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8790 vs. 4780

post #1 of 20
4/11/04 at 6:17am
Thread Starter 
After all this time drooling over the 8790, I'm having second thoughts and considering a 4780 instead. I do want max out my gaming capabilities, but I have a desktop system for that, and right now my first priority is to acquire a solid portable digital imaging studio without jumping on the Apple bandwagon.

The 17" screen is a big factor: I need plenty of real estate for thumbnails, a large image preview, and application tool palettes all at once, with one or two people looking on over my shoulder. The integrated multi-media card reader is also a huge plus, as I continuously swap and download from CF cards on jobs, and personally use Sony memory sticks and Secure Digital. Both models offer these crucial features.

Beyond that I don't need the Radeon 9700, internal Bluetooth, or tv remote. Internal wireless-G could be useful, but I could always use the PCMCIA slot in case of a need for (more) speed. Lack of DVI output in the 4780 is one of the last things that kept me on the 8790 side of the fence. However, I'm having a hard time coming up with scenarios that have me plugged into an auxiliary display anyway. The 4780 is over one pound lighter according to the Sager web site, and otherwise performs identically to the 8790. Accounts of the 8790 power brick going thermonuclear, its keyboard literally bulging out of a case chock full of extraneous components, and noise issues have also got me thinking of ratcheting down if these issues are less prominent or non-existent in the 4780. Saving a couple hundred bucks also doesn't suck.

So I have a few questions. Am I missing anything in terms of the differences between these two machines? I know the 8790 only recently became available. Is the 4780 going to see a major revision or upgrade within the next 6 months? And you non-gamers who chose an 8790, why did you make that choice? Any and all feedback/advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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post #2 of 20
4/11/04 at 8:47am
Definitely go with what you need. Don't get caught up in the hype (altho' it is fun to do so ). If you don't "need" what the 8790 offers, then there's no reason for you to spend the extra money for it, IMO. It's the new kid on the block and ev'one's excited about it, but that's not a good reason for buying it.

The major differences that I can think of are the fact that it supports dual hard drives and has dual-channel memory. How much the dual-channel memory really affects day to day performance, I can't really say, even though I'm typing on an 8790 right now. The dual HD bit, though, was a seller for me.

Take your time and decide (objectively as best you can) what you really need and go from there. No one's going to burn you at the stake for choosing a 4780 over the 8790. And if someone does, well... no need to be worrying about what some random troll on the internet thinks of your computing plans
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post #3 of 20
4/11/04 at 1:31pm
Personally, I like my 8790 better, In my opinion (have owned both), The 8790 runs MUCH cooler than my 4780 ever did, and I currently have a 3.2 Prescott, so that is saying alot, also the 8790 seems to be quieter than my 4780 but that is subjective.

It looks better dark blue is much nicer than the 4780 silver.
Support for Dual Hard Drives
Support for Dual channel Memory.
Radeon 9700
DVI
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post #4 of 20
4/11/04 at 1:35pm
I could consider myself as an "avid gamer". And somehow or another my 4780 gets the job done, plays BF/Desert Combat wonderfully. I had thoughts about getting the 8790 but I know right now it isn't worth it, the only big difference would be the 9700, dual channel ram, DVI out put,...etc, but I seriously don't really need that.
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post #5 of 20
4/11/04 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FriedToast
Definitely go with what you need.
This is truly excellent advice.
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post #6 of 20
4/11/04 at 2:00pm
Who cares what anyone thinks about your choice? You've gotta decide what's best for you. I, for one, use my notebook computer as my ONLY computer, so a fully decked out notebook is what I want/need for work/entertainment. I think the 8790 is an awesome machine. The only thing that's kept me from getting one is its low resolution screen. I have reason to believe that a better screen is just 2-3 months away, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. It'd be nice to see an Athlon in a 17" model, too. Another option is the new WSXGA+ 15.4" Athlon model that's on the horizon. Voodoo advertises it, but we all know about the absurdly high prices they charge. Hypersonic, among others, will have their version available in a few weeks. I'm gonna give it a good look, too.


EDIT: I just noticed that I'm only 2 posts away from 800! Geez, I need to get a life!!
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post #7 of 20
4/11/04 at 4:23pm
Thread Starter 
The 4780 doesn't offer dual channel memory? That is an important criteria for me. The spec sheets on the Sager site for both models shows identical info regarding memory compatibility, or did I miss something?

People keep mentioning the 8790's "low resolution screen". Doesn't the 4780 also offer the same number of pixel dimensions? Is its screen also considered "low resolution"? And does that mean text isn't sharp and that colors bleed? Can someone quantify the "low resolution" assessment?
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post #8 of 20
4/11/04 at 4:31pm
I dont think the 4780 offers dual channel memory, because I remember trading in my 5680 for the 4780 and the only down side was that the 4780 didn't have dual channel memory, but then again, I'm always proved wrong regardless.

I'm not sure about the screen res, supposedly according to the review Adam made, the 8790 uses the exact same screen as the 4780, but then again I will most likely be proved wrong by someone else.

If I were you I would look at the reviews to make sure.


Good luck,
BB
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post #9 of 20
4/11/04 at 5:33pm
On the SAGER web page, they don't make any notice of whether either of the machines has dual channel memory, but on PCT's they definately note the 8790 does and do not say on the 4780.

Beyond that, the screens are either the same or not, depending where you look. On some pages, they are both WXGA (1440 x 900, which is WXGA+) and others the 8790 has WXGA+ and the 4780 has WXGA. That's a difference of 1440 x 900 for the WXGA+ and somewhere between 1366 to 1280 by 768 to 800 for the WXGA depending on brand. Seems there's some disagreement on what exactly WXGA is and also there are differences according to the size of the screen, 17" screens being different from the rest.

Otherwise, there are the differences in the GPU, the number of HDDs and if they can be RAIDed, the TV tuner, the number of USB slots, and other minor items.
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post #10 of 20
4/11/04 at 5:58pm
Thread Starter 
Sorry, my bad: they both support DDR SDRAM but not the dual channel architecture. A visit to the SiS web site confirms that the SiS 648fx chipset in the 4780 maxes out at 3.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, confirming that it could not take advantage of a twin DDR 400 dual channel configuration, which tops out at 6.4 GB/s. This is a major consideration and pretty much seals the deal for an 8790 in my case.

I would still like to eyeball the screen resolution before I take the plunge. Any 8790 owners in the Los Angeles area?
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post #11 of 20
4/11/04 at 6:02pm
if $ is not an issue 8790 all the way
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post #12 of 20
4/11/04 at 6:20pm
If you find someplace that sells Apple powerbooks, you can go there to get an idea of what the screen looks like. It's the same exact screen.

As for "low resolution," it doesn't make the text unreadable. The screen is beautiful. The "problem" for some people is that they want a higher resolution (WUXGA), therefore the current WXGA screen is too low for them. They want to be able to have all the real estate possible (high resolution would shrink your icons pretty good- right now @ 1440x900, I have absolutely no complaints about the size of things). Once again, try not to get caught up in the hype. What one person needs isn't even another person's consideration.

When I received my 8790, it came at work. When I hauled it out, everyone at work was impressed w/ the screen. There wasn't a single person there that didn't think it was anything short of fantastic.
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post #13 of 20
4/11/04 at 6:47pm
I fully understand that some folks need higher resolutions for work and some just plain want it. However you should be aware that any LCD always looks its best when displaying in its native resolution. When viewed at 1440X900 the icons and such are already as small as most folks are going to like. I know some that think they are already too small at that resolution. Personal preference varies of course but I find em just about right. For me if I had a higher res screen I would reduce the scale to 1440X900 anyways as I think many others would. Since I dont need a higher resolution I would actually be paying more in that case to get a less crisp dispay thanks to scaling. Look how often you see people running their 15"ers (where applicable) at 1600X1200. While some do, many more do not. Higher resolutions like most everything else in a laptop come with tradeoffs. If you have a Best Buy or such close at hand they will most likely have a Toshiba with the same screen and you can see what your going to be looking at.
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post #14 of 20
4/11/04 at 7:07pm
Correct. Display looks great to me and I definetly don't want them any smaller. If you are doing some kind of graphic work and you have a definite need for it cool, otherwise I think it just gives people here something to complain about. Some people would complain if you gave them free money!



Quote:
Originally Posted by FriedToast
If you find someplace that sells Apple powerbooks, you can go there to get an idea of what the screen looks like. It's the same exact screen.

As for "low resolution," it doesn't make the text unreadable. The screen is beautiful. The "problem" for some people is that they want a higher resolution (WUXGA), therefore the current WXGA screen is too low for them. They want to be able to have all the real estate possible (high resolution would shrink your icons pretty good- right now @ 1440x900, I have absolutely no complaints about the size of things). Once again, try not to get caught up in the hype. What one person needs isn't even another person's consideration.

When I received my 8790, it came at work. When I hauled it out, everyone at work was impressed w/ the screen. There wasn't a single person there that didn't think it was anything short of fantastic.
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post #15 of 20
4/11/04 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
OK, so no real worries then about the screen. People just want more because they can, not because what's available isn't good quality.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FriedToast
When I received my 8790, it came at work. When I hauled it out, everyone at work was impressed w/ the screen. There wasn't a single person there that didn't think it was anything short of fantastic.
I appreciate the anecdote. I'm just being overly cautious because I work with digital imaging professionals who scrutinize every pixel. On top of that, I am in the minority among the guys who do what I do. Most of them use Macs because Apple does have the edge when it comes to raw processing power. In fact I've only worked with one photographer who used a Windows laptop on the set. So I don't want to raise any doubts just because my rig doesn't have some glowing fruit on the cover.

Well, it looks like I won't have to change my sig. Thanks for the feedback.
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post #16 of 20
4/11/04 at 8:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jswriter
I think the 8790 is an awesome machine. The only thing that's kept me from getting one is its low resolution screen. I have reason to believe that a better screen is just 2-3 months away, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Well don't leave us in suspense! Why do you think a better screen is on the way?
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post #17 of 20
4/11/04 at 10:19pm
It's no big bit of "insider" info on my part. HP just released a WSXGA+ (1680x1050) screen for their 17" notebook, and a WUXGA (1920x1200) screen is supposed to be ready in a few months. We'll see, won't we?
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post #18 of 20
4/11/04 at 10:23pm
Make sure you're getting what you really want. You don't want to look back wishing you would have spent a little extra. Spend that little extra and get exactly what you want. that's my opinon anyway. this is of course assuming you are not on a very strict budget limit.

Aaron
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post #19 of 20
4/12/04 at 3:38am
SushiFiend,

While I am satisfied w/my 4780, I think a Raid 0 setup on an 8790 would be faster for your video editing.
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post #20 of 20
4/12/04 at 11:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jswriter
It's no big bit of "insider" info on my part. HP just released a WSXGA+ (1680x1050) screen for their 17" notebook, and a WUXGA (1920x1200) screen is supposed to be ready in a few months. We'll see, won't we?
i think on the order page it says they'll ship on april 20th.

i wouldn't hold my breath.
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