Need help with purchasing a new laptop

This question is directed toward all the computer geeks out there, and anyone else who might be able to help.

I'm looking to buy a new laptop. I have $1500 to spend.

here is what I need:
40+ Gig HD
512 megs RAM
14+ inch monitor
3+ USB ports
Wireless and Wired ethernet 802.11b
CD-R, preferably DVD-R
no celeron processors
Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz or M 1.5Ghz
keyboard and touchpad mouse
decent sound system (built in, for watching DVDs or listening to music)

right now i'm looking at the HP Compaq Business Notebook nx5000. anyone else have any better ideas? and if you do know of a better one, please post the link to the exact model, i'd be interested in checking it out.

oh, I had a medion laptop, but it was stolen. hence the reason i'm looking to replace it. so small companies (with satisfied customers) will be considered.

Dell. Hands down.

I was looking at Dell, but if I look at what I want in a dell, the price jumps another $500. and that's not including the shipping costs

Given the choice, I'd go Dell over HP any day. HP computers are highly unreliable and the customer service is not so great. I have an averatec computer, and I'm very happy with it. I know, it's probably not a brand you've ever heard of. They're a small company that just sells laptops. One good thing about buying from a small company is that the computer does not come with loads of useless software that you don't need.

www.averatec.com

http://www.averatec.com/notebooks/6100series.htm

The 6130HS meets all of the specs you're looking for. I have a 3250HS and am very happy with it. Also, whatever you get, get the extended warranty. Extended warranties are a waste of money for most electronics, with the exception of laptops. Studies from consumer reports and PCWorld have shown this to be true.

Eric

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Originally posted by DrParasite
I was looking at Dell, but if I look at what I want in a dell, the price jumps another $500. and that's not including the shipping costs

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Do not oder your Dell over the internet. Order it on the phone. Very often, you can get the CSR to honor any specials that may have just expired. such as free upgrades, free memnory, and/or free shipping. I own 3 Dells, (1 laptop). I haven't paid for shipping yet. I also got at least one upgrade each time.

Also, they are slowly moving their tech help call centers back to the US. People didn't appreciate talking to someone in India and they are responding to the marketplace.


I wouldn't own an HP or a Compaq unless I was in the market for a doorstop.

Quote:

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Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI



Also, they are slowly moving their tech help call centers back to the US. People didn't appreciate talking to someone in India and they are responding to the marketplace.

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This is the reason I did not buy a second Dell. You needed a damn magic decoder phone to try to understand what the hell the person was saying. If you were able to make it out the only technical advice they gave was to reset you computer so it was "new just like outta da box"

Glad to hear they switched back. Dell makes an great computer.

Rigin

Go to dell.com and price out an Inspiron 700m. Then call the order line and work a deal. Right now they are offering free shipping, a free internal wireless card and a combo drive upgrade. You won't be disappointed. Also, ditch one of the USB's and go Bluetooth.

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Originally posted by SPFDRum
Go to dell.com and price out an Inspiron 700m. Then call the order line and work a deal. Right now they are offering free shipping, a free internal wireless card and a combo drive upgrade. You won't be disappointed. Also, ditch one of the USB's and go Bluetooth.

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Educate me about Bluetooth, please. I can't stand not knowing about something.

Quote:

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Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI


Educate me about Bluetooth, please. I can't stand not knowing about something.

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Bluetooth is in a clam shell is electronic devices talking to each other and shareing data wirelessly over a small area, 30 ish feet in most cases.

Bluetooth



Edit for link

Oh yeah, go Dell.

Quote:

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Originally posted by GeorgeWendtCFI
Educate me about Bluetooth, please. I can't stand not knowing about something.

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omg, i think this is a first :p

but in all seriousness, jesse is quite right. the idea behind bluetooth is the creation of a dynamic PAN (Personal Area Network), where your PDA, cell phone, watch, computer, printer, and every other electonic gizmo you could think of would be interconnected, all without wires. and it would be a dynamic network, where once your PDA got in range of your computer, it would automaticly connected to the PAN.

it was supposedly the new "buzz topic" about a year ago, but it really hasn't lived up to it's buzz (for various reasons). it's starting to be more available, but I think USB is still more commonly used.

I bought a Toshiba Sattelite for the Station...GREAT Computer!!! Now someday maybe I'll be able to get one of my own...

Seriously..try this link

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/...AOEM&WT.srch=1


If is doesn't work...just search Toshiba sattelite

A word of advice..get more than you need now


As for speakers...hands down

http://www.cetaceasound.com/pas1portdescription.htm

Presentation Audio system...Better than the movie theater!!


Combined the two products are great for powerpoint presentations and education


Yes...my 5yr old son know more about computers than I ever will, but these are great to use. Good luck.

George,
Bluetooth, though slow out of the gate for windows,but gaining speed, has been well supported by Mac. It allows you to sync bluetooth compatable phones, pda's, mice, keyboards, your home entertainment center, GPS, and many other devices via a low wattage wireless connection, even IrDA is only good for line of site. The best part of the system is there is no real set up, ie network protocals, to screw up. A great example is Bluetooth phones and headsets, no wires.
Check this site out How Things Work-Bluetooth.
I'm not getting any younger, and wireless Bluetooth GPS and my laptop make a map much easier to read!

Quote:

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Originally posted by SPFDRum
George,
Bluetooth, though slow out of the gate for windows,but gaining speed, has been well supported by Mac. It allows you to sync bluetooth compatable phones, pda's, mice, keyboards, your home entertainment center, GPS, and many other devices via a low wattage wireless connection, even IrDA is only good for line of site. The best part of the system is there is no real set up, ie network protocals, to screw up. A great example is Bluetooth phones and headsets, no wires.
Check this site out How Things Work-Bluetooth.
I'm not getting any younger, and wireless Bluetooth GPS and my laptop make a map much easier to read!

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Thanks for the link. What about security?

George,
That is/was one of the issues when bluetooth came out. There were quite a few instances of people picking up other people's info out of their PDA's, cell phones, etc. It was also practice for "kids" to try to connect to other people's bluetooth equipment and "spam" them. I haven't looked into it recently and don't know for sure if the problem has been resolved.

In Bluetooth, there is 3 security modes:
Security Mode 1: non-secure
Security Mode 2: service level enforced security
Security Mode 3: link level enforced security
That detirmine which systems or items can communicate, then each individual packet is encrypted, though like any other 128-bit encryption, it can be broken. The best defense for that is the week signal, so you are not broadcasting down the block...

anyone else have a suggestions about what type of computer I can get, as well as what type to get?

Dell. No question.

I've been buying and/or supporting laptops at work for over 10 years and the hands down best machine is Dell. I can count the hardware failures we've experienced on one hand.

I've also had good experiences from a reliability standpoint with IBM Thinkpads but they simply couldn't touch Dell when it came to price/performance.

Also, based on my experience the only good things that come in black and white spotted packaging are steaks.

I've been involved in purchasing and supporting computers for close to 15 years, and Dell has been my computer of choice for the past 6-7 years. Service, support, reliability...

Now, for laptops, IBM and Toshiba also make some quality laptops. As you have found, you will pay more, but in my opinion, the cost is well worth it.