<p>IBM Thinkpad, end of discussion.</p>
<p>care to share why?</p>
<p>It has been shared why in every single thread about computers (there is a new one at least every week).</p>
<p>Use the search function (or search google) and you will find why thinkpads are the best (on the PC side that is).</p>
<p>And to answer the guy who was asking about cheapest that will do the job...my answer is corporate lease returns. Find a local computer shop (not a big box store, but a local owned shop) that sells them (or you could get them online but not as cheap and no store-warrenty). Find a lease returned IBM Thinkpad (like a T23 or they might have T30's) and buy it. The processors are plenty fast and they have plenty of storage space. Both of those models are still under IBM standard warranty (take that dell) though the T23 is nearing the end.</p>
<p>Add a wireless card and maybe some more ram depending what it came with and you are set (for less than a new cheapo laptop but with better quality and almost the exact same specs).</p>
<p>I'm going to buy a 12" powerbook
with duke's student discount it makes it very affordable</p>
<p>you might even get one, i remeber that they gave out laptops last time and this year they gave out ipods, check before you buy one</p>
<p>IBM X40 is the way to go.</p>
<p>thinkpads:</p>
<p>Strong, sturdy, reliable, light, tremendous battery life, rugged (just to hammer it in), well-balanced.</p>
<p>Matte-black is just so cool. Who needs those cheap-looking glossy white or shiny silvery cases. Ick.</p>
<p>I think i'm going to get a mac, because i've heard that they are much more resistant to viruses. I know a few people who have had a lot of trouble with their Dells.</p>
<p>They're only more resistant if you're a novice computer user. Any competent Windows XP user can avoid viruses. Don't open unsolicited e-mails or download unknown programs. It's really that simple.</p>
<p>don't get a gateway...it's a bad idea...gateway M30 was my last laptop...it made me...angry :).....BUT...if you're willing to pay a little bit more....My Sony Vaio has worked out rather well....and they have excellent customer support..Dell does too, but it's not nearly as fast</p>
<p>although i would agree...IBMs are very efficient but you don't have much leeway in customization</p>
<p>what about the 12 inch powerbook with superdrive?</p>
<p>now if you wanna go all out....Powerbook G4 all the way :):):)</p>
<p>they're pretty...i like em :)...too bad i can't exactly afford one right now</p>
<p>actually, the G5 laptop, when they introduce it is gonna be DA Bomb</p>
<p>I heard that the G4 was equal to a pentium 3</p>
<p>is this true?</p>
<p>G5 is going to be a beast....G4s are equivalent to a powerful P4 of PM</p>
<p>but you can't really compare mac and P processors...they're so different in so many ways</p>
<p>Does anyone have any thoughts about Sony? </p>
<p>Right now I'm between a Toshiba and a Sony...one with a media center, so I can use it to record tv, video...etc.</p>
<p>Sony's better mediawise...like recordings, bite playbacks, etc. The monitors have nice resolution as well...and they're very efficient...I'm using a vaio A-240....it's a little pricey but it's done me alot of good</p>
<p>IBMs are EXTREMELY customizable. I just spent months picking mine out because there are literally 100s if not 1000s of combinations of things. The customer service is perfect, any problem you have they will either send you the part and have you fix it with their guidance, or they will come to you next day and fix it, for three years. And this is included in the price not extra.</p>