my budget is about $1200.00 and i do play video games but dont do the digital video recording. thanks.

 

Barrett

1) Whats your budget
2) Do you game? Or do Digital Video and things, or jus tlisten to MP3's, use word, email, etc.

I would recommend getting something light and easy to carry. Centrino would be a good choice since you get the extended battery life, integrated wireless, and it runs cooler. Something like the 600m would be good and fits your budget well.

I would suggest you stay away from any notebook, Dell or any other maker, that has a desktop CPU in it, as the 5100 does. You should get a notebook with a Pentium "M" CPU. For your needs you do not need the fastest CPU available. As to Centrino, Centrino is just a NAME it does not have anything to do with how the notebook is built and if you do not need a wireless connection to your home or to the schools network you can save money by not getting a wireless card. This can be easly added in the future. They are all MiniPCI cards.

lol...I was in this position last year

I bought the 600m and I'm thrilled with it.

However, just wanted to caution you...if your college doesnt have wireless internet, it really is a waste

my college doesnt have wireless so pretty much, I use my laptop like a desktop

I could have saved a lot of money and had a much more powerful machine if i had puchased a desktop instead

but then again, I dont ask too much of my pc: some music, some word processing, some internet, and a few games here and there

so all is good!

Before deciding on a computer check with the college you'll be attending and see:

1] What systems, operating sytems, options, and software they recommend

2] They might offer deals on recommended systems if you buy from them

3] Check to see what manufacturers they will service on campus. Some schools give top priority to brands they sell

Sup,

Congrats on going to college! Where you going?

It's up to you to figure out what you need. If you ask us, everyone might recommend different things, which may be confusing for you. Just try customizing the 1100, 5100, 5150, or 8600 by yourself to see what you like.

 

Message Edited by meteor on 02-14-2004 07:07 PM

try the 600m too!

nice and light

with centrino technology!

and powerful enough to run quite a few games!!!

more than enough for the college student!

Barrett,

You may want to check out the website for the college you will be attending.  often times they have deals set up with a computer company and you can save yourself some  $$$.  I'm in college right now and we have a few dell systems that we are able to get at big discounts.  I know that the D600 or even the D500 are a great laptops to start off with and it will allow you to do pretty much anything a college student would want to.  Plus, big discounts on service.  Worth a shot. 

Or...if you find it difficult searching through their wesite, maybe you can find out some info through their bookstore (if they have one).