Buying my first notebook, which of these models?

[Jonathan UK]

Hi there,

I'm a complete notebook/laptop virgin and don't know a great deal about computers anyway (my last PC was bought as a deal from Tiny about 3 years ago - it seemed OK). What I'm hoping is that somebody might be kind enough to offer me some advice in choosing between the machines I have listed. I pretty much have to take one of them, BTW, as I am running this purchase on credit terms due to delays in my last script payment.

My choices are:

HEWLETT PACKARD N5461 AMD DURON 850MHZ DVD/CDRW LAPTOP (£1,399)

SONY PCG-Z600LEK INTEL PENTIUM III 700MHZ TFT LAPTOP (£1,497)

COMPAQ 1215 EA AMD ATHLON 1GHZ DVD LAPTOP (£1,499)

SONY PCG-FX-203 INTEL PENTIUM III 800MHZ DVD & TFT LAPTOP (£1,597)

SONY PCG-FX-205K INTEL PENTIUM III 850MHZ DVD & TFT LAPTOP (£1,799)

TOSHIBA 3000-400 INTEL PENTIUM III 900MHZ LAPTOP (£1,799)

Alternatively, should I avoid all of these machines and look elsewhere? Also, what's the difference between an Athlon and a Pentium III processor and which of them is better?

Thanks for your help in advance,

Jon

[YODA74]

Jonathan have you checked out Apple's $1,449--$1,799.DVD-ROM/CD-RW I don't swing twords any but know a good deal.

Check it out> here (http://www.apple.com)


http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Luck

[kenja]

Based on the crummy reputation of Compaq's and HP's consumer desktops, I'd rule these out. With their merger, who knows where they're going?

I'm not familiar with the phrase "script payment", but I guess Dell is ruled out.

Where I'm coming from: I much prefer a "joystick" type of pointing device (in the center of the keyboard) instead of a touchpad. This would make the Toshiba my choice. The 16MB GeForce2 video sounds good, as does 128MB RAM and a 20GB hard drive.

I'd rule out the Sony PCG-Z600LEK because it only has 64MB of memory, which isn't really enough anymore. It also has "only" a 15GB hard drive.

I'd be attracted to the Sony PCG-FX-205K because it comes with Win2k (although I haven't been able to get as good DVD playback on Win2k; maybe they've got it figured out) and also because of its 15" display. But actually, my ThinkPad's 14.1" TFT is just fine at 1024 x 768.

My conclusion: I'd take the Toshiba.

Oh, about AMD vs Intel: AMD is a better buy, but in a highly integrated system like a portable, you have to look at the whole package. You won't notice any operational difference one way or the other.

[This message has been edited by kenja (edited 09-16-2001).]

[Pianorak]

Excellent advice from Kenja. But if you are really strapped for cash Yoda's suggestion shouldn't be ruled out. And what about IBM ThinkPad? I have been using the iSeries 1200 for the past 9 months or so without a major problem.