laptops

[peppermint]

Hi All,
I'm trying to decide on which laptop I should select for work. I travel a lot and run Siebel on my computer (which has a pretty big footprint.

Thanks for your help!

Here are my choices:

Compaq M700 PIII 600MHz Specifications:
Intel Mobile Pentium III 600 MHz processor with Intel SpeedStep® Technology
14.1" CTFT XGA Display, AGP 2X graphics with 8 MB SDRAM, 1024x768 with up to 16.8 Million colors.
12 GB SMART Hard Drive
64MB Base Memory, 192MB as deployed
256KB Integrated L2 Cache.
Type III PCMCIA Slot.
8X DVD-ROM / 24X MultiBay CD-ROM.
Speakers, Microphone, Infrared Port, and (1) USB Port.

Compaq M300 PIII 500MHz Specifications:
Intel Mobile Pentium III 500 MHz processor.
11.3" CTFT XGA Display, AGP 2X graphics with 4 MB Video RAM, 1024x768 with up to 16.8 Million colors.
12 GB SMART Hard Drive
64MB Base Memory, 192MB as deployed
256KB Integrated L2 Cache.
1 Type II PC Card Slot.
8X DVD-ROM / 24X MultiBay CD-ROM, found in the optional MEU.
Integrated Speakers, Microphone, Infrared Port, USB Port, Parallel Port, and Monitor Port

Toshiba Tecra 8100 PIII 700MHz Specifications:
Intel Mobile Pentium III 700MHz processor featuring SpeedStep technology
14.1" TFT Active Matrix Color Display, 8MB SGRAM Video Memory, 1024 x 768 with up to 16 million colors
12GB Hard Drive
128MB Base Memory, 256MB as deployed
256KB Integrated L2 Cache
Two PC Card slots support two Type II or one Type III PC cards
Integrated modem, SVGA video port, infrared port, PS/2 port, USB port, parallel port, and serial port
External floppy disk drive

Toshiba Portege PIII 600MHz Specifications:
Intel Mobile Pentium III 600 Mhz processor featuring SpeedStep technology
11.3" Polysilicon TFT Color Display, 8MB Video Memory
12GB Hard Drive
192 MB Base Memory
Integrated 56K Modem
Two PC Card slots support two Type II or one Type III PC cards
3.4 lbs with battery attached
External USB Floppy Drive
External 6X DVD-ROM / 24X CD ROM
Xircom 10/100 LAN / 56K Combo PCMCIA Card Included

[Apex]

Well, speaking from personal experience with all 4 of those models, this is what I can tell you:

1. First decide whether you want an ultraportable (M300 and Portege) or a slim and hotswap (M700 and 8100). Personally, unless you need the ultimate in portability and light weight, having a 2 spindle (M700 & 8100) is more convenient.

2. Size considerations: The compaq is smaller and lighter, and you'll definitely notice the difference. The M700 is 5.6lbs with CD or DVD, and 1.1" thick. Definitely a thin notebook. The Sony SuperSlim Pro Z505 series, which is an ultraportable, is 1" thick... only .1" thinner. The Tecra is 1.4" thick and a few tenths of a lb heavier.

3. The M700 has the best video card available in a notebook today, the ATI Rage Mobility series. The Tecra has the second best, the S3 Savage/MX based one. If you're going to attach it to an external monitor sometime, the M700 can do up to 1600x1200 at 75hz simultaniously. Great display. The 8100 can only do up to 1280x1024 at 60hz, which, as you know, is unusable.

4. The compaq both have better quality keyboards. Not as good as IBM, but definitely better than the toshiba.

5. The M700 comes with 64mb of ram and TWO empty slots. This means you have better expandibility. The Tecra has two slots, so your memory choices are more limited.

6. The compaq has much better docking stations available. The toshiba's are pretty feeble.

7. Both have magnesium casing.

8. Overall fit and feel on both are good. The compaq has a better casing, with more a more scratch resistant black textured finish.

[Apex]

BTW, if you are looking for a laptop, email me. I can save you a bunch of money.

[peppermint]

Thanks for you help!!