as #1 to look at.

Dell

Dells are usually the cheapest in price due to loads of sales and coupons that come out. No retail stores as far as I know

Pros: Cheap price, good specifications
Cons: Inconsistent build quality

ManufacturerModelVariantCostCPUMemoryVideoHDScreen SizeScreen ResOpticalWirelessNotes
DellInspiron 6000Low5991.30ghz Celeron M256 DDR2 (1 DIMM)Intel IMA90040gb15.4in Wide 24x CDRW/DVDDell Internal
DellInspiron 6000Mid11861.60ghz Pentium M512 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)Intel IMA90060gb15.4in Wide 24x CDRW/DVDDell Internal
DellInspiron 6000High15561.60ghz Pentium M512 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)Radeon X300 (64mb)60gb15.4in Wide  24x CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
DellInspiron XPS Gen 2Low22492ghz Pentium M512 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)GeForce Go 6800 Ultra (256mb)60gb17in Wide  24x CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
DellInspiron XPS Gen 2High31452ghz Pentium M1024 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)GeForce Go 6800 Ultra (256mb)100gb17in Wide  8x CDRW/DVDR Dual LayerIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
DellInspiron 700mLow8991.70ghz Pentium M256 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel IMA90040gb12.1in Wide  24x CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
DellInspiron 700mHigh17741.70ghz Pentium M512 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel IMA90060gb12.1in Wide 24x CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
Comments:
CptUnderpant: It's hard to go past these from a price/performance perspective, but all the Dell's I've had had minor build quality issues (latches failing, frames bending, etc)

Toshiba


Toshiba have been building laptops for ages, and you can usually buy one by walking into an electronics shop

Pros: Large range, good build quality
Cons: Relatively low screen resolutions, USB ports on the right hand side

ManufacturerModelVariantCostCPUMemoryVideoHDScreen SizeScreen ResOpticalWirelessNotes
ToshibaTecra A SeriesA39991.60ghz Pentium M256 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel IMA90040gb 15.0in1024x768CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
ToshibaTecra A SeriesA510491.60ghz Pentium M512 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel IMA90040gb14.0in Wide1280x768CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
ToshibaTecra M SeriesM215991.60ghz Pentium M512 DDR (1 DIMM)GeForce ?? (64mb)60gb14.1in1024x768CDRW/DVDIntel Wireless
ToshibaTecra M SeriesM418991.73ghz Pentium M512 DDR2 (1 DIMM)GeForce Go 6200 TE (64mb)60gb14.1in1400x10508x CDRW/DVDR Dual LayerIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 InternalTablet PC
ToshibaTecra S SeriesS29651.40ghz Celeron M256 DDR (1 DIMM)Radeon X300 (32mb)40gb 15.0in1024x768CDRW/DVDNone
ToshibaQosmio F SeriesF2519991.86ghz Pentium M1024 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)Geforce Go 6600 (64mb)100gb15.4in Wide1280x8008x CDRW/DVDR Dual LayerIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 InternalAll Qosmios come with XP MCE
ToshibaQosmio G SeriesG1522991.80ghz Pentium M512 DDR (2 DIMMS)Geforce Go 5700 (128mb)100gb17.1in Wide1440x9008x CDRW/DVDR Dual LayerIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal100gb is out of a 60gb + 40gb
ToshibaQosmio G SeriesG2529992ghz Pentium M1024 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)Geforce Go 6600 (128mb)120gb17.1in Wide1440x9008x CDRW/DVDR Dual LayerIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal120gb is out of a 60gb + 60gb
ToshibaSatellite A SeriesA7515293.33 Pentium 4"1024 DDR (1 DIMM 1 inbuilt)"Radeon 9000 IGP (128mb)100gb15.4in Wide1280x800CDRW/DVDAtheros Wireless LAN
ToshibaSatellite M SeriesM408542ghz Pentium M256 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel IMA90040gb15.4in Wide1280x800CDRW/DVDNone
ToshibaSatellite M SeriesM6012141.40ghz Celeron M256 DDR2 (1 DIMM)Intel IMA90040gb17in Wide1440x900CDRW/DVDNoneChangeable faceplates
ToshibaSatellite P SeriesP3515993.46ghz Pentium M512 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)Radeon 9000 IGP (128mb)100gb17in Wide1440x9008x CDRW/DVDR Dual LayerAtheros Wireless LAN
ToshibaSatellite R SeriesR1012591.30ghz Celeron M256 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel Extreme Graphics 240gb14.1in1024x768CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 InternalTablet PC
ToshibaSatellite R SeriesR1515491.60ghz Pentium M512 DDR (2 DIMMS)Intel Extreme Graphics 260gb14.1in1024x768CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 InternalTablet PC
Comments:
CptUnderpant: I have a 10 year old Toshiba still running.

Alienware


I have no idea why these guys make laptops.

Pros: It has a pretty picture of an alien head on the shell, fast desktop replacements
Cons: Expensive, seem to be rebadged Sagers(?)

ManufacturerModelVariantCostCPUMemoryVideoHDScreen SizeScreen ResOpticalWirelessNotes
AlienwareArea-51m 7700High29693.8ghz Pentium 4512 DDR2 (1 DIMM)Radeon X800 (256mb)60gb17in Wide1680x105024x CDRW/DVDYesCan upgrade to 6800 Ultra
AlienwareArea-51m 7700Low20792.8ghz Pentium 4256 DDR2 (1 DIMM)Radeon X800 (256mb)40gb 17in Wide1400x90024x CDRW/DVDNone
AlienwareSentiaHigh16591.60ghz Pentium M256 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel Extreme Graphics 240gb12.1in Wide1280x800CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
AlienwareSentiaLow11101.30ghz Celeron M256 DDR (1 DIMM)Intel Extreme Graphics 240gb12.1in Wide1280x800CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
Comments:

IBM


A goon favorite. Sturdy and usually well balanced

Pros: Solid, could use to kill someone if needed and still work
Cons: Below average video, stylistically not up there with other brands

ManufacturerModelVariantCostCPUMemoryVideoHDScreen SizeScreen ResOpticalWirelessNotes
IBMG SeriesLow8993.06 Pentium 4128Intel Extreme Graphics 230gb14.1in CDYes
IBMG SeriesHigh11693.06 Pentium 4256GeForce Go 520040gb15.0in CDRW/DVDYes
IBMT SeriesLow12991.60ghz Pentium M256Radeon 7500 (32mb)40gb14.1in CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
IBMT SeriesHigh15991.73ghz Pentium M512Radeon X300 (64mb)60gb15.0in CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
IBMR SeriesLow8491.60ghz Pentium M256Intel Extreme Graphics 240gb15.0in CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
IBMR SeriesHigh10991.60ghz Pentium M512Intel Extreme Graphics 260gb15.0n CDRW/DVDRIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
IBMX SeriesLow14991.10ghz Pentium M256Intel Extreme Graphics 230gb12.1in NoneIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
IBMX SeriesHigh21401.50ghz Pentium M512Intel Extreme Graphics 240gb 12.1in CDRW/DVDIntel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal
IBMX SeriesTablet18991.50ghz Pentium M512Intel IMA90040gb12.1in1024x768 Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 InternalFingerprint scanner
Comments:

Compaq


These guys usually wouldn't make it on my radar, however they've got some Turion laptops out. They look pretty cool, and would be awesome without the XPRESS 200M

Pros: Turions inside, look pretty, cheap
Cons: Would be the perfect machine if the graphics card was better

ManufacturerModelVariantCostCPUMemoryVideoHDScreen SizeScreen ResOpticalWirelessNotes
CompaqV SeriesV2000Z5992.0ghz Turion 64512Radeon XPRESS 200M (128mb)40gb14.0in Wide CDRW/DVDYes
CompaqM SeriesM2000Z5291.8ghz Turon 64512Radeon XPRESS 200M (128mb)40gb14.0in Wide CDRW/DVDYes
Comments:
CptUnderpant: The touchpad felt very clingy when I tried it out in the shop.

Sager


Apparently a lot of other companies rebadge these laptops

Pros: Cheap
Cons: No-name, inconsistent build quality

ManufacturerModelVariantCostCPUMemoryVideoHDScreen SizeScreen ResOpticalWirelessNotes
SagerNP4881 14352.0ghz Pentium M512 DDR (1 DIMM)Radeon X700 (256mb)40gb15.0in CDRW/DVDYes
SagerNP5560 11392.0ghz Pentium M1024 DDR2 (2 DIMMS)Intel IMA90040gb15.0in CDRW/DVDYes
Comments:

Asus


There's a bit of buzz around these, they're basically BYO laptops. I ended up recommending the Asus V6-series laptop to my friend who wanted a x86-based system. Slim, has an X600 for a video card, and has a celeron inside too

Pros: Relatively well balanced
Cons: Not name brand

Acer


Some people have recommended these to me, but Acers in the past have had less than good reputations from all the people I've seen with them. If someone with an Acer can do some pros and cons, that'd be great

Pros: ??
Cons: Poor history

Comments:

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Creator: CptUnderpant :: 3097 hits