help with laptop choices

platinum · 9th May 2008, 3:10 PM

I'm after a new laptop, and I've had a trusty dell 6400 for a while, but I probably want something a little thinner and sleeker this time around.

The biggest thing I'm after is battery life, although I would like something with a 15.4" screen. Nothing else really matters to me, it does need a core2duo processor though.

Was looking at some HP pavilions today and the battery life appears to be shocking. I'm used to my dell which could last 4 hours without raising a sweat (9cell battery).

Does anyone have any suggestions on what's hot at the moment?

Vaempyr · 9th May 2008, 3:15 PM

If a 13.1" screen would do you, a MacBook Air or the similar Lenovo would be ideal ... Fujitsu do a 14.1" LifeBook which is in a 13.1" chassis, but I've only seen it in brochures.

hugofirst · 10th May 2008, 8:26 AM

I just posted this in another What to buy thread:

I just picked up an NEC Versa E6310. From Penta.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.20-GHz, 800-MHz FSB, 4-MB L2 cache)
-Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS with 256-MB dedicated video memory (1023MB Hypermemory)
-Display: 14.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800 resolution) Super Shine View LCD
-Memory Slots: 2 SODIMM slots
-Weight: 2.44KG Inc Battery
-Hard Drive: 200GB 5400RPM
-Memory: 2048 MB (2 x 1024 MB) DDR2 SDRAM (667 MHz)
-Battery: 6-cell Lithium Ion
-Expansion Slots: ExpressCard/54 Slot
-Network Interface: Integrated Intel (10/100/1000 NIC) Ethernet Controller
-Wireless: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN
-Software: MS Office 2007 PreInstallation "Office Ready"
-Optical Drive: SuperMulti DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
-Pointing Device: Touchpad
-Memory Upgrade: Upgradeable to 4096 MB maximum
-Operating System: Windows Vista Business
-Webcam: Yes
-Bluetooth: Yes
-Other: Leather Texture, Backlit Mouse Pad, HDMI Out

Paid $1242

Compaired to others around that price (and even more $$$ ones) it had a better processor (T7500), more HDD (200gb), better graphics (8600m) and HDMI was a HUGE bonus! As it will double as a HTPC for me. Oh, also has Vista Business!

It also looks alot better IMO.... Has a Leather top!

Take a look: http://minisites.nec-computers-ap.com/E6310/

Can't tell you what its really like though, as it only just arrived yesterday, and i've only just taken it out of the box. Charging now! So far so good!

9th May 2008, 3:10 PM	#1
platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,636	help with laptop choices I'm after a new laptop, and I've had a trusty dell 6400 for a while, but I probably want something a little thinner and sleeker this time around. The biggest thing I'm after is battery life, although I would like something with a 15.4" screen. Nothing else really matters to me, it does need a core2duo processor though. Was looking at some HP pavilions today and the battery life appears to be shocking. I'm used to my dell which could last 4 hours without raising a sweat (9cell battery). Does anyone have any suggestions on what's hot at the moment? __________________ Blog \| Easy Recipes! \| Website Development and Design

9th May 2008, 3:15 PM	#2
Vaempyr Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: melbourne.au Posts: 4,145	If a 13.1" screen would do you, a MacBook Air or the similar Lenovo would be ideal ... Fujitsu do a 14.1" LifeBook which is in a 13.1" chassis, but I've only seen it in brochures. __________________ « "Sleight of hand; twist of Fate" \| "The 'Net is a waste of time, and that's exactly what's right about it." - William Gibson » Twitter \| MacTalk \| iPhone Apps This post does not constitute legal advice.

10th May 2008, 8:26 AM	#3
hugofirst Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ACT Posts: 323	I just posted this in another What to buy thread: I just picked up an NEC Versa E6310. From Penta. Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.20-GHz, 800-MHz FSB, 4-MB L2 cache) -Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS with 256-MB dedicated video memory (1023MB Hypermemory) -Display: 14.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800 resolution) Super Shine View LCD -Memory Slots: 2 SODIMM slots -Weight: 2.44KG Inc Battery -Hard Drive: 200GB 5400RPM -Memory: 2048 MB (2 x 1024 MB) DDR2 SDRAM (667 MHz) -Battery: 6-cell Lithium Ion -Expansion Slots: ExpressCard/54 Slot -Network Interface: Integrated Intel (10/100/1000 NIC) Ethernet Controller -Wireless: Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN -Software: MS Office 2007 PreInstallation "Office Ready" -Optical Drive: SuperMulti DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support -Pointing Device: Touchpad -Memory Upgrade: Upgradeable to 4096 MB maximum -Operating System: Windows Vista Business -Webcam: Yes -Bluetooth: Yes -Other: Leather Texture, Backlit Mouse Pad, HDMI Out Paid $1242 Compaired to others around that price (and even more $$$ ones) it had a better processor (T7500), more HDD (200gb), better graphics (8600m) and HDMI was a HUGE bonus! As it will double as a HTPC for me. Oh, also has Vista Business! It also looks alot better IMO.... Has a Leather top! Take a look: http://minisites.nec-computers-ap.com/E6310/ Can't tell you what its really like though, as it only just arrived yesterday, and i've only just taken it out of the box. Charging now! So far so good! __________________ System: eVGA 780i\| Intel Q9450 w/ TRUE \| Mushkin Redline 5-5-5-12 PC2-8000 4GB \| MSI 8800GTX \| HDD1: WD 74GB Raptor \| HDD2: Seagate 320GB \|Asus SATA 18x DVDRW \| Corsair HX-620 \| Cooler Master CM690 \| Viewsonic VX2025WM \| OS: Vista HP 64-bit\|