Laptop.

Looking to spend 0 - 1600

need 512 and a dvd burner, with the more HDD space, the better.

Whats a good deal?

What are you going to use it for primarily? Writing essays? Playing games? Computer Programming? CAD? Graphics Editing?

Primarily writing essays. I've looked at the Celeron ones but I think I'd be better off forking out an extra 100 and getting a Centrino core.

I looked at some cheap acers but reviews online suggest the fans are noisy and the screens are glossy.

It's a bit hard to get anything decent under $1600, though I just specced up a Dell on special (www.dell.co.nz/tv) and got it at $1711. 80GB HDD instead of 40GB. 2x256MB RAM rather than 1x256. DVD writer instead of CD writer. And Wireless 802.11a/b/g card.

I don't personally like the look of Dells, they're a bit bulky compared to Acer and Apple. BTW you might find the reason why Acer has glossy screens is so images look sharper/more colourful. Sony does the same for its Vaio laptops.

Writing essays?

What was that about watching movies young man?!

If you already have a desktop PC for your bulk storage, I don't see why you'd need a laptop HD bigger than 30 or 40 gigs, given that laptop hard drives cost more per gig than the regular kind. Mine has 30 gigs and suits me just fine.

This auction site may be of use.

I contemplated an Asus, I use a mainboard of theirs, can anyone tell me about their notebooks. And I want to have certain movies on hand at any time. I can't go anywhere without the complete 'Speedo-Cops'

I don't know if this applies to laptops, but athlons are always way better value for money than pentium cpu's. You might be able to save a few bucks there.

http://www.graysonline.co.nz/lot.asp?LOT_ID=607617

Ya I dont know what the Turion is like but I know the Centrino is meant to be a pretty solid processor...

For anyone else who cares, I've found a superbly awesome online store with some wicked awesome deals based in Duniden but that send out of Auckland and Wellington too....

What site?

www.pcgear.co.nz