Looking for a Laptop

[Crazed Rabbit]

So someone I know is looking for a laptop.

What they're looking for;

They just want to surf the web, use MS Office, and watch netflix. So a powerful laptop is not required.

Desired screen size is 14-15 inches.

They want something four pounds or less.

Battery life of four hours or more is desireable.

They also want a relatively thin laptop

They aren't looking for a Mac (and no, I will not try to change their mind).


I don't know that much about laptops, so both detailed and general help, or pointers to knowledgeable site, is appreciated. Like, what's the benefit of an Intel Duo Core chip over centrino? Is the extra power necessary if you're not gaming?

Thanks,

CR

[Lemur]

Like, what's the benefit of an Intel Duo Core chip over centrino? Is the extra power necessary if you're not gaming?
Putting a desktop chip into a laptop is always a fudge, and certainly not something your friend should consider if they're looking for (a) battery life and (b) low weight. It's a lot like cramming a V-12 into a Ford Focus.

I think the laptops that weigh in around 4 pounds are all going to have 13" screens. Nothing wrong with that -- I have a 13" laptop and I find it fine for all light duties. But methinks that 15" laptops tend to be more in the five to seven pound range. Could be wrong, but I don't think I am.

[Hooahguy]

I think the laptops that weigh in around 4 pounds are all going to have 13" screens. Nothing wrong with that -- I have a 13" laptop and I find it fine for all light duties. But methinks that 15" laptops tend to be more in the five to seven pound range. Could be wrong, but I don't think I am.

what he said.
with a 14"-15" laptop it will very rarely only weigh 4 pounds.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Thanks for the thoughts on weight guys.

What laptop manufacturers are recommended? And is it possible, or advisable, to get XP on a laptop?

CR

[Lemur]

Yes, you can still get XP on a laptop if you search around. Even Dell was offering "downgrades," and they may still be doing so.

But this close to Windows 7 ... I dunno. Can your friend wait until Win7 launches? It's supposed to be pretty darn good, much lighter memory and processor footprint than Vista ...

[Sheogorath]

I'd reccomend something by Lenovo. I had a z60t that lasted two years with hardly any problems (once the bottom fan gave out, and the power jack has an annoying habit of losing the screw that holds it in place, but the fan was covered under warranty and the screw is easy to tighten every week or so.) It only finally gave out when I accidentally set it down wrong while it was turned on an uneven surface. That jarred the harddrive a bit too much for it's liking.

It seems the SL series have thicker plastic, though. There was a huge thing with IBM's depot (never, ever, let their depot get their hands on your laptop) breaking my laptop further in their efforts to replace the hard drive...but yeah, to sum that up they sent me an SL400, which is working out very nicely.

The only things I don't like are that there's no catch holding the screen in place when it's closed, and the glossy top surface gets covered in fingerprints no matter what. The battery life is 3-4 hours on low power settings, but even on the lowest settings the screen is at least as bright as my z60t's screen.

The high-end SL400 might be out of reach for price ($700 or so), which is unfortunate 'cause it's got the fingerprint scanner which is quite nice.

[Xiahou]

Yes, you can still get XP on a laptop if you search around. Even Dell was offering "downgrades," and they may still be doing so.

But this close to Windows 7 ... I dunno. Can your friend wait until Win7 launches? It's supposed to be pretty darn good, much lighter memory and processor footprint than Vista ...

I think most PCs being sold now offer free upgrade licenses to Win7. Obviously double-check before buying, but virtually all off the shelf PCs I've seen lately advertise the free upgrade.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Yes, I saw most of the laptops at best buy offered the free upgrade to Windows 7.

$700 is within the price range. Right now the person is looking at Acer laptops - anything I should know about those?

Thanks again,
CR

[Veho Nex]

Just a thought. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115587)

[Sheogorath]

I've got no personal experience, but a friend of mine says that she likes Acer quite a bit.

[Furunculus]

MSI slim x600.

[Beskar]

Don't go near a Sony Vaio, worst mistake I ever did was getting one of those.