my trusty laptop has been with me through thick and thin for i’m guessing about the last 4 years. it feels like it’s been forever, but it really struggles running current apps. it used to be that having 768MB of ram was a big deal, but now i don’t think you can even purchase a laptop with that little ram.
*sigh*
i also can’t seem to stay true to my rule of not spending more than $1000 on a laptop. i don’t know where to bend. should the laptop be slower? should it have a less fantastic screen? should it have a smaller, slower hard drive? what to do? what to do?
these are tough decisions, but as i look at what the cost of my laptop will be, i think that i might just have to wait a while and save up. it’s a struggle, though, because i look enviously at christi’s new beautiful laptop.
the announcement of the new super thin apple laptop came just a little while ago and though it has definitely stirred a lot of talk, there are just too many things wrong with the laptop to really justify even considering it seriously. it’s pretty, though.
not sure if you’d like an inspiron laptop, but I was able to configure a 1520 with 1.83ghz core2 duo, 2gb ram, 15.4 inch native 1650×1050 wide screen, 256mb nvida 8600mGT video card, DVD+/-R, 120gb 7200rpm HD, and an integrated 2MP webcam for $1309 – $400(off 1299+) + tax, free shipping = $992 shipped.
for about $1k, you can get an entry level macbook, which i highly recommend. 🙂 also, you can install “parallels” for those windows apps that you simply “must-have”, although i cannot think of any. :p
i actually have been considering installing osx on my next laptop. the problem for me is that i’m really looking to get a laptop for a power user and really do need the higher processor power. the laptops that i’m looking for need to have a very high resolution screen and a powerful processor and unfortunately, an entry level macbook just won’t cut it.
but i hear that people have been installing osx on intel laptops…
IMHO the Inspirons have lousy keyboards, weaker hinges, and other design aspects that make them less durable and less desirable. I am spoiled by Thinkpads (from work) – they are more durable and the feel of the keyboard is 2nd to none. With that said, since Lenovo took over, I’ve had a few Quality issues – my Lenovo Thinkpad sometimes overheats in the Summer and shuts down. After it cools, it works fine but of course it’s annoying. Also since Thinkpads are geared toward business, you lose out on many the fancy gizmos/features of home class (if that’s important to you). And what’s up with those new glossy screens? I find it ironic that in when people buy TVs they gravitate toward LCD since it is a matted (less glare) and yet in the PC Laptop industry the trend is toward glossy screens that have a LOT of glare.
i actually don’t mind the keyboards of the inspirons. the overall build quality on the inspirons are noticeably worse than the latitudes though.
thinkpads are nice laptops which you pay a high premium for. sure, the build quality is better, but is it worth it at twice the cost? after lenovo has taken over, i’ve been a little reluctant to look at thinkpads seriously, just because i’m not sure in what direction the line of laptops would go.
the glossy screens DO pick up a lot more glare. this is undeniable, but in a non-glare environment, the colors that they produce are more vibrant (think crayola bright colors) which i actually kind of like on laptops. the thing with laptops is that because they are mobile, you can always move them away from the glare, but for TVs you can’t.