jw_toyboy

Hi all, I'm currently on the look out for a new laptop and I wonder if anyone could possibly offer any advice - particuarlly releant to the Australian marketplace.

Firstlly I'm not a big gammer and the laptop will not be used for games. I am looking for a fast system capable of simultaneouslly running severall programs (multi-tasking) mostly your run of the mill stuff Word, Excel, Photoshop, PowerPoint, web and email.

My current thoughts on specs are as follows:
* Around 2.0GHz (preferablly P4)
* At least 256 Mb DDR RAM
* At least 40 Gb HD
* CD-RW/DVD at least 24x read & write as well as a floppy drive
* S - Video out
* TV tuner would be a bonus but not essential

I want something that will last for at least 3 years, have a battery life of at least 4 hours of solid use and a sturdy unit.

txd

Well you could take a look at the Apple powerbooks they fit pretty much all your requirements bar the tv tuner. Battery life I am getting about 3hr 50min out of my 12" powerbook

shakran

I like the laptops Toshiba's putting out now. Their displays are fantastic.

JohnnyRoyale

For the TV tuner, you might want to think external, it'll free up your options. I know Happuage (http://www.hauppauge.com/html/usb_data.htm) makes one, and I've never seen a laptop with one built in.

For the laptop, try winbook.com for a fast system, they'll put a desktop CPU & video into a laptop for you. I believe the M series uses desktop processors, not centrino/mobile. http://www.winbook.com/notebooks/m/m_techspecs.html

Enjoy!

__________________
I'm gonna be rich and famous, as soon I invent a device that lets you stab people in the face over the internet.

ToolBag

Toshibas displays do kick ass, they do not beat Apples screens but still very impressive in my opinion. If you are at all interested in switching from pc to mac, you have to take a look at the powerbooks. They are very powerful.

__________________
Jesus was a ruffies victim!

Dan 3:20

numist

I dont know offhand of any laptops that have internal TV Tuners, so youll definitely have to go external with that.

THe IBM series of notebooks are always a good buy, even if they are a bit pricey, and Dell has the most awesome warranty service on their laptops (they even covered me after blatant negligence of turning the laptop into a bath).

sailor

IBM. Ive been using them for upwards of seven years now, and have not yet found a better laptop.

Toshiba makes some good ones, but I am still very much in favor of the IBMs.

As for the TV Tuner, I dont know of any laptops that come with one, but you can get an external one.

__________________
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
--Plato

ubertuber

Second the vote for the powerbook - it sounds like just what you are looking for.

__________________
Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

shakran

The IBM's are good, but you're paying a large overhead for the name.

sailor

I dont think so, the prices are pretty comparable to some other brands. Some of the models are marked up, but many are not.

Besides, I still think it is worth it. Seeing the crap I have put these machines through and to still have them ticking, to have the most comfortable keyboard and flawless operation that I have ever seen, desktop or laptop, I will gladly pay any overhead there might be.

__________________
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
--Plato

limey

I'm using a new Compaq Presario. It includes Centrino technology, it has a 1.3 mhz chipset, a 60 gig drive, CD RW, 15.4" widescreen and a built-in wireless adaptor. The adaptor itself saves you around $100 cdn and the Centrino technology gives you extended battery life. Don't let the processor power fool you - it saves battery power because it needs less power to run. It's smoking!

juanvaldes

get at least 512 RAM and your gonna want more HD space. Dont' waste money on CPU you'll never use that will suck up the battery when your not plugged in either.

CPU (get less to save money)
RAM (512+)
HD (as much as you can afford)
And I've heard many good things about the centrino's.

oberon

My favorite laptop (that I can't quite afford) after extensive search: IBM T40 (T40p even better).

So I pretty much agree with juanvaldes.

__________________
"There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

sailor

The T40 is a wonderful machine. I am actually typing this on one right now Its a great machine--thin, light, powerful... I couldnt ask for more.

__________________
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
--Plato

iamii

The Toshiba Satellite P25-S609 has the media center edition of Windows XP and should match your needs. It comes with a tv tuner. you can find it here...


http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...llite&pmod=P25