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Need notebook advice

post #1 of 7
1/2/11 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
I'm planning to spend part of my tax refund to replace a two year old Dell Inspiron 1545.

Here's what I'm hoping to find....

1. 15.6" screen, 1633x768 (same as my current Dell).
2. No Intel HD graphics - I have a few programs that aren't compatible with it.
3. i5 or better CPU (or comparable AMD chip).
4. 4gb RAM, upgradeable to at least 8gb - 16 would be preferable.
5. At least six hours of battery life - an honest six hours that doesn't require turning everything off to save power.
6. HDMI port
7. USB 3.0 and eSata.
8. Bluetooth
9. 802.11n
10. Backlit keyboard nice, but not mandatory.
11. Decent reviews by major reviewers (Cnet, etc...)
12. 4G would be a nice plus, but not mandatory.

Maximum price - $1,000 delivered.

Am I dreaming? Does such a thing exist?
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post #2 of 7
1/2/11 at 4:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bootstrap Bill View Post
Am I dreaming? Does such a thing exist?
You're dreaming if you want it today and you're really dreaming if you want it under a grand. The only notebooks that stand a chance of meeting your battery life requirements and have dedicated graphics use graphics switching with Intel graphics to achieve the extra life. If you're using programs that don't work with Intel graphics (i.e. no graphics switching) and you want a decently powerful system, you're looking at 4 hours battery life as a top figure, with most systems closer to 3 hours.

If you lower the battery life requirements, everything else is doable within your price range.
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post #3 of 7
1/2/11 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe View Post
you're looking at 4 hours battery life as a top figure, with most systems closer to 3 hours.

If you lower the battery life requirements, everything else is doable within your price range.
Three hours isn't so bad. I could always carry a spare battery with me and swap it out.
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post #4 of 7
1/2/11 at 5:58pm
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

(I just bought one of these)
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post #5 of 7
1/2/11 at 6:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickss69 View Post
Looks good. But it will probably be about a month until I get my tax refund. He only has nine left.
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post #6 of 7
1/2/11 at 6:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bootstrap Bill View Post
Looks good. But it will probably be about a month until I get my tax refund. He only has nine left.

Seller mentioned "Estimated delivery between Tue. Jan. 25 and Mon. Jan. 31" - maybe you can negotiate? Buy now and pay later?

cheers ...
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post #7 of 7
1/2/11 at 7:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bootstrap Bill View Post
Looks good. But it will probably be about a month until I get my tax refund. He only has nine left.
Keep it bookmarked...he has sold a lot of these and keeps refreshing the site. I think he orders the units after the sale.
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