After a lot of angst I've finally bought myself the second laptop of my life. The first was a Mac PowerBook 145b which I used an abused for several years, biking though Stockholm with the laptop strapped to the back of the bike. Then, for many years, I've been a desktop person. Until now.
I ended up buying a LG LW25 Core 2 Duo ultraportable laptop.
It is so brand new it just barely exists on the net yet. The link above has Swedish text.
The specs:
- 12.1" WXGA (1280 x 800)
- 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600
- 1 GB RAM (just upgraded it to 2 GB)
- 80 GB P-ATA disk at 4200 rpm (1.8")
- Intel 945GM + ICH7-M chipset
- Intel GMA950 graphics
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Intel Pro/Wirless 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
- DVD Super-Multi (DVD-R/RW, +R/RW, RAM) Dual Layer
- 1.86 Kg
- GOOD KEYBOARD
Another problem with laptops in this range is the screen. They normally have too few pixels. I have good eyesight, so I want lots of pixels. Unfortunately, most laptops in this range gives you 1024 x 768 pixels, which is just a disgrace. The Thinkpad X60S has this problem, for example. I have 1280 x 800, which is great!
Other producers try to avoid the size/weight problem by moving the DVD player out of the box. The ACER Ferrari 1005WTMI tries this stunt, but I want my DVD player built in, goddammit!
The LW25 has a slightly slow HD at 4200 RPM, but that is just about its only weakness.
So, with this setup I get a large 20" screen at work and a small but very very capable 1.9 Kg laptop I can carry home. In short, the ultimate laptop.
Oh, it looks great too, and is Linux friendly. I booted Ubuntu 6.10, and I got wireless working after just a minute of looking through the menus.