Help me buy a notebook computer

[Dapper Swindler]

This is the most expensive thing I've ever bought. Even more expensive than my car. I've been researching this for weeks and I've come to the conclusion that if a computer is cheap, it's cheap for a reason; if it is expensive, it is expensive for a reason. I originally planned to get the cheapest thing available but I'm gradually being suckered into spending more money. I'm very confused about CPUs. At first I was just looking at their GHz speed to compare them. But I was told that wasn't an accurate way to compare them because different processors use their speeds in different ways. Let me show you what I'm looking into.

$998
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3595668
CPU: 1.4 GHz Intel Celeron
+ WXGA Brightview Widescreen


$899
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=108443&WT.mc_n=61&WT.mc_t=U
CPU: AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+
+ DVD buner
+ 80GB hard drive
- battery life

$659
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/inspn_1000?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs
CPU: Mobil Intel Celeron Processor 2.2GHz

$1199
CPU: Intel Centrino Processor 715 2MB
+ I found this one at circuit city today, so not having to order it is a plus
+ DVD burner
+ 80 GB
+ WXGA Brightview
+ Dedicated video memory

 

[AverageFC]

for electronics I always trust BestBuy

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

Figure out what software you are going to run first. Compile their requirements and then buy a system that is about twice as powerful. A good rule is to get as much memory (RAM) as you can afford.

 

[California Love]

www.cyberpowersystem.com

 

[Desdinova]

I've heard good things about this one:

http://www.p-p-p-powerbook.com/

 

[Nocturnal]

check out some of the acer laptops at http://newegg.com

I think you'll be satisfied with the pricing.

 

[sfalexi]

First and foremost, tell us what you plan on using it for. Is it strictly a work computer? Internet and basic programs? Gonna be doing video editing and lots of downloading? Lots of games? What are you using it for?

You wouldn't buy a dodge caravan if you're planning to take it to the local tracks and break some speed records, nor would it make sense to buy a GTO if you're planning on being a soccor mom.

What are you gonna use it for?