college laptop

[Jordan325iC]

Well, got that there college coming up in a few weeks, need to figure out a laptop for myself. I estimate I've got ~$1,500 max to spend. I'm going PC, because even though I really like the mac OS I'll probably be playing with some unix dual booting so I need the flexibility.

I'm looking for:
built in wireless capability
fast, big processor and lots of ram (1-2gig)
lots of space (100gig+)

Video card isn't really important since I probably won't be playing any video games newer than StarCraft (circa 1996?).

Oh, and I like my computers like I like my cars, simple. I may not be able to avoid it, but I don't like media buttons on my keyboard or dvd player booting, ect... Just a basic laptop would be great. You guys have any suggestions?

[BimmerTom]

You're going to have a hard time finding that kind of laptop for that price. HP does have some DV series laptop with AMD 64-bit laptop processors and dual HD's striped for LOTS of storage (160gb +)

I'd do a decent desktop for your dual-booting and get a cheap laptop for lugging around.

Tom

[AdironRider]

Macbook, hands down.

[eurostyl e30]

Look into IBM ThinkPads.

[netcsk]

ok, you say it's not for gaming, but you want 1-2 gigs of memory? What are you going to be using it for? Server?

My recommendation: buy something lightweight with who cares how much memory. If for some reason you need more memory, buy it. I'd also just get an external hard drive to store all your porn. Save well over $600 this way.

[TwoJ's]

Macbook, hands down.

+1

Either that, or buy my Powerbook so i can get a Macbook. and seriously, just throw together a cheap desktop for your unix/linux needs.

[Digitalwave]

A laptop with those specs is going to be over $1,500, and be really big/heavy. Get a powerful desktop, and a tiny (12" MacBook) laptop for portability.

[nkell09]

I have a thinkpad t40 right now. Absolutely love it. Durable and light... IBM has a full universal warranty according to the ship date on the laptop. I purchased mine on eBay for 2/3 of the retail price and still received a 3 year warranty. Haven't had any issues for 3 years now.

[eurostyl e30]

I have a thinkpad t40 right now. Absolutely love it. Durable and light... IBM has a full universal warranty according to the ship date on the laptop. I purchased mine on eBay for 2/3 of the retail price and still received a 3 year warranty. Haven't had any issues for 3 years now.

Yeah, my IBM is the shit. No gimmicky "media buttons" and other crap, just straight up power in an unassuming black plastic casing.

[GaryE30]

T43

[Jordan325iC]

Alright, I was really just looking for which brands to look at. I can modify my "needs" depending on the costs of good laptops. I havn't even started looking, I just wanted a little guidance to start out.

[BimmerTom]

Get a laptop with 1gb of memory in 1 DIMM so you still have a DIMM slot open. Upgrade later when needed. Also, USB 2.0 storage is cheap, so you can add that later as well.

Tom

[Julien]

i like my macbook but if i had to go pc i'd go IBM t series

[bwanac]

IBM or Macbook is my advice... and it goes along with the others so... its good to go.