laptops

[CletusJones]

I'm thinking about getting a laptop and I've got it narrowed down to two choices. The Asus S5N and the Dell Inspiron 700m.

I really like the Asus because it's thinner, lighter, and has a longer battery life, however it's only a one spindle design and has an external CD drive.

The clinch is that Dell is having a sale and the 700m is faster and cheaper, not to mention that it's a two spindle design with a burner inside it. It's only 2 pounds heaver than the Asus, but it might be a better deal.

I think I'm leaning towards the Dell because of the sweet sale they've got going on, and if I can find one of those $750 off coupon codes that would be killer.

Opinions?

[Excedrin]

Well, if you travel a lot then I'd go with the asus. But if you're just using it to take to work and whatnot I'd go with the dell.

[bast_imret]

Go with the Dell. 700m is pretty nice.

[Viremia]

IBM T42 or X40

[fly]

IBM T42 or X40

kikbot here can get you a link to a friends and family discount or something, I think.

[w_a_w]

kikbot here can get you a link to a friends and family discount or something, I think.

that would be the only way I would take one...never been a fan of the stinkpad

[smileynev]

ibook. You can get the 1.2ghz model for $849 from Amazon right now.

I would stick with dell because of their service and support over Asus. Also, its nice to have everything built in, although I don't use the optical drive in my iBook much.

[CletusJones]

IBM T42 or X40
I've never been a huge fan of the thinkpad. It doesn't help that I dispise the "eraser head" pointing device, and their offering with the 12.1" screen that I'm looking for doesn't have a touchpad.

ibook. You can get the 1.2ghz model for $849 from Amazon right now.

I would stick with dell because of their service and support over Asus. Also, its nice to have everything built in, although I don't use the optical drive in my iBook much.
I think I'm leaning towards the Dell. It looks like it's more full featured and overall just a better deal. I would think about getting the iBook, but I've never used a mac before and all of my apps that I'd be using for school or whatnot are expensive and there's really no mexican support for the mac platform.

[smileynev]

I've never been a huge fan of the thinkpad. It doesn't help that I dispise the "eraser head" pointing device, and their offering with the 12.1" screen that I'm looking for doesn't have a touchpad.


I think I'm leaning towards the Dell. It looks like it's more full featured and overall just a better deal. I would think about getting the iBook, but I've never used a mac before and all of my apps that I'd be using for school or whatnot are expensive and there's really no mexican support for the mac platform.
Actually theres pretty decent Mexican support for the Mac. Theres just not that much stuff to send across the border to begin with.

If it were me buying I would stick with a brand that is known for making computers, like Dell or IBM or even Toshiba. I wouldn't go with a company like Asus just because I doubt their support and warranty would match those other brands.

[CletusJones]

Actually theres pretty decent Mexican support for the Mac. Theres just not that much stuff to send across the border to begin with.

If it were me buying I would stick with a brand that is known for making computers, like Dell or IBM or even Toshiba. I wouldn't go with a company like Asus just because I doubt their support and warranty would match those other brands.
Maybe that's the problem then. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to learn it, but I don't think now's the time. I need something that I can do all my school projects on and stuff like that. Being an engineering major, support for AutoCAD is pretty high on the list as well. I think I'm leaning more towards the Dell than anything else, there really aren't too many companies that have laptops with a 12.1" screen, and that's what I want, I hate carrying stuff to/from school so it has to be small and light.

[BigDov]

I'm too poor to afford a laptop. Wanna help a brotha out Cletus??

[kikbot]

I would choose the Dell over the Asus because I've used many Dell laptops over the years. Dell makes good machines both laptop and desktop. I don't know about Asus, I know I like their videocards and motherboards not sure how well they make a laptop.

I would rate the IBM Thinkpad as #1. I have used many different Thinkpads over the years and all of them are very well built. They are more expensive than other brands because they are of superior qaulity.

1. IBM
2. Dell
3. Compaq
4. others


http://www.ibm.com/shop/epp

PM me for login info


kikbot here can get you a link to a friends and family discount or something, I think.

[CletusJones]

I would choose the Dell over the Asus because I've used many Dell laptops over the years. Dell makes good machines both laptop and desktop. I don't know about Asus, I know I like their videocards and motherboards not sure how well they make a laptop.

I would rate the IBM Thinkpad as #1. I have used many different Thinkpads over the years and all of them are very well built. They are more expensive than other brands because they are of superior qaulity.

1. IBM
2. Dell
3. Compaq
4. others


http://www.ibm.com/shop/epp

PM me for login info
YGPM

[Viremia]

I've never been a huge fan of the thinkpad. It doesn't help that I dispise the "eraser head" pointing device, and their offering with the 12.1" screen that I'm looking for doesn't have a touchpad.
I wasn't a big fan of the eraser head either until I got used to it. It isn't bad at all and is what I use most of the time when I don't have a mouse hooked up at work. I don't use the trackpad on my T42 hardly ever.

[fly]

I wasn't a big fan of the eraser head either until I got used to it. It isn't bad at all and is what I use most of the time when I don't have a mouse hooked up at work. I don't use the trackpad on my T42 hardly ever.

nipple > touchpad

[w_a_w]

nipple > touchpad

double tapping touch pad>nipple

[CletusJones]

I wasn't a big fan of the eraser head either until I got used to it. It isn't bad at all and is what I use most of the time when I don't have a mouse hooked up at work. I don't use the trackpad on my T42 hardly ever.
really? How long did it take you to get used to it? I guess I could pick up a cheap optical mouse and use that when I don't feel like using teh eraser.

[Viremia]

really? How long did it take you to get used to it? I guess I could pick up a cheap optical mouse and use that when I don't feel like using teh eraser.
Well, I started off with the touchpad, but decided to give the eraser a shot since it was more convenient to where my hands were on the keys. I'd say it took no more than a week or so to get completely comfortable with it and actually prefer using it over the touchpad.

The position of the 3 buttons on the T42 is right in line with where my thumb is. Whereas, with the touchpad that isn't the case. Granted the left button isn't needed so much, but the right one is. There's no middle (scroll) button for the touchpad on the T42s, but there is for the eraserhead.

[CletusJones]

Well, I started off with the touchpad, but decided to give the eraser a shot since it was more convenient to where my hands were on the keys. I'd say it took no more than a week or so to get completely comfortable with it and actually prefer using it over the touchpad.

The position of the 3 buttons on the T42 is right in line with where my thumb is. Whereas, with the touchpad that isn't the case. Granted the left button isn't needed so much, but the right one is. There's no middle (scroll) button for the touchpad on the T42s, but there is for the eraserhead.
I checked out the T42 and it looks sweet. With that friends and family discount that kikbot sent me, it's almost $800 cheaper than it would normally be, so it may be too good to pass up for the money.

[pyromeg]

go with the dell....they make good machines......faster+cheaper=better! and what is this $750 off dell coupon code?????? I'm actually searching for a new laptop myself.......but I will be shopping at best buy for the sole reason that my brothers work at mcdonalds(best buy bucks!!!!!) and they love me so much that they have managed to acculumate 900 of them for me! yay! SO, if anyone has thoughts on a laptop sold at best buy comments/suggestions would be much appreciated.

[I Robert I]

I hate you americans with your cheap hardware and coupons and discounts and all that good stuff :(

[smileynev]

I hate you americans with your cheap hardware and coupons and discounts and all that good stuff :(
Yeah, but you have....

ummmm


yeah

[CletusJones]

go with the dell....they make good machines......faster+cheaper=better! and what is this $750 off dell coupon code?????? I'm actually searching for a new laptop myself.......but I will be shopping at best buy for the sole reason that my brothers work at mcdonalds(best buy bucks!!!!!) and they love me so much that they have managed to acculumate 900 of them for me! yay! SO, if anyone has thoughts on a laptop sold at best buy comments/suggestions would be much appreciated.
read the thread foo, i'm getting the thinkpad. more machine for less money = win.

edit: apparently the $750 code is for desktops only, i found one for $350 for laptops, but it has since expired.

[pyromeg]

read the thread foo, i'm getting the thinkpad. more machine for less money = win.

edit: apparently the $750 code is for desktops only, i found one for $350 for laptops, but it has since expired.

hey screwball, you asked for advice, advice was given. :) What more do you want from me?!?!?! On second thought.......don't answer that!

[CletusJones]

hey screwball, you asked for advice, advice was given. :) What more do you want from me?!?!?! On second thought.......don't answer that!
I would like you to be at my place, naked, oiled up, and with three friends.

gogogo!!!

[Bordak]

I would choose the Dell over the Asus because I've used many Dell laptops over the years. Dell makes good machines both laptop and desktop. I don't know about Asus, I know I like their videocards and motherboards not sure how well they make a laptop.

I would rate the IBM Thinkpad as #1. I have used many different Thinkpads over the years and all of them are very well built. They are more expensive than other brands because they are of superior qaulity.

1. IBM
2. Dell
3. Compaq
4. others


Compaq and Dell listed, but no Toshiba? Having done servicing on all the major brands (Toshiba, IBM, Dell, Compaq / HP) Toshiba and IBM are very, very close, with a small edge given to IBM. In my experiences, Toshiba is a far better choice then Dell and / or Compaq.

[CletusJones]

Compaq and Dell listed, but no Toshiba? Having done servicing on all the major brands (Toshiba, IBM, Dell, Compaq / HP) Toshiba and IBM are very, very close, with a small edge given to IBM. In my experiences, Toshiba is a far better choice then Dell and / or Compaq.
Back when the 486dx2/66 was the cream of the crop, my mom had a Toshiba Satellite, the thing was a trooper, it still worked when I tossed it out last summer before I moved and had been through hell and back. Dropped, stepped on, kicked, used as a seating device... you get the idea. I've heard things like this about the IBMs too, and with kikbot's help, I couldn't pass that one up, it was practically a no brainer. I'll be getting more machine for less money than I had originally expected to spend. :D