[wsx123]

I'm looking at entry level laptops. I have found a gateway,dell and toshiba all with 100GB hard drives, 1GB memory and Windows vista. The toshiba and gateway have 1.6 dual core intel processors. The Dell in the same price range has an AMD turion 64 2ghz that is not dual core.
1) Is Windows vista premium better than the basic home?
2) I have had a dell desktop but this would be my first new laptop. How are these 3 brands as far as repairs and being trouble free?

[Advertisements]

Dell and toshiba are pretty good dont know much about gateway other than they sell computers in what look like giant cartons of milk. Premium is alot better than basic, basic doesnt have aero or half the decent new features if you are using home basic stick with XP or use linux youll have more fun.

Without a better break down of the specs and dimensions i cant help you more, ild just pick whatever looks better to you are gets better reviews if you can find some.

[warriorscot]

Dell and toshiba are pretty good dont know much about gateway other than they sell computers in what look like giant cartons of milk. Premium is alot better than basic, basic doesnt have aero or half the decent new features if you are using home basic stick with XP or use linux youll have more fun.

Without a better break down of the specs and dimensions i cant help you more, ild just pick whatever looks better to you are gets better reviews if you can find some.

[wsx123]

gateway
Specifications:

Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Mobile Processor T2060 (1.60GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2MB L2 Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium (32-bit) w/ Home Backup CD2
Microsoft® Works 8.5
$250 instant savings (reflected in price, limited time promotion)
Features Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology3
1024MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (2-512MB module)
80GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive4
4-in-1 media card reader (Memory Stick®, MemoryStick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™)
Integrated 24x/10x/24x CD-RW / 8x DVD-ROM combo drive
Notebook Value Service Plan -- 1 year parts/labor/no on-site/1 year technical support5
One type II PC card slot
(4) USB 2.0, VGA, S-Video (TV Out), IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
15.4" WXGA TFT Active Matrix (1280 x 800 max. resolution)
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Full-size keyboard and EZ Pad® pointing device
Integrated sound and stereo speakers, headphone/speaker jack, and microphone jacks
Primary 6-cell lithium-ion battery with AC pack and 1 yr. limited battery warranty
Integrated V.92 56K modem
Integrated Marvell® 10/100 Ethernet adapter
Six months America Online® Internet access6
Integrated Intel® 802.11a/b/g wireless networking card
Adobe® Acrobat Reader® 7.0 and Google Toolbar
toshiba
Processor
Processor brand ?

Intel®
Processor type ?

Pentium Dual Core
Processor speed ?

1.6GHz
Bus Speed ?

533MHz
Level 2 cache

1MB
Memory
RAM

1GB
Memory Type (RAM)

533MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-4200)
RAM expandable to:

4GB
Storage/Drives
Hard Drive Speed

5400RPM
Hard drive size ?

100GB
Burns DVDs

Yes
Graphics and sound
Screen size

15.4"
Maximum screen resolution

1280 x 800
Video memory

256MB
Video Memory Type

Shared
Ports
USB 2.0 ?

4
FireWire ?

0
Infrared port ?

No
PC card

Yes
Express Card

No
S-video Out

Yes
Media card slot

Yes
VGA

Yes
TV tuner ?

No
Internet/networking
Dial-up Modem

Included
Ethernet

Yes
Wireless

802.11b/g
Bluetooth

No
Built-in Webcam

No
General features
Warranty Parts

12 Months
Warranty Labor

12 Months
Dimensions
Height

1.5 inches
Width

14.2 inches
Depth

10.5 inches
Weight

6.0 lbs.

dell
AMD Turion™ 64 Mobile Technology MK-36
FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium with 1GB of memory
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA Display
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz, 2 Dimm
60GB Hard Drive
24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
ATI RADEON® Xpress1150 256MB HyperMemory™ (Integrated)
My Accessories
29 WHr 4-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card (54Mbps)
My Software
No productivity suite- Includes Microsoft Works 8. DOES NOT INCLUDE MS WORD
No Security Subscription
No Pre-Installed Software
My Service
1Yr Ltd Warranty and At-Home Service
6 Months America Online Internet Access Included
Also Includes
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 7.08
Inspiron E1501
Windows Vista™ Basic
Integrated Audio

[warriorscot]

The gateway has slightly better memory than the other too offering faster but thats easily upgradable the Dell offers a superior graphics chipset ATI stuff is alot better than the intel even though its lower end. The toshiba doesn't have what graphics it uses listed.

From what you gave me there i would go for the dell but some of the dells are butt ugly and the Toshiba's can be easier on the eyes.

[Hemal]

I agree with warriorscot- for laptop's, ive always trusted dell and their support is the best there is out there in terms of coverage and even phone support even though it can be hard to understand them half the time- I would make sure you have the best processor you can afford and ATLEAST 1 Gig of Ram. Also if you can get an upgraded video card in that dell it would be great because the integreated means its taking away from your system ram (that 1 gig) and using it so I would really say its a great upgrade

A bigger battery if you desire to stay unplugged for a little longer, but definately the last upgrade of your machine right now

[wsx123]

The Dell offers a dual core processor for more money. Is a 1.6 dual core better than the standard amd which I think is 2.0 Ghz single core?

[warriorscot]

Well alot of the AMDs around now are dual core they came out with them first and they were much better for a long time if it says X2 its dual core and you can always look up the exact model.

When it comes to laptops get the best you can on things you cant upgrade, memory and hard drives can be upgraded so can batteries so they are secondary CPU and graphics are the best things to invest in.