Since there are many "what laptop should I buy?" questions being posted. I decided to help make the decision easier for some by creating a mini-guide to help narrow down which of the many laptops, is best suited for your needs.

Sections:
1. Establishing what you need (Budget, Location, Screen, Size, Tablet PCs, UMPCs)
2. Processors
3. Choosing a video card
4. Memory
5. Build and Software
6. Who really makes your laptop, ODMs, Alienware and VoodooPC
7. Where and how to buy
8. Accessories
9. Links and resources
10.Incomplete list of Name Brands and their ODM’s
11.Boutique gaming rigs and the whitebook their models are built on


1. Establishing what you need:

Use: First and foremost, you should consider what you will use this laptop for. Is gaming or CAD important? If so, you should consider a model with a video card. Is your needs modest? Looking for something just to take notes on, browse the web and watch dvds? Then you can do with out a video card and save some money. Do you have a desktop you will continue to use? Do you plan to carry it daily? Do you plan to carry it far? You should consider this when selecting a screen/weight size. Keep in mind that you are not just carrying a laptop, but also accessories (i.e. AC adapter, external mouse, spare batteries, etc). Weight might not be noticed initially, but after travelling for several minutes, it will definitely become noticeable. If your needs are modest and do not require much power, you probably would not notice much of difference between say, a 1.73Ghz Pentium M with DDR1 RAM and a 2.0Ghz with DDR2 RAM. Don’t let salesmen trick you into buying something you don’t need.

It is also important to note that laptops are NOT desktops. Components are not plug and play as in a desktop. Once you choose your configuration, you are pretty much stuck with it until you buy another model. In general only the RAM and HD are easy to change. Everything else requires familiarity with laptop construction. Optical drives (dvd burner, cd/dvd combo, etc) in laptops are very limited to whomever was contracted to design a drive to fit in a certain chassis. The size of the optical drive bay varies from laptop to laptop. Video Cards (GPUs) are also permanent. An entire laptop is designed to maximize it’s form factor, which includes how heat will be vented and minimized, which is why many components of a laptop are permanent. Nvidia has released a new type of video card known as MXM which supposedly is interchangeable, but many are still skeptical if Nvidia will make follow ups as MXM models still use it’s initial video card. Larger desktop replacements can be configured with different video cards, however changing it is done by resellers and manufacturers themselves. It is beyond the ability of most consumers.

Budget:

How much are you willing to spend? For the most part, you can find very good deals for Dell Inspirons using their coupons. However if you are willing to pay more, the Dell Lattitude line is much better built. Other brands, such as Fujitsu, Twinhead and IBM are usually expensive, but tend to use metal alloys (usually magnesium, titanium, and carbon fiber) on various areas of the laptop (such as the lid, chassis, etc) and a result, are much sturdier in comparison to plastics used on most laptops. Those who demand something more rugged should consider Panasonic's Toughbook line, which is very costly.

Location:

While many keep recommending certain brand, very few take into consideration what's available to those from different countries. For example, not every country has access to Dell Coupons. Many brands cannot sell their models in the US due to non-compete agreements (Samsung and Dell, LG and IBM.. although their non-compete has either ended or will end soon). There are several brands who limit their line up in certain countries. For example, Fujitsu does not sell Fujitsu-Amilo lines in the US, but do in Europe, while Acer does not sell BenQ Joybooks in the states, but does in Asia and Australia.

Screen/Size: Laptops come in both standard ratio (4:3) and widescreen (16:10). Choosing which ratio is up to personal taste and use. A widescreen laptop would be shorter, but wider than its screen size standard ratio equivalent. A 14" widescreen laptop would have the height of a 12" standard ratio laptop, but the width of a 15".

Some prefer widescreen due to the fact that you will be able to see more when using programs such as Excel, and black bars being minimized (but not absent) when watching DVDs. Some prefer standard ratio as some games (particularly older ones) end up being stretched, or do not want to deal with black vertical black bars used to mimic standard ratio.

Screen Sizes and Tablet PCs:

10.6": These are considered ultra portables. They are very light, usually under 4 lbs and very portable. However due to their size, do not expect a full size keyboard, a powerful processor or any video card period. Some do not come with an optical drive and rely on an external one if needed. They are generally expensive in comparison to their larger counterparts. In general, ultra portables are aimed towards those who emphasize portability above all others, such as business users, at the expense of performance. If you travel long distances and prefer to carry something light, then a 10.6" should suit you well. But if you intend to do any kind of 3-D gaming, this is NOT for you.

12": Some are considered ultra portables, other are classified as thin and light, weighing between 4-5lbs. Like the 10.6", you will not find a decent dedicated video card on these. If you are a gamer, then 12" models will not cut it. The best video card available (as of 2005) is ATi's Xpress 200m, which is an integrated solution that is superior to Intel Extreme Graphics 2, and GMA 900, but still inferior in performance to low end dedicated cards such as the ATi x300. Like 10.6" models, you will not find too many that have a full size keyboard, and is marketed to those who demand portability over performance. However 12" can be configured with more powerful processors. Popular 12" models include Dell 700m, Dell X1, MSI S series, Apple G4 and IBM X series.

13.3"-14": Classified as thin and light, laptops of these sizes are widely considered to be the perfect compromise between performance and portability. Thin and Lights are usually between 4.5 lbs - 5.5 lbs and are about 1" thick. Many of these can be found with low end to mid range video cards such as the ATi x300, x600, 9700 and Nvidia Go 6200 and 6400. Some models have something higher end such as the Nvidia Go 6600 and ATi x700, however keep in mind that these laptops are usually thin, and higher performing GPU will generate more heat. Do not expect top of the line laptop Video cards such as the Nvidia 6800 or ATi x800. You can find full size keyboards on these models (there are some exceptions such as the Sony S series, it is 95%). For those who demand portability, but also want performance, thin and lights would be a good choice. At the moment, there are very few 13.3" models. They include the Asus W6, Sony S series, and Fujitsu S6xxx series.

15", 15.4": Classified as mainstream laptops. They are usually the most bought models. Virtually every major laptop manufacturer/reseller has a 15/15.4" model in their line up. Normal ratio laptops are 15", while widescreens are 15.4". In general, their weight varies between 6-7lbs, with two exceptions.. the Asus V6V and Samsung X50, both of which are roughly 5lbs. Mainstream laptops have enough power to be considered as a desktop replacement. Mid-range video cards such as the Nvidia 6600 and ATi x700 are much more common in mainstream models than in thin and lights. Furthermore, some models have TV tuners and other options not found on smaller models. While some do not mind carrying these laptops around, there are many who consider it too bulky or too heavy for daily portability needs.

17" and higher : Considered as desktop replacements, their use is just that. They are heavy (at least 7 lbs, some weighing as much as 10lbs), thick, and have low battery life. Those interested in 17" should expect this model to be plugged in most of the time. Virtually all 17" are widescreen, and most are wide enough to include a numerical pad on the keyboard. These models can be configured to have the highest processors available to laptops, some of which are dual core.. and configured with high end video cards. It is not uncommon to find Pentium IV and AMD 64 processors on desktop replacement. Those who intend to carry their laptop on a daily basis should not consider these models. They are normally aimed towards gamers, 3d modelers, and others who require power.

There are very few laptops that have screens larger than 17”, however recently Samsung has unveiled a new model that is 19”.

Tablet PCs : Tablet PCs are notebooks who’s screen can rotate itself to be parallel to the chassis. It also uses a digital pen which can be used on its touchscreen. Tablet PC’s are usually found between 12” – 14” models, rarely under or over these sizes. In comparison to their laptop counterparts, Tablet PC’s are heavier, weaker in performance, and costs more. For example, the Gateway CX 200 is a 14” tablet PC that weighs at 7 lbs and has no optical drive (something most Tablet PC’s are lacking). Most other 14” models such as the Asus W3V, IBM T43, etc weigh only 5lbs, have optical drives and often cheaper at similar configurations. The hinges on a Tablet PC also require more attention than the double hinges most laptops use. While the prospect of being able to write on a PC is nice, most consumers don’t really require it, and sacrifice in price and performance is usually not worth it. I do not recommend them unless you strongly require a portable tablet, such as those who are involved with graphic design (i.e photoshop).

from Nalgae:
Tablet PCs come in two types: convertibles and slates. The one with a rotating hinge is a convertible, while a slate is, like its name, a slate like tablet pc with no keyboard. There is also a new convertible model coming out that has a sliding screen instead of a hinge (Acer C200). Also, true Tablet PCs are not touch screens, but rather Penabled screens. You can not use a regular stylus or your finger on it, but instead use a pressure-sensitive digital pen. They come in 12-15 inch models. Your part about the heavier, weaker, etc are all incorrect. They are just notebooks with Tablet PC functionality; the only limitation is that there are not as many models to choose from, so there are no alienware performance ltablets or dell bottom of the barrel tablets. They are all midrange machines essentially, It is true that they cost more, but the premium has fallen to about $1-200 dollars over an equivalent non tablet laptop, which is comparable to buying a wacom tablet

Ultra Mobile PCs : Introduced in early 2006 and should be available by summer, UMPCs are pretty much a cross between a Sony PSP and a Tablet PC. Its shape and size is similar to a PSP, but it contains a Pentium chip, hard drive, RAM, and functions more like a Tablet PC (including the touch screen). They range in screen size, but are usually 7". Most use a touch screen keyboard which can take up most of the screen. Others have a sliding keyboard located underneath the screen, with small cell phone type buttons. In anycase, UMPCs can be quite pricey as they cost as much as a laptop but offer less performance. Popular UMPCs include the Samsung Q1, and Asus R2. In general, I do not reccomend them unless you really need something portable.


Matte Screen vs. Glossy Screen: Matte screens are dominant in all older model laptops, while glossy screens are becoming more common with current and future models. Choosing between the screens is a matter of personal preferences as both have their pros and cons. Glossy Screens are given various marketing names such as X-Brite, Crystal View, Crystal Shine, etc.. but are basically the same types of screens. Glossy screens tend to have much better contrast and vibrant colors. However they are highly reflective, usually come in lower resolutions, and for some, harder on the eyes. Matte screens on the other hand, appear "duller". However they are usually made available with higher resolution screens (sxga, wsxga, wuxga, etc), are easier on the eyes, and are not as reflective. The reflections bother some, and do not bother others. For example, by placing these laptops by the window, a glossy screen would reflect the image of the window clearly, while on a matte screen, the source of light would appear diluted. In outdoor use, a glossy screen would obviously reflect sunlight, however as the light reflection is concentrated in one area, you can still see your display. On the other hand a matte screen would diffuse the light all over the display, thus making it harder to view (although you would not have too much sun being reflected on you)

2. Choosing processor

Choosing a processor will obviously depend on what tasks you intend to do. There is not much noticeable difference when using say, a 2.00ghz Pentium M and a 2.13ghz processor, so when under a tight budget, choosing a slightly weaker processor would be a better choice. Those with modest needs such as using a laptop for word and excel, would be fine with a Celeron 1.5ghz processor.

Pentium IV, Pentium IV-M: Normally found on large desktop replacements, and older laptops, they produce more heat and tend to have a shorter battery life. When purchasing larger laptops, Pentium IV's tend to be cheaper than a comparable Pentium M model. In this scenario, battery life is not much of a factor as one expects a large laptop to be plugged in most of the time.

AMD 64 (Mobile Athlon): Similar to the Pentium IV-M in being a low powered version of a desktop processor, however it does give slightly better battery life and slightly less heat. They are usually cheaper than Pentium IVs.

Pentium M: A processor designed for laptops. They produce much less heat than their P-IV counterparts, and achieve a much better battery life. Currently Pentium M processors range from 1.6ghz - 2.5ghz. While the numbers appear to be "lower" than Pentium IV models, keep in mind that a Pentium M 1.6ghz is roughly equal to a Pentium IV 3.0ghz.

Core Duo (Yonah): Intel's current CPU for 2006. As its name suggests, it uses two processors. It has replaced the Pentium M in most new notebooks being released.

Core Solo: Intel's current CPU for 2006. It has replaced the Celerom M, as Intel's cheaper, low-end CPU.

Core Duo2 (Merom): Will arrive in late August of 2006, is the 64-bit version of the Core Duo. Since it has the same pin lay out as the Yonah, most notebooks using it, will be able to accomodate the Merom processor, provided there is a proper bios update. It is NOT reccomended that you attempt to upgrade the processor yourself.

Santa Rosa: The current codename for Intel's next chip which will feature a true 64 bit dual core processor, replacing Merom in early 2007.

Celeron M: Like the Pentium M, it is designed for laptops. However Celerons are Intel's lower end processors, usually 1.5ghz and lower.

AMD Turion: AMD's answer to the Pentium M. Like the M, it produces less heat and achieves a much better battery life. Unlike the M, it is a 64 bit processor.

AMD Turionx2: AMD's answer to the Core Duo, it uses two CPUs. Unlike the Intel Core Duo, the Turionx2 are 64 bit processors. Intel will release their Core Duo 64 bit cpus later this year, tentatively named Merom.

Intel Laptop-Desktop Processor Comparison (taken from Lowlymarine’s faq on Laptopreview):

Celeron-Ms:
C-M 1.20GHz - 2.42GHz Celeron-D
C-M 1.30GHz - 2.60GHz C-D
C-M 1.40GHz - 2.86GHz C-D
C-M 1.50GHz - 2.93GHz C-D

Ultra-low voltage Pentium-Ms:
P-M 1.0GHz ULV - 2.0GHz Pentium 4
P-M 1.1GHz ULV - 2.2GHz P4
P-M 1.2GHz ULV - 2.4GHz P4

Alviso/Sonoma Pentium-Ms:
P-M 1.40GHz* - 2.5GHz Pentium 4
P-M 1.50GHz - 2.8GHz Pentium 4HT
P-M 1.60GHz - 3.0GHz P4HT
P-M 1.73GHz - 3.2GHz P4HT
P-M 1.86GHz - 3.4GHz P4HT
P-M 2.00GHz - 3.6GHz P4HT
P-M 2.13GHz - 3.8GHz P4HT

What is Centrino?:
it is basically a marketing gimmick used by Intel that combines a Pentium M and wireless network. Don't let Centrino become a factor when deciding between Pentium and AMD models

Pentium M generations:
The first Pentium M was the Banias, which was replaced by the Dothan (2004), then the Sonoma (2005). The next generation Pentium M will be the Napa (2006), which is offered in both single and dual cores (formerly known as Yonah). You won’t find too many models with Banias, but as of January 2006, there are a large number of Dothan and Sonoma based laptops out there. Some have opted for Dothan over the newer Sonoma as Dothan generally is slightly better at controlling heat and battery consumption. Others prefer Sonoma as it is the latest Intel chipset that supports better Ram (DDRII at 533mhz). While it is still early, the new Napa models appear to support a new integrated graphics card, higher clock speed (667mhz vs. the 533 in Sonoma), and two processors. It also appears to even have better battery life despite having two “cores”. After Napa will be Merom, which is to be unveiled in late 2006.

3. Choosing Video Card

Do not expect an integrated solution such as Intel Extreme Graphics 2, to be able to handle the latest games. The newer GMA 900 is a significant improvement over IEG2, and could play older games (such as Battlefield 1942, Counter-Strike) fairly well at medium settings, but will have a tougher time with current games. lower end Video cards such as the ATi x300 and Nvidia Go 6200 should handle games like Half Life 2 at modest settings, however some prefer mid end cards such as the x700 and Nvidia 6600 to be "future proof", meaning, being able to meet the demands of tomorrow’s games. Those doing CAD should look into video cards such as the ATi Firebird models.

Users interested in using Linux should choose an Nvidia card as ATi has several compatibility issues with this operating system.

The following is a chart of Nvidia and ATi video cards originally posted by Meaker of Laptopreview

x800xt = 16 pipes, 256 bit mem (480/550)
6800U = 12 pipes, 256 bit mem (450/550)
x800pro = 12 pipes, 256 bit mem (400/400)
6800 = 12 pipes, 256 bit mem (300/300)
x700 = 8 pipes, 128 bit mem (350/300)
6600 = 8 pipes, 128 bit mem (300/300)
x600 = 4 pipes, 128 bit mem (400/250)
9700 = 4 pipes, 128 bit mem (450/213)
9600 = 4 pipes, 128 bit mem (333/? (240 turbo))
x300 = 4 pipes, 128 bit/64 bit mem (300/230)
6200 = 4 pipes, 128 bit/64 bit mem (?/?)

The next generation of ATi cards include: X1300, X1400, X1600, and X1800.
The next generation of Nvidia cards include: 7300, 7400, 7600, 7800, and 7800gtx.

4. Memory

At the moment, DDR2 SDRAM is becoming the standard memory used on laptops although models using DDR1 are still abundant. While DDR2 chips can run at higher clock speeds, the current generation have increased latency, which is why some still prefer DDR1.

For those intending to use Windows XP, you should have at least 512mb of ram. Those interested in gaming should have at least 1gb of ram, which would be very helpful for video cards that can use system memory (i.e. ATi x600). Even those using integrated graphics chip will see a boost in gaming performance when using more ram.

Choosing between 2 chips versus 1 is a personal decision. Choosing 1 will allow you to simply add another chip, rather than replace both. (i.e. 1x 512 vs. 2x256). Pricing varies from time to time, where buying one is cheaper than buying 2, and vice versa. Please keep in mind that some laptops have built in memory and only have one slot available for upgrades.

5. Build

As previously mentioned in budget, in general, what you pay for will reflect in the quality of your product. Brands such as Averatec are budget laptops that are very affordable, but at the same time, have poor build such as having a large amount of flex on the keyboards and lid. Do not expect an $800 laptop to match the same build quality of IBM and Fujitsu, which are rather costly.

Do an inspection on demo models or read reviews/opinions online and keep an eye on:
Vents and Heat (does it have sufficient circulation?)
Keyboard flex
Lid flex
Palm Rest flex
Hinges (many use plastic, however some, such as IBM use metal hinges)

Some build issues are developed over time (such as poor hinges) and difficult to analyze initially.

5b. Software

Name brands usually come with a list of pre-installed software, which include the operating system and several programs (i.e Nero, MS Office, etc). Whitebooks give you the option of an OS or having no software at all (thus saving costs) but giving you a cd/dvd with drivers instead. In addition, you will also get bloatware. What is bloatware? They are programs that consume a large amount of system RAM. Usually these are programs that are “no name”, “lite” versions of popular programs, and/or programs that require your eventual subscription. As of current, Sony and Toshiba rank as some of the worst in bloatware, some of which are difficult to remove with out screwing up the OS. Asus Ensemble and Fujitsu tend to have minimal bloatware, while whitebooks come with none unless you request for them.

6. Who really makes your laptop, ODMs, Alienware and VoodooPC

Unbeknownst to many, most laptop brands do NOT make their own laptop. Sony does not make theirs, neither does Dell, Gateway, Alienware, etc. The top laptop manufacturers are Quanta, AsusTek, Compal, Uniwill, Sager, MSI, Arima and Clevo. These companies are usually contracted by companies such as Sony and design the laptop, while Sony handles the configurations and marketing. Companies that design the laptops are referred as ODMs. Quanta is the world's largest laptop manufacturer.

An example of who makes what: Compal designs most of Dell's Inspiron line, Quanta designs most of Dell's Latitude line. The Dell X1 is derived from a Samsung model, most IBMs are designed by LG and Lenovo, Gateway is primarily Arima, while almost all Sagers are made by Clevo.

Occasionally, some of these ODM’s do release their own laptops, usually whitebooks which are then bought by smaller resellers using names most people never heard of. For example, the Clevo D900 series is a whitebook that is popular with many resellers. It is resold as the Chembook 3900, Alienware Area 51 and MJ12, Voodoo Envy 703, etc. Pricing varies between resellers, but it is very important to note that resellers such as Alienware and Voodoo, who use custom paintjobs and lid modifications, will charge considerably more for the same product (sometimes up to costing a thousand more). If you prefer a model that has alien eyes on the back of the lid, or a fancy paint job, be prepared to pay several hundred more for the same laptop that is available elsewhere. Also, whitebooks are often under the warranty of the resellers themselves, not the manufacturer, thus it would be a wise idea to purchase a whitebook model from an established reseller.

Popular ODM brands in the North America are Asustek, MSI, Compal, Clevo and Uniwill. It is important to note that Asustek (Asus) releases to models of laptops, their “Ensemble” models (sold under their own name and not customizable), and “Built on Asus” models.

Many enthusiasts prefer whitebook models due to their customability and lower prices.

7. Where and how to buy

After narrowing down which laptop you are interested in, next comes the question of where to buy them from. Different places offer different warranties, so please keep in mind that when buying a laptop, its warranty is just as important. Take a note on return policies, restocking fees (should you decide to return them), dead pixel policies (after all would you want a dead pixel on a laptop you spent a thousand on?), build date, etc. You wouldn’t want to buy a laptop that becomes defective weeks later, and are unable to return it. Below is a brief over view of several places to purchase from.

Directly from Manufacturers: You are normally able select warranties that vary between 1 to 3 years. Returns are usually done between 2 weeks and a month and a 10-15% restocking fee is charged. Some manufacturers void the warranty should you format hidden partitions (something common nowadays as manufacturers no longer give an actual window’s cd, but rather, store it on a hidden partition), customize it in a certain way where you can’t re-install the default hardware, etc. Some manufacturers such as Fujitsu are very picky when an owner changes the hard drive or RAM and requires the original be put in place when working on it. Other warranties include accidental damage and international warranties, useful for those who travel often. International Warranties are common with big name companies such as IBM and HP. Some Korean brands, such as LG, will service LG laptops in the US, even though LG does not sell laptops in the states.

Buying Online: Online purchases have become a common place. Companies such as Dell, rely heavily on online business. Some advantages include that some resellers and manufacturers, do not charge sales tax (most of the major manufacturers do, but many resellers don’t, provided that you are from a different state). However disadvantages include many models being unavailable for you to inspect physically. While there are numerous brands available in the US, virtually all laptops sold in major retail stores are either Acer, Averatec, HP, Sony, and Toshiba. One could often find IBM on university stores, while select stores carry Fujitsu.

New Egg: New Egg is a popular online electronics store. One could find good deals on laptops here (although they generally stick to certain brains). However keep in mind that New Egg has much tougher dead pixel policies. At the current time of writing, New Egg states that in regards to dead pixels, a buyer is only able to exchange his model if it has more than 7 dead pixels. Meaning, if you have exactly 7, you are stuck with it.

Ebay: Since anyone and anything can sell their products here, you will have to pay closer attention to reseller ratings and details here. You will find owners getting rid of their models, so you would probably want to find out what kind of condition they’re in, how much battery life is left (the life span of a battery diminishes gradually), remaining warranty, dead pixels, and any modifications they have done. You will also find manufacturers selling on e-bay as well. Fujitsu directly sells their products on eBay, if you’re lucky, you are able to win a brand new, factory direct laptop for much less, assuming there are few willing to enter bidding wars against you. And finally, use some common sense.. there are numerous electronics scams on eBay. If a seller requests to make the transaction outside of EBay (such as Western Union or another site), it’s best you stay clear of them.

Whitebooks: As mentioned previously, whitebooks are configurable laptops that are directly from an ODM. While it is true that you can get the same laptop that Alienware, Voodoo and Falcon Northwest sell, for hundreds (and sometimes, thousands) less.. these laptops usually have the warranty of the reseller, not the manufacturer. Thus some are still willing to pay more for Alienware and Voodoo, simply because they are an established reseller and are very likely to exist a few years down the road should you need repairs. Some ODM sites give a list of official re-sellers in each country their product is sold, so keep a note of that when looking for a reseller. Barebone whitebooks (one where you do the customizing rather than the reseller) often do not come with a warranty. If you know what you are doing and are able to build a laptop yourself, you will save hundreds building your own. Keep in mind that a building a laptop is NOT the same as building a desktop computer. Others who prefer to let a reseller do the customizing should do a search on http://www.resellerratings.com/ to see how a reseller rates.

8. Accessories

One can’t have a laptop with out some accessories to go along with it. An external mouse would be a good investment (if you don’t have one) as a touchpad and track point are not as efficient for some, especially those who intend to game. There are also small wire-less models available for those who want to travel light and compact.

Some manufacturers offer their own carry bag and cover. Some are simple carry cases that do not have much room for anything else (such as books), others are large cases (some offer brief cases). Consider what your needs are and what kind of bag would suit it best. A good bag should protect its contents from rain. Others may prefer a backpack a heavier laptop would be easier to carry.

A 2nd battery (or an extended main battery), would be perfect for those who need to use their laptops for a longer duration away from a power outlet. Many current models have swappable bays, usually being located in the optical drive bay. Several Asus and Fujitsu models allow the option of adding another hard drive, battery, or space filler (to lighten the load).

9. Links and Resources

www.resellerratings.com – great place to find ratings of electronics resellers
www.cnet.com – several reviews offered here
www.notebookreview.com – great site that compiles reviews of multiple sites as well as offers their own. Has a large and well moderated forum focusing exclusively on laptops. I recommend the reviews in this site as they tend to be very indepth. .
www.notebookforums.com – while the site is largely under the influence of Pctorque, a Sager reseller, one could find numerous discussions on whitebooks.
http://tuxmobil.org/laptop_oem.html - a list of which ODM make for which OEM. Keep in mind that contracts usually change, one year Sony may have Asus building their laptops, another year they may use Compal instead. Furthermore, they often use several for different lines. As stated previously, Dell uses Compal for the Inspiron line, Quanta for the Latitude, and Samsung on specific instances such as the Dell X1.
http://www.laptopworldwide.com/laptops.html - a listing of ODM’s, this listing is some one outdated.

Top laptop manufacturers of 2004 (from digitimes via NBR)
Estimated 2004 Laptop Shipments (tot)
-------------------------------------------
Mil.Units Marketshare
-------------------------------------------
Quanta 12.6 25.5%
Compal 8.25 16.7%
Wistron 3.5 7.1%
Asustek 3.5 7.1%
Inventec 3.3 6.7%
FIC 2.0 4.0%
Arima 1.8 3.6%
Uniwill 1.6 3.2%
ECS 1.0 2.0%
Clevo 0.7 1.4%
Mitac ?? ??%

10. Incomplete list of Name Brands and their ODM’s
Dell Inspiron - Compal
Dell Latitude - Quanta and Samsung (depending on model. X1 is samsung, but most are Quanta)
Dell (new line) - Asus
Toshiba Satellite - Compal
Gateway – Arima (early models including those from eMachines), Quanta, sometimes Wistron.
Apple - Asus (the new 13.3" mackbook), Quanta (Macbook Pro line)
Sony - Asus, Quanta
Fujitsu Amilo (amilo line) - uniwill
Averatec - one model is definitely an MSI, dont know the rest.
IBM - Lenovo, also used LG for some time
HP/Compaq – primarily Quanta, occasionally Compal and Asus

11. Boutique gaming rigs and the whitebook their models are built on
Alienware
Alienware Sentia - Uniwill 223IIE0
Alienware Area 51 m5500 - Uniwill 259EN3
Alienware Sentia m3200 - Uniwill 223IIE0
Alienware Area 51 m5700 - Uniwill P71EN
Alienware Area 51 m7700 - Clevo D900T
Alienware Aurora m 7700 - Clevo D900K

Falcon Northwest
Fragbook TL2 - MSI 1029
Fragbook DR6800 - Clevo D900T


Hypersonic
Aviator EX7 - Clevo D900T
Aviator CX7 - Clevo M570A
Aviator FX7 - Clevo D900K
Aviator AX7 - Clevo D470K
Aviator MX6 - Asus Z71v
Aviator MX6se - Asus Z71v
Aviator MX6 Turbo - Asus Z71v
Aviator CR6 - Clevo M38AQ
Aviator AX2 - MSI 1013/S270
Aviator CX2 - MSI 1012/S260

ProStar
ProStar 9098- Clevo D900T
ProStar 7096 - Clevo D700T
ProStar 4754 - Clevo D470T
ProStar 5722 - Clevo M570A
ProStar 5712 - Clevo M570A
ProStar 4764 - Clevo D470K
ProStar 5622 - Clevo M560A
ProStar 3724 - Clevo M38AW
ProStar 4034 - Clevo 400?
ProStar 4004 - Clevo 400?
ProStar 5522 - Clevo 550V

Vigor Gaming
Artorius - Uniwill P71EN
Ares - Uniwill 259EN3
Aegis - MSI 1029

VooDooPC
Envy I:222 - Asus w5
Envy A:522 - Asus V6v
Envy A:228 - MSI 1013/S270
Envy N:532 - Asus Z71v
Envy U:732 - Clevo M560a
Envy A:538 - Arima W622
Envy U:522 - Clevo M450C
Envy U:703 - Clevo D900
Envy U:717 - Clevo D470K
Envy U:709 - Clevo D900K

-Current as of June 2006, will be updated as new models and new technologies are introduced. I am not responsible if you end up misinterpreting the guide and buy something horrible.

lol, nice little disclaimer at the end.

Overall, this is a very good buying guide. Touches every little thing and does it very factually.

Yeah, I agree about this. I bought a Centrino one but it's so the battery is only over an hour, I shouldn't have listened to the sales guy, he said it would last longer. But I found out that it isn't that long lasting. I guess cuz of the screen. I wonder if I should buy another battery for it to last longer.

Anyway, thanks for this Range, I'll definitely read it cuz I have a laptop and I want to know what's the advantages of my laptop.

you should work for cnet reviews =D haha

thanks for the info. i want to get a laptop and i'll be sure to check this out

thanks wasabi and sunshine!




what model do you have?

thanks for the guide dude!

must've took a lot of time...thanks for posting up

Just a few clarifications. Tablet PCs come in two types: convertibles and slates. The one with a rotating hinge is a convertible, while a slate is, like its name, a slate like tablet pc with no keyboard. There is also a new convertible model coming out that has a sliding screen instead of a hinge (Acer C200). Also, true Tablet PCs are not touch screens, but rather Penabled screens. You can not use a regular stylus or your finger on it, but instead use a pressure-sensitive digital pen. They come in 12-15 inch models. Your part about the heavier, weaker, etc are all incorrect. They are just notebooks with Tablet PC functionality; the only limitation is that there are not as many models to choose from, so there are no alienware performance ltablets or dell bottom of the barrel tablets. They are all midrange machines essentially, It is true that they cost more, but the premium has fallen to about $1-200 dollars over an equivalent non tablet laptop, which is comparable to buying a wacom tablet. And your spiel about the hinge is completely incorrect; the hinge is just as stable as most double hinges, moreso than the cheap hinges you find on things like the Latitude X1.

On a note of agreement, it's definitely not for everyone. I'd only recommend it to: students, people in the medical field, teachers and designers. I own a fujitsu t4200 myself, and I've had some regrets about buying it, but I am satisfied overall.

ah yes, you are totally right, i forgot about the slate ones! mind if i add what you wrote into the guide?

Sure, the guide is great. Eliminates about half of the posts on the forum, haha.

wow..thanks muchos!

you meant a t4020? i've just decided to get it.. until i saw what you wrote lol. do you mind telling me what are your regrets? thanks.

Yeah, 4020. Too lazy to check for typos.
Here are my regrets, as a third year English major:
I tend to have at max two classes a day, so two paper notebooks are still lighter than the tablet.
I don't use the search function in OneNote that often.
I have to carry around a power cord on days where I need it for more than 3 hours.
The paperless dream went out the door because sometimes you just need the version of the book the professor asks for (when referencing page numbers, etc.), not to mention some professors and their ridiculous amounts of handouts.
I find myself playing freecell and spider solitaire in class a lot. Then again, I could just be doodling.
It cost me 2200 dollars that I could've spent elsewhere.

Now, I am not completely dissatisfied with it, as I tend to take it home on the plane with me on trips to see my parents. But, that advantage is of a laptop itself. Although the rotating screen is cool and all, I'm not sure if I could justify the 100-200 dollar premium I paid for the tablet functionality. Also, it can't run the Half-Life 2 engine very well, haha.

i wish i read this earlier

my dad got me the s58 vaio and i dislike it so much for many reasons

I read through the entire guide. It's very well written. Good job!

augh, I feel like I bought a crappy laptop after reading this. TT_TT''. My dad said he'd get me a laptop for christmas, and I got the HP Pavillion zd8000. >___>". I should have gotten the Sony Vaio RC210G desktop thing instead!!! <-- its so pretty!!. XD, I was just staring at it in Costco. AUGHHHH. *angery*

It helps the battery life to turn down the screen brightness.. and turning off the wireless network card, if ya have one..

^ yeah, turning down the screen brightness definitely saves battery life although i found some stuff on my screen looked kinda wierd after i did it. besides turning off the wireless i downloaded an online software called "notebook hardware control 1.9 beta 03". forgot which site i got it off of, but i'm sure if u google it, u'll find it. i don't know if it works for all notebooks. i have a fujitsu and it extended by battery life for an extra hour more than i usually get. hope that helps!

I just ordered a pretty sweet Dell Inspiron 6000



Inspiron 6000
Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Home Qty: 1
Unit Price: $1,018.00
Inspiron 6000 Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (1.73GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB)


Display 15.4 inch WXGA LCD Panel
15XGA

Memory 512MB Shared DDR2 SDRAM 2 Dimms
512MB2D

Graphics Card 128MB DDR ATI's MOBILITY™ RADEON X300 PCI Express x16 Graphics
128DS

Hard Drive 40GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
40GB

Genuine Windows® XP Home
WHXP

Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
INTNIC

Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
ADOBER

CD/DVD Drives Free! 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer write capability
8XDVDRP

Wireless Networking Cards Intel® PRO 2915 and Dell 350 Bluetooth Internal Wireless Cards
I2915BT

Productivity Software No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
ICOREL

Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
NS

Digital Music Musicmatch by Yahoo! Music - Basic music software
MMBASE

Battery 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery (53 WHr)
6BAT

Dell Service & Support Plans 1 Year On-site Economy Plan
BE1OSP

Digital Imaging Corel Photo Album™ 6 Starter Edition - Organize and Edit your photos
DPS

Mail- In Rebate None
NONE


Operating System Re-Installation CD PC Restore recovery system by Symantec
PCR

Save $200 on select Inspiron 6000 notebooks through the Small Business division.
Expires on 2006-03-09 12:30:00 - $200.00

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND COUPONS

Small Business customers get 2nd-Day Delivery Shipping for only $39 on Dell Notebooks!
Expires on 2006-12-31 12:30:00 - $13.00



Sub-Total $818.00
Shipping Discount -$13.00

Shipping $39.00

Estimated Tax $78.71
State Environment Fee $0.00
More Info
Total $935.71


Don't really need that much that much HD space, I'll use external usb memory sticks when I want to watch movies. 15.4 lcd screen, the weight doesn't bother me that much. DVD burner would be nice, though I'll probably wont be using it. I'll be using my laptop mostly for PowerPoint presentation and watching movies, so the bluetooth will be useful when I sync it with my W800i as a remote control. The 128 mb ATi radeon will is for watching movies when I'm at work. =D

god thanks for this notebook/laptop buying guide!!
it's really helpful:D

hey thanks for the guide. That was a great help.

I wanna add that IBM, Lenono now, makes some of the best laptop. I'd rather pay more for a rugged buid laptop that would last for a while than for it to break down after a year or so of usage.

thx

^ The E17xx might be too big for you.. it's a 17" desktop replacement.. meaning it's the heaviest model Dell has, the biggest, and most likely, the weakest battery life. It'll matter depending on how mobile you are.

do you do any gaming? that might matter as it'd require a video card. the E1705 mentioned above has none, but the model can be configured with a very good one (which would most likely put it over the $1200 limit).

the Inspiron 6000 has the ATi x300 card, which is very low end, but is at least dedicated. The Inspiron 6000 should be lighter and offer better battery life than the E1705.

the E1505 link doesnt work.. but in general, the E1505 is the "replacement" of the Inspiron 6000. the 6000 uses last year's Intel Sonoma chip.. while both E models are using the new Intel Duo Core.. but for most people, they won't really utilize the duo cores or notice much of a difference between them and the previous chip.

oo i don't game.
and since the prices are fairly close...inspiron 6000- $1022 and inspiron E1505- $1086

which would u rather choose?

and THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!! u have no idea...thanksss

hmm probably the E1505. they are basically the same chassis, but the E1505 is a generation newer. I personally don't like Dell but if your mom can get a good value for it, go for it!

as for the keyboard thing.. i can't help you with that as people have differing preferences.. you think you can find a store around your area that has some dell models for you to try typing on? I tried the 6000 before, pretty standard keyboard.

hey srrry
ONE last question:

which do you think is the better deal for the INSPIRON E1505?

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/f...s=19&l=en&s=dhs

the $1086 one...or the $729 one...or the $679 one

i can't decide cus the $1086 one has more features....but i dunno if it's worth $357 extra..or $407 extra
wat would u do personally??

Thank you sooo muchhh

729 one seems good enough to meet your modest needs. if you download alot.. its cheaper to buy external HD or an external DVD burner rather than to upgrade the Notebook's one, when you need space.

btw, is this going to be your only computer, or do you still have a desktop you're going to use?

oo im still gonna be using desktop...but when im away ill be using laptop.

but i was just wondering...cus 729 does not include the anti-virus stuff...or the microsoft word....

the thing is, the anti virus, word, etc they give you are all trial editions so they're going to expire anyways.

but now that you told me you still have a desktop.. i'm glad that you no longer considered the E1705, its not exactly something you wanna take when you want to be mobile..

if you want something lighter like the Inspiron 710M, its a bit lighter and the screen is 12" widescreen.. versus the 15.4" on the E15xx

are you a college student by any chance? I couldn't tell from your bday, it was listed as ..,1908 . But if you are in college, you can take advatage of this EPP offer and get 10% off:

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/segmenter....n&s=eep&cs=2245

About EPP (Student at College):
------------------------------
1. If you don't have logon id, select the line said "If you do not know your member ID, you can enter the store by clicking here."
2. At some point, you will have a chance to select "Higher Education..." as your EPP
3. At the end (when you check out), you will HAVE TO provide a COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY name and Student/Staff ID.

i got this off Fatwallet and haven't test it out myself, but it's worth a look. You should go for the smaller/lighter laptop as you already have a desktop like Range said...your back will thnk you.

oh im choosing a laptop just like SatinDoll
my question is :
Is the Intel® Dual CoreTM Processor a lot better than PEntium M (of the inspiron 6000)
and between HP that has Intel® Dual CoreTM Processor and Dell 6000 that has Pentium M which one would u choose?
i dont game lol
but i dl a lot of movies T.T so my harddrive often runs out really quick
thanks a lot ^^

Dual Core is useful if you are a heavy multi tasker.. other wise for the average modest user, they probably won't notice the difference. It does seem that Dual Core versions of the same laptop, tend to get slightly better battery life. In the case above, the Dual core version costed only slightly more so one might as well move up to it.. other wise in your case, if there was a big price difference, you might want to opt on choosing the older Pentium M and using the saved money on a bigger hard drive or dvd burner so you can store the stuff you d/l

oh thanks Range ur such a big help *hugs Range*
okay ill get the 6000 then ^^ and how much is an external hd btw? (like the average cost)
also thanks to userid!! i used ur link and saved quite a bit =D they didnt require me to provide any student ID tho o.O

You should get the 6400 instead, its only a marginal price in hardware and you wouldn't be buying an already out of date piece of hardware.

why should she bother with a video card? she doesn't game. if the 6400 is roughly the same price then yes it would be better getting that like I already said.

as for external HDs. depends what size, you can check NewEgg.. or you can upgrade the internal HD inside the Inspiron, however keep in mind external HDs cost less than their notebook counterpart.

okay thanks so much!! i ordered it already ^^

I like personally like the huge maxtor one. 3oo gigs to store anime, dramas, music, & still backup your files. I think they go for 2 to 3 hundred bucks. It's generally a buck a gig.

im considerng getting a laptop in the near future. those tablet ones i think where you can flip them and write them. anyone recommend a name? or type or anything? im computer limited

What are you talking about? The 6400 has the low end video card, Intel Integrated. (FYI 6400 is branded as e1505 at Home)

I think you are confusing it with the 9400. (FYI 9400 is branded as e1705 at Home)


All I was saying, that if you are going to be buying a laptop now, get the Core Duo Models, improvement in performance and battery life. (So they say)

And the difference between the models (6000 vs 6400) is about 20-70 bucks on dell. Right now you can get the 6400/e1505 with a free printer for only 680 bucks. Or get the 6000 is only 649 bucks. Only ~30 dollars difference.

I actually have a Compaq laptop in mind because it seems really cheap.. saw one for $1000 (excluding tax) at Best Buy.. but I would like to hear some feedback on this brand. My Bro suggested iBook to me because he said it's really cheap. I think iBook looks really nice too but I am not sure since it's Mac. I actually rarely use Mac.. the last time was probably 2 years ago so I can't really remember the difference, advantages/disadvantages compared to Windows. I am actually just worried about transferring files (such as word documents) from Mac to my desktop PC.. since I think it supports different file extensions? So experts.. please give me some advice on non Mac or Mac? I also see a lot of my professors and other faculty instructors use iBooks/Powerbooks.

I am only looking for something not too expensive (as cheap as possible,lol), light, and small.. and I guess a nice appearance too. I only want it so I can use it at school during my breaks so I probably won't need any fantastic functions.

ibooks being cheap? most current model macs, whether it is ibook or powerbook, carry a pretty hefty price tag. But they're also built very well, a signature of most Asus designed laptops. There's some overlap between Compaq and HP models as several are virtually the same thing. Other wise if you're not in a hurry, I'd suggest waiting a little longer.. Lenovo has released a new line that's seperate from the former IBM Thinkpad, which will be both cheap (aimed towards the lower end market) while supposedly maintaining the quality build of the Thinkpad line. It should come under $1000. With your modest needs, you could settle for a Celeron M or Intel Core "Single". Dell will also have some 12" models that should come under $1000 if you're using the coupons... unfortunately I haven't kept up with Dell's offerings and Xarthan would probably answer that one better. But if you can wait, then wait.. i also don't see any reason for you to go to Mac OS either, most faculty seem to use it (at least in my last school) simply because that's what the school sells, and they can get good discounts.. as well as being "simpler" for them.

i need a laptop and after stalkin all the laptop gurus i know, imma down with 3 choices - toshiba, fujitsu, and apple G4.

the thing is, i honestly do not see anythin i fancy from fujitsu, and imma secretly in love with the G4, but just one problem, i gotta start learnin how to use OS X. i read about 39257 reviews on G4, and it score a 8 out of 10, which is pretty high, and i think imma gonna buy it in another 5 hours time.

should i buy it honestly?

can i do clubbox and bitcomet on G4 too? PLEASE TELL ME if eu are a G4 user. thanks <3

which powerbook G4 are you aiming for? the 12" or 17" model? big difference there. Fujitsu's equivelent to the 12" models are the Fujitsu S series, while their equivelent to the 17" models are the N6xxx series. Clubbox and bitcoment aren't exactly demanding programs.. and i'm not sure what exactly you're looking in the Fujitsu that doesn't make it fancy.. however I highly reccomend you do not get Toshiba. Apple's and Fujitsus are one of the better built machines out there, very sturdy.. Apple has a tendency to use carbon fiber and aluminum in the chasis and lid, while Fujitsu tends to use magnesium.. much sturdier than any Toshiba model which primarily is ABS plastic. A better 3rd alternative would be Asus.. they are the ODM of Apple so the quality is similar..but they are cheaper and windows based.. some of their designs like the W2V look just like an Apple. Asus offers a wider range of models so you got more choices there.

bitcomet is a windows program and I believe they have not made a mac version of it.

Do you think a 13.3inch screen is big? That wouldn't be very portable right?

thanks ALOT. i apologize for makin another topic on this just now.

i was hopin to get the 12inch one. is it good?

the thing about fujitsu is that i dun see fujitsu S series in japan so yeahs.

ultimately depends on each person. not too many brands out there make models in the 13.3 size.. off the top of my head.. Sony and Asus have 13" widescreen models, while Fujitsu has a 13" standard ratio model.

they're usually around 4lbs. For some that's pretty small and portable.. for others, they are comfortable lugging around a 14 and even 15.4" model. Your best bet is to go to CompUSA or a similar store and spend some time on models of different sizes to see which you're comfortable with.

ah you're in Japan? you'll probably have more choices (and probably newer models) than what the US has to offer.

In Japan, the Fujitsu S series is the MG series.
http://www.fmworld.net/product/hard/pcpm05...m=fmv_rightmenu
I reccomend the model with the AMD Turion processor with a 13.3 screen. It should be a good value for your money.

I believe Asus also sells in Japan, but not sure what model they have available there.. 12" models are the W5 and M5 series, 13" is the W6 and W7 series. 3 of them have recently been upgraded to use the new Intel Duo Core cpu.

IBM also has two 12" models and are probably among the best built laptops out there in the world, also very light.. but they don't have optical drives so you might want to consider an external one if you choose them.

I heard NEC is pretty good, but since its not available in the US, I can't comment too much on them other than that their 12" model is the LaVie G, type J.

so, i cant use clubbox on G4?

god. thanks.

sorry, not sure on clubbox as i never used it before