Need a laptop for Iraq deployment!

1. You would most likely not be able to tell the difference of the extar video memory on the Uniwill.

2. They are all pretty much equivalent. Some people say the X700 has a slight edge on same gaming benchmarks. I would say to stick with Intel for your processor, unless there's something specific with the AMD processors you have to have. The Intel processors (and their supporting chipsets) have better power-saving features.

3. I like the quality on MSI and Asus laptops. I don't know too much about the Uniwills. I've been told to avoid the Asus Z71V because of it's cheap plasticy feel.

A friend of mine is a freelance photographer and he just got back from Iraq. His titanium powerbook was so badly trashed (he got caught in a mob and got his laptop bag stepped on) he asked me to pick out a new one, preferably more rugged. I told him Apple doesn't make a ruggedized laptop, and there are not many companies that make something that could be run over by a mob and survive. He ended up getting an old Panasonic toughbook with the milspec case from an aquaintance of his getting out of that career.

Do you think you'll need something more rugged than the average laptop? I hear that the environment in Iraq is pretty brutal. Grit and dust gets into everything, even in the inflatable shelters. Unless you're going to be housed in a modern apartment complex, I wouldn't recommend bringing that laptop with you. Better to get something more rugged or something really cheap so you don't feel so bad when it gets abused.

I just put together an MSI 1032...specs in my sig for a deployment I have coming up. We heat out to Ft. Dix June 1st, Iraq sometime in August. Anyway I spent UNDER $1100 total on the build and am pretty happy with it. I've been installing choice software and doing various tests/benchmarks with it. I have a review going in that forum area.

^ yeah if you can wait go with that one, and thanx for serving

Out of all of those, I'd recommend the Asus z70va, or the MSI MS-1032, as those are the most well-rounded systems. A very similar system that I think is a good combination of battery life and performance is the Quanta KN1-PM.

i would say go with either of the asus models

If you are going for Iraq...I say get this...

http://www.hummerlaptops.com/

If only the Army (National Guard) paid that well...I'm just an E4!

Welcome to crapland. I'll see you when you get here, lol.

You should get full pay when deployed...which is about 1600-1700 bucks a month is it not?

You are not going to have a whole lot that you need to buy while over there, so you could finance it and have it paid off in a hurry...


unless you have a family. and a house though that is....

Ya the pay should add up be ok...my civilian job pays a decent salary though so it should be comparable with the added pay alotments. I'm all set for my laptop though its all paid for...not sure if you referring to cj who has not yet purchased.

I do have a house and married but no children so that does add to the paycheck also.

Don't forget about the housing allowance. Make sure any single guys get a written lease agreement so that they can get their's too. It's a lot less without dependants than with, but still it's more money for them.

In addition to the laptop, I'd suggest getting a good case. Pelican makes very nice ones, but are pricey at about a hundred or so. They are very durable, and the padding inside is pluck and pull so you make it fit your laptop specifically. It's the same hard case that the nvg's come in.

Almost forget. Up your budget a bit more and get a larger hard drive. At least an 80 gig, or better yet 100. Especially if you plan on taking lots of music with you (I heartily reccomend this) or taking lots of pictures while you are there. If you can't afford it now (and if it's between a larger drive, and a had case, get the hard case IMO), you can get an external from the PX later (either one in-country if they have them in stock, or aafes.com). You don't want to be like a guy I knew that had 30 gigs of music on his 40 gig drive, plus a couple other programs, and was wondering why his computer was so slow (besides the fact it was a low end Dell). Having only 5 gigs free on your hard drive is not wise.

I went with a used 80gb 5400rpm for my system. It was cheaper and I wanted at least 80 for digital media. I keep my music on a 40gb mp3 player (hard drive based) which i can also use as an external storage device. I think its only about half full with music and audio books so I figured that leaves room for growth or any overflow should I somehow fill up the laptop. As for a case I looked at some and i ended up buying a targus backpack...hopefully I don't regret that move. Its padded real well and has all kinds of integrated pockets. I thought having a backpack would be better for stowing away other small personal items that I will easily accessable along the way. I might look into "up armoring" the laptop hold or maybe getting a low profile sleeve I can use for extra padding inside the laptop backpack.

Appreciate all the suggestions/info from you guys, hopefully there will be decent internet connections available so we can all keep in touch.

Gentlemen,
While I don't have any recommendations for you, I would like to thank each of you for your service and sacrifice. Please be safe over there and Godspeed to each of you.

Dave.

I got a twinhead n15rb for my tour in balad last year. It did really well. my battery died yesterday though and I am having difficulty finding a replacement. You will definitely be raking in the dough so don't be afraid to extend yourself on a credit card for a decent laptop.

I brought over a wireless router and we had many hours of fun playing games on it. We also had an iraqi guy set us up with satellite internet.

good luck

i'll second qball