NotebookForums.com › Forums › General Notebook Discussions › Notebook Forums - General › Choosing a new laptop... help!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Choosing a new laptop... help!

post #1 of 27
11/8/07 at 4:49am
Thread Starter 
Well, I've been looking for a new laptop... and I'm a pretty picky guy. Needless to say, I haven't found what I want. So I'm hoping maybe a couple generous people here might direct me to what I'm looking for.

My dream laptop:
  • 2.0+ Ghz processor (preferably Core 2 Duo... but I'm open to persuasion)
  • 2Gb memory
  • 160+Gb Hard drive
  • 256+mb DirectX 10 compatible graphics card
  • Less than 7 lbs and not too thick (less than 1.5" thick)
  • I don't care what OS it comes with, or if it even comes with an OS... Same with screen size... don't care.
Price: less than $1700

Everything else is just icing on the cake. I'm sure any computer with all of the above features would have the basics: CD/DVD Burner, integrated wireless... etc

If anyone here knows about a laptop that fits that description, I'd really love to know about it. Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 27
11/8/07 at 6:54am
Well, you JUST missed the Dell "$425 off $1399+ and a $200 gift card" coupon.

Although it still works for me...

I configured this Inspiron 1720 and with the coupon it turned out to be $1,639.00:

- Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
- Windows Vista Home Premium Edition
- 17" glossy widescreen (1920 x 1200)
- 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
- 2GB DDR2-667MHz RAM
- 320GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
- Blu-ray Disc Combo (DVD+/-RW + BD-ROM)
- Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card
- Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
- Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
- 85Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
- Etcetera etcetera... You can configure it how you want...

Just look around for Dell coupon codes, or other deals for other makes on coupon sites.

(PS -- Why do you want a DirectX10 graphics card??? The ones out now are slow... If you are gaming, the 7950GTX Go is still king.)
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 27
11/8/07 at 4:01pm
Thread Starter 
Well, the reviews I've read have said that the Inspiron series notebooks are not very well made. Plus, I'm sure that laptop you built would be pretty thick and heavy... 7.8 pounds according to reviews I've read.

Please don't flame this post by saying how wrong I am about everything I just said... all I'm saying is: Any other suggestions?
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 27
11/8/07 at 6:28pm
Well, you're pretty much shat out of luck, because the only laptops out there right now with a 256mb DX10 card are the bigger 17-inchers.

I wish I knew your reasoning behind "needing" an 8600GT/8600GTS right now... It's not like you can play Crysis with it... Well, MAYBE at 1280x800 on medium it COULD be playable. The notebook you are asking for just doesn't exist. All you'd need to do it tweak one these things from your "requirements" -- more weight, higher price, or nix the DX10 card, and it would open up a WEALTH of options.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 27
11/8/07 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, so I changed my original post to be less than 7 lbs, I just don't want to have to lug around a physics book sized laptop. (thin = good) About the money... my parents are helping me pay for this, but I still have to pay a decent chunk of it. I just can't afford a $2000 laptop.

Why do I want DirectX 10? I just want to have my laptop be next gen, if you could call it that... I want to at least have the possibility of playing new games with reduced settings. Besides, those 7950GTXs cost a lot...

On a side note, I did find a pretty good looking Vaio Here, only problem is the video card is a 8400GS.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 27
11/8/07 at 8:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShnikeJSB View Post
Well, you're pretty much shat out of luck, because the only laptops out there right now with a 256mb DX10 card are the bigger 17-inchers.
that is absolutely NOT true.

15.4" :
Asus G1s w/ 256mb 8600GT ($1769)
Asus V1s w/ 512mb 8600GT ($1899)
Asus F3 w/256mb 8600GS ($1419)
Asus F3 w/ 512mb HD2600 ($1139)
Sager 2080 w/512mb 8600GT ($1117)

14""
Asus V2 w/ 256mb 8600GS ($1800)


and there are more...just too lazy to look. i didn't care to mention the endless supply of cheap 14" and 15" floating around with a 8400.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 27
11/8/07 at 8:49pm
Thread Starter 
I'm liking the look of those ASUS G/V series... specificly V because they are lighter :P

Anyone know if there is educational pricing/coupons currently availible for any of those? I haven't been able to find any.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 27
11/9/07 at 1:33am
I stand semi-corrected. I didn't say some of those laptops because they are obviously more than his $1700 budget. Also, anything less than an 8600GT kinda of sucks more so than the GT/GTS already does. That was where the whole "higher price" part came in where I said what I said.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 27
11/9/07 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShnikeJSB View Post
I stand semi-corrected. I didn't say some of those laptops because they are obviously more than his $1700 budget. Also, anything less than an 8600GT kinda of sucks more so than the GT/GTS already does. That was where the whole "higher price" part came in where I said what I said.
you were just straight up wrong. the F3 and 2080 are both well within his price range.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 27
11/9/07 at 4:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by abf View Post
you were just straight up wrong. the F3 and 2080 are both well within his price range.
The 2090 (which is what is out now...) weights 7 pounds, which was more than his original target, but is now right at the target, and would actually be a pretty good choice. The Asus F3 is ALSO around 7 pounds, but the GS and HD2600 both suck beyond recognition. So, how about you eat some of that crow you just served up?

If you are going to be playing ANY games, I'd recommend getting the 8600GT or even better 8700GT (which is just an overclocked 8600GT) at the very minimum.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 27
11/9/07 at 7:12pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lococobra View Post
Please don't flame this post by saying how wrong I am about everything I just said... all I'm saying is: Any other suggestions?
That goes for you two too! I don't care who's right... I'm just trying to sort out my options, anyone else have other suggestions?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 27
11/9/07 at 11:42pm
Go easy there Shnike, ABF is a smart d00d.

OP= Asus's/Vaio's have nice options that should suit ur needs
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 27
11/10/07 at 7:48am
omg i am getting tired of some people saying "crysis wont run" or shit like that i have the Sager mentioned by ABF above except that its a Hypersonic one and what i am saying is that these games below ran on high:
BF2
CSS
WiC
Crysis (all high, shadow low AA off, it run smoothly, i have XP cant run very high)

CoD4: all options enabled with all settings at normal and guess what the game on that settings is out of the world
Quake wars all maxed out

My specs: C2D T7500, 100gb 72k, 2gig 667, OS XP HOME SP2, 8600M GT w/512mb and games idle at 69 or 71C after heavy gaming i am in uni.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 27
11/10/07 at 8:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShnikeJSB View Post
Well, you're pretty much shat out of luck, because the only laptops out there right now with a 256mb DX10 card are the bigger 17-inchers.
wow so missinformed..........just wow.........

you realize DX10 cards are like, in every size laptop that uses video cards?

hell all NEW laptops (new models) come with DX10 graphics.....Nvidia 7150 onboard, and ATI x1250 i think, or whatever it is


soulsaver
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 27
11/10/07 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ShnikeJSB View Post
The 2090 (which is what is out now...) weights 7 pounds, which was more than his original target, but is now right at the target, and would actually be a pretty good choice. The Asus F3 is ALSO around 7 pounds, but the GS and HD2600 both suck beyond recognition. So, how about you eat some of that crow you just served up?

If you are going to be playing ANY games, I'd recommend getting the 8600GT or even better 8700GT (which is just an overclocked 8600GT) at the very minimum.
6.6 lb. (WXGA + 6 Cell Battery) 6.95 lb. (WSXGA+ + 9 Cell Battery)

who wants the WSXGA screen anyway? its MATTE FINISH, screw that for gaming

so yeah youre wrong again

keep trying cheif
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 27
11/10/07 at 8:46am
Sager NP2090 would be a great buy, its simple, clean, not filled with plasticy junk, its solid, and a great deal

www.xoticpc.com is a great site! good customer serivce and quick responces


Shnike is misinformed and isnt really reading much about laptops, try not to take what he says so seriously

you can game on a 8600gt......it isnt some run of the mill video card..........at all

it will run any game out there, just has to be certin settings and certin things cut off or what have you

if you want more intence gaming then yes, your only option is 17 inchers and up

1700 bucks would get you almost a fully maxed out NP2090

you get any thinner and youre talking about onboard video pretty much, which wont game for anything......but if you go with onboard, get ATI, not Nvidia

NP2090 is 14" x 10.1" x 1.4~1.5" so thats close to what you want man
2.0 proc, 2 gigs of ram, 8600gt vid card, vista64 ultimate if you want it, xp if you want it, built in tv tuner, warranty

all that jazz

http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np2090-...90-p-1876.html

good luck!


soulsaver
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 27
11/10/07 at 5:04pm
Soulsaver that SAGER NP2090 is the one i have but modded by Hypersonic but thnx for clearing the point that a 8600GT is not bad theres a lot of hate 2wards it dont know y really it performs pretty good for me.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 27
11/10/07 at 11:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gam3r eagle101 View Post
Soulsaver that SAGER NP2090 is the one i have but modded by Hypersonic but thnx for clearing the point that a 8600GT is not bad theres a lot of hate 2wards it dont know y really it performs pretty good for me.
people just know ati and nvidia desktop, so when they see that 6 in the 8600 they think OMFG BUGET CARD DO NOT WANT

same with like, x2600 or 2400 or what have you, if it dont have a high number in it, people get worried


hows the build quality feel on the NP2090? i want one but gotta wait


soulsaver
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 27
11/10/07 at 11:50pm
My 2 bits are simple, No DELL no SONY
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 27
11/11/07 at 3:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by soulsaver_8229 View Post
wow so missinformed..........just wow.........

you realize DX10 cards are like, in every size laptop that uses video cards?

hell all NEW laptops (new models) come with DX10 graphics.....Nvidia 7150 onboard, and ATI x1250 i think, or whatever it is
If you could just READ and realize I didn't say "DX10 Cards" I said "256mb DX10 cards" which I should have actually said "GAMING WORTHY 256mb DX10 cards"... I don't care who you are, but the 8600GT's are actually pretty damn slow. Don't come crying to me if your laptop can't run at anything but medium quality at lower resolutions...

Jeez, you try to help people and BAM! Get jumped on...

Quote:
Originally Posted by soulsaver_8229 View Post
6.6 lb. (WXGA + 6 Cell Battery) 6.95 lb. (WSXGA+ + 9 Cell Battery)

who wants the WSXGA screen anyway? its MATTE FINISH, screw that for gaming

so yeah youre wrong again

keep trying cheif
Oh, I'm soooo sorry... 6.95 pounds isn't 7 pounds... What in the world was I thinking??? Rounding up that 0.05 pounds... Boy is my face red...

And yes, 1440x900 is fine for a card such as the 8600GT. You won't be running anything higher than that anyways...

Now calm the hell down. Did I personally attack you? No. So learn some social skills, OK?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Notebook Forums - General
NotebookForums.com › Forums › General Notebook Discussions › Notebook Forums - General › Choosing a new laptop... help!