Need advice for new laptop

[DDarrell]

So my sister is going to university and she asked me to help her buying a new laptop. It is preferable that she buys one of the models proposed by the university. Problem is, my hardware knowledge is more desktop-based and I don't know much about notebooks. That's why I came here looking for your help. There are four models that she can buy, and the university only displays basic info.

 

First is the Lenovo Thinkpad X200-62F. It features an Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.6GHz), 2 GB 1066 MHz RAM, a 5400 RPM 160 GB HDD, an Intel GMA 4500 MHD graphics card. The screen is 12.1 inches with a 1280x800 resolution. The cost is 1699 CAD.

 

Next there is the Toshiba Portege A600-003. Core 2 Duo ULV Su9400 1.4 GHz with vPro (?), 3 GB RAM (nothing about frequency), 5400 RPM 250 GB HDD, Intel GS45 Graphics Card. The screen is 12 inches and the compu costs 1599 CAD.

 

The following choice is the Lenovo Thinkpad T400-31F. Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4 GHz, 2 GB RAM 1066 MHz, 7200 RPM 160 GB HDD, Intel GMA 4500 MHD video card. Screen is 14 inches and resolution 1280x800. It costs 1499 CAD.

 

Finally there is the Toshiba Tecra M10-0ER. Core 2 Duo ULV P8700 2.53 GHz again with vPro, 4 GB RAM (nothing about frequency), 5400 RPM 250 GB HDD, NVIDIA Quadro NVS 150 Graphics Card. The screen is 14.1 inches and the compu costs 1269 CAD.

 

My sister wants a reasonably fast laptop that can load her applications and work fast enough. She also wants to be able to stream and watch videos on the internet and play those little flash games.

 

With these condition what do you advice she buys?

Edited June 24, 2009 by DDarrell

[hardnrg]

the last one has the fastest CPU, the most RAM, equal largest HDD, and the Quadro NVS 150 has dedicated graphics memory and a faster shader... on these specs alone, this would be my choice...

 

any of the laptops would suit all her needs though, so I'd probably look at battery life (run time per charge), wireless performance, screen surface (gloss, non-glare, etc), touchpad (multi-touch capable?), weight...