mersenneforum.org - Looking to Buy a New Laptop -- advice?

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Looking to Buy a New Laptop -- advice?

Planning to buy a new (or slightly used) laptop PC to replace my aged Dell Celeron-based system, vintage 2000. I need it to be a dual-core system, since I want to be able to play with multithreaded code development. It needs tosupport the amd64 instructions set, which Intel calls emt64. It seems the dual-core AMD Turions have better prices than the Intel Core 2 duos - is there any reason I would want to want to shell out more for the Intel?

Based on what I've heard about MS Vista, I was hoping to be able to get a system with a pre-Vista Win OS, but apparently that's not realistic, an I don't want to risk the bare-bones-install-your-own-OS route - my time is too limited to be dicking around with that sort of thing, I need to be able to be building code ASAP, so I just want to install the compiler and my usual stuff, e.g. Firefox and Thunderbird.

So right now I'm trying to decide between similar-sounding systems from Gateway and HP, detailed below, both around $700 - any advice?

============

[b]System A[/b] -- NEW

Gateway MT6451 AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-50 1.6GHz Notebook with/ Vista OS, 1024MB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM, 120GB 5400rpm PATA hard drive, 15.4-inch WXGA display, DVD±RW (8X Dual Layer) Multi-Format Double Layer Drive

Warranty: 3 Months Parts, Lifetime Labor.

[b]Buy, by July 31st and receive FREE Intelli Mover! (Regularly $49) for NO Extra Charge[/b]

-IntelliMover saves you from hassles and frustrations of moving information from your old PC to your new PC by letting you quickly and easily transfer your e-email, music, files, foders, settings and more.
-Includes: File Transfer-Utility, USB & Parallel Transfer Cables!

[url=http://hogranch.com/mayer/images/random/notebookA.jpg][picture][/url]

============

[b]System B[/b] -- REFURBISHED

HP Pavilion dv6227cl Refurbished Laptop PC - AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-50 1.6GHz, 802.11b/g Wireless, 1GB DDR2, 120GB HDD, Dual Layer DVD RW, 15.4" WXGA, Windows Vista Home Premium.

The HP Pavilion dv6227cl also features HP's Imprint Finish. The notebook finish is a refined, high-gloss coating with a unique, inlaid design. Using an advanced molding technique - often used for cell phone casings, cosmetic packaging and luxury car interiors - the HP Imprint process provides a durable finish with a fashion appeal

Warranty: 3 Months Parts/Labor.

[url=http://hogranch.com/mayer/images/random/notebookB.jpg][picture][/url]

[quote]…FREE Intelli Mover! (Regularly $49) for NO Extra Charge…[/quote]
Well that makes the decision real easy!

:popcorn:

If you haven't already, you might want to look Dell's small business section. I'm pretty sure you can get something at a similar or better price/specs as those two, but with Windows XP instead of Vista. At least the Vostro and Latitude lines still have options where you can get Windows XP as your OS.

Or Dell Auctions. They have some nice deals at times. And you will probably get an XP computer there. [url]Http://dellauctions.com[/url]

There's several online retailers, and I prefer [URL]http://www.newegg.com/[/URL] . Decent prices, wide selection, as well as open box and refurbished items. You should have no problem finding a laptop with XP loaded.

Their customer service is second-to-none.

Look at this thread:

[url]http://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=7112[/url]

For 700+ bucks you might get a Thinkpad R60 or R61, perhaps used; and what do you need 15,4" for? 14" 4/3 screens are much better for battery life, for instance.

I got my T60 C2D quite cheap on Ebay; There are some C2D R61 on ebay.com right now.

And a T60 for 1 grand at newegg!!!

Take a gander at these - C2D laptops with XP Pro loaded - open box:

[URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2030260032+1039323203+4022+1044906965&name=Windows+XP+Professional[/URL]

I am partial to the Lenovo T-Series laptops, at least in their previous IBM incarnation. They are actually designed for mobile use. The keyboard covers the maximum amount of real estate, rather than sandwiching miniature sized, multi-function keys between speakers and snappy logos. The screen uses a small bezel and has a recessed hinge, making these some of the few full-size laptops that can be used on an airline tray table in sardine class. That said, I am less than thrilled at Lenovo's reduction of the previous warranty period from 3 years down to one. Both of my laptops have needed service, one at ~2 years, the other at 2 years, 11 months.

X20 and R60 here. No service needed. Flawless operation.

:blahblah:

[QUOTE=rx7350;111921]Take a gander at these - C2D laptops with XP Pro loaded - open box:

[URL]http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2030260032+1039323203+4022+1044906965&name=Windows+XP+Professional[/URL][/QUOTE]

I went ahead and ordered one of the open-box versions of these - thanks for the link. However, I'm a little concerned about the leeway Newegg allows themselves for Open Box items:

[quote][b]DISCLAIMER

Your order contains an Open Box product(s). Please read the following before you proceed:

[u]Newegg.com does not test any product, including open box items.[/u][/b] Open Box items therefore are only tested by the original manufacturer. Due to varying qualities between manufacturers, [b][u]YOU ARE TAKING A RISK BUYING OPEN BOX PRODUCTS.[/u][/b]

Open Box merchandise are [b]OPEN BOX[/b] products that contain components that have been owned by other clients and returned to Newegg.com. The products are sold considerably under cost. Newegg.com guarantees all open box products for 15 days only. CPUs, however, only have 7 day refund-only return policy. All open box items are considered OEM "barebone" parts.

Barebone means Newegg.com can only guarantee the [b]item by itself, and no other accessories.[/b] No matter what the product description says, open box products may not have all the other accessories normally shipped with a new product. Newegg.com only guarantees that the barebone item itself will be included. Do not be upset or surprised if your open box product does not contain any cables, adaptors, manuals, CDs, drivers, fan, etc. [b][u]Newegg.com will not send you any missing accessories, even if the accessory is essential to the product's operation.[/u][/b][/quote]

Love the last line -- Basically, I'm hoping the notebook I ordered will at least come with an AC/DC converter and power cable. The above, interpreted liberally", is basically saying "We don't bother to check returned items for power cables, manuals, CDs, or any of that other 'accessory' foofaraw...oh and by the way, we consider notebook batteries, CD drives, removable hard drives and CPUs to be 'accesories', too."