$1K Laptop Challenge

[Keebler Elf]

Try the new Acer Travelmate.. most stores ( Canada Computers etc ) are selling them for 930.00 cdn. they have great DVD/CDR and a wide screen that kicks ass.

Do you know the product name/#?

 

[RogerRabbit]

What would you buy? Suggestions?

Costco™ and Sam's Club™ have good deals on new computers...

 

[slyguy]

First, that is a Linux OS setup.

Second... set a budget, but don't let price determine your final purchase and steer you into something you will regret regardless if it doesn't break for 5 years. What's the point if it doesn't perform of function well during those years.

Third... Suggest Intel Pentium 4 or Pentium-M (Centrino) depending how important battery life and mobility is.


Here is a good VALUE choice:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007128&cid=896


If you must stay under $1000, and brand new... then a Celeron-M based notebook is the only alternative.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007129&cid=896
or
AS3502WLCI - should be able to find this model for $999

 

[Keebler Elf]

What do you think of crystal screen vs. regular screen?

 

[slyguy]

Save yourself alot of agony... and go with this model.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007011&cid=896

There are countless reasons especially if you look into the technicial specs & details. It will serve you well and you can buy the extended warranties if you want peace of mind.

This is the model my colleagues just purchased, and they are very satisfied. Both paid the ~$115 for the additional 2 years of warranty.

 

[Keebler Elf]

That's a little more than I need (and more than I want to spend). There's plenty of stuff under a grand that will fill my needs.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Ok, I'm narrowing it down. How do these two compare? It looks like the first one is significantly faster but not widescreen (actually, the specs for both say each is 1024x768; does that mean they're both widescreen?). How much noticeable difference will the 256KB vs. 1 MB cache make? Both have 1 year warranty with 2-year extended available.

TravelMate TM2201LCI-XPH ($898.88)
Intel Celeron M 2.66GHz w/256KB Cache, 256MB RAM, 40GB Harddisk, DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive, 56K Modem, 10/100 LAN, 802.11g WLAN, 15" XGA TFT Display, ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9000 graphics, Windows XP Home.

Aspire AS3502NLCi ($788.88)
Intel® Celeron® M 1.40GHz (1MB L2 cache),256MB,40GB hard drive,CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive,15.0" XGA (1024 x 768) TFT display,Mirage™ graphics, 802.11b/g WLAN, 10/100 LAN, V.92 modem

Right now, I'm leaning towards the first one...

 

[Keebler Elf]

Bumpity bump

 

[Keebler Elf]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I bought an Acer 3002WLCi on sale at Radio Shack for $899. Extended warranty (2 years) would be another $250 thru Radio Shack, but I'm going to get it directly thru Acer for half that.

I've spent that past 4 hours or so updating it and installing software so everything seems good to go now.

Challenge complete.