College Computer

On the DELL 9400 /1705 you may want to go over to the DELL forums and doing some reading. I too "was" interested in the that model, but I've read allot of posts and had quite a few PM's talking with owners of them that are not happy with them. One of the big things being it appears to be a crap shoot if you get a nice screen... and from PM's from owners of the unit a poor build quality, after about a year having major problems (if not sooner). This is coming from owners, not me. I too was interested in it like I said, but I'll be going with the hp dv8000t with the 7600GPU that will be replacing a dv8000t with the 7400PGU. Best place to buy is www.costco.com... You can CTO (Custom to order) and have it in about a week directly from the HP factory in China. http://www.costco.com/CTO/HPConfigur...&model=EX177AV Search some of my posts about it for more detailed info... You may also want to consider a 15.4 if you're going to be moving it around allot. Check on the Costco site for other models. EDIT: as charlesbo307 noted below... Always buy the ram 3rd party (unless the price is right) as most mfg's charge WAY too much for a ram upgrade. For example on the about HP it comes with a 512mb base installed ram (2-256mb, 667 DDR-2 modules).... and thru Costco.... HP is charging $244 for "upgrading" from 512 to 2.0 gig..... What this means is you're paying $244 extra... for 1.5mb of ram... Ordering thru HP directly and the same ram "upgrade" would be: $275... That works out to $25 for 1.5mb worth of ram. It's better to buy 3rd party, and you get to keep the orginal ram .. to sell, or to use to diganose problems. Extra battery at time of order? Costco $83 HP direct $99 After order thru HP? it's "only" $169.99...

No matter want brand you go with you need to read this:

Mobile Graphics Card Comparison Chart


http://www.notebookforums.com/thread157799.html


NOTE to the above:

Since I haven't been getting allot of feedback on that thread maybe I should repost and change the name of the thread to something to the effect:

Want to be able to "play" games with the settings turned UP?

Just bought a new laptop? Having problems? Games running so slow it looks like a slide show?

Within your "return" period?

Better read this before the return period is over!


Lots of good info there if you are:

A: "Looking" for info before you buy.
B: Have just bought a system and are within your return policy.
C: Have bought a system and have found out it won't run your apps at full speed... Games having to be run at a LOW display resolution with all the eye candy turned OFF to get a decent frame rate so it doesn't look like a slide show..

Another option may be:

http://www.twinhead.com.tw/index_en.asp

Don't know price /details....

Twinhead DuraBook(s)

Here's one more thread to read thru that may give you some ideas... keep you from forgeting something.


http://forum.notebookreview.com/arch...p?t-31423.html


At the bottom is a post by Bargain Seeker mentioning the Twinhead Durabook:
You can get a Twin Head Durabook with OS for $1249.78 at Sam's Club (http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_s...fkjdgoodflh.0).

if u do buy from dell, buy the least amount of ram possible that comes with it, and buy the rest at like newegg.com or something. dell overcharges on the ram and you could end up saving yourself up to 300$ easily

Yep... forgot to add that in there.

That is a given with probally ALL the mfg's... Buy the ram 3rd party.... and if you can ask that the ram they do install will be a big stick .

Good luck on that as most ram DDR-2 for example needs to be installed in pairs... so unless your dealing with a smaller company that's more than likey not going to happpen.

Before buying anything read the Mobile GPU link above... even if your not concerned about having a fast GPU to play games.

Vista running in 3D will benefit from a decent GPU.... Someone running CAD would benefit from a fast GPU as well... and a Core Duo CPU like in this machine: http://www.costco.com/CTO/HPConfigur...&model=EX177AV