Another laptop suggestion post...

[Outsider]

It seems like every company (and their grandmothers) are offering a laptop these days. There's more choice then ever, which makes it that much more confusing.
Is there any laptop review articles that you've read recently that talks about laptops in general, and what to look for or what to stay away from? (Not looking for model specific reviews)

All this because I'm looking for a laptop, and I'm wondering if I'm better off spending my $400-$500 on a brand new laptop (maybe something on sale) or go with yesterday's used higher end models which now are in that price range.

Recommend me something used in that price range.

[Outsider]

no opinions on this?

[Oversized Rooster]

Watch for some deals that Dell has. Often they have a well-optioned laptop on sale for $500-1000.

Check this page weekly:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/electronics/

[Narci]

It all depends on what you plan to do with the laptop.

If you just surf the net and check emails and use MSN, lower budget laptop is what your looking for. It doesn't even have to be a fancy schmancy core duo.

If you looking to game, you might want to get a gaming laptop like XPS or alienware but they usually cost alot and are usually quite bigger, big enough that I don't personally designate them as a laptop.

If you want very very very general comments on what to look for, here's a small list:

- CPU - the older the more battery it eats generally. Some of the newer ULV CPU's are great battery wise.

- harddrive - upgradable component. Just make sure you either have a 7200rpm IDE drive or a SATA 5400rpm drive.

- video card - not upgradable. If gaming is your thing, get the best card you can.

- ram - upgradable component. Just make sure if you get an ultraportable, it's not using those wacky micro-dimms.

- size - personally, anything bigger then a 14.1 is not a laptop to me. It's way to big. My 13.1 Vaio is the perfect size IMO.

- outputs - make sure it has the right outputs your looking for. I.e. you might want to get one with DVI out if you want to hook it up to a TV.

There's many many more factors...but you have to know what your looking to do with the laptop first.

[Outsider]

Thanx Narci.
Certainly not a gaming machine.
And screen size is not that important. I can get a large LCD screen for home use if I get tired of using the laptop screen.

I guess I was just worried that maybe buying used may not be the smartest thing to do with a laptop?

As for processors, what's the recommended CPUs to look for? Did the energy efficiency really start taking off with the Pentium M/Centrino line? And got more efficient with the Core Duo?
I know laptops with the Pentium 4 CPU are power hogs, so I'm staying away from those. Anything else I should stay away from?
How are the Celerons?

[Narci]

Again..what are you going to use the laptop for?

[Outsider]

Again..what are you going to use the laptop for?

Yes, I didn't answer that.

It will be mainly used to surf the web, web content design (photoshop, dreamweaver, fireworks), watching videos (pre-recorded off TV), and photo editing.

I was trying to think of what I have done with my current desktop in the past few weeks, and I think that covers it.
Anyway it's all pretty light duty stuff.