So which one to get ??????????/

[rhamej]

I've narrowed my choices down to three laptops with my budget.
Any pro's or cons would be helpful. :)
The Sony I get could now, its at the store, the other 2 I would have to order on-line and wait about 2 1/2 weeks.


Compaq Presario R4000 Price- $1018.00 (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto/computer_customize_components.do)

– Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
– AMD Athlon(TM) 64 3200+ (2.0GHz/512KB L2 Cache)
– 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
– 128MB ATI RADEON(R) XPRESS 200M w/Hypermemory(TM)
– 512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
– 40 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
– DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
– 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
– 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works/Money
– hpshopping in-box envelope




Dell Inspiron 600m Price- $1055.00 (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_dp_dotw_inspn5?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs)

Chipset:
Pentium® M Processor 725(1.60 GHz/400MHz FSB) 14.1-in XGA w/32MB Video Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home WHXP
Limited Warranty, Services and Support:
3 Year Limited Warranty plus 3 Year At-Home Service plus Nights and Weekend http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gifhttp://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif
Memory:
512MB DDR SDRAM 2 Dimms 512MB2D
Hard Drive:
60GB Hard Drive 60GB
Optical:
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive 24COMBO http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gifhttp://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif
Primary Battery:
6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery (53Whr) http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gifhttp://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed):
No productivity suite - Corel WordPerfect word processor only ICOREL
Security Software:
McAfee Security Center with VirusScan, Firewall, Spyware Removal, 15-months MCAFE1Y http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gifhttp://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif
Dial-Up Internet Access:
6 Months America Online Internet Access Included AOLDHS
Wireless Networking Card:
Intel® PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal Wireless (802.11 b/g, 54Mbps) IP2200I http://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif
Integrated Modem and NIC:
Internal 56K Modem and Integrated Network Card 56MPChttp://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gifhttp://img.dell.com/images/global/configurator/general/spacer.gif


Sony VAIO K45 Price $1099.00 (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=317696&pfp=cat3)

Processor Brand:
Intel
Processor Class:
Mobile Pentium 4 Processor
Processor Number:
538
Processor Speed:
3.2 GHz
Bus Speed:
533 MHz
Mobile Technology:
Other
L2 Cache Size:
1 MB
Memory Speed:
PC2100 (266Mhz)
Memory Technology:
DDR-SDRAM
Installed Memory:
512 MB
Maximum Memory:
1 GB
Hard Drive Capacity:
80 GB
Drive Controllers:
IDE (Ultra ATA/DMA)
Rotational Speed:
4200 RPM
CD-RW Write Speed: 24 X
CD-RW Rewrite Speed: 24 X
CD-RW Read Speed: 24 X
DVD Read Speed: 8 X
Additional Drives: DVD/CD-RW Combo
Sound Support: Digital Audio (16-bit)
Video Chipset: ATI RADEON IGP
Shared Video RAM: 64 MB
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Display Size: 15.4 in
Display Type: Active Matrix LCD (TFT)
Port Connectors: 3 USB 2.0
RJ-11 modem
i.LINK® (IEEE 1394) interface
RJ-45 Ethernet
VGA output
Parallel port
DC in
Audio - mini stereo headphone
Audio - mini monaural microphone
Video - A/V mini jack

Card Slots: Memory Stick
Memory Stick Pro
Type I CardBus
Type II CardBus
Network Support: Ethernet (10/100 Mbps)
Wireless Protocol: 802.11b
802.11g
Modem Speed: 56 Kbps
Input Devices: Keyboard
Touchpad
Battery Life (average): 0.5 - 1.0 Hours
Number of Batteries: 1
Installed Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Included Software: Sony® Original Software:
VAIO Zone™ with WinDVD™
DVGate Plus™ - Digital Video
SonicStage® - Digital Music
PictureGear Studio™ - Digital Photo
VAIO Media™ - Network File Sharing
VAIO® K Series Software Bundle:
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader
Intuit Quicken® 2005 New User Edition
InterVideo® WinDVD®
Microsoft® Works 8.0 - Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Calendar, Scheduling, Contact Management and Database
Anti-Virus Software:
Norton® Internet Security™ 90-Day Subscription - Norton AntiVirus®, Norton Personal Firewall, Norton Privacy Control, Norton AntiSpam®, Norton Parental Control
Intermute™ SpySubtract™ 30-Day Trial
Sony VAIO Update software
Sony VAIO Recovery Wizard software
Sony VAIO Help and Support software

In the Box: VAIO K45 Notebook
Standard Lithium-Ion battery
Power cord
AC adapter

[MTsoul]

Since the prices are almost the same, I'd definitely choose the 3rd one. Vaio has never yet disappointed me, although its price is usually pretty high. The stats for that laptop is pretty awesome. And it's hilariously cheap. Get it.

[rhamej]

Since the prices are almost the same, I'd definitely choose the 3rd one. Vaio has never yet disappointed me, although its price is usually pretty high. The stats for that laptop is pretty awesome. And it's hilariously cheap. Get it.
Thats what Im leaning towards :)

[abcdefg]

Thanks for posting this, I've been meaning to check out some lab tops. These comparisons will help.

[rhamej]

No prob :)
If any one else has any other suggestions on other lappy's, I would love to hear them. Im not buying till next wed, so I have some time to think about it =)

[abcdefg]

Only thing I can say off hand is I'd probably want a gig or RAM and I really have had bad experiences with Radion video cards.

[rhamej]

Ya, I hear that on the gig of RAM. All three have 2 slots. But only the dell supports over a gig.

[abcdefg]

My whole thing with the RAM is I know before I upgraded my PC running let's say PS and Flash was almost impossible together. And even with 512 RAM PS is still slow.

How much is the upgrade? Alot right?

[thesparky007]

i would suggest the dell or the vaio
my mom has a dell inspiron 1500 and there hasnt been any probs with it
the compaq sucks
the vaio is good too but not many ppl own them

[kirupa]

Both the Sony and the Dell are nice. It seems as if you'll be getting more i/o ports with your Sony, so if you can see yourself plugging a lot peripherals to your laptop, then the Sony might be a good choice ;)

[Templarian]

Vaio's are great mulitmedia computers, and run programs with ease. Don't know how long the power is on it though, i would definately check into each's average battery life.

[3d Nirvana]

just dont get a Compaq they r really low quality :)

[rhamej]

So far.
Vaio = 4
Dell = 2
Compaq = suks lol

[rhamej]

My whole thing with the RAM is I know before I upgraded my PC running let's say PS and Flash was almost impossible together. And even with 512 RAM PS is still slow.

How much is the upgrade? Alot right?
It's not alot. The RAM is a little more than desktop RAM, but putting it in is just as easy. Couple screwdrivers and pop the ram into the slots. Bam your done. :)

It will be used mainly for being on the road. I seem to be getting alot of business from Ashville, which is about 2 hours away from where I live. And it would help to be able to take my work with me instead of having to rely on the person there having a pc.

Looks like the Vaio is winning :)

[rhamej]

Vaio's are great mulitmedia computers, and run programs with ease. Don't know how long the power is on it though, i would definately check into each's average battery life.
True. This part bothers me alot. It cant be right though.

Battery Life (average): 0.5 - 1.0 Hours

Theres no way some one would design a laptop battery that would last one hour tops :huh:

The dell has the Pentium M, and from what I have read, is really where its at. That chip supposedly extends battery life, runs on lower heat, and multi threads like a mad man.

Arrg, I hate making big desicions. Why cant I just ride my bike for a living :P