Laptop (and bag) for Bschool...

I'm in the minority that doesn't like/want a Lenovo and the HP dv2500 seems to be very popular. It has mixed reviews on notebookreview.com though. Anyone purchase one of these?

The things I don't like about the dv2500 it's weight and that it's screen. The HP weighs a lot for a 14.1" computer, and it's not nearly as solidly built as the Lenovo T61. The two weigh about the same; I know where the extra weight is going on the Lenovo (top and bottom roll cages, HD accelerometer & rock solid build); the HP is heavier because it's using cheaper materials.

The screen is the real problem for me though. 1280x800 just isn't high enough resolution for a 14.1" screen. That resolution is great on 12.1" screens, but the 14.1" could use more detail. A lot of the competition has 1440x900 screens available; I think that's perfect for the screen size. Opinions differ though, some people find the text too small, but to me it looks really sharp.

It's wrong to compare the HP2500dv with the T61. The former is a consumer Laptop and the latter is a business notebook. The difference between quality is like night and day. If you want to compare the HP with the T series, compare the HP-Compaq business lineup ex: HP Compaq 6910b.

I completely agree. If one were to compare the T61 I would say its HP counter part is the nc8430. Which is the computer I will be using this up coming year.

I'm not comparing the two. I just stated that I didn't want the Lenovo like everyone else.

Yes, yes, consumer and business laptops are entirely different. I get it. Pelihu had a great point about the resolution of the HP. I'm going to get a Dell just because it does offer the higher resolutions.

Just want to share that I bought an external slim USB 2.0 DVD+/- dual layer drive by Star Tech for my Lenovo x61s. It's very light and portable. No power adapter required for CD/DVD-ROM use. Compatible with Vista.Weighs 12 oz. I am very happy with it. I'd probably leave it at home most of the time, not planning to lug it around.

You can not go wrong with a Lenovo x-series laptop. I currently have an x41 and an x41 tablet and have an x60s from work. All of these models are phenominal. the x41 weighs only 4 pounds and is smaller than my notebooks for school.

hth,
- tsd

In case you are still looking for a good laptop but dont want to spend more than $1000:

https://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite ... 000OM953M/

Just to update - I bought the X60 from my school's computer store. I really like the weight (slightly heavier than a feather) and battery life (6 to 8 hours).

I also bought a Samsung external DVD-drive from the net. Although it is slightly troublesome when I need to use the external drive (e.g. to install s/w), I can live with it. Actually, I don't think I would use it very frequently (especially once school starts). That's why I chose one of the cheapest (yet it seems to have the best specs by my standard - thin and light, and can be powered off USB).

Total cost - $1490.

I totally agree. I ridiculous to see people comparing T6X with all the consumer grade HP Laptops. I just got the 6810p and I absolutely love it.

I have a Vaio for sale if anyone is interested.

I have a 1 year old nc8430 and it's a pretty good laptop. The only problem is that the exhaust is located on the left hand side of the machine (if you're a lefty) and the computer can run a bit hot if you're using a resource intensive program. If you get the extended battery you'll be fine...the regular battery lasts approx. 2.5-3 hours with normal use (word, multiple windows etc). The one nice thing about the HP is that it has a better graphics card than the lenovo's (for general use) and so you can always play video games

Anybody out there getting by on either a MID and UMPC for on campus tasks and parking the laptop at home for work?

I dont think UMPC makes sense. It will be very diffiuclt to do excell problems on UMPC. Its just to small!

For excel type applications, you need real estate on ur screen.

laptop dead. sad. thank god for back up. pursuing warranty.

crap. finals.

Every bad thing possible has happened to you since school started. I'd start crying if my computer died.

I know, it's weird. My friend today asked me how i manage to survive. This was after I poured coffee into a defective cup, which spilled all over. Then I knocked over part of my new cup, then got my pants caught on the desk while trying to sit back down. I have days -- entire weeks, really -- where i should be confined to a bubble for my safety and that of others.