Max $2200 Budget for Laptop

[<atomic_trojan>]

Wont be used for gaming but require the best specs for $2200.
obviously build quality is a major factor though.

[Gus the Mus]

My suggestion would be a Dell 6400.
For $2200 you can get;
T2400(1.83Gig) core-duo processor
1 year warranty including accidental damage
1Gig DDR2 memory
Windows XP home
Free delivery
15.4" widescreen display with 1280x800 resolution
256MB ATI X1400 video card
100Gig Sata HDD(5400RPM)
Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
2 x 9cell batteries for long battery life
2 x 90W power adapters
Wireless Bluetooth
Dual band wireless networking
internal 56K modem
MSWorks7.0
Colour kit
Nylon carry case.

For $2200 that is a pretty damn well spec'd lappie! If you find a dell voucher in the paper or mail or something, you can probably get a bit better too. This is straight off their site. Obviously you could go without the extra battery & power adapter if you want & maybe the carry bag & then opt for XP Pro or something. This gives you an idea though of what you could get. I've just been through this same excercise but with a higher budget so I know it can be mind boggling! Good luck.

[urbanvanilla]

The inspiron 6400 seems like a awesome value for money. I was considering it seriously for along time but the weight of it all pushed it over for me because I'd be using mine for uni, if weight is a problem for you, I'd suggest the Tecra A6 (its about half a kg lighter) and costs about 2200. stats aren't at all better though, just lighter.

[McbLt]

I have an A6 and I love it, but unless you need the smaller screen for portability, the Dell seems like an awesome value for money setup.

However, with that said, I'd highly suggest you look into getting a 3year warranty with whatever purchase you make. It'll set you back a few hundred dollars now, but I'd say that it would be a very wise investment.

[littlemaelstrom]

Originally Posted by Gus the Mus

My suggestion would be a Dell 6400.
For $2200 you can get;
T2400(1.83Gig) core-duo processor
1 year warranty including accidental damage
1Gig DDR2 memory
Windows XP home
Free delivery
15.4" widescreen display with 1280x800 resolution
256MB ATI X1400 video card
100Gig Sata HDD(5400RPM)
Dual Layer DVD+/-RW
2 x 9cell batteries for long battery life
2 x 90W power adapters
Wireless Bluetooth
Dual band wireless networking
internal 56K modem
MSWorks7.0
Colour kit
Nylon carry case.

For $2200 that is a pretty damn well spec'd lappie! If you find a dell voucher in the paper or mail or something, you can probably get a bit better too. This is straight off their site. Obviously you could go without the extra battery & power adapter if you want & maybe the carry bag & then opt for XP Pro or something. This gives you an idea though of what you could get. I've just been through this same excercise but with a higher budget so I know it can be mind boggling! Good luck.

I'd second the 6400.

I'd drop the colour kit, and second power adaptor at least, then get the upgraded 1680x1050 screen. Could also pay slightly more for 1x1GB ram rather than 2x512MB, and buy your own extra stick of 1GB (Dell charges insane amounts for extra ram).

[delpieropadova]

I just got myself a laptop based on a MSI Megabook 635 barebone mail-ordered in. I got mine delivered and insured for 2.3k from www.itbox.com.au, but if you go to their website you can get say an nVidia 6600 or a X700 based laptop with similar specs to the Dell for about the same price.

The 2.3k laptop I got includes:
AMD MT40 Turion 2.2G 25w
Mobility Radeon X700 Pro
1 stick of 1Gb DDR400 RAM
Hitachi 80Gb 7200 rpm HDD
Builtin wifi
DVD-RW dual format

Plus because it's a barebone based system it's easy to tinker with if you want to eg just put AS5 on the CPU/GPU heatsinks.

[Gus the Mus]

Similar spec's yes, but not dual core & last generation video card. I know the x1400 isn't a great card but it'll have more features & I suspect better performance than an X700

[littlemaelstrom]

Originally Posted by Gus the Mus

Similar spec's yes, but not dual core & last generation video card. I know the x1400 isn't a great card but it'll have more features & I suspect better performance than an X700

The X700 (mid-range) is still faster than the X1400 (bottom-end).

But I'd definitely rather have a Core Duo than a Turion. (For now anyway, the Turion X2's will be out in a few months)

[McbLt]

In terms of old/new models, the X1400 sits between the X600 and X700. The X1600 is the replacement for the X700...gah too many X's and 00's

[delpieropadova]

Originally Posted by Gus the Mus

Similar spec's yes, but not dual core & last generation video card. I know the x1400 isn't a great card but it'll have more features & I suspect better performance than an X700

X1400's got AVIVO, but unless you're using that laptop to encode video, the X700 is better with gamez (numerous games and 3DMark05 tests you can find on the web will confirm it) X1400 also has SM3.0 but it's not as if it's got enough power to run games on 3.0 shader model in the first place.

Dual core, yes, but dual core 32-bit only. Of course, single core 64 is not much better since no one's writing stuff for 64 bits. But then the ideal solution is to wait for Turion X2.

For now, I'll take the Turion over the Core Duo.

[Gus the Mus]

OK, I stand corrected, the x700 is a better gamer than the x1400.

[kuruptz]

Gus the mus i made that same computer and it ended up System Total : AUD 2,585.00

How did you work it out to be $2200 mate

[Gus the Mus]

Maybe deal had changed a bit now. I can't remember exactly which base I started with but that's how it came out.

[Dr.Zero!]

What do you guys think of the Asus A6QJC, msy has it for $2120 at the moment.

core-duo 2300
80GB
XP pro
512mb ram
Nvidia geforce go 7300
Bluetooth
wireless G
Gigabit netwok

[Kelvin]

You obviously have never used any dual core machines, or Pnetium M machines before...

Intel's Mobile offerings are better and more advanced than AMDs... the converse is true in the desktop setting...

Just because AMd undoubtedbly rules the performances takes in the desktop arena.. it DOES NOT in the mobile market.... Only a fool would lean towards an non intel machine... The choice is even now more clear given the presence of intel Dual Core mobile chips...

Originally Posted by delpieropadova

X1400's got AVIVO, but unless you're using that laptop to encode video, the X700 is better with gamez (numerous games and 3DMark05 tests you can find on the web will confirm it) X1400 also has SM3.0 but it's not as if it's got enough power to run games on 3.0 shader model in the first place.

Dual core, yes, but dual core 32-bit only. Of course, single core 64 is not much better since no one's writing stuff for 64 bits. But then the ideal solution is to wait for Turion X2.

For now, I'll take the Turion over the Core Duo.