Hi all... fairly new to this forum. I had an Apple PowerBook 17" on order but due to order and shipping problems, am now forced to reconsider my order. My alternatives are:
1. HP Pavillion zt3350. Thin and light (about 6 lbs.) category. Intel 705 Centrino. 15.4" WXGA. 32 MB video ram. DVD-RW/CD-RW. 40 GB 4800 rpm hard drive. About $2000 Cdn.
2. Acer Aspire 2012. Thin and light. Intel 705 Centrino. 15.4" WXGA. 64 MB video ram. DVD-RW/CD-RW. 60 GB hard drive. About $2500 Cdn.
3. Compaq 3240. Not so thin and light (about 8 lbs. and another 0.5" thicker) AMD 3200+. 15.4" WXGA. 64 MB video ram. DVD-RW/CD-RW. 60 GB 4200 rpm hard drive. About $2100 Cdn.
I've only been able to try out the HP and Compaq ones. I like the "feel" of the Compaq but it appears a bit heavy and bulky. For the HP and the Acer, I could up the specs and go custom built, but I don't feel like waiting another 3 weeks when I've wasted a lot of time waiting for the Apple. So the models above are available either now or within 2 or 3 days.
My use criteria? Mostly office type work, occasional "light" modeling, some light video and photo work. Portability on long trips not a major factor, but I do travel occasionally. I have a tablet I could use (but it's too slow for constant everyday use). I would carry this new laptop back and forth from home to work every day. I periodically walk the daily commute. I've used Windows machines all my life: still irritated at viruses of course and the occasional instability.
My major questions are:
1. Battery life of the Compaq Athlon model compared to Centrinos?
2. Is the 32 MB video ram of the HP "good enough" or is 64 MB (or more) significantly better?
3. WXGA is 1280 by 800. Good enough? Is a custom 1680 by 1040 (WSXGA) screen THAT much better?
4. Is the 8 lb. Compaq that heavy?
5. General build qualities?
6. Overheating?
Any other laptop suggestions are welcome. Limit is about $2400 US or $3200 Cdn.
Many thanks.
1. HP Pavillion zt3350. Thin and light (about 6 lbs.) category. Intel 705 Centrino. 15.4" WXGA. 32 MB video ram. DVD-RW/CD-RW. 40 GB 4800 rpm hard drive. About $2000 Cdn.
2. Acer Aspire 2012. Thin and light. Intel 705 Centrino. 15.4" WXGA. 64 MB video ram. DVD-RW/CD-RW. 60 GB hard drive. About $2500 Cdn.
3. Compaq 3240. Not so thin and light (about 8 lbs. and another 0.5" thicker) AMD 3200+. 15.4" WXGA. 64 MB video ram. DVD-RW/CD-RW. 60 GB 4200 rpm hard drive. About $2100 Cdn.
I've only been able to try out the HP and Compaq ones. I like the "feel" of the Compaq but it appears a bit heavy and bulky. For the HP and the Acer, I could up the specs and go custom built, but I don't feel like waiting another 3 weeks when I've wasted a lot of time waiting for the Apple. So the models above are available either now or within 2 or 3 days.
My use criteria? Mostly office type work, occasional "light" modeling, some light video and photo work. Portability on long trips not a major factor, but I do travel occasionally. I have a tablet I could use (but it's too slow for constant everyday use). I would carry this new laptop back and forth from home to work every day. I periodically walk the daily commute. I've used Windows machines all my life: still irritated at viruses of course and the occasional instability.
My major questions are:
1. Battery life of the Compaq Athlon model compared to Centrinos?
2. Is the 32 MB video ram of the HP "good enough" or is 64 MB (or more) significantly better?
3. WXGA is 1280 by 800. Good enough? Is a custom 1680 by 1040 (WSXGA) screen THAT much better?
4. Is the 8 lb. Compaq that heavy?
5. General build qualities?
6. Overheating?
Any other laptop suggestions are welcome. Limit is about $2400 US or $3200 Cdn.
Many thanks.
