[redsniper]

I currently have a Dell Inspiron 6400 that I've had since 2006. It's starting to show its age and it won't run off the battery anymore. I'm not looking for anything fancy or over-the-top here. I'd like something well under $1000 like more in the $500-$700 range. I haven't kept up with laptops at all, so I don't know what brands are good, if any. I think I'd rather not get Dell again though.

Thanks guys.

[Jeff Vader]

If portability and battery life are more important, you can't go wrong with a netbook. I like my Asus EeePC 904HA, though the screen is a bit smaller than it could be because of the speakers being on the sides of the screen.

If performance is also important... wel, you got me.

[colecampbell666]

I currently have a Dell Inspiron 6400 that I've had since 2006. It's starting to show its age and it won't run off the battery anymore. I'm not looking for anything fancy or over-the-top here. I'd like something well under $1000 like more in the $500-$700 range. I haven't kept up with laptops at all, so I don't know what brands are good, if any. I think I'd rather not get Dell again though.

Thanks guys.

Ditto on Dell, I've never owned one and never will, and the horror stories are atrocious. I'd go with a netbook such as the MSI Wind or Asus EEE PC 1000 series. If you want to wait a few months, there will probably be some netbooks with decent graphics capabilities (GeForce 9500/100 series) for under 700$, probably under 600$.

I myself am getting a netbook at the end of the summer to take to school.

[redsniper]

Well, I don't want one of those tiny netbooks either. I just want a conventional mid-range laptop, with a CD-drive and decent-sized screen and stuff. I don't need it to play Crysis or anything, just to handle older games and emulators. If the specs are anything like what I have now (and I'd hope I can get better specs for a reasonable price nowadays) then it should do that just fine.

[colecampbell666]

What size? 15"? 17"? Is hard drive space important?

[redsniper]

I've got a 15" now and that's been a good size. 150-200GB hard drive would be fine, but the more the better, obviously.

[colecampbell666]

I'd suggest the forums on notebookreview.com.

[redsniper]

I can hunt down an exact model myself. It's just that there are so many brands out there and I don't know which are any good. All these general review sites are inundated with netbooks and overpriced gaming laptops. If someone can just point me toward two or three good brands I can take care of the rest.

[colecampbell666]

You misunderstand, look at the forums, ask on there. They're very helpful.

[redsniper]

I'm leaning towards this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146540

but I'm going to ask those guys too.

[JGZinv]

Seconds the notebookreview.com forums... I'm on there.

Also watch this for deals, and if you are going to get a system with Vista Premium or Ultimate
WAIT until the 26th or after.

http://dealnews.com/categories/Computer/PC-Computers/PC-Laptop/49.html?exp=Y


The windows 7 coupons go into effect then for new systems.

[Bob-san]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101180
That's a $400 Gateway with 2.16GHz PDC, 2GB DDR2, and a 250GB hard drive. GMA4500HD iirc. 14.1" screen. We've ALWAYS had fewer problems with Gateways than Dell or HP. Other than a stunt or two they pulled when they were still Gateway 2000, Gateway has always worked just fine for us. Been using various laptops of theirs for about a decade and a half, perhaps longer.

[Androgeos Exeunt]

Ah, Gateway. Reminds me of simpler times.