Kitaeru

My old laptop (a Compaq Evon600c) decided to crash on me back in June and I haven't been able to bring it back up; I'm pretty sure the motherboard is shot. But that's an excuse to get a new laptop, which I was wanting to do anyway.
I don't want to get another Compaq and I don't want an HP - never have much cared for Compaq and I have friends who have HPs and don't like them.

Mostly the laptop is going to be used for graphics, writing, music and video playback, and music composition (with GuitarPro 5). I used to do some gaming - would still like to if I get some free time - but with work and my band it's not something I'll be doing often if at all.

I've been looking around and I'm thinking my best bet is this.

It's got the space, memory, and processor speed that I need (I'd like a little more of each, but since I don't absolutely need it, this will do); it's within my budget ($800); and it can be downgraded to WinXP.
The operating system was where I've been running into problems finding a good laptop, because most laptops only come with Vista now - if I can avoid it, I absolutely do NOT want to get one with Vista. A friend needed help with her new laptop and since I'm the only one of my group of friends who has any knowledge with computers, she came to me. Her laptop runs Vista. I hate it. With a passion. That was the first time I've ever been unable to help a friend with their computer problems.

Anyway, Vista rant out of the way, would Toshiba be a good laptop to go with? I've never used a Toshiba before and I'm not sure how good they are. I'd like to know before I buy, so I'm not replacing my laptop 6 months down the road.

Opinions (or suggestions) will be appreciated!

Kill Bill

Computer seems a little heavy and big for the resoultion of the monitor as a 13.3 can fit 1280x800.

heres a 12.1TFT Acer http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834115398 for 940$. And it's 4.7ibs which is good for everyone. I would like to say prehaps normal macbook with xp on bootcamp but then everyone will just eat me.


Heres an ASUS for 1,500$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220259 seems sexier but if you don't mind design might as well get acer

Anyway it's up to you

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Hell a good fart could blow you over in this country - TFT

Kitaeru

I appreciate the response. Heavy doesn't bother me, since for the most part I won't be taking it with me anywhere (not that I go out much). I'm going for a laptop rather than a desktop since I can move the laptop around the house easier...
If my budget were higher, I would consider one of those, but $800 is my absolute limit with my budget - I don't make much at my job and I have a vet bill coming up, along with having to pay for GED testing.

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DMGrier

Well that isn't a lot of money but I can understand where you are coming from. Go get a dell. Now a Lot of people on here might disagree with Dell but I have had three and the first one is 6 years old (gave to my parents and runs like the day I got it), then I bought a dell laptop that is going on four years and still runs great. And my new one I bought a year ago has had no problems. You can build a Dell inspiron with a 2.0 Ghz dual core CPU, 4 GB memory and 320 GB Hard drive for 825$ with a one year warrenty. And if that is to much then down grade your memory to 3 GB and/or Hard drive to a 250 GB. Best I can do for you.

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ASUS EEE 1005HA
OS: Windows XP
CPU: Intel Atom 1.6 Ghz
RAM: 1 GB DDR2 667MHz
GPU: Intel XGMA 950
HHD: 160 GB