Expert: Bobbert - 11/15/2008

Question
Ok...I'm really slow when it comes to computers. I'm a nursing student starting in Jan. and I need a computer for classes. I will take ALL of my nursing classes online so I need a computer that will run 3-4 browsers quickly at one time. I will downloading the normale amount of software on my computer, but most will be on a external hard dive. I have a buget of 600.00ish dollars. I would like something that is 5lbs or less. Here are a few that I like...please tell me which one is the best choice...or what I should look for when I'm shopping.

1.Toshiba - Satellite Laptop with AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-60 $499.00 best buy
Warranty Terms - Parts1 year limitedWarranty Terms - Labor1 year limitedProduct Height1.5"Product Width14.3"Product Weight5.7 lbs.Product Depth10.6"Processor BrandAMDProcessorAMD Turion™ X2Processor Speed2.0GHzDisplay TypeWXGA widescreen TFT-LCD with TruBrite technology (1280 x 800)Screen Size15.4"System Bus800MHzCache Memory1MB on die Level 2System Memory (RAM)3GBSystem Memory (RAM) Expandable To4GBType of Memory (RAM)PC5300 DDR2 SDRAMHard Drive TypeSerial ATA (5400 rpm)Hard Drive Size250GBOptical DriveDouble-layer DVD±RW/CD-RWOptical Drive Speeds4x DVD+R DL; 4x DVD-R DL; 8x8x8 DVD+RW; 8x6x8 DVD-RW; 5x DVD-RAM; 24x16x24 CD-RWDirect-Disc LabelingYesDigital Media Reader or SlotsYes, digital media card readerGraphicsATI RADEON X1250Video Memory128-831MB dynamically allocated sharedPersonal Video Recorder (PVR)NoTV TunerNoMPEGYesBuilt-in WebcamNoModem56 Kbps*
*Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.NetworkingBuilt-in 10/100 Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)Wireless NetworkingWireless-B+GBluetooth-EnabledNoS-Video OutputsNoneSpeakersBuilt-in stereoPCMCIA Slots1 ExpressCard/34/54USB 2.0 Ports3IEEE 1394 FireWire PortsNoneParallel PortsNoneSerial PortsNoneGame PortsNoneLaptop WeightStandard (more than 5.5 lbs.)Battery TypeLithium-ionPointing DeviceTouchpad with enable/disable functionOperating SystemWindows Vista Home Premium with SP1Included SoftwareToshiba DVD Player, Disc Creator, Adobe Acrobat and moreENERGY STAR QualifiedNoColor CategoryBlack

2.HP - Pavilion Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5800 - Onyx/Chrome $649.00
Warranty Terms - Parts1 year limitedWarranty Terms - Labor1 year limitedProduct Height1.3"Product Width13.2"Product Weight5.2 lbs.Product Depth9.5"Processor BrandIntel®ProcessorIntel® Core™2 Duo MobileProcessor Speed2.0GHzDisplay TypeWXGA high-definition widescreen with HP BrightView technology (1280 x 800)Screen Size14.1"System Bus800MHzCache Memory2MB on die level 2System Memory (RAM)4GBSystem Memory (RAM) Expandable To8GBType of Memory (RAM)DDR2Hard Drive TypeSerial ATA (5400 rpm)Hard Drive Size250GBOptical DriveDouble-layer DVD±RW/CD-RWOptical Drive SpeedsDrive speeds not specifiedDirect-Disc LabelingYesDigital Media Reader or SlotsYes, digital media card readerGraphicsIntel® Graphics Media Accelerator 45000MHDVideo MemoryUp to 1759MB total availablePersonal Video Recorder (PVR)NoTV TunerNoMPEGYesBuilt-in WebcamYesModem56 Kbps*
*Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.NetworkingBuilt-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)Wireless NetworkingWireless-B+GBluetooth-EnabledNoS-Video OutputsNoAdditional Audio/Video ConnectorsHDMIAudioAltec LansingPCMCIA Slots1 ExpressCard/54USB 2.0 Ports2IEEE 1394 FireWire PortsNoneParallel PortsNoneSerial PortsNoneGame PortsNoneLaptop WeightUltraportable (5.5 lbs. or less)Battery TypeLithium-ionPointing DeviceTouchpadOperating SystemWindows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1Included SoftwareHP PhotoSmart Essentials, QuickPlay; Microsoft Works; muvee autoProducer; Cyberlink DVD Suite; Adobe Acrobat Reader; ProtectSmartIncluded AccessoriesHP mobile remoteENERGY STAR QualifiedYes

3. HP $647.00
957630   
Manufacturer # FE993UA#ABA   
processor brand Intel   
processor model Core 2 Duo   
processor speed 1.83 GHz   
hard drive capacity 250 GB   
memory 3 GB   
memory type DDR2 SDRAM   
maximum memory capacity 4 GB   
Wi-Fi capability included (Wi-Fi ready) yes   
included integrated drives DVD±RW/DVD-RAM/DVD+R Double Layer   
diagonal screen size 14.1 inches   
notebook computer weight 5.48 lb   
operating system Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1   
screen resolution 1280 x 800   
number of USB 2.0 ports 3   
number of USB 1.1 ports 0   
modem standard 56K V.90   
audio hardware Altec Lansing   
frontside bus speed 667 MHz   
integrated speaker yes   
integrated memory card reader yes   
number of VGA video ports 1   
video hardware Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100   
video memory 358MB shared   
thickness 1.54 inches   
width 13.15 inches   
depth 9.33 inches   
Ethernet port yes   
number of parallel ports 0   
number of PS/2 ports 0   
number of S-video outputs 1   
number of serial ports 0   
infrared port yes   
computer battery type lithium-ion   
number of FireWire ports 1   
Energy Star qualified yes   
warranty length 1-year limited   
processor Intel Core 2 Duo T5550   
model name Pavilion dv2911us   
brand name HP   
manufacturer Hewlett-Packard

Thanks in advance  

Answer
Honestly without knowing what specific applications you need to run, I can't advise you very well, however for a conventional class load that doesn't require advanced engineering or DCC software, anything on the market would work quite nicely for your needs. I would honestly just go with whichever system is the least expensive, or offers the best warranty package for your needs. See if your school offers any form of discount program through a major vendor (such as HP or Dell).


-bob