New lappy for the mother in law... help me decide

[yo4444]

My future M_I_L is looking for a new lappy, and I'm wondering the best deals out there right now. She wants to spend around 1k, and prefers a toshiba, which makes this tough.......... I am also partial to toshibas, as they tend to be solid, reliable laptops, but I'm willing to look at others as well.

I think I'd like her to go a64, but don't think toshiba makes an a64 lappy, so I may go with another brand for that, unless you guys think centrino is the way to go over a64.

She just needs something basic, runs programs for her businesses and does a lot of messaging and such.

this (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7249435&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat600050027&id=1115365992798) looks O.K., but with shared graphics...

or the hp or compaq here (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat22300050001&type=category) a64 lappies..

gimmie your sage advice guys, I'm in desperate need.

[Pinky]

I got the following laptop locally at BB for $800 plus tax (it was $1049 minus $250 instant savings in-store):

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7266139&type=product&id=1117177232856

For under $1000 it's a VERY solid laptop and the screen is just plain awesome. DVD burner and such adds to the value. Check eBay as I'm sure several people got in on the same deal for resale. ;)

[bitethebullet]

i not for sure about either but think real hard about which one cuz if you pick the wrong one you will never hear the end of it.

Godd luck yo4444

[yo4444]

any other suggestions?

[bitethebullet]

homegrown

[yo4444]

anyone?

[Pinky]

homegrown

I'd avoid this unless you're looking to become her tech support.

Averatec is putting out some decent laptops in the budget arena. I know Compusa is carrying quite a few models. My prior laptop was a compact 3250HX-01 averatec. Only upgraded to the Toshiba because of the great price and slight performance boost.

Other makes that have a decent track record for the price are Compaq and HP. Both offer lower end models but they will usually skimp on one or more features (like no DVD burner, less memory, etc).

Maybe www.notebookforums.com would be more helpful?

[yo4444]

so you all suggest going pentium m or centrino, and not a64?
If I could get some good suggestions of what to look for and why, that would help me greatly..
Thanks!

[Edo]

I'd find a decent pentium m laptop if you could. Although the a64 is better.

Totally up to you lol.

[Pinky]

so you all suggest going pentium m or centrino, and not a64?
If I could get some good suggestions of what to look for and why, that would help me greatly..
Thanks!

All the AMD procs I've ever used seem to run hotter than all the Intel procs I've ever used, and this goes for desktops and laptops. I'm back to an Intel in my latest laptop and it runs noticeably cooler for the same level of performance compared to my pervious Athlon-M 2200+.

I don't think either proc is a better performer for what your mother in law would end up using the laptop for.