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Reccommend any Core Duo + X1600 notebooks?

post #1 of 13
3/28/06 at 4:59pm
Thread Starter 
Hi. I want a machine with the Intel Core Duo and an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card, and preferably a 15.4" display.

The only laptops I can find that fit the bill are the Macbook Pro (no, I want a *native* Windows machine) and the Acer TravelMate 8200 series, which reviewers say is annoying because the fan blows hot air to the right?

Is anyone aware of any other systems fitting my requirements which are *available in the USA* (otherwise I'd get an Asus)?

And if not, and I had to say, go up to a 17" display, what would you recommend? I don't want anything too heavy.

Thanks.

FYI, my detailed specs are:
Display: 15" - 16".
Processor: Intel Core Duo. 2GHz or faster.
Memory: 2GB or greater
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600.
Hard Drive: 60-100GB, 5400rpm
Ports: Would like a Firewire port. (IEEE 1394 ok)
Media drive: DVD-RW or better (LaserScribe would rock)
Weight: 6.5lbs or lighter
Get 3 year extended service warranty
*No* other features matter. (card readers, etc...)
Price: $2500 or lower.
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post #2 of 13
3/28/06 at 5:18pm
I don't find the fairly small amount of heat coming out of the vent to be a problem, and I use a mouse all the time. I'm very happy with the 8204, but a fair number of other people are not, so check the other 8204 threads out. That way you'll go in with your eyes open.

- Ed
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post #3 of 13
3/28/06 at 5:22pm
I am looking at the alienware M5500. It is a 15.4 screen with the ability to upgrade to a X1600 for $350. (dang, it would cost me $300 to upgrade to a 7900 gt on my desktop, and the x1600 isn't even close in comparison, but I guess thats laptops for you ) Unless someone knows I am going to call and find out if there 40/60gb hd's use 2mb of cache or 8 mb of cache. I don't think the extra money for the 7200 rpm hard drive would be worth it, but maybe someone can prove me wrong .

Also, in a month or two there are some more x1600 laptops coming out so that might be a good move to wait.

EDIT: MY BAD, It is only a PENTIUM M, not a Core Duo. Sorry. Dang my first post and I screw up
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post #4 of 13
3/28/06 at 5:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Barrok
Also, in a month or two there are some more x1600 laptops coming out so that might be a good move to wait.
Oh Yea?? Can you point me to any information about these? Thanks!
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post #5 of 13
3/28/06 at 5:33pm
Here is what I found. I know there are better sites with more info


Asus W3j 14" Widescreen Lightweight Core Duo Notebook

Intel Pentium-M T2400 Yonah (1.83Ghz; 677mhz w/ 2mb Cache)

14" WXGA (1280 x 768) Color Shine (glaretype) LCD Panel

Asus W3J w/ Intel 945PM Chipset
1024MB DDR2 677 (1024mb x 1)

100GB; 5400RPM

ATI Mobility Radeon x1600 PCI-E Graphics w/ 256MB VRAM (512MB Hyper Memory)

Built-In Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 A/B/G miniPCI

8x Dual Layer DVD Burner

8-Cell Li-Ion; Approximately 4-5 hours of normal use life

Windows XP Pro w/ SP2

13" (length) x 9.7" (width) x 1.18"-1.28" (height)
~5.0 LBS w/ US standard 8 cell and travelers drawer
~5.4 LBS w/ US standard 8 cell and optical drive

Price = $1850
pics at - http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...ch&sa=N&tab=wi
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post #6 of 13
3/28/06 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, I know about Asus, but I thought they weren't available in the USA. Guess I was wrong: There are a whole bunch of resellers, e.g. TigerDirect.

(Note: if you go to the Asus website, don't click "Product Comparison" on the left...it doesn't work. Just click on "Products" at the top.)

The 14" inch screen is definitely a downer. That extra 1.4 inches on a 15.4" makes a huge difference.
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post #7 of 13
3/28/06 at 6:09pm
Search. There already is a huge thread dedicated to this topic.

http://www.notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=137262
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post #8 of 13
3/28/06 at 6:29pm
there is the new HP 9000 series, even though its 17" it only weighs 7,5lbs... it has a very decent price tag too
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post #9 of 13
3/28/06 at 10:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristoffel
The 14" inch screen is definitely a downer. That extra 1.4 inches on a 15.4" makes a huge difference.
Yes, except for people who actually take their laptops out of home.
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post #10 of 13
3/29/06 at 2:04am
I don't think 15.4" is "unportable" Of course I usually just go back and forth to college a couple of days a week. I've never been on a plane with it.
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post #11 of 13
3/29/06 at 3:10am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikemex
Yes, except for people who actually take their laptops out of home.
WTF is that supposed to mean??
I carry my 15.4" Powerbook G4 around the WORLD. It only weighs 5.4lbs.
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post #12 of 13
3/29/06 at 5:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristoffel
WTF is that supposed to mean??
I carry my 15.4" Powerbook G4 around the WORLD. It only weighs 5.4lbs.
Nitpicking, but the Powerbook has a 15.2" screen. It and it's replacement, the MacBook Pro, are both among the smallest, thinnest and lightest of widescreen 15" class which is probably why you haven't had trouble hauling your Powerbook around.

Search for info on the Asus V1j, it's a 15.4" with Core Duo and X1600.
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post #13 of 13
3/29/06 at 2:02pm
I haul my Inspiron 6000D everywhere and it's weight has never been a problem with me at 6.6 lbs. I don't see why people think anything over 5 lbs is unportable, it's just an extra pound. What are you, a girlie man? My backpack does get a little heavy with all the other stuff I carry with my laptop, but the laptop itself is pretty darn light. I'd say anything over 8 lbs is getting to be not very portable, and anything over 10 lbs being a true DTR. But that's just my opinion.

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