Best notebook?

[mycalgary]

I'm in the market for a new notebook. I'll be using it for web design and everyday stuff like e-mail and surfing. I'd like something aesthetically pleasing and functional, all for under $1,500. Is that too much to ask? :?:

A few brands I've considered:

- Toshiba
- Dell
- Sony
- Lenovo

Opinions on brands and even specific models would be fantastic. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Bunkhouse]

Lenovo has the most durable and reliable laptops around. There are discounts if you buy with a VISA card:http://caipsgws001.can.ibm.com/store/page?cpage=corpepp_t43tp&status=0&tool=0&cells=0&title=0&bannerkey=0&aud=EA1VISA

What size of screen do you want?

[mycalgary]

Thanks for the info. I've heard a lot about the Lenovos, but I noticed they are quite a bit more than the other brands.

I'm looking for at least a 15" screen.

Another sillly question: What is the difference between a Pentium and a Centrino processor?

[Carpe Diem]

PowerBook, A little over your price range though.

[Bunkhouse]

centrino is a combination of pentium m with wireless. More of a marketing tool used by Intel.

[mycalgary]

So is Centrino better? Worse? Same?

I was actually leaning toward this Dell:

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/nb_6400?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs

Any thoughts?

[mycalgary]

I also like these Toshiba models:

Satellite® A100-JH2
http://www.costco.ca/en-CA/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?prodid=10290264&whse=BCCA&topnav=&cat=1675&hierPath=84*1675*

Satellite® A100-LE6
http://www.costco.ca/en-CA/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?prodid=10291479&whse=BCCA&topnav=&cat=1675&hierPath=84*1675*

[Bunkhouse]

So is Centrino better? Worse? Same?
Same

[Shen]

are you in a hurry to buy the laptop?
If not, I would wait for the Turion X2, which is dual core and 64bit.
It should be out this month, but who knows XD

[mycalgary]

Can you explain what Turion X2 is?

[Shen]

Can you explain what Turion X2 is?


It's the next AMD chip for laptops XD

[Kasakato]

Centrino is not a processor. Its more of a standard Intel has created.

Turion is AMDs version of a P4 in a notebook.

[mycalgary]

And why is it better?

[Shen]

And why is it better?


because it's dual core AND 64-bit combined ^__^

[Kasakato]

And why is it better?
Turion X2 will be the next generation of laptop processors. Its going to be 64bit which is pretty major.

[Shen]

Turion X2 will be the next generation of laptop processors. Its going to be 64bit which is pretty major.


yup, with 64bit coming out, all 32bit will be phased out XD
so, if you want your laptop to be future-friendly, I would suggest getting a 64bit instead of 32bit.

IMO, 64bit > Dual-Core

[mycalgary]

Any idea on how these will be priced?

If they're going to cost an arm and a leg, I might settle for the Core Duo.

[jb22]

Intel from everything I heard is still king when it comes to laptop cpus. Apparently their Duo Core cpus are very good, even being able to keep up and beat some of their top of the line desktop cpus, such as the P4 Extreme Edition.

Any way, if you could I would wait until fall for the Conroe or Morem cpus (I always forget which one is the mobile version and which is the desktop version). Any way, the new cpu should offer atleast 25% better performance.

Any way, a really good laptop spec wise is the Acer TravelMate 8204, but I've read a few complaints about its screen.