Notebook shopping

[onefixedstar]

Now that my funding is secure for the summer and fall, I've begun looking at notebook computers. I originally went out with a plan to find a thin-and-light that I could easily transport from home to campus and back again. Thin-and-lights are remarkably difficult to find in stores, however, apparently because they're not popular among users who have to pay for their own computer rather than relying on their employer to do so. Now I'm beginning to wonder if I ought to suck it up at buy a regular 6.5lb mainstream notebook. I saw a fantastic deal on a Compaq with a DVD-RW and various other goodies for about $1800. Alternately, I could pay $1800 for a thin-and-light (and rather ugly) Dell Inspiron 600m that doesn't have a DVD burner, but that won't break my back hauling it around to conferences. Or I could make the switch and go with Apple, thus making MacBoy happy (and possibly gaining a discount).

What I've learned so far:

Sony makes pretty computers with absolutely gorgeous screens.

Toshiba Satellites are also extremely pretty and sturdy to boot.

IBM has some very small notebooks, but you pay for it. Or maybe you just pay for IBM.

ETA: I stand corrected. The Dell I was looking at isn't bad looking, though some of the others certainly are.

Comments

$0.02

[semiotic-trader.livejournal.com]

IMHO, the Sony Vaio is one of the prettiest machines on the market. I've known a couple of people who owned one, but didn't have a chance to get a sense of their satisfaction with it. a_just_society has a Toshiba, and his dad swears by that brand.

Re: $0.02

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

a_just_society, do you like your Toshiba? Which one do you have? (I know you probably said back when you bought it...)

[stillvisions.livejournal.com]

I've got a compaq, and it seems to work well, though admittedly I immediately installed linux, so I'm expecting different sorts of functionality.

They're extra-pushy on the extended warranties, and I can sorta understand (even though they're traditionally ripoffs), but you can buy it right through the manufacturer, usually for half the price, and since most have depots nearby, it's no big deal.

Happy hunting...

[a-just-society.livejournal.com]

Mine is a Toshiba Satellite A10 (not sure if they still make my particular model). I'm quite happy with it - decent sized keyboard and screen, and it's pretty durable (for me, it has to be, as I don't take good care of breakable things). I'd recommend it.

Thanks!

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

I think I was looking at the A30 yeterday. It really was very pretty. With widescreen, although I'm not sure I need that.

[onefixedstar.livejournal.com]

My roommate assures me that it's worth getting the extended warranty on a notebook computer. Perhaps because so many things can go wrong.

How heavy is your machine?

[stillvisions.livejournal.com]

True on the extended warranty, but check to see if you can get it directly through the manufacturer, instead of through the retailer. For instance, for compaq the direct warranty costed half as much as the store warranty, and I can wait for the first year of standard coverage to nearly expire before I extend. Your retailer/manufacturer may differ, but do some advance homework, because the retailer unsurprisingly doesn't mention the direct warranty, and will usually underplay what the direct warranty covers.

Dunno the weight specifically, to be honest. In the winter it's mostly served as a secondary platform, so I only haul it around occasionally, making the weight rather negligible. Battery life with a linux system is also a problem, so it's more of a portable desktop than a traveller.

notebooks

[(Anonymous)]

Go out and buy the darned thing already!! heheh...today is the day...!
Still think you should go check out Costco - as they have toshibas for cheaper than the computer stores....good luck! Netwoman (http://www.netwomen.ca/Blog)