Laptop "Window Shopping"

[saturnrings]

Currently on my floor is a dying ThinkPad 570 with accompanying Ultrabase. It's been a pretty good laptop for me, it runs Windows 2K flawlessly (for now), but the screeen doesn't stay up, the monitor shorts out, and the AC adaptor is frayed.

So of course, it's slowly becoming time for me to look for a new laptop. I basically wrote off HP/Compaq because of my previous experience with one of their buisness laptops (Armada M700). I've narrowed down the catagories for a laptop to a ThinkPad, Dell, or Toshiba. Obviously, since I'm here, I'm really contemplating going for a ThinkPad.

As for my usage habits, this is going to be a laptop that sits at home primarily, but may go out for infrequent travel to class, or roadtrips. I'd like something that can play DVD (burning isn't necessary, but it would be nice since my desktop doesn't have a DVD burner). I rarely play games with the exception of some Flash stuff, some emulators, and the Sim City series and that's usually when my neices and nephews come over. I don't use CAD, I don't use Photoshop except for scanning photos, and I use Dreamweaver and Fireworks for webdesign. Besides that, I'm not a heavy power user.

So of course, is there anything in Lenovo's offerings for somebody like me? I'm looking to spend between $800 to $1200 for this laptop. Should I go elsewhere?

Thanks in advance!

[Orbitz]

You might be able to get a T42 (non "p" version) for around $1200 if you can get either the mc / visa discount or an epp (educational) deal. As for Dell...for your use...I would go for the 6000D...I just sold mine to get an IBM X41 but it was a very nice machine and would work for everthing you listed very well...if you go that route I would sugges the WSXGA screen on it. Keep in mind tho, while the 6000D is a great machine...it doesn't rank with the TP's in terms of build quality and service...but for that tradeoff you get a fantastic widescreen display and (usually) a little more updated technology.

For everything you wanted to know and them some about thinkpads....go to www.thinkpads.com. Awesome userbase there who will give you great input...the IBM forum here is a little slow usually...for Dell machines (as well as a lot of other brands) there is NO better source on the web then this site that I have found..and the users here are fast with answers / advice etc....excellent group of peeps.

[holr]

I saw a t41p in the refurb section for about 1100 dollars some time ago (there was also a promo on refurbs at the time too perhaps explaining the great price).

[saturnrings]

Thanks for the info guys. BTW, can anybody tell me the difference between the Celeron M and Pentium Ms? Obviously, the Pentium M is better, but is there a big difference in speed? Also, how does the Pentium M clock speeds compare to their desktop counterparts?