How to buy a great notebook for $1000 or less
By Jonathan Schlaffer
If you’re in the market for a new laptop and don’t have a fortune to spend on one, it might surprise you to know that a fairly powerful laptop can be had for less than $1,000 and a gaming capable laptop won’t cost more than $1,200.
Overview of features to look for
Don’t settle for less. There are expectations of what you should be getting at the price you are spending and these should not be compromised under any circumstances.
Processor
A dual core processor operating at a speed of at least 1.6GHz, don’t settle for less than an Intel Core 2 Duo or Athlon 64×2 mobile Athlon or Turion processor, it’s your money and should be spent wisely. If you must purchase at a store, don’t let the salesperson talk you into getting a Pentium Dual Core or Celeron processor, these are much slower and aren’t terribly powerful.
Memory
Don’t settle for anything less than 1GB but 2GB is preferred if you are buying a computer with Windows Vista Home Premium or above. Vista Basic is just best avoided at all costs. There will be some give and take here and if you must settle for a laptop with 1GB of memory check the “module configuration” and see if it has 2×512MB modules or 1×1GB module. A single 1GB module means it will be easier to upgrade the memory to 2GB.
Hard Drive
Hard drive space will vary a lot in this price range depending on what the other hardware of the laptop consists of but will generally be between 160GB to 250GB. If possible try to find a laptop with a 7200RPM drive but this may be difficult if you have to comprise anywhere, this will be it and most likely you will have to settle for a 5400RPM drive.
Optical Drive
Dual layer DVDRW drive – that’s the only optical drive you should get, if the laptop has anything but, especially given the ~$1,000 price tag(s) avoid it and look elsewhere. You may even be able to find one with LightScribe support which enables CD/DVD labeling using the optical drive on supported media (the discs must support LightScribe technology for labeling).
In rare cases, it is even possible to find HD-DVD drive equipped laptops at this price but I don’t know of any with Blu-Ray drives.
Display size/resolution
14.1” to 17” widescreen displays, don’t settle for less unless you just want an ultraportable tablet but that will probably cost more than $1,000. Most “ready made” laptops will have 1280 x 800 resolutions for the 14.1” and 15.4” variety and 1440 x 900 for the 17” kind, I would prefer more resolution and there are exceptions but sadly, are not the rule.
Graphics solution
Dedicated graphics, this is where models offered at brick and mortar stores fail miserably and while they may proudly advertise “Equipped with Intel GMA X3100” or “Features nVidia 7150M graphics” these are not discrete solutions and are good for little more than playing back non-HD video, fail.
While there may be the occasional “diamond in the roof” laptop that has a dedicated graphics solution in the store, chances are it will cost well beyond the $1,000 price range and the rest of the hardware probably wouldn’t be worth it. Brick and mortar stores basically sell what I consider “junk” laptops.
You should be looking for something with a Radeon HD2400/2600 or Geforce 8400M GS/GT or Geforce 8600M GS/GT graphics. Online stores will have laptops equipped as such for not much more than $1,000 and in some cases as much as $200 less.
The compromise here is battery life, dedicated graphics solutions use more power than integrated ones use but I prefer more powerful hardware, buy an extra battery or longer life battery if that will bother you. Yes, integrated solutions are just that bad.
Networking/Ports
This will vary a lot as well. Usually you will find between three and four USB 2.0 ports, a variant of WiFi networking (typically b/g but may include a/b/g or b/g/n types), LAN ports and modems are pretty much standard issue, DVI/HDMI ports are becoming more common and are a nice bonus, if you find one with that, go for it, Express card/PC card slot and a memory card reader usually round out the package.
It’s rare to find BlueTooth integrated at this price range but might be possible.
Warranty
Most laptops come with a 1 year manufacturers warranty (Asus laptops feature a two year warranty and one year of accidental damage coverage) and the return policy will vary from retailer to retailer.
Brick and Mortar stores usually offer a 14 day refund/exchange policy as well as offering “Extended warranties,” but these are not usually worth the price you pay. Sadly, some stores will abuse the product before bringing it out of the warehouse by dropping and/or kicking the box but this is rare. Examine the box for dents, tears or other abuse that may be visible, ask for another provided that wasn’t the last one and if it is, see if you can worm something extra out of it, perhaps 10% off the price.
Online stores offer from 14 day to 21 day DOA (dead on arrival) exchanges but WILL NOT offer refunds. Dell offers returns out to 21 days from the invoice (usually the date on which your order shipped).
Example Models
If you are still confused as to what you should be looking for, here are three exceptional models that fit the mold I have laid out.
Everex XT5300T
Standout feature – Geforce 8600M GS graphics card
Athlon 64×2 TK-53 at 1.7GHz (a slightly mundane processor)
Ships with 1GB of memory so must be upgraded with another 1GB immediately (1×1GB, available expansion slot)
Features available secondary hard drive bay
17” “glossy” 1440×900 display
DVDRW drive
Standard issue networking features (WiFi, LAN, modem)
Clocks in at $800 and offers excellent value for the price, considering the hardware you get, especially the graphics, just don’t expect battery life to top an hour. This model is a follow up to last year’s somewhat popular XT5000T which featured the nvidia 7600GS graphics solution, as you can see, this has been upgraded to the 8-series equivalent.
HP DV6770 series
This model ships in two variants, one with an Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor at 1.66GHz (DV6775US) and one with an AMD Turion 64×2 TL-62 processor at 2.1GHz (DV6770SE). The Intel model ships with the standard black/grey case while the AMD version is a “special edition” and ships with a white/silver case. All other features are the same and while there is no “standout feature” both feature an excellent combination of hardware.
Features
Choice of processor/case color, as noted above
3GB of DDR2 memory (one 1GB module, one 2GB module, both memory slots occupied)
250GB 5400RPM hard drive (a smaller 7200RPM drive would be preferred but is not necessary)
Geforce 8400M GS graphics with 256MB of dedicated memory
DVDRW drive with dual layer support
Standard issue networking features (WiFi, LAN, modem)
15.4” “glossy” widescreen display at 1280 x 800 resolution
Blue LED indicators for all functions (I happen to be a fan of blue LEDs, it’s a nice change to the green or orange LEDs that are all so "yawn" common)
Touch sensitive media controls and "quick play" functions offer near instant access to DVDs, music and photos.
Comes in at $999 (after rebates) and is what I would consider a “well rounded” exceptionally priced system and is one of the more stylish designs out there thanks to the HP “imprint” design. If you’re looking for a good combination of features, style and price, this laptop should be on your shopping list.
CyperPower PC Xplorer 7900 series
This is the most expensive laptop of the three but features a gaming class processor, graphics and a 9 cell battery for longer use if you’re away from an outlet.
CyberpowerPC Xplorer X5-7930 series features
Standout feature – Geforce 8600M GT graphics card with 512MB of memory
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 processor at 2.2GHz
2GB of DDR2 memory (2×1GB modules, both slots occupied)
160GB 5400RPM hard drive (being “only” 160GB the 7200RPM variety would have been better)
DVDRW drive with dual layer support
Standard issue networking features (WiFi, LAN, modem)
Fingerprint reader
15.4” “glossy” widescreen display at 1280 x 800 resolution
Ships with 9 cell battery (is not flush with the laptop as most extended life batteries tend to be)
It costs just a shade under $1,200 but just look at that hardware, you could play FEAR (a first person shooter that demands nothing but the best hardware) on it and it would not break a sweat, however, the black version is not exactly pretty to look at. CyberPower laptops are sold at select e-tailers and can be customer ordered directly from Cyberpowerpc.com which offers your choice of case colors, available in blue, green, orange, pink, red or yellow. Newer models may feature the Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 processor.
The laptops listed above and others that didn’t make the list can be found online at Newegg.com and other e-tailers.
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