How to Shop for a Core Duo Laptop

I tried to compare models with similar configurations – same screen size, same hard disk size. Available in Canada as of March 8, 2006...

Dell Inspiron 6400
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4” display 1280x800
Intel GMA 950 w/512MB shared video memory
1GB memory
100GB hard drive
1.4” high
6.2 lbs
$1,219

Toshiba Satellite A100 (PSAA9C-JH200E)
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4” display 1280x800
ATI Radeon X1400 w/128MB
1GB memory
100GB hard drive
1.6” high
6.0 lbs
$1,999

Sony FE-Series (VGNFE550G)
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4” display 1280x800
Intel GMA 950 w/224MB shared video memory
1GB memory
100GB hard drive
1” high
6.2 lbs
$2,000

Apple MacBook Pro
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
15.4” display 1440x900
ATI Radeon X1600 w/128MB
1GB memory
100GB hard drive
1” high
5.6 lbs
$2,539

Lenovo ThinkPad T60 (20075HU)
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
15” display 1400x1050 (not Widescreen)
ATI Radeon X1300 w/64MB
512MB memory
100GB hard drive
1.0” high
5.4 lbs
CD-RW drive (not a DVD burner)
WinXP Pro (not Home Edition)
$2,809

Core Duo laptops from Hewlett-Packard are conspicuously absent in Canada!!


So here’s the bottom line:

If you want THIN, Sony, Apple and Lenovo are your choices. Not coincidentally, they tend to be the most expensive.

If you want VALUE or the LOWEST PRICE, Dell is a slam-dunk.

If you want PERFORMANCE, Apple and Lenovo are good with the 1.83GHz Core Duo and high resolution screens. Not surprisingly, they're the most expensive.

If you want Widescreen, Lenovo is NOT your choice.

If you want to run Windows Vista some day, Toshiba and Lenovo are your only choices. (Stay away from "integrated graphics!")