<p>You can get IBMs for that price range, you just have to wait and look around on the net. Since this new laptop is coming out you will be able to get the older just as good T42 and 41 for much much cheaper. You should not have any problem finding them in your price range in another few weeks.</p>
<p>IBMs are awesome, T42/T43 is definately the best and most reliable thin and light. The new pentium M will be faster than ever, while maintaining great battery life.</p>
<p>If you like Dell, keep an eye on <a href="http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php</a> for promo codes. There's a sale on right now for $400 off on a $1,499 laptop.</p>
<p>You might see more deals on Thinkpads as Lenova begins to assert their name in the global market.</p>
<p>If you can wait, more laptop manufactureres will be moving to the PCIe standard for video cards and other devices. Performance should be significantly improved for those models and you could see discounting on laptops using the outdated AGP slot.</p>
<p><a href="http://notebookforums.com%5B/url%5D">http://notebookforums.com</a></p>
<p>Great info on laptops.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info, people! It looks like I'll have a lot of choices to look at before I buy my laptop! :-)</p>
<p>Manufacturers often have considerable discounts to schools. Carnegie Mellon had IBM's that were top of line and took over a year before retail IBM's were able to beat features and price.</p>
<p>I currently have a Compaq Presario R3230 and I'm very pleased with it. The bad thing - the battery life truely sucks.</p>
<p>u wont go wrong with an apple powerbook I assure you its the best!</p>
<p>I was at BestBuy today and some guy said his friend told him that Centrinos are horrible for gaming (compared to other P4 & Athlon laptops). Is this true???</p>
<p>Laptops in general aren't for gaming. If you want gaming get a desktop, or heavy desktop replacement laptop, but your not gonna lug something that heavy to college classes.</p>
<p>yeap...dont exactly feel like lugging a huge computer halfway across the country...but then again, i cant stand not playing games a few consecutive months either.</p>
<p>^^^ then you have a problem...</p>
<p>do wat i'm probably gonna do, get a good laptop and build your owning gaming desktop. take both with you. problems solved.</p>
<p>good idea. :)</p>
<p>Dorm rooms don't exactly allow for lots of space and high school student budgets don't really allow for multiple computers.</p>
<p>your parents buy it for you, of course.</p>
<p>The best laptop is the one that will be supported by your campus IT department, where you can get warranty service without shipping the machine back to the other end of the country.</p>
<p>Most colleges have preferred vendors, specific recommendations, at very good prices.
You should start there. </p>
<p>Anyone who waxes eloquently about how Dell is better than IBM, Acer better than Dell, IBM better than Acer, etc. - they don't know what they're talking about. Most of these boxes are made by the same OEM/OED in Taiwan and China. At most, they're spec'd by the vendor. For instance, Dell's build to order just stuffs the user accessible parts into the pre-built chassis.</p>
<p>Final note: You WILL carry the machine around. Weight can be important. Look at two spindle designs. You can always plug in extra stuff via the USB 2.0 ports.</p>
<p>Final note: You WILL carry the machine around.</p>
<p>don't be too sure about this - i know many many people who just leave their laptops on their desks 24/7, which begs the question why they didn't go for a desktop in the first place. Sure, you'll probably pick it up and carry it around a few times, but hardly a lot. (usually - depends on what kind of user you are)</p>
<p>My dad seems to think it would be a good idea if we got a dell but had it built specially (that way wouldn't have all the ad crap on it). Anyway, I don't know; do you think that's a good way to go? Plus, I think Dell services at Williams College where I will be attending.</p>
<p>Money is a concern to an extent, though my Dad is generous when it comes to education. If it is kept below $2000 it should be okay. But I really want to get a cd burner built in, high speed, good battery life, and basically the essentials. It's got to last me a minimum of 4 years though.</p>
<p>I'd appreciate everyone's opinions and sorry if I took the conversation a little astray....</p>
<p>what do you mean "if won't have all the ad crap on it"??</p>