Which one would you choose?

[KiranA]

I'm currently in the market for a super lightweight, small laptop to take with me to classes, because I'm having a hard time lugging around the normal sized laptops. I've compared the three I'm looking at on cnet.com and was hoping to get some opinions. Which one would you recommend?

http://reviews.cnet.com/4504-4_7-0.html?id=32518039&id=32818756&id=32466957&tag=boxcoco

[Broknwing]

I'm a mac user, so initially my response wants to say the macbook air...BUT read the thread (http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=94325&page=3) about it before deciding on it...I don't know anything about the other two systems you're looking at....but here's a few points to consider re:the mac

1)how much hard drive space will you need on it? onboard it's only got 80gigs, however you can buy thieir external wireless drive so you can be anywhere in your home and access it...

2)do you need a cd/dvd drive while you're out/about? it's not built in on the macbook air, you'd have to go external...whereas not a big deal for me, i rarely use my drive it is for a lot of people...

3)do you use firewire for anything? it doesn't have it...

4) is one usb port enough or are you ok w/using a usb hub? it only has one usb port...kinda frustrating to me, but easy to overcome w/a portable hub if you don't often use more than one usb device at a time..

I'll pull the thread about the macbook air & add it in here for your reference...I just don't have it handy now...

Don't get me wrong, it's a sharp looking computer & it IS a mac, but to go on the "it's a mac" impulse might leave ya going, oh crap, wait, it's missing this or that...

eta:I put the macbook air thread link (http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=94325&page=3) in up top & right here....not that lazy to do it right away ;)

[PN]

Can you tell us what laptop you are currently lugging around?

[Andy]

None of them.

For the best price/performance/size/weight/etc, here's something to consider...

XPS M1330 (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1330?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=bundlestab)

Of course check for a deal/coupon here (http://www.gotapex.com/) if you want one.

[Scott Pruett]

Meh. Go cheap if you just need something to drag around & have another computer at home. The ASUS Eee PC is $400 & 2lbs. :D Runs linux, or windows if so desired.

http://eeepc.asus.com/global/images/701f.jpg

http://eeepc.asus.com/global/images/screen-en.gif

size:

http://www.cheaplaptops.org.uk/wp-content/laptopimg/2007/06/eee-pc-1.jpg

http://event.asus.com/eeepc/microsites/color/en/work.html

and for the true geeks out there, you can modify the chit out of 'em:

http://beta.ivancover.com/wiki/index.php/Eee_PC_Internal_Upgrades

:D

[cara_m]

None of them.

For the best price/performance/size/weight/etc, here's something to consider...

XPS M1330 (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1330?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=bundlestab)

Of course check for a deal/coupon here (http://www.gotapex.com/) if you want one.


The XPS M1330 is the one I have been considering for awhile now. I have another question. Would you go with the internal wireless mobile broadband or purchase it seperately. If I'm investing in the xps m1330 I definitely will go the extra buck and get wireless broadband.

[Patonb]

None of them.

For the best price/performance/size/weight/etc, here's something to consider...

XPS M1330 (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1330?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=bundlestab)

Of course check for a deal/coupon here (http://www.gotapex.com/) if you want one.

I second this..... You can get a sweet sweet Dell for like $1450.

Canada (http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&CS=cadhs1&l=en&OC=N13302V_R_E)

[KiranA]

I had a Dell Inspiron 1300 and it was a peice of crap. I've only had it for two years and it's completely fallen apart. Not only has it lost a bunch of screws but at one point, the AC adapter stopped working. I guess it had loose wiring or something. I didn't have the option of ordering a new adapter and waiting for it to come in the mail (middle of exams) so I went to Futureshop and bought a universal adapter. It worked for about six months and then it also stopped charging the laptop. I looked up which adapter I needed online and ordered it, but they sent the wrong one, so I had to send it back and wait for the correct one. In the meantime, it would let me charge the battery intermittently for another six months, but recently started to make this sizzling sound whenever I tried to charge it and finally stopped working altogether. I'm not too keen to try a Dell again.

[ala]

I can't say which laptop is the best, light, small model, but I can say something about brand. We have 3 Toshiba's here and 1 Gateway (really made by e-Machines). The Toshiba's have all been great, sturdy and reliable with nice features.

As far as Dell computers go, their budget models are not all that great. My son works in Dell tech. support and he doesn't like their cheaper models. He does say that their more expensive models are quite good though.

[brocko]

Check out MIT's one laptop per child program, OLPC. It is a perfectly serviceable little computer that wouldn't weigh much at all, it's pretty cheap and best of all when you buy one they send one to some kid who needs one for free.

[Lizbv]

If you have to have Windows I'd get a Sony. Otherwise GO MAC! I'm LOVIN mac! best wishes Kiran. :)

[wheelchairTITAN]

I had a Dell Inspiron 1300 and it was a peice of crap. I've only had it for two years and it's completely fallen apart. Not only has it lost a bunch of screws but at one point, the AC adapter stopped working. I guess it had loose wiring or something. I didn't have the option of ordering a new adapter and waiting for it to come in the mail (middle of exams) so I went to Futureshop and bought a universal adapter. It worked for about six months and then it also stopped charging the laptop. I looked up which adapter I needed online and ordered it, but they sent the wrong one, so I had to send it back and wait for the correct one. In the meantime, it would let me charge the battery intermittently for another six months, but recently started to make this sizzling sound whenever I tried to charge it and finally stopped working altogether. I'm not too keen to try a Dell again.I would never buy DELL again. Many of the same issues you have had. Once is too much pain!

[quadvet]

I would never buy DELL again. Dang, I was looking at one for my daughter, something simple.

Informative thread, thanks everyone.

[cypresss]

Maybe is a good idea to look after acer travelmate or aspire series.
In my opinion a good notebook must have wireless, dedicated video card, more than 1GB RAM, processor: dual core; HDD - not really important, because after i see the movies, i burn them on dvd, or delete (same thing with games) and more than 4 cells battery.

Look for some reviews before invest 1000$ for 1-2 years in ur work/fun tool.

[Steven Edwards]

http://www.averatec.com/products/portable/featherlight/1579.asp

Maybe?

[PN]

It looks to me like the Dell Inspiron 1300, a low end laptop with a 15 inch screen. I would not consider this computer very portable for a college student.

I think there have been some good suggestions for a notebook already made, eg, XPS-M1330, the ASUS Eee PC.

I understand your bad experience along with your reluctance to buy another Dell. However, if you order the XPS-M1330 there is an option for 3 year in-home service, plus parts & labor, and 24/7 phone support.

It looks to me like the Apple MacBook is almost half the price and has twice the hardware, compared to the Apple MacBook Air.

I think you will probably get a better customer service and tech support from Apple than you would from Sony or Toshiba. I would strongly recommend getting AppleCare.

There is an upside and a downside to these new solid-state hard drives.

The solid-state HD produces very little heat, is faster and has a longer battery life when the laptop is on. However, there are a limited number of read/write cycles and, therefore, we don't know how long it will last. Also, the solid-state HDs are expensive to replace.

If I had to pick between the Toshiba Protege, MacBook Air, and the Sony VAIO, I would go with the Toshiba.

Good luck, and let us know what you choose.

[Patonb]

IMO Insprons suck, HOWEVER Latitudes don't
http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?CS=cabsdt1&l=en&c=ca&s=bsd&kc=6W300&oc=D430XP_R_E
Is a 12.1" Slimline system, and you can get XP on it from Dell... <1600 for a good spec'd setup.

[Lazlo]

I've had decent luck with Dells, if you buy one of the better support packages you get stateside support and in-home service. I'm using a 6 year old Inspiron that has still had no major failures (knock wood). My wife absolutely abuses her Dell and has had the mobo replaced once. We did have to make several phone calls but eventually they sent someone out with a replacement and everything was fine. They sent us an extra hard drive for no cost too, which was nice.

The m1330 is an excellent notebook. I would get one myself if it wasn't for the fact that they only come with a glossy screen, which I hate. It seems glossy is the only option for many notebooks nowadays so I might end up getting one anyway.

[KiranA]

It looks to me like the Dell Inspiron 1300, a low end laptop with a 15 inch screen. I would not consider this computer very portable for a college student.

I think there have been some good suggestions for a notebook already made, eg, XPS-M1330, the ASUS Eee PC.

I understand your bad experience along with your reluctance to buy another Dell. However, if you order the XPS-M1330 there is an option for 3 year in-home service, plus parts & labor, and 24/7 phone support.

It looks to me like the Apple MacBook is almost half the price and has twice the hardware, compared to the Apple MacBook Air.

I think you will probably get a better customer service and tech support from Apple than you would from Sony or Toshiba. I would strongly recommend getting AppleCare.

There is an upside and a downside to these new solid-state hard drives.

The solid-state HD produces very little heat, is faster and has a longer battery life when the laptop is on. However, there are a limited number of read/write cycles and, therefore, we don't know how long it will last. Also, the solid-state HDs are expensive to replace.

If I had to pick between the Toshiba Protege, MacBook Air, and the Sony VAIO, I would go with the Toshiba.

Good luck, and let us know what you choose.

Great comparison, thank you for taking the time.
Thanks all for your opinion.

[trainman]

I use a Mac PowerBook and Dell Inspiron. Both are pretty good, but neither are cheap models. I like the Mac the best and with parallels, you can run both Windows and Mac OS on the same system. The Air is nice and small, but not very good for built in features and HD space.