[redoak]

I am looking for a laptop that is light weight, has a screen that is at least 15" and consists of quality components. It will be used as a temporary replacement for my very good Asus that I use as a desktop, should the latter need servicing. Furthermore, I want to be able to take it outdoors some 50' from where a router will be placed so that in the summer I can "tune in" major league baseball games, handle e-mail, and browse the Internet. Computing speed and storage capacity can be minimal, just so they are very adequate for the operating system, which I expect will be "Ws 7." I am not interested in a "Mac" nor in Linux, which is over the head of this 80 year old!

Your suggestions will be appreciated.
{redoak}

[etaf]

do you have a budget - often light and small come at a price

like sony
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-e-series

[redoak]

Etaf: Thanks for the reply. The "Vaio" models probably cost more than I would want to pay. I couldn't access pricing, since the site was expecting a UK address.

Lightness really isn't that critical come to think of it. I will only be "carting" it outdoors to the shade of a tree in my front yard! What would be important would be how long the battery held up. I would like that to be some three hours, while simply looking at a ball game. There is at least one site where US major league ball games are available for Internet access for FREE, no less! An aside: I would also look at night games indoors, since I do not own a TV and never have. Besides, cable doesn't reach me! I just recently went to HughesNet satellite service.

Would there be a brand(s) you would feel comfortable recommending where I could find what I am looking for for not more than $500? I don't want his "toy" to "break the bank!" That is not a firm figure but I would need good reason to go higher.

Thanks for your assistance,
{redoak}

[etaf]

yes, I had the same problem with a www.sony.com - pointed me back to uk

no particular make - just the major brands really - i have a couple of toshiba and the batt life is not great around an hour, so cant help with batt life - other than look at specs - but you really want someone here who has experience good batt life to recommend - hopefully they will soon

[redoak]

Thanks. I will certainly wait for more responses.

{redoak}

[1002richards]

Hi redoak,
For my first laptop I bought a refurbished ex-corporate model from Ebay but from a seller with real premises near where I live - to try before I bought, and not to get ripped off. The machine was approx 18months old so the corporate guys thought it ancient! That way I got a higher spec for the same price.
So perhaps when you've got a short list of possible models you could try something similar?
I also got (paid for) after sales help.

Richard

[redoak]

Thanks for the idea. I will go catalog shopping and then go to ebay. Have never dealt thru them, but there is always a first time for everything.

{redoak]

[redoak]

I have been impressed with the HP "G60t" series computer(s). They are customizable to some extent. My choices, with one option to go, will cost $633.98, with free shipping. I went for the 12 cell extended life battery that added $79 to the base cost.

It is the graphics card about which I need advice. See the attachment for a screen shot of the options offered. I will not be into videos or games. However, I want to watch baseball games via the Internet, so this is the primary consideration in choosing a card.

I will appreciate your help,
{redoak}

A recovery "Ws 7" CD is provided FREE. That really caught my eye.

[redoak]

The "machine" I am seriously considering can be perused at the link below. I have chosen one or two upgrade options, but for the most part the standard characteristics apply.

Obviously, this is NOT a low powered computer!! I don't know why I used that term in my Thread title, except at the time I wasn't thinking long term when my present Asus with "XP" might need to be replaced.

{redoak}

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...ng/G60t_series

[redoak]

My present Asus has a 17" screen. I decided I did not want to go back to a 15", so I now have put together a HP G71t with the specs below.

I upgraded the processor to a dual core Intel, which the Asus has. The HDD and RAM standard sizes are larger than in the Asus, so no upgrade there. For what ever reason, there is a small charge for the Ws' recovery CD. The 12 cell battery costs the same as for the G61t at $75.

I believe the $738 total gives me more than the $105 difference over the G61t.

Your comments will be appreciated.

{redoak}

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HP G71t customizable Notebook PC
HP G71t customizable Notebook PC

VR348AV


* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T6600 (2.2GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
* Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader and HDMI
* 17.3" diagonal HD+ High-Definition HP LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
* SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* FREE Upgrade to Webcam + Microphone
* Wireless 802.11b/g/n Card
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Integrated 56K Modem
* $10 OFF! System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Estimated build date: March 15, 2010

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HP 12-cell Extended-Life Battery (EV12)
HP 12-cell Extended-Life Battery (EV12)

KS526AA

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[etaf]

EDIT
You added to your post - while I was going througn the specs and adding to my post - so graphics is covered


you may want to think about the 4GB memory
A windows 7 expert (which i'm not) would advise - on vista 2GB is the minimum i would run
what is your asus running XP , vista

Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD with 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader and HDMI

Not sure if the free version has HDMI output - in fact this DOES NOT say that it does- unlike the other machine you had - maybe worth finding out ..... if you want to plug into a HD TV

[etaf]

* Integrated 56K Modem

Do you use dialup at all ? - i think the last time I actually used dialup was 6 years ago. even if my broadband went down - i dont have any dialup accounts to use.
BUT its only $10

[Rich-M]

Just to jump in, I have always considered Lenovo the best laptop made and this is one of the best places to buy them:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...689&CatId=4939
I have about 20 clients on this laptop!!!

[redoak]

etaf: I included the dialup modem because satellite has already failed me during a snow storm! I have had Juno FREE installed for some years, so I am set to use it for up to 10 hrs a month, if all else fails! At least I would be able to ck e-mail and make a fast visit to TSG.

{redoak}

[etaf]

etaf: I included the dialup modem because satellite has already failed me during a snow storm! I have had Juno FREE installed for some years, so I am set to use it for up to 10 hrs a month, if all else fails! At least I would be able to ck e-mail and make a fast visit to TSG.

OK, no problem, just wanted to flag in case it was a mistake.....