Here are the small laptops I’m looking at, partly based on comments my previous post received. I’ve decided I want to go small instead of big.
Screen: 1280-800 XBRITE
Weight: 4.2 lbs
Size: 12.3″ x 1.16″-1.39″ x 8.85″
Cost: ~$3200
Notes: Awesome screen, definitely best of the bunch. Supports DVI through a docking station.
Fatal flaw: Only supports 1280×800 on the external DVI.
Screen: 1280 x 800
Weight: 4.2 lbs
Size: 11.7 x 1.5 x 8.5
Cost ~$1700
Notes: Good screen resolution, though not as nice as the Sony. Perhaps I’d be happy remote desktop-ing into it for desk usage. Similar specs to the Sony at half the cost.
Fatal flaw: No docking station for DVI out.
Screen: 1024×768 (1600×1200 external DVI through port replicator)
Weight: 3.7 lbs
Size: 11.6 x 1.0 x 9.6
Cost: ~$1800
Notes: Almost perfect. It has a docking station that supports 1600×1200 external DVI. No internal optical drive either.
Fatal flaw: 1024×768? Ugh.
Screen: 1024×768
Weight: 2.7 lbs
Size: Couldn’t locate dimensions – very small
Cost: ~$2500
Notes: This thing is way small and it’s a ThinkPad, but that’s about it.
Fatal flaw: 1024×768? Ugh.
I think I’m leaning towards the Dell 700m at the moment. I want the nice big resolution on the screen and I like the internal optical drives – if only it could connect to the docking station. I’d decided to avoid Dell laptops after we got a bunch of 610 lemons at my last job, but I talked to some people that have been happy with other models so maybe I’ll take a chance.
For that range, you should really consider the Toshiba M200 Tablet. higher resolution (1400×1050), excellent machine……plus its a tablet!
If you’re going to “remote desktop” into it, why not just get a cheap headless pc? I’m sure you can get something light-weight if you use an itx mobo.
Nitin – Tablet = :shrug: I’m concerned that the screen res is actually too high on that one (too hard to read).
Phil – I want a sub-compact for portability that I can hook up to my normal keyboard/mouse/display when I’m at my desk.
I can’t speak for the others, but the Dell 700m is great for a tiny machine, my coworker just picked one up. Beats my 12″ powerbook in many ways.
You can usually find 20-25% dell coupons on the net too.
Alex,
The Tablet part may not be of interest to you (don’t know why), but when I was looking for a small, yet powerful machine, I ended up with the M200 and absolutely love it. Rock solid build, and has one of the best graphics cards in the biz. You are right that the higher rez is a bit small, but I like having the space. When running in dual monitor mode, I can run the 2nd monitor at almost double the resolution.
This machine is my workhorse, and works as my notepad replacement now, given the tablet functionality. The combination has served me well by reducing the amount of stuff I have to carry around while traveling.
My 2nd place choice was the Thinkpad X40.
Alex — I highly recommend getting a machine with a 2.5″ drive. Get the cheapest drive option, buy a separate 60gb 7200rpm drive, and replace it.
I found the 7200rpm drive makes my notebook much faster. Although, all notebook drives are sort of pokey. 😉
I know drive speed is quite important. I helped on this successful surgery.
I would say Samsung Q25 TXC 1400, but it’s not available in USA.
Ordered the Dell 700m
I went ahead and ordered the Dell 700m as my PC laptop.
They had some compelling configurations in the outlet, so I ended up getting one there. Here are the specs:
2.0 GHz Pentium M (Dothan)
256MB of RAM
80GB HD (5400rpm)
DVD/CD-RW Combo…
Got a 700M for my wife, but the small keyboard is an issue. External keyboard solutions?