hyedipin

Here we go, Vostro went back, and now I have other alternatives:

I went out and checked a few brands, Toshiba, Lenovo, Asus and Viao.

Although Toshibas have the best screen quality and contrast, some of the better models I can pick just go and pick up are limited/discontinued. Lenovos feel very strong, but they are just expensive (Only 1GB RAM!? come on), and I am not sure if it is still the IBM we used to know or is it mixed breed with cheap chinese parts inside. Believe it or not, VIAO's are the best deal, they look georgous, and has great keyboard (i love the looks of those keys) but based on a few comments from others, they might be on the cheap-end when it comes to build quality and support.

Here is what I could narrow it down to:

Toshiba Satellite A305-S6839 - $999 (DISCOUNTINUED but has Great Reviews)
Core 2 Duo T8100, 3GB RAM, 320GB @ 5,4k RPM, Labelflash DL DVD-/+RW, 15.4" WXGA, ATi Mobility Radeon HD 3470

Toshiba Satellite M305-S4826 - $999
Core 2 Duo T8100, 3GB RAM, 250GB @ 5,4k RPM, DVD+/-RW, 14.1" WXGA, Intel Graphics

ThinkPad T61 7664-RYU - $1249
Core 2 Duo T8100, 1GB RAM, 100GB @ 7,2k RPM, DL RVD+/-RW, 14.1" WXGA+,NVIDIA® Quadro® NVS 140M , BlueTooth, FingerPrint

Sony VAIO VGN-FZ440E/B - $1149
Core 2 Duo T8100, 3GB RAM, 250GB @ 5,4k RPM, 6x DVD+/-RW, 15.4" WXGA, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT

Sony VAIO VGN-CR420E/L - $1149
Core 2 Duo T8100, 3GB RAM, 250GB @ 5,4k RPM, DL RVD+/-RW, 14.1" WXGA, Intel Graphics

ASUS

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Zealot

Well, first off if you have the option to, avoid the Intel Integrated graphics and get a laptop with a proper GPU, do so. The integrated graphics can't handle some graphics heavy apps.

That said...you are right the Lenovo Thinkpads aren't what they once were. Still quite good, but I would say on a par with Toshiba. Looking at the specs here, I would go with the Toshiba A305. Discontinued doesn't mean anything, they will all be EOL by Chrismas anyway. The specs and the price of the A305 look good and i have bought and setup Satellites for three family members and one for myself...they are good quality machines.

Good luck and happy chosing.

Z

hyedipin

Thanks. Let's see if I can finalize this one and go with one already! When wife starts complaining about how long it takes to pick a laptop out, it has been enough already...

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