New Laptop. Where to look.

Hey everyone,

Going off to college in a few weeks and will need a new laptop. Biggest problem is that I live in Canada, so it breaks my heart to see that I could save 25% (200$) for a 1h30m ride over the border.

Anyway, spec-wise I'd like something light and portable, 14.1 being great, but I would also like to have a decent graphics card, which nearly only comes in 15.4 inch models. IF it is a 15.4 in, I would like to make sure that there isn't a lot of space on the left and right of the screen. I would also like to go with the 7th 'gen' Core 2 Duo processors if I can call them that. The second (2xxx) and fifth series (5xxx) seem really slow. Ideally, I would like to have the T7500 (2.2ghz/800fbs/4m cache). On the memory part, no less that 2GB, three being perfect. Other than that, I don't really have any other restrictions. I would like the laptop to have bluetooth, but if we find a good deal, it won't matter.

This, like everything else in the world, has a budget, we're looking at $800-$999. The closer it gets to $800 the better.

So here's a recap:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500
3GB of RAM
Dedicated Graphics Card (ex: 8600GT or HD2600)
Screen Size of 14.1 or 15.4
$800-$999

What I've found
Obviously, I've researched a bit before posting and will continue to search while I get suggestions from other users. Here's what I have found:

Acer TravelMate 4720-6202 Laptop Computer
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz
2GB DDR2
X1300 Graphics Accelerator
160GB HDD
DVDRW
14.1" WXGA
Windows XP Professional
9-cell Battery

Here is the link:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] CatId=2289

Gateway M-153X Notebook PC
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz
3GB DDR2
ATI HD 2600 Graphics Card
250GB HDD
15.4" WXGA
Bluetooth
Windows Vista Home Premium
6-Cell Battery

Here is the link:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicat [...] RANTY#tabs



These are pretty much at both extremes, the ACER being on the cheap end of the budget and the Gateway a bit over. I would have bought the Gateway if I had the American price.

Check it out:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] RANTY#tabs



**It is really important for me to have a graphics card, expecially if the graphics accelerator is going to suck off the little 2gb ram I have. I will keep searching while awaiting suggestions! Thanks for the help!

Patrick

dude, dv5t for a 1000? with the 9600m gt 512mb?

or 100 less with 9200m?

sorry, my fault up there...

I meant the hp dv5t customizable laptop here:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/ [...] 60109882-2

check the Canadian version, but I think it'll be pretty close in price. It's 999.99 USD, with the 512mb 9600m gt (newest one from Nvidia in that range, I think). Great looks, "frameless" screen (so they say, looks good in the pics), up-to-date specs. You could skimp on the gfx card and save a 100, but I don't think you'd want to.

You might like m1530, but at similar specs, that is 1100 USD. Try custom laptops from ibuypower or xocticpc to see the sweet spot, if that works better for you. Can't recommend a custom one as I havent ever done that before myself.