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Laptop recommendations

I am interested in hearing some opinions on laptops.

In particular I am interested in finding a system with these specs:

Win XP-- not Vista!

15.4 or 17" WSXGA+/WUGA+ 1G RAM min, prefer 2G
=160G HD, the bigger the better

DVD/RW wireless Bluetooth/Ethernet

optional: multi-card reader

cost: ~$1300- $1600.

I wanted to go with Dell or HP but my first requirement, XP seems to be a deal killer for these. Toshiba seems to have systems that are reasonable that meet my req--except for the WSXGA. Anyone have experience with Velocity Micro? They seem a bit pricey (about $400-500 more), but appear to be better than ave. quality.

Any recommendations?

Also, recommendations/experience with extended warranties?

My primary use will be development: matlab, C++, grad school use, but also want to be able to use for road-trips/entertainment. As to why no Vista-- several colleagues have shared horror stories on Hitler Gate's registration woes and driver/media compatability issues.

Please I don't want to start a Mircosoft/Apple, Windows/Linus war with the question. If you are particularly happy or unhappy with a certain laptop vendor/model and service, I'd like to hear about it.

Many thanks,

Bo

Reply to
Bo
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A good way to buy a Dell - their outlet store. By a returned, new, never opened unit.

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Reply to
Rather Play Pinball

Try posting to an appropriate newsgroup.

Reply to
AZ Nomad

In fact a lot of these are not even 'returns'. When they have an order for (say) 500 laptops from one company, they assemble about 520, to make 'sure' that they have 500 units ready for the shipment date. The 'extras', which in some cases will have failed final QD, for something 'simple', like a drive not plugged properly in, or in other cases will have been a good 'pass', but 'spare', are also sold via the Factory outlet store. The units will only be sold once they have passed QD, and represent good value.

Best Wishes

Reply to
Roger Hamlett

What better newsgroup than one frequented by many engineer peers that likely use them for same apps that I will? This is certainly as or even a more appropriate place for such a post than many of the left/right-wing political wars that are posted here.

At any rate, what newsgroups would you suggest?

Bo

Reply to
Bo

Newegg still has HP models in the NC6320 series with XP Pro, although the stock drives are "only" 60 and 80 Gig. I picked one up around the end of January (the EN373UT flavor) and I've been quite happy with it.

Reply to
Rich Webb

No Vista? Good luck. Try Twinhead. I got their Durabook D14RA just in time before the Vista release and AFAIK it won't run Vista. Great machine, rugged enclosure, 2-year std warranty, but the HD isn't that big. Was under $1000. Maybe they still have some of these.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com
Reply to
Joerg

The mid-range Sony Vaios are very nice. Four pounds and 6 hour battery life.

John

Reply to
John Larkin

Agreed. Also, if you order a Dell from their small business part of the web site, you can still configure a machine with XP Pro. They've mentioned XP will be available for at least a year after release of Vista. My guess is a lot of commercial accounts are saying no to Vista.

Sure, if you go down to local office mega-store, the only offering is Vista. (If you thought Microsoft was a monopoly a few years back, it has only gotten worse.) But XP is still to be found.

Reply to
Rather Play Pinball

Agreed, I nearly bought one a while ago, I got a MacBook instead. It comes with first-rate software development tools and the presentation software "Keynote" is great ($50 or so extra). To top it off, you get a remote control so you can flip through presentations from across the room.

-- Joe

Reply to
J.A. Legris

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