Lightweight Laptop Recomendations?

Kc2iLq · June 30th, 2004, 02:42 PM

I'm going to college in August and need to have a laptop. I was pretty steadfast about getting an Apple Powerbook, but now I'm having second thoughts. I've never used a mac before (as my primary computer) and I don't want to have any problems and not know what to do.

I need something very lightweight (4lbs or less) and I'd prefer a 12" screen. I think this would be the best option for portability. I'd like something in the 2.4GHz+ range, but I know some of Intel's new processors have numbers like 1.3 and w/e. I won't be doing any gaming on it so any 32Mb+ video chipset is fine. Battery life is also important so none of those Sager lappies that last for a half hour.

My optimal price range is basically 1500-1800 but I can diverge a little. If you own a laptop like this, please let me know how you like it.

TIA!

-Kc2iLq

Mr.Macintosh · June 30th, 2004, 06:46 PM

Let me say this about the powerbook. It is a great computer. If you want a laptop that is 4 pounds or less the battery life is going to be sucky. The powerbook is 4.6 pounds and has a 4 Hour battery life. I was a windows user for 5 years and knew nothing about Mac OS X. I had experienced Mac OS 8 and 9 through school but, OS X was totally different then the orginal Mac OS. When I got my wonderfull 1 Ghz( now 1.33 Ghz) 12" powerbook G4, it took me about 15 minutes to learn the basics of the OS. Let me tell you now, OS X is nothing like OS 9. I had no problems with my powerbook. My brother has a dell laptop. I believe it is the Insprion 600m(that competes with the 12" powerbook). That thing is giving him so much trouble in the 2 months of owning it. I have owned my powerbook for 6 months now. Nothing yet. Not even a sign of trouble. If you need further help on your laptop decision here a 2 websites. Even though they are mac websites they can tell you honestly if the pc or the powerbook will fit your needs better. I would say macrumors will be a better help. Applenova will help you but, expect a little harshness.

http://www.applenova.com

http://www.macrumors.com

VHockey86 · June 30th, 2004, 06:57 PM

Check out the IBM X-series thinkpads and the Toshiba Portege's

Kc2iLq · June 30th, 2004, 11:30 PM

Thanks Mr.Macintosh for the links! I will do a lot of research before I purchase and I'm sure those will come in handy.
VHockey- The IBM line seems to be a little overpriced, even with their educational discount. I looked at the Protege's as well and was not too impressed.

The search shall continue!

-Kc2iLq

VHockey86 · June 30th, 2004, 11:38 PM

Ya, IBM's are definately costly, but out all of the ones I've seen/used they seem to hold up quite well.

Theres always dell inspirons... but their service has gone really down hill in the past couple years. Normally come loaded with alot of crap too (basically you need to reinstall windows after it gets shipped to you).

I havent looked into the Powerbooks much myself b/c im really really anti-mac, but they seem to hold up well. I really like the fact that they have a metal case, unlike some of the cheapy plastic cases these other PC ones do.

Powernotebooks.com has some nicely priced laptops, but they dont sell any small/lightweight models, but as far as performance for the money they are great.

Mr.Macintosh · July 1st, 2004, 12:04 AM

One for think about the powerbooks especially the 12" one, is that the metal casing slightly warps. My warping is like a mm seperated. It is a normal for it to do that. I do not want you to be mad at apple because of the case a little waprping if you get the powerbook. It is a small flaw. But, if it does get bad enough apple will fix it under warrenty. I have heard that the current revison doesn't warp as much but, if you do buy the powerbook expect the warping to happen.