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Need help choosing a laptop

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Daniel15
Hi everyone,
I'm considering buying a laptop in the near future, but don't know exactly what to get. I'm aiming to get a budget laptop with a reasonably long battery life, and wireless network access (hoping to spend under AU$1500).

Here's what I've seen so far, can anyone suggest which one of these laptops is best (or if you know of any other cheap laptops)?

Compaq Presario V5100AU Notebook - AU$1288
  • AMD Mobile Sempron Processor 3300+ 2.0GHz
  • 512MB DDR333 (1 Dimm)
  • 40GB hard drive
  • DVD±RW with Dual Layer Support
  • 15.4" WXGA with BrightView
  • ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M with Hypermemory 128MB shared
  • 6-in-1 media reader
  • 12 months warranty


Acer Aspire 1642ZWLMi Notebook - AU$1399
  • Intel Pentium M 740 1.73GHz (533MHz FSB)
  • 512MB DDR2
  • 60GB 4200RPM
  • Dual Layer DVD Burner (+⁄-R, R⁄W) ⁄ 8X
  • 15.4" WXGA Wide Screen CrystalBrite
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 128MB
  • 802.11b⁄g
  • ESTIMATED BATTERY LIFE - Approximately 2 hours plus
  • 1 year international warranty


Compaq Presario V2627AU Notebook - AU$986
  • AMD Mobile Sempron Processor 3000+ 1.8GHz
  • 512MB DDR333 (1 Dimm)
  • 40GB Hard Drive
  • DVD⁄CR-RW Combo
  • 14.0" WXGA with Bright View
  • ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M, up to 32MB shared
  • 12 months warranty


COMPAQ PRESARIO M2253AU NOTEBOOK - AU$1,099.00
  • AMD Mobile Sempron 3000+ (1.8GHz).
  • 256MB DDR PC2700 (333MHz) RAM.
  • 40GB* Hard Drive.
  • 15" XGA Screen with Brightview technology.
  • CD-RW/DVD combo
  • 56kbps modem, 10/100 Wired LAN.
  • 12 month manufacturer's warranty.


And finally,

ACER ASPIRE 3627WXMI 14.1" WIDESCREEN NOTEBOOK PC - AU$1,299.00
  • Intel® Pentium® M Processor 725A (1.6GHz) 2MB L2 cache, 400 MHz FSB.
  • 256MB RAM + BONUS 256MB RAM = 512MB RAM.
  • 60GB† Hard Drive.
  • 14.1" WXGA CrystalBrite widescreen.
  • Dual Layer DVD± burner
  • 10/100 LAN, 802.11 b/g Wireless LAN



Thanks in advance,
Daniel15

EDIT: I've also seen the Compaq V5101AU. It's like the V5100AU, except with a bigger hard drive, and a Turion processor (as opposed to a Sempron). Would the battery last longer with a Turion, or with a Sempron?
djclue917
daniel15 wrote:
Acer Aspire 1642ZWLMi Notebook - AU$1399
  • Intel Pentium M 740 1.73GHz (533MHz FSB)
  • 512MB DDR2
  • 60GB 4200RPM
  • Dual Layer DVD Burner (+⁄-R, R⁄W) ⁄ 8X
  • 15.4" WXGA Wide Screen CrystalBrite
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 128MB
  • 802.11b⁄g
  • ESTIMATED BATTERY LIFE - Approximately 2 hours plus
  • 1 year international warranty


Hands down. This would be my first choice. Why? First and foremost, because of Intel's Centrino Technology. I won't be considering the processors (they're all good) and the prices.

Pros:
[*] 512MB DDR2 -> Faster memory module (it's DDR2, the others are just DDRs)
[*] 60GB 4200RPM -> Larger storage as compared to the others
[*] 533MHz FSB -> Faster front-side bus (FSB) means a more responsive system

Cons:
[*] Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 128MB -> This would have been perfect except for this. If you're planning on playing modern 3D games in this thing, I suggest you consider the others...

Quote:
Compaq Presario V5100AU Notebook - AU$1288
  • AMD Mobile Sempron Processor 3300+ 2.0GHz
  • 512MB DDR333 (1 Dimm)
  • 40GB hard drive
  • DVD±RW with Dual Layer Support
  • 15.4" WXGA with BrightView
  • ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M with Hypermemory 128MB shared
  • 6-in-1 media reader
  • 12 months warranty


Pros:
[*] ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M with Hypermemory 128MB shared -> better than integrated graphics (like Intel Graphics Media Accelerator)
[*] 6-in-1 media reader -> a nice extra. It maybe useful to you...

Cons:
[*] 40GB hard drive -> quite smaller as compared to the HDD of my first choice
[*] DDR333 -> it's just DDR and just DDR333. DDR400 is much better. DDR2 is way better.

I hope that helps... Smile
Sunny
I think go for ATI Radeon XPRESS 200M which is much better board then intel 900 gma for an integrated graphic solution and I believe cheaper too. Read this article which compares 200xpress with intel 950 gma (950 gma is much superior then 900). Don't expect anyone to play games on laptop but still 200 is better in most aspects and go for atleast 512mb ram.
sush
Yeah I can confirm that Very Happy I'm on an Express 200-based board and it clearly outperforms the Intel GMAs that I've seen. Would work great on a laptop I hope.

Acer all the way.
neosree
I am also with ati, intel graphics sucks. Ati is always better in laptops, Nvidia too is better, but costly compared ti Ati. So go for Compaq Presario V5100AU. Before going for that, check the Dell website, and configure a laptop that meets your budget, if it seems to have better price performance ratio, then go for it. While choosing graphics, choose Ati. That is all. I personally love the Dell Inspiron 6400UMA.

Check it here: http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_Q2_W5_2006-06-09_inspn_6400uma_N540604?c=au&l=en&s=dhs
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