Laptop Recommendations

[ontrider]

Does anyone have any recommendations on some decent laptops... I'm trying not to spend too much on one, but I'd like to be able to do some graphics work (photshop/illustrator) web stuff (dreamweaver)... nothing crazy... my desktop is for the crazy stuff

I'm thinking 1GHz.. 512MB RAM or around that range would be fast enough for sure, and would be enough memory. Key thing I'm looking for is value, not the fastest shiz out there or anything. Just sufficient, and cheap.

So any suggestions or where I might want to begin looking would be helpful. I'm trying to avoid reading through 100 reviews in PC mag and stuff like that

[JamesWatts]

G4 Ibook or a G4 Powerbook

you wont be sorry...

you WILL be sorry if you buy a PC laptop.

-James

[ontrider]

Sorry, I should have specified. No Macs. I'd like a PC laptop.

[Zach M]

I have never owned a laptop, but everyone I know that has a PC laptop has tons of problems with them. They do not last. Powerbooks keep on going forever. I use a PC desktop at home, and Mac's at work and school so I have a knowledge and appreciation for both. But when it comes to laptops, I would rethink the idea of a mac.

[scott a]

*sigh*

just dont load tons of BS on your computer. only load on there what youre gonna use, and nothing else. thats when you run into problems. in the two years that ive owned my school computer i havent had a single problem with it. no problems running premiere or photoshop, either.

my brother just got a compaq laptop and he loves it.

[JamesWatts]

...who would want to use premiere.....lol

-James

[ontrider]

Wow did I accidentally post this on MacWorld forums?

Well lets see... my current laptop has pretty much bit the dust and it's a PC. It only lasted me 8 years... (yes eight) - so I guess you guys are right about the PC's -- they're all horrible.

[scott a]

[jumalian]

here's a tip for you, JamesWatts. once someone makes it clear that they don't want a mac, give it up. yes, macs kick ass, blah blah blah. but the person doesn't want one. so what's your point of going out of your way to try to rip on pc's or premiere?

oh yeah, i edit on my laptop (yes i know, not the best for editing), using premiere pro 1.5, and *gasp* stable.

as for laptop recommendations, i'd stay away from hp, compaq, gateway, emachines. dells are good, but only if you spend a lot of money (stay away from their "deals"). sonys are good, but overpriced. look into toshiba (what i have), fujitsu, ibm.

[jumalian]

[Wakebrad]

I second that. I would pick Dell, Toshiba, or Sony for a laptop. Toshiba actually makes a lot of the parts that other manufacturers use. But they obviously integrate best into their own systems.

[Bowen]

Dell is having a special right now, they advertised it in yesterdays WSJ, its really a pretty nice laptop for about $400. I don't think you can beat that...

[jumalian]

[aceyx]

i would look into older model sony vaios and ibm thinkpads. no experience with toshiba, so i can't vouch for them. you're right on bumping the ram and not worrying about processor speed.

the vaios, when it comes to multimedia applications, are workhorses. they're geared toward that market so i'd be surprised if you were unhappy with one.

certain ibm models have the same features, but they're more business oriented. comparatively, they're oxen; do what you need them to and last a good while without needing to be snazzy. on the other hand, the vaios do look good.

the ultimate difference would be trackpoint or trackpad?


i have an old x22 and it does pshop and illustrator fine (640MB, 800mhz). like you, i have a desktop so i concentrated on having it portable, not powerful. still, it does everything i need to when i'm away from my desk.

[ontrider]

[JamesWatts]

What do after he said "i want a PC"....did you see me post anything else about getting a mac?

NO

the premier thing was a joke. cause i knew scott a would come back at it that is why i added the "lol" which was supposed to equal a friendly rivalry.

ontrider. i never claimed to be able to make great "video's"

my opinion is as valid as anyone else’s on this board. and MY opinion was to get a powerbook. untill he said he didn’t want a mac..then i did not mention anything else about it.

you guys post stuff on here and get all pumped up and mad when people that actually KNOW something about what they are talking about comment on your posts.

fromnow on. if you only want only a bunch of ignorant wakeboarders that get all there info from employees at best buy to comment. then please specify in the topic. thankyou.

-James

[jumalian]

[JamesWatts]

...im sorry...

THEIR

funny how you dont have anything else to say...so you make fun of my spelling errors.

[jumalian]

actually, i did say something else. funny how you totally missed the point. but, again, you read what you wanted to read.

[Nor*Cal]

I have a Toshiba that is great. 17" Widescreen. A bit big for carrying everywhere but it's a great desktop replacement.

[Wakebrad]

[ontrider]

HAHA... well this thread didn't really go where I expected it to, but what's a thread on wb.com without a disagreement right?

Sorry James, didn't mean to bash you or anything, I just don't want an apple computer for various reasons.

But I think I'm gonna look at the Toshiba's too... haven't seen many around, but you guys sound like you like em for those who have them.

[SupraBoarder]

IBM, Toshiba, Dell...

In that order. I love my IBM T41. It has NO problems whatsoever, and I've had it for about a year. My dad has had one for work for the last 4 years, my uncle has had his for about 6 years(needs a new one soon, or a serious upgrade) both my brothers have them and we've been more than happy and will continue to buy them as long as they keep making them. We've also had a number of other laptops including Sonys and compaqs. IMHO, The sony was a great gimmick computer, as it had all the bells and whistles that you could want in a computer, but it had trouble with stability(reliablity) and had issues with getting all the basic processes to work together. The compaq is a very old laptop with a small harddrive and insufficient processor speed, but it still runs like a champ and i use it to run mp3's on my home sound system. I think it may be bulletproof. We have had a few compaq desktops in the last few years and if they are any indication as to how the new hp/compaq laptops perform, I would stay clear of them. The Dell laptops are decent, but they get very pricey for a decent machine, and my roomate has had to replace his hard drive twice in 3 years. Other than that, I know of no common problems that would make me not consider them next time I need a new laptop(although I'll probably stick with the thinkpads)

[ontrider]

Well I checked out a bunch of stuff and I think I'm gonna go with the Dell Inspiron 6000 Notebook. Should do everything I need, and has a decent price tag!

[matt1808]

I am going to have to say don't get a sony viao. My mom has gone through 2 and is on here third, in the past few years. The problems have been so bad that sony has given here two new ones with only charge for shipping. On the other hand I guess that means they have good customer service.

[ontrider]

matt1808, read above.

...dude, i'm gettin' a dell.

[matt1808]

ontrider, oops sorry, it got boring after the argument i quit reading