Which notebook should I pick?

mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
edited February 2004 in Hardware
Well, I am planning to buy a notebook and I want to keep it around $1500CDN with taxes (and maybe shipping). I have narrowed it down to 3 notebooks, 2 new and 1 refurbished.

HP Pavilion ze4540CA [new] - $1,279.99 ($1465.58 w/ taxes)
http://www.londondrugs.com/Cultures/en-US/Product+Detail/Computers.htm?CatalogNavigationBreadCrumbs=Computers;Computers;PC%20Computer%20Systems;Notebooks;HP%20Pavilion%20ze4540CA%20-%20C%202.4%20GHz%20-%2015"%20TFT&CS_Catalog=Computers&CS_RootCategory=Computers&CS_Category=Notebooks&CS_ProductID=0704767&ProductTab=1

Toshiba Satellite A30-YS5 [new] - $1299.99 (1488.49 w/ taxes)
http://www.radioshack.ca/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&product=2515606&category=Notebooks+Notebooks&catalog=RadioShack

eMachine M5310 [refurbished] - $1369.99 ($1,530.73 w/ taxes and shipping)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=669156&Sku=E400-M5310%20P

What would be the top 2 choices? The reason with top 2 choices is because if have to order it on the net, I would have to use my dad's credit card and I am not sure if he is willing to allow me to use it. If I buy it locally, I can pay for it myself in cash. Other than that, what would be your top 2 picks?

*Oh, Geeky, don't tell me to buy a Sager. I am not going to order anything from the states.

Comments

  • ketoketo Occupied. Or is it preoccupied? Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    imho the refurb @ tiger direct, for multiple reasons. 512 RAM is going to make a big difference on an XP system, both of the celerons (reason #2) have only 256. Reason #3 would be the 64MB ATI video, even tho it's onboard - going to beat Intel integrated 32 all day long, unless I miss my guess. Back to #2, the AMD2400 is a lot more processor than either celeron 2.4 or 2.5. Reason #4, built in wireless networking. The extra $100 *should* be money well spent, all in all. The biggest negative is going to be warranty on the refurb, 90 days isn't much on a purchase of that magnitude.

    2nd choice would be NEITHER OF THE ABOVE, wait a bit and keep looking.
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited February 2004
    Well, anything that is going to fall in my price range for a new notebook is going to be a celeron. I really doubt I have find a P4 or another AthlonXP mobile notebook in my price range. It's only because the eMachine is refurbished and it happened to fall into my price range.

    Edit: Which of the 2 celeron notebooks would you pick? I need to have the option to pick one up locally if I am not able to order the eMachine from TigerDirect.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    What is the lowest priced machine that you can find with Pentium M and ATI graphics. You don't need real Centrino, but the Ms are great for power without draining batteries.
    Trust me, if you don't like the performance it will get 'real heavy' to lug around.
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited February 2004
    A Pentium M with ATI graphics will be way over my price range with taxes included.

    Anyways, I found another inexpensive AthlonXP Mobile notebook. Both are refurbished and now, I am considering between the eMachine M5310 and the HP ZE4420.
  • mcwcmcwc Vancouver, BC Member
    edited February 2004
    Well, I've got my notebook. It's a Toshiba A30. It was the cheapest one I could find with 1 year warranty and it was a demo model from London Drugs that sold for $1179.99, a big chunk of my savings. My dad didn't want me to order online or get a refurbished laptop :sad2:. So far, it is a good laptop.

    Anyways, this sucker will be folding for the team whenever I am running on AC along with my Athlon XP desktop and my bro's Compaq K6-2. Oh, it has already turned in its first WU 15 minutes ago! :smokin:
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