Tecra or Satellite?

Tell me which one is better for my needs

General Usage

I am looking for a Notebook for convenience, I love my desktops but I need something portable to work on my projects. I am doing a BSc in Information Systems and Management and I have two projects this year. Basically programming in Java or VB. I would like to play the occasional games (I love games like Battlefield 1942, Fifa 2004, Age of Mythology etc...)


Looking for a standard notebook, something i can lug around and not necessarily brake my back.

I'll be carrying it short distances. I drive so I don't need to travel with it unless I am going abroad.

I need it to have good battery life, i can't afford for it to die on me while I am doing work!

I think I would keep this laptop for 2-3 years.

Features

40-60GB is enough HD Space, but more would be nice

I would like to burn DVDs but could settle for burning just CDs


Graphics & Display

I would like a nice viewable screen, 14.1" looks good....15" is always better.


I would be playing games such as Battlefield, Fifa, Age of Mythology, Call of Duty etc...

Miscellaneous

I want something that looks good and perform well.

I like Dell machines, but I have heard that the Inspiron Notebooks are made poorly, cheap parts etc..

I'll be adding this computer to my home network and would like to gain access to my schools wireless network.

I am willing to spend about $1500USD for this notebook

 

Someone help me please, i need to make a decision.

 

Why are you locked into Toshiba? With your budget there are better options.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Sr18de,

Brian's right, you can definitely get a better unit for less money if you got a different brand. But if you're set on getting a Toshiba, here's few things to consider.

1. Tecra models should allow for an extra optional modular battery (pull the optical drive out and put in 2nd battery), this will give upto 8-9hrs (approx) of battery runtime.

2. The Tecra models are a lot smaller and lighter than the Satellite models.

3. The Satellite will probably fit your price range a lot better.

4. The Satellite M30/M35 series offers a 15.4" Wide screen LCD, while the Tecra is limited to 14.1" max.

I just checked out the price of a Satellite M30X (Custom Config) and it came out to $1502.10 after the $166.90 Instant Rebate. This is what it comes with:

Intel Pentium M 725 1.6Ghz CPU (2MB L2 Cache)
512MB Ram (2x256MB)
40GB HDD
DVD Super Multi Burner (DVD+/- & DVD Ram support)
15.4" Widescreen LCD w/TruBrite Technology (1280x800)
Wireless B/G NIC
ATI 9700 GPU w/64MB dedicated video memory

You can also buy a second spare battery, but you have to shut your system down and swap the battery. Battery life is estimated at approx 3.5hrs.

-Vb-