Budget laptop advice

Scott46 · 5th May 2008, 8:13 AM

I'm after a cheap laptop to use while traveling. It will be used mainly for plane trips to kill time, the odd movie and to transfer photos onto. I need something that has half decent battery life and is able to run photo editing software. Weight and size are a priority as well cause i will have to lug it around Europe in a backpack.

So far i've narrowed it down to a few options including the Dell 1525 and the Lenovo 3000 N200, but the leader at the moment is the toshiba m200/n00.

Specs:
14.1" Widescreen
Webcam
Core 2 Duo T5450 1.66Ghz
1Gb DDR2 Ram
160Gb SATA Drive
Dual Layer DVDRW
215Mb Shared Intel X3100 Graphics
Card Reader
Wireless
2.3kg

Anyone have opinions on the above? Ill probably upgrade the ram to 2gb. It seems fairly similar to the lenovo n200 but i read that toshiba build quality is a bit better?? Any chance of playing the odd game on this system?

I can get the toshiba for about $800 after the cashback, is this a good deal?

Any other models to consider in the ~$7-800 range?

Tony · 5th May 2008, 8:45 AM

the only thing i would say about this is that the Lenovo 3000 would be the perfect laptop due to the fact mine came with the extended battery so i can get from 5 to 7 hrs with it

a boon because all my other units are std. cell and they get 2-3 hrs max.

no problems with strength either... i've dropped mine onto tiles and it's ok

Scott46 · 5th May 2008, 9:12 AM

So im guessing that the extended battery option makes it heavier and more expensive? The lenovo looks very similar spec wise but weights half a kg more and is 15" instead of 14" which is kind of turning me off it at the moment.

sunrise · 5th May 2008, 9:25 AM

I got an Inspiron 1525 with upgraded resolution 1440 x 900 for same reasons as you. (Do wanna do photos on it, so 15" + higher res was high priority for me..)
I'll let you know in 4 months time how it all goes

5th May 2008, 8:13 AM	#1
Scott46 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 292	Budget laptop advice I'm after a cheap laptop to use while traveling. It will be used mainly for plane trips to kill time, the odd movie and to transfer photos onto. I need something that has half decent battery life and is able to run photo editing software. Weight and size are a priority as well cause i will have to lug it around Europe in a backpack. So far i've narrowed it down to a few options including the Dell 1525 and the Lenovo 3000 N200, but the leader at the moment is the toshiba m200/n00. Specs: 14.1" Widescreen Webcam Core 2 Duo T5450 1.66Ghz 1Gb DDR2 Ram 160Gb SATA Drive Dual Layer DVDRW 215Mb Shared Intel X3100 Graphics Card Reader Wireless 2.3kg Anyone have opinions on the above? Ill probably upgrade the ram to 2gb. It seems fairly similar to the lenovo n200 but i read that toshiba build quality is a bit better?? Any chance of playing the odd game on this system? I can get the toshiba for about $800 after the cashback, is this a good deal? Any other models to consider in the ~$7-800 range?

5th May 2008, 8:45 AM	#2
Tony Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,915	the only thing i would say about this is that the Lenovo 3000 would be the perfect laptop due to the fact mine came with the extended battery so i can get from 5 to 7 hrs with it a boon because all my other units are std. cell and they get 2-3 hrs max. no problems with strength either... i've dropped mine onto tiles and it's ok __________________ "Nowadays things are completely different, and auto makers are much more global in structure. Its difficult to see ANY new car these days as the product of any one company or country. There are honourable exceptions that prove this rule though. The R32, R33 and R34 series Skylines were the babies of an intensely focused faction inside Nissan, a group who still feel their heritage & family tree come from the Prince regime of ex-aircraft engineers who were really serious about racing and making great cars. Sadly, this group now seems to be feeling pressure to change." I drive a stock R33 non turbo automatic Skyline - 120kW at the wheels! OCAU Nissan Skyline Club Member

5th May 2008, 9:12 AM	#3
Scott46 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 292	So im guessing that the extended battery option makes it heavier and more expensive? The lenovo looks very similar spec wise but weights half a kg more and is 15" instead of 14" which is kind of turning me off it at the moment.

5th May 2008, 9:25 AM	#4
sunrise Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Under the sea. Posts: 594	I got an Inspiron 1525 with upgraded resolution 1440 x 900 for same reasons as you. (Do wanna do photos on it, so 15" + higher res was high priority for me..) I'll let you know in 4 months time how it all goes