Travel Technology - Best travel laptop?

I need a new laptop, and thought I'd ask the community for recommendations. Of course, I'll also look at the various magazines and reviews.

In addition to things like product reliability and manufacturer service, the following are important to me, in rough order of priority:

a) Battery life >3 hours (in real life)
b) Very low weight
c) Included optical drive

Also, given the above list, should I look at tablet PCs as well? I haven't worked with one but I understand that they are light. Screen size is not a particularly big deal for me. I am currently using a Compaq Evo 410c, which has a ~10.5" screen, and that's fine (and contributes to the overall small size of the machine).

Here are two options:

One is sub-$1000 and the other is about $1500.

The 12 iBook (http://www.apple.com/ibook/) has a 5 hour advertised battery life (about 4 in actual use), integrated WIFI with antennae built-in, Firewire, 10x7 resolution, 4.5 lbs, a little over an inch thick. CDRW or Combo drive options for optical drive...

The 12 Powerbook (http://www.apple.com/powerbook) (aka the Yao model) is an inch thick, about the size of a letter sheet of paper, full-sized keyboard, 5 hour advertized battery life (agaig, about 4 hours actual), integrated 802.11G WiFi, integrated Bluetooth, USB2, Firewire, DVI video out, Combo drive or CDRW/DVD-RW options, and 4.6 lbs. It has the most features in the smallest space for the money.

New Powerbook models were just released, but the iBook line has not been refreshed in a while. Also, the Powerbook has a G4 processor, and the iBook still has G3s.

Both come with a spectacular suite of applications, including iMovie, iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, iCal, Safari, iChat AV, etc. In addition, Keynote is awesome for presentations and $50 with a rebate right now when you get a new machine. It's forward and reverse compatible with Powerpoint, makes better looking presentations easier.

If I were you, I'd go for the Powerbook. It really sounds like what you're looking for.

[This message has been edited by swise (edited 09-19-2003).]

Sony PCG-TR1A (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009MJDH/104-5611178-2735128?v=glance)... nothing else like it on the market. Not cheap at $1999 but includes WiFi AND a CDRW/DVD. It's d@mn fast for such a small bugger too and battery life can stretch for up to four hours, although playing a DVD will probably have it at about 2 and change. Alternatively the Fujitsu P5000 (http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=P5) is about $400 less although it's larger and weighs about .5 lb more. Battery life should be the same as should performance, and it too includes a combo CDRW/DVD. You really can't go wrong with either one and the form factor is AWESOME for travel. I never take a fullsize notebook anywhere anymore.

[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 09-19-2003).]

Personally, I would suggest looking at the Fujitsu S2000 series (I have one of the early models). For me, the price / weight / screen size / performance is a good deal.

For something lighter, look at the P2000 series for a true ultra-light.

I gotten an Acer Travelmate 800, shoped around quite a bit and it fitted everything I wanted and my pricelevel.

I have a Dockingstation for it, so in the morning I just plug it out, put it in my backpack and start off. Battery is with using Word and maybe some email when classes get too boring nearly 4 hours, plus you have a Mulitbay where you can add a second battery. It keeps up great sofar, it is very quiet, I think it is light for a fullsized notebook, it has a nice loud sound (I hear a lot of MP3s and Internetradio on it), I like all the connection possiblities..I just like this notebook. Plus it really looks good! (girls thing...its all about the accesories)

Don't forget the keyboard. Reduced key size and dedicated function keys are usually the first thing to go on smaller laptops(sony has even dumped necessary keys like home, delete, etc!). Don't overlook the importance of ease of typing. I've been very satisfied with my IBM X20. I'm due for a new one this year, and I think I'll actually stick with IBM. The only thing I've missed is the integrated optical drive. I despise carrying a docking station (what's the point of a small laptop then?). The IBM T or R series, I think, includes the drive. Not as sexy as Sony, but I've been pretty happy w/ the X from a travel AND productivity standpoint for two+ years now.

I understand that the IBM T40 has received the top reviews from Laptop and PC Weekly. ScottC, can you chime in on this? Am looking to dump my unreliable Toshiba 5205-S503 pretty soon...

I have had a t40 for a few months now, and it is the best laptop I have ever had. I have both the standrard size battery, and the super-size battery. I haven't played much with the standard size because the super-size one is so good, I can watch 2 full DVD's or if just using standard PC type functions, can get over 5 hours of batt life. Great speed, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (I never use), great screen, and all the PC numbers (mhz, mb, etc) to go with it.

Everyone I know who has one loves it.

Just my $.02.

Abe

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The question isn't "what are we going to do," the question is "what aren't we going to do?" - Ferris Bueller

Ive been curious about tablet PCs but I dont know of any with internal optical drives. Ive been looking for one. It really depends on if you want a superlight notebook. If you are willing to go to the 5 pound or a shade less you probably cant beat the Thinkpad. I have an old one, slightly under 5 lbs (Thinkpad 600) and it is like a tank. Im sure the new ones are even nicer. If you want the real low weight, I have an older Viao from Sony and have also been very pleased with it as far as quality. The TR mentioned above looks like a wonderful machine. Lastly, I have a G4 powerbook in the 12 inch size and it is a really solid machine if you want to use a Mac. It weighs in a bit under 5 pounds with a great monitor for work and movies.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BillMorrow:
Personally, I would suggest looking at the Fujitsu S2000 series (I have one of the early models). For me, the price / weight / screen size / performance is a good deal.

For something lighter, look at the P2000 series for a true ultra-light.</font>

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/thumbsup.gif

I know ScottC owns and regularly uses a Fujitsu as well.

I've owned Fujitsus now for over 2 years, and I can't speak highly enough about these machines. They're amazingly lightweight, solid, and (as if this mattered) beautiful to look at. Plus they go at about a 20% price discount to a comparably equipped ThinkPad.

I believe the new P-5000 series (http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=P5D) would fit you best, given your needs (it's got a 10.6" screen). I personally own an S-6010 (http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=S6), which "tips the scales" at just over 4 pounds, yet includes a DVD-CD/RW combo drive, wireless LAN, Pentium M (none of those cheap Celerons, thank you), and a 13.3" screen.

No matter which series you choose, you won't pay more than $1,600 for a top-of-the-line model, and can get them down as low as $1,400.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have more questions. I'm trying to convert the world, one user at a time. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

Mook

I'm also in the market for a new laptop (primarily to be used in airports and transatlantic flights).

A few questions:
1/ The Toshiba Tecra series supposedly have amazing battery life. Has anyone any experience with them?
2/ Sony also appears to have an impressive battery life. Any owners care to vouch?
3/ WiFi will probably be an important feature for me -- what is the advantage to buying a Centrino chip versus just sticking with the regular pentium and buying a wireless card?

Thanks for your help!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dctorres:
I'm also in the market for a new laptop (primarily to be used in airports and transatlantic flights).

A few questions:
1/ The Toshiba Tecra series supposedly have amazing battery life. Has anyone any experience with them?
2/ Sony also appears to have an impressive battery life. Any owners care to vouch?
3/ WiFi will probably be an important feature for me -- what is the advantage to buying a Centrino chip versus just sticking with the regular pentium and buying a wireless card?

Thanks for your help!</font>

Have (had) several tecra's, if anything the are NOT known for their battery life... I barely get a full movie out of one battery.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Have (had) several tecra's, if anything the are NOT known for their battery life... I barely get a full movie out of one battery.</font>

Really? The M1 claims to get "(up to 6.7 hrs/10+ hrs² with optional Select Bay™ battery"

I had a micron, taller half just bought another one for travel transport1000 and I'm about to buy the next model up.

We haven't had a bit of problem with our microns.

knock wood.

lala

I dont think Tecras could be remotely described as "lightweight" which was one of the conditions in the original post. Toshiba makes the Portege line which is their lightweight line. The companies that I know of that make lightweight machines (what I would call lightweight) are Fujitsu, Sony and Panasonic. This would be machines in the sub 4 pound (maybe closer to 3 pounds for a few of these). At 4-5 pound you can throw on Apple and IBM as well as a few others. I have had experience as have friends of mine with Apple, IBM and Sony. All have been very sound. Have heard good buzz here and in other places about Fujitsu but have no experience. I suggest you cheeck those brands (as well as Panasonic). If you want to see the latest cutting edge in small, lightweight computers, check www.dynamism.com. (http://www.dynamism.com.) They sell Japanese models here in the States. A friend of mine just got the Sony TR from them and loves it. I saw that model in a store in Tokyo earlier this year and it looked great.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dctorres:
Really? The M1 claims to get "(up to 6.7 hrs/10+ hrs² with optional Select Bay™ battery"</font>

Ah yes, with the Select Bay you might get that, but then you also loose the DVD drive...

I am thrilled with my IBM X31. It has very long battery life and a great keyboard and screen. It however lacks a DVD drive.

With the helpful advice of a crtain FT'er who is posting here, I got a P25, it's amonster, but has everything. I love it.

I just got a brand new IBM T40 (couldn't wait another few weeks for the T41 http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif) and it's simply an incredible piece of hardware. I've had Gateway, Compaq, and Dell laptops, and this thing is head-and-shoulders above them. Although IBM has a reputation for being pricey, truth be told, for $2,199 this thing can't be beat (1.6 Ghz Pentium M, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HD, CD-RW/DVD, 1400x1050 screen, 802.11 a/b, Bluetooth, gigabit ethernet, magnesium case).

The 1400 x 1050 SXGA+ screen is incredible ... I'd read a few things about problems with dead pixels (and this screen has a lot of pixels to be potentially dead!), but I'm glad to report mine has none!

If you're looking for a computer with an optical drive, this is the way to go. (If you're looking for an ultraportable with no drive, the IBM X31 is pretty sweet ... some folks at my company have those already, but I insisted I get something with the drive built in).