suggestions anyone??

im gonna get a laptop...my budget is 1600...but i dunno wat to get...wat should i get...and where should i get it...

 

What will your uses of the laptop be? Word processing, internet, graphics design, gaming, dvd burning?

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Fujitsu S6210: 1.6Ghz PM ~ 768MB RAM ~ 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
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<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by a56kbum

 

Like the others, it all depends on what you are looking to do with the computer and what specifications you require. However, if you are set on purchasing an IBM in that price range, I recommend that you follow this link to Newegg.com and look at the T-42 2378-DUU
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?Submit=BROWSE&manufactory=1302&DEPA=3&InnerCata=32


For $1586.90, this is a pretty nice computer. I would advise adding a memory module which would kick you up over the $1600 price point. I recently purchased this one and can't say enough good things about it. It runs all the normal office applications and provides a great keyboard and wireless B/G support.
Part#: 2378-DUU
CPU: Intel Pentium M 1.5G
Display: 14.1" XGA TFT
OS: Windows XP Pro
Memory: 256MB DDR333
Graphics: ATI Mobility RADEON 7500
HD: 40 GB
Optical Drive: DVD/CD-RW
Communication: 56K Modem, GbE LAN, 802.11b/g
Ports: 2x USB2.0, LPT, VGA, S-Video, FIR
Average Battery Life: 5.0 hours
Dimensions: 12.2" x 10.0" x 1.0"/1.2"
Weight: 4.9 lbs
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

 

Yeah - please tell us HOW yo intend to use the laptop ... then we can comment on your choices.

I've read some reviews of the T41 & T42 which say the KB isn't as good as the typical IBM T series. That's unfortunate as IBM KBs have a longstanding reputation as the best among laptop KBs.

IBM has some very attractive offerings inder $1600 in their R51 series.
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=-840&storeId=1&langId=-1&dualCurrId=73&categoryId=2302836

The 3 pre-configured packages are all under $1600 and are very interesting, get good reviews too. If you do a full custom config there is a price adder, *but* if you search for models with the things you want (click on "notebook finder") the lower cost preconfig systems (hundreds of them) turn up.

I've owned several IBM laptops and am looking for another right now. They are not the cheapest <price per feature> laptops, but they are competitive, very reliable and the tech support and is by far the best anywhere. I've also had extremely good post-sales support from IBM even when purchased from one of their resellers ... no finger pointing, just pure problem solving. That sort of stuff is worth a little extra.

As an example I write code for a living so I want more pixels on the screen for text editting. the best possible keyboard (many laptop KB are aweful), a fair bit of disk space and a decent processor for compiles. I don't care much about graphics performance and I don't need extreme battery performance - I'm usually plugged in. I drag the laptop to various companies I consult for almost daily so I don't want
a 10.5lb monster that is hard to move and I don't want or need a tiny <5lb toy with a tiny display and horrible little KB. I'm seriously considering an R51 with a 1.7Ghz Pentium-M, and a 60-80GB disk, the SXGA+(1450x1050) display and maybe I'll spring for the extended capacity battery ... all under $2k !

 

I liked the 2378DUU also. I suggest upgrading the ram to 512mb, but you can do so for less than $100.

I have been happy so far. I exchanged my Sanyo 6 cell batt for the Sony 6 cell, which fits tighter. I also traded out the Keyboard for the THAI manufactured versio that has less flex on the right side. In retrospect, I think I will put the original Chinese keyboard back, and just shim the right side... very easy to do .. no big deal.

Also, there have been posts on Thinkpad.com that say that T42's now are arriving without the KB flex. I suspect they just needed to make a small adjustment to the fit.

In summary, great screen, great battery life, fast, lightweight, and overall much more solid than other offerings in this price class.

Another point, I have the 1.5mhz Dothan processor, and I get SuperPI speeds of about 2 min 10 seconds. This is about the same I have seen posted for the 1.7 Dothans. You can save a bundle with the 2378DUU compared to some of the configure yourself models.

IBM T42
2378-DUU