[CrimsonChas]

So, here I am. I'm stuck. I'm having a laptop/notebook bought as a Christmas gift. This will be for all purposes, internet used. I have a desktop gaming system, so I'm not looking for 'amazing'. Besides, someone else is buying it so I'd prefer to get one of those mainstream basic buys. The thing is, I'm really stuck between two options. I've done research on both and of course, they both have their Ups and Downs. So, I'd be really interested in hearing any personal experience or even your own opinions as to what your choice would be if these were sitting in front of you (even if you wouldn't necessarily buy them).

Here are the two choices:

Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-60

#
Warranty Terms - Labor
1 year limited
#
Product Height
1.7"
#
Product Width
15.7"
#
Product Weight
6.9 lbs.
#
Product Depth
11.5"
#
Processor Brand
AMD
#
Processor
AMD Turion™ X2
#
Processor Speed
2.0GHz
#
Display Type
WXGA+ widescreen TFT-LCD with TruBrite technology (1440 x 900)
#
Screen Size
17"
#
System Bus
800MHz
#
Cache Memory
1MB on die Level 2
#
System Memory (RAM)
3GB
#
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
4GB
#
Type of Memory (RAM)
PC5300 DDR2 SDRAM
#
Hard Drive Type
Serial ATA (5400 rpm)
#
Hard Drive Size
250GB
#
Optical Drive
Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
#
Optical Drive Speeds
4x DVD+R DL; 4x DVD-R DL; 8x8x8 DVD+RW; 8x6x8 DVD-RW; 5x DVD-RAM; 24x16x24 CD-RW
#
Direct-Disc Labeling
Yes
#
Digital Media Reader or Slots
Yes, digital media card reader
#
Graphics
ATI RADEON X1250
#
Video Memory
128-831MB dynamically allocated shared
#
Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
No
#
TV Tuner
No
#
MPEG
Yes
#
Built-in Webcam
No
#
Modem
56 Kbps*
*Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.
#
Networking
Built-in 10/100 Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
#
Wireless Networking
Wireless-B+G
#
Bluetooth-Enabled
No
#
S-Video Outputs
None
#
Speakers
Built-in stereo
#
PCMCIA Slots
1 ExpressCard/34/54
#
USB 2.0 Ports
3
#
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports
None
#
Parallel Ports
None
#
Serial Ports
None
#
Game Ports
None
#
Laptop Weight
Standard (more than 5.5 lbs.)
#
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
#
Pointing Device
Touchpad with enable/disable function
#
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1
#
Included Software
Toshiba DVD Player, Disc Creator, Adobe Acrobat and more
#
ENERGY STAR Qualified
No
#
Color Category
Black

(The biggest turn off for most users that have purchased this laptop is the short battery life, coming in around 2.5 hours.)

HP - Pavilion Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5550

#
Warranty Terms - Parts
1 year limited
#
Warranty Terms - Labor
1 year limited
#
Product Height
1.7"
#
Product Width
14.1"
#
Product Weight
6.1 lbs.
#
Product Depth
10.1"
#
Processor Brand
Intel®
#
Processor
Intel® Core™2 Duo Mobile
#
Processor Speed
1.8GHz
#
Display Type
WXGA high-definition widescreen LCD with BrightView technology (1280 x 800)
#
Screen Size
15.4"
#
System Bus
667MHz
#
Cache Memory
2MB on die Level 2
#
System Memory (RAM)
3GB
#
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
4GB
#
Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR2
#
Hard Drive Type
SATA (5400 rpm)
#
Hard Drive Size
250GB
#
Optical Drive
Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
#
Optical Drive Speeds
Drive speeds not specified
#
Direct-Disc Labeling
Yes
#
Digital Media Reader or Slots
Yes, digital media card reader
#
Graphics
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
#
Video Memory
Up to 358MB
#
Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
No
#
TV Tuner
No
#
MPEG
Yes
#
Built-in Webcam
Yes
#
Modem
56 Kbps*
*Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.
#
Networking
Built-in 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (with RJ-45 connector)
#
Wireless Networking
Built-in 802.11b/g wireless networking
#
S-Video Outputs
1
#
Audio
Altec Lansing
#
Speakers
Built-in stereo
#
PCMCIA Slots
1 ExpressCard/34/54
#
USB 2.0 Ports
3
#
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports
1
#
Parallel Ports
None
#
Serial Ports
None
#
Game Ports
None
#
Laptop Weight
Standard (more than 5.5 lbs.)
#
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
#
Pointing Device
Touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad
#
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1
#
Included Software
HP Photosmart Essentials; muvee autoProducer; Cyberlink DVD Suite and more
#
ENERGY STAR Qualified
Yes


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I've had an HP/Compaq desktop in the past that I pretty much ended up gutting and upgrading everything, in the past. There's always that ongoing battle of Intel versus AMD in my head and I just cannot make my mind up between the two. These both retail in between the $700-$900 range and while I know they are not THE best, they both suit my purpose of a laptop for the time being.

The question is, what gives more bang for the buck? I've heard nothing but great things about Toshiba laptops and I've heard good and bad about HP laptops (and desktops).

I don't care about the bloatware. I'll be getting rid of any software that comes included - that goes for Norton as well. The specs that I do love about them is the Toshiba has an ATI Raedon vid card and the HP display is ridiculous nice for the price range (I've seen it in purpose and not yet seen the 17" Toshiba) - which brings me to the fact that the 17" screen on the Toshiba isn't a selling point for me. I run a network at home and the best installed wireless card will be a huge selling point for me.

So, what do you guys think? Any opinion or personal experience is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

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HP dv5z series - $868.00

Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Processor AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-72 (2.1GHz)
Display 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Memory 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics card ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 Graphics
Hard drive 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Personalization FREE Upgrade to Webcam + Fingerprint Reader from Webcam Only
Networking Wireless-G Card
Modem Port No Modem
DVD/CD drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
Primary battery High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Check this out I don't know what your price range is but this is a pretty good notebook for someone who already has a desktop. I would definitely go with HP, i have one and the notebook is great...
I would go with the Turion over the core 2 mobile, when it comes down to price versus performance the turion wins. Don't get me wrong Intel make s a great CPU but the price is up there, and AMD makes a great processor too. So i would, and have for myself, always gone with AMD and never looked back.

Also a big selling point is HP's outstanding customer service. i E-mailed them on a Sunday afternoon about something and in 2 hours i had a resonce from a real person answering a specific question. you can't beat that.

I saw you went with 3gb of ram on both your configurations...don't bother.
The problem with 3gb is it can't be run in duel channel so you take a big loss from the final GB. For the price you better of going with 2GB. For this you should run vista 32 bit
If price isn't your concern then go with vista 64 and upgrade to 4gb.
The configuration i built for you is 64 bit with 4 gb and that isn't that bad. HP has sales all the time on free upgrades to vista 64 or 4gb of ram. so either way your getting one for free.

check it out and tell me what you think.
ill reply if you have any questions on it

[macattack0037]

HP dv5z series - $868.00

Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Processor AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-72 (2.1GHz)
Display 15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
Memory 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics card ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 Graphics
Hard drive 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Personalization FREE Upgrade to Webcam + Fingerprint Reader from Webcam Only
Networking Wireless-G Card
Modem Port No Modem
DVD/CD drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
Primary battery High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Check this out I don't know what your price range is but this is a pretty good notebook for someone who already has a desktop. I would definitely go with HP, i have one and the notebook is great...
I would go with the Turion over the core 2 mobile, when it comes down to price versus performance the turion wins. Don't get me wrong Intel make s a great CPU but the price is up there, and AMD makes a great processor too. So i would, and have for myself, always gone with AMD and never looked back.

Also a big selling point is HP's outstanding customer service. i E-mailed them on a Sunday afternoon about something and in 2 hours i had a resonce from a real person answering a specific question. you can't beat that.

I saw you went with 3gb of ram on both your configurations...don't bother.
The problem with 3gb is it can't be run in duel channel so you take a big loss from the final GB. For the price you better of going with 2GB. For this you should run vista 32 bit
If price isn't your concern then go with vista 64 and upgrade to 4gb.
The configuration i built for you is 64 bit with 4 gb and that isn't that bad. HP has sales all the time on free upgrades to vista 64 or 4gb of ram. so either way your getting one for free.

check it out and tell me what you think.
ill reply if you have any questions on it