2 laptop question: hope you can advise

[mbwalmsley]

hi, i've got 2 trick questions and im hoping someone can help me.

1. ppl talk of this 'microsoft tax'. Is there anyway to avoid it? i want a laptop that i can continuosly rebuild with different microsoft o/ss
(i have an msdn subscription, and dont want to pay extra for a silly copy of xp)

2. do you now of a laptop that is not top of the range cpu etc, but IS top of the range in screen quality and size? I will use it a lot, so need a great screen, but some cpus are overkill.

thanks

 

[ph0rse]

the Dell Inspiron 8200 has this new UltraSharp(tm) screen. Not sure how crisp it looks, but I'd read up on it. Only thing though, the minimum cpu for the 8200 is 1.6ghz mobile.

 

[blah]

Go on ubid and get yerself an IBM lappy, T or A with P3 series will do you what you wish for twice cheaper than Dell. Plus they are the best laptops as far as life time goes.

..this is very useful and helpful place for information...

 

[Skull_Angel]

Sony has the largest LCD for a laptop right now at 16.1 inches but like the Dell they offer only high end CPU's in that laptop. You can get them in different resolutions to suit your needs if I recall correctly.

 

[freehl71]

The dell ultrasharp screen has a very crisp picture, and a good contrast ratio for an LCD display (400:1)

 

[lakedude]

I've got a Sager 5620 with a 15" 1400x1050 SXGA screen that was available WO M$ OS. It is also available in UXGA at 1600x1200. They also have a 8880 with a 15.7 inch screen also available with no M$ tax.

I really like mine esp the Radeon7500 and dual opticals but they are not for everyone. They are heavy and run desktop cpus so batt life sucks.

Give me fuel, give me fire, give me that which I desire.