[Wild Fragaria]

I posted a similar thread awhile ago on PC notebook.  After a long search, I found this one and I think it's very good - very good and compatible features:

Gateway Notebook PC (MX6425)
GTW   MX6425 
• AMD Turion™ 64 ML-34
• 1024MB of DDR memory
• 15.4" WXGA widescreen  • Double-layer DVD+/-RW
• 100GB hard drive
• 4-in-1 media card reader 


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Gateway-Notebook-PC-MX6425-/sem/rpsm/oid/141952/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[SadisticSid]

Looks good, although Gateway is a big name for crappyness in my book. Looking at the images of it, I'd recommend something with a better build quality if you can afford it. Acer does a very similar model for about $100 more AFAIK, but it has X700 graphics and doesn't feel like it's going to break given a moderate knock.

[Wild Fragaria]

I heard about that too.  But how bad exactly is it?

I saw a similar package offered by Acer, but I didn't pay much attention because I had not heard much about the manufacturer.  In terms of the price, I could afford to pay 1000 bucks or less.

[Nix]

Yes, I'd agree that Gateway is probably the worst out of any of the mass-produced brands out there.  I'm starting to avoid Dell (maybe except for the XPS books) and Gateway and HP like the plague.  Perhaps an Asus laptop?  I'm not up on them too much, but from experience and what I work with on a daily basis at work, the three mentioned above are turning into garbage.
Thier X50 PDA's are a sweet deal if you can get your hands on one. Stay away from the X51's.  WM5 = Hell.

[Taristin]

I saw a similar package offered by Acer, but I didn't pay much attention because I had not heard much about the manufacturer.

Oh, Acer > Gateway. Definately.

Just don't buy Averatec.

[Skippy]

Asus ones are good

[Turambar]

hold up, i got a Gateway 7510GX and its one of the best laptops ive ever worked with
A64 3700+, 1024mb RAM, 100gb HD, x600 mobile, for $1250 at best buy

it kicks all my friends' laptops asses and hasnt given me a spot of trouble

[Wild Fragaria]

When did you buy it?

[Turambar]

during the summer, before i started college

[Martinus]

Acer backlights are notorious for failing. I had a few friends with different models and their backlights failed within a year of buying one.

I guess it depends on what you want to buy but I, like the others, would advise against Dell or Gateway. Looks like it's got enough oomph for your audio needs though.

A comparable Vaio would cost £1000 to £1600 over here.

[Wild Fragaria]

I saw looking at Viao too, but they are way above my budget.  I found an hp notebook which has a slight better package, but it's still a bit more than what I wanted to pay.

HP Pavilion Notebook PC (DV5030US)
HP   DV5030US 
• AMD Turion® 64 ML-37
• 100GB hard drive
• 15.4" WXGA widescreen  • Double-layer DVD+R/RW
• 1024MB of DDR memory
• LightScribe technology 
 
I just wanted something that will last and stay compatible at least 3 years or more, both machine and its processor 

[Martinus]

Well, thinking logically anything capable of running XP is effectively future-proof. If Vista does indeed come out at the end of this year it's going to be such a monster that hardware that runs it will not become affordable for another while.

Thus anything that runs XP is future-proof.

[Wild Fragaria]

Ghee thanks, bro 

[aldo_14]

Well, thinking logically anything capable of running XP is effectively future-proof. If Vista does indeed come out at the end of this year it's going to be such a monster that hardware that runs it will not become affordable for another while.

Thus anything that runs XP is future-proof.

Depending on what you're running, of course, you can always switch to Linux.

[Wild Fragaria]

Depending on what you're running, of course, you can always switch to Linux.

Anything good in mind?

[aldo_14]

Um, running as in the programs, rather than a specific machine.

[Wild Fragaria]

I guess you agree that AMD is better than Intel, and do not object the features I posted for the machine I plan to buy   One question, how much better is Turion ML-37 better than ML-34?

[Taristin]

Well, if you get an intel, get a Pentium M, not a Pentium 4. The M is based off the P3 and it's a lot better.

Just try to get a hdd that's faster than the one in my laptop. :/ 4200 rpm is a *****.

[karajorma]

I've not seen many >4200 rpm drives on laptops at that price.

[Nuke]

Depending on what you're running, of course, you can always switch to Linux.

Anything good in mind?

ive had good luck wit fedora, but i really havent tried anything else for compairison.

for laptops i dont really mind name brand crap because really you dont have a choice. of course the first thing i would do is format the hard drive and re-install windows and drivers. nothing sucks more than a computer pre-installed with every single piece of crap oem software package that came with it. its something which name brand computers tend to do .