Looking for a new notebook? Take a look here first - Page 6

hello guys.
please i really need some help coz i got so confused now, i'm in my way to buy a Notebook and i found dell, but there is a Problem,, sometimes they say in the description that it is a Core 2 duo , but it got a label on it says it's Centrino,, so i got so confused, so please , any one can tell me, is there any differences between Centrino processor and Core 2 duo,, and If so,, then which is better ?? " although they have the same speed " 2 GHz " and the same cache , please please, Inform me about that and please e-mail me On ahmedessa222@yahoo.com

its called a centrino core 2 duo as far as i know. Centrino is like a brand name and then core 2 duo is the latest version

Does anyone know if there will be a new battery technology in the future? I'm growing tired of lithuim-ion batteries. they die out so fast, are heavy, and have reported problems in the past.

on a side note, does anyone have any info about the hybrid drives?

Filippo, I'm looking to guy a laptop, but after reading threads all day, I thought it might just be best to ask your opinion.

I'm looking for an affordable laptop [$700-1200], but I want it to be usable [and somewhat current] for a few years. I don't game at all, I just like to surf the net [with lots of open windows], and use some basic applications [word, excel, power point]. I'd like to be able to play around with photoshop a little.

From what I've gathered on the FAQ's, I'm looking for an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor [since I would prefer it didn't become outdated too soon], probably a T5200 since I'm trying to stay on the cheaper side. Since I don't plan on doing any gaming, I don't think I'll need a dedicated GPU, but since they aren't upgradeable after-the-fact, I'm guessing I should get some kind of 256MB card. I'm sure a 15" screen will suffice, and even 100GB hard drive should be plenty [I mostly just have pictures taking up space]. I figure I can get one with 1GB of RAM and add another 1GB on my own [assuming it's as easy as that].

I'd rather stick to the major namebrands, and the major stores so that if I have any issues I can take it back fairly easily. I'm leaning towards the Dell e1505 series, but before I order one, I wanted to ask if I'm buying more than I need considering the limited things I plan on doing with the laptop, and if there is anything else I should really consider in my looking?

I generally shy away from refurb gear, but it looks like you've recommended the dell outlet before. Since they warranty the computer, is it reasonably safe to buy refurb?

Thanks for your help.

dh

I'm no Flippo but I have a pretty good knowledge about notebooks, and yes the Dell E1405 or E1505 is your best bet. Yeah the Dell Outlet is great. I haven't bought anything personally from their but tons of people have had great expierences with the outlet

1.work station is just like saying if you have an office with a laptop, a desktop, a notepad, ect. then you call it your workstation. Its not really one thing. A notebook is a laptop, workstation is more general.
2. Bluetooth is completely different then Wi-Fi
3. ?
4. Dell E1505
5. Gaming notebooks will have a better video card, entertainment usually have a good processor and 2 GB Ram, you either decide what it is by the bio, or by the specefications
6. Just look for a DVD copier/writer

Let me take a stab at your screen question because I know that i can be confusing for a new user. Screens have many different differentiating specifications. The basic spec (and the most important IMHO) is resolution. That means how many pixels are on the screen, the more you have, the finer the picture (just like a 1080p HDTV, if you know what that means, is better than a 720p, its all about having more pixels in the same area). There are a few basic resolutions.

XGA: 1024*768 pixels
SXGA 1280*1024 pixels
SXGA+: 1400*1050 pixels
UXGA: 1600X1200 pixels
QXGA: 2048*1536 pixels

There are variations on these, basically they just add a W. That just means that the ratio between width and height is 16 to 9 instead of 3 to 4. It still follows the same ranking though (WXGA<WSXGA<WSXGA... etc. Same for normal res: XGA<SXGA<SXGA+).

The XBrite stuff if marketing crap invented by companies that means their screens have special technology to make everything look better. Some of this is better than others, but usually it means the screen is glossy and the backlight is brighter (good for games and multimedia, not so good for business apps).

LCD and TFT is just the basic technology behind a flat panel (lcd) screen. TFT is the method used to change pixels. It controls individual pixels instead of rows and columns like the old passive matrix stuff. You really don't have to worry about this. EVERY laptop has a TFT screen nowadays and they are all LCD. One thing coming out soon which is nice is that screens will have high brightness low power LED backlights instead of the current technology which is Cathode based, but this is rarely advertised (and extremely hard to find so far). Hope I helped.

great posts... all very informative

Here is my situation. Im going to college next year and will need a notebook. Im thinking it needs to be under $1000(im not paying for it). Probably around $800. The catch is that I really want to play DOD:S on it. So it will need a Vid Card. I went to dells site and customized an E1505. With a $324 off coupon I was able to get it to $844. Here are the specs

Inspiron E1505 Intel® Pentium® dual-core T2060(1MB Cache/1.6GHz/533MHz FSB)

Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium

CD Panel 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display with TrueLife™(glossy)

Memory 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm

Video Card 256MB ATI MOBILITY™ RADEON® X1400 HyperMemory™

Hard Drive 120GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive

you can play DOD with the x1400, don't plan on playing anything with AA/AF turned up though. it is a low end graphics card.

Get a higher end Nvidia.. that's waht I did

...He is getting a 1505the only other option is a 7300...not exactly an improvement

Actually Ive made some changes. I am getting the laptop for grad in June a nd im geting a 17in

what about Dell 6400???

Dell 6400 has no biult-in cam.

shouldn't the geforce 8600 be in the high end graphic card section??? its not even mentioned

Between those two, I would go with the Toshiba.