Laptop advice

**molecularfire** · 06-23-2002, 07:26 PM

Hello all. A friend of mine is thinking of getting a laptop. He's willing to spend up to $2,000. I have a couple of questions:

1) Do they have DVD burners for laptops

2) What's a good company to buy the laptop from.

I've seen a few deals a while back from Dell on laptops. DF, I kinda remember that you got one? How is it? Any advice that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.

**i6s1** · 06-23-2002, 07:30 PM

1. There are no laptops that I know of with DVD burners, but you could hook one up with firewire.

2. The usual favorite is Dell. I personally would get an Apple, but that's a whole other can of worms.

3. Keep an eye one the deals page.

**xsiled2** · 06-23-2002, 07:30 PM

1. no but im sure you could buy a usb 2.0 inclosure

2. ibm, dell

edit: i got caught up in waterworld i could beat him to the first reply

**Memo** · 06-23-2002, 08:10 PM

I'd say Dell if you want PC. I've used Dell and IBM laptops extensivelyl, Dell is much better in my opinion. I like the Apple laptops as well but keep that on the DL. I wouldn't get one unless itw as just for media apps and that sort of stuff.

**brainsmile** · 06-23-2002, 09:49 PM

Dude... you're getting a dell

**molecularfire** · 06-24-2002, 09:53 PM

Dude... you're getting a dell

Nah... wish it was me. My friend is getting a dell. Thanks all for the advice.

I'll be looking around for deals (my friend is not in any rush, probably won't need it till september but if we see a nice deal, we'll go for it.) If anyone sees a deal for Dell, could you please either PM me or post it. Thanks.

**ribitch** · 06-25-2002, 05:12 AM

my vote goes apple. If you wait until after July 16th (MacWorld), you may see a powerbook equipped with a DVD burner. The speed is there, and they have the software, now its just the need for the drive. A firewire drive is also an option. A USB 2.0 enclosure with drive isnt as good of a choice as firewire since USB 2.0 has more of a CPU dependency, therefore uses more clock cycles, which means less clock cycles for video encoding.

as for a deal, if you are a student, sign up for apple student developers program to get like a 20+% discount.

**attgig** · 06-25-2002, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by DarkFury

Man.. just keep checkin' the "Deals" page... They are on there all the time... you just gotta strike when the iron is hot.

you'd think..
I've been waiting for the past few weeks...the only one that came up was the 1500 buck one...

I'm waiting for the 1000 buck one to come back :-/

**coleslaw** · 06-25-2002, 04:23 PM

psycho recommended the Compaq Presario 2800T series to me and I have been researching this particular model and it appears to be a VERY nice system. I think that this is about as close to a Titanium PowerBook that you can get without going Mac. It appears to be very light (6 pounds), very thin (1.3"), yet sturdy as a rock. I am very seriously considering getting myself one of these. I'm still in the final research and deal-finding stage, but if nothing else catches my eye, this will probably be the one.

**JPR** · 06-25-2002, 05:03 PM

I really like my Dell and am very happy with it. The LCD cable was loose on it so I called them up to get it fixed. Airborne Express picked it Friday and brought it back Tuesday. Would have been Monday but it was a holiday.

**ribitch** · 06-25-2002, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by coleslaw
psycho recommended the Compaq Presario 2800T series to me and I have been researching this particular model and it appears to be a VERY nice system. I think that this is about as close to a Titanium PowerBook that you can get without going Mac. It appears to be very light (6 pounds), very thin (1.3"), yet sturdy as a rock. I am very seriously considering getting myself one of these. I'm still in the final research and deal-finding stage, but if nothing else catches my eye, this will probably be the one.

I work with all types of systems (belonging to students at Central Mich Univ) and we have found some of the compaq laptops very hard to work with on a network. It could be our universities ****ty network or it could be the hardware. For that reason, we have added compaq to our research first list. I believe the systems in question are presario 1200's (equipped with a PIII)

I just wanted to let you know to research that aspect of the machine.

**i6s1** · 06-26-2002, 11:27 AM

Funny how this thread was moved out of OT and the iBook vs. PC thread stays.

**coleslaw** · 06-26-2002, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by DarkFury
BTW, right now they have a P4 for $1,429 (it was $1,399 2 days ago BTW) in their "small business section"... Here's a link: http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/default.htm

Also... there's the Dell Latitude X200 which they currently got going for $1,199 here: http://www.dell.com/us/en/bsd/produc..._notebooks.htm

I have noticed that while these laptops start out at relatively cheap prices, by the time you upgrade components and service (3 yr parts/service warranty) to match those found with the Compaq Presario 2800T, the prices are very similar. I would rather have a lighter laptop that is more durable over a moderately-sturdy Dell for a similar price. The Compaq also has $150 off instantly and a $100 rebate that I am assuming can be used in conjunction with the instant rebate... at least I hope

(A side note - I'm not trying to slam Dell. There is a reason that they sell more laptops than anyone: their laptops are good (again, not AWESOME, but very good) for a reasonable price. I would love to buy a Titanium PowerBook because it really is the best laptop out there, but for the money, I'll stick with a "wintel" lappy.

**Speedfreak** · 06-27-2002, 12:15 AM

Originally posted by ribitch
my vote goes apple. If you wait until after July 16th (MacWorld), you may see a powerbook equipped with a DVD burner. The speed is there, and they have the software, now its just the need for the drive. A firewire drive is also an option. A USB 2.0 enclosure with drive isnt as good of a choice as firewire since USB 2.0 has more of a CPU dependency, therefore uses more clock cycles, which means less clock cycles for video encoding.

WTF? Powerbooks are just now getting dvd drives? Why would they have not put them in before? That is strange considering apple seems to be all up on having any media source available.

As far as using firewire over USB 2.0.... playing a dvd at all will take away from your clock cycles for video encoding.

**CluelessSi** · 06-27-2002, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by Speedfreak

WTF? Powerbooks are just now getting dvd drives? Why would they have not put them in before? That is strange considering apple seems to be all up on having any media source available.

As far as using firewire over USB 2.0.... playing a dvd at all will take away from your clock cycles for video encoding.

dvd burners