New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Laptop Suggestions?

post #1 of 9
4/13/04 at 4:14pm
Thread Starter 
I have been looking for a good laptop under 2K that will do pretty fair in games, have nice battery life, and last me a couple of years. I thought about going with a Dell 8600, but saw this instead:

Chembook 2056 -S

15" SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) Active Matrix Display
1.6 GHz Intel Pentium M (Centrino) Processor (400 MHz FSB / 1,024k L2 Cache)
128 MB Dedicated Video Ram, Ati Radeon 9700 Pro
60 GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
1 GB (PC2700) DDR SDRAM (512 MB x 2)
8X DVD / 24 x 10 x 24 CD-RW Combo Drive w/ Softwares
Internal 56k Modem
Internal 10/100 Ethernet LAN
Internal IntelPRO Wireless Ethernet/Lan (802.11 b+g)
Smart Lithium Ion Battery (4.0+ hours battery life)
S-Video, VGA, 1 IEEE Firewire Port, 3 USB 2.0 Ports
Panasonic Secure Digital (SD) Memory Slot
AC Adapter w/ power cord
Free Deluxe Carry Case
5.00 - No Software Bundle
No Operating System Installed, drivers included on CD-ROM
3 yr. additional on-site warranty w/ priority support from purchase date
Size: 13.07" X 10.83" X 1.26"" - Weight: 6.34 lbs

All for $1920.50 Shipped.

Is this a good deal? Should I pull the trigger on this instead of the Dell? I have Windows XP Pro and do not really need the OS because I was going to format the thing anyway.

Should I upgrade to the 1.7GHZ Pentium-M?

Will this be a good laptop for: Gaming, Wireless Web Surfing, Carrying around campus, movies, etc.?

How reliable are Chembook laptops? Any problems with them that I should know about?

Any better deal out there?
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 9
4/13/04 at 4:22pm
Yes it will be good for gaming, wireless web surfing, carrying around campus, watching movies etc. I would say DONT go with the 1.7, unless its not that big of a difference from what you are paying for a 1.6.

It wouldnt be fair to ask... how reliable are Chembook laptops, because well this laptop isnt made by Chembook, it is made by Compal. So if you want to know how reliable Compal is, look around for other notebooks from them.

I would say go with this one, and avoid the problems which seem to be abundant over in the 8600 camp.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 9
4/13/04 at 4:37pm
I agree with Enderet, definitely don't upgrade to the 1.7Ghz because usually its around a $200 upgrade which really isn't worth it especially with a 2K budget Anyway, the 1.6 Pentium M's performance is worthy of competing with a 2.4Ghz mobile Pentium 4. The 1.7 is either like a 2.6-2.8 Pentium 4 (I think but am not sure.) Yet this system will simply be amazing with games because of the 128mb M11 which is simply the best video card you can in a laptop at the moment. Everything in this system appears to be topnotch. I would say go with it, although Im not sure how Chembook's service is but it cant be any worse than Dell.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 9
4/13/04 at 4:41pm
go with 1.4 and decide later if you need faster computer .. in most cases, 1.4 is more than enough for today's games and apps .. unless you're really into CPU-intensive proggies (like DV editing), where every little bit helps ..

i was about to get inspiron 8600 with 1.6 (before my venture to this forum), and many people suggested the above to me .. altho I finally got A64-based laptop instead .. which is VERY BEAUTIFUL ..
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 9
4/13/04 at 5:26pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the tips guys, I'll stick with the 1.6GHZ then. I am not buying this from Chembook directly, but from another online vendor with great reseller ratings who is offering the service plan. Is there an A64 laptop that is comparable in features and price to the one I have above? Since this laptop is made by Compal, are they a good manufacturer? Thanks for the information.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 9
4/13/04 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jdogg707
...Is there an A64 laptop that is comparable in features and price to the one I have above?
yes the voodoo m:860, but the cost will drive you away .. at $3000 it's just crazy .. wait a little while and other vendors will come out with same system for half the price (their M:855 is essentially the same as cyberpower's X64-8000 that I just got .. for half the price).
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 9
4/13/04 at 5:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nut581
yes the voodoo m:860, but the cost will drive you away .. at $3000 it's just crazy .. wait a little while and other vendors will come out with same system for half the price (their M:855 is essentially the same as cyberpower's X64-8000 that I just got .. for half the price).
ya, I had seen the Voodoo laptops, and while I liked them quite a bit, I doubt the extra price is really worth it. I'll probably go with the Chembook, but will continue to do more research before I buy.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 9
4/13/04 at 6:16pm
Hypersonic will be coming out with its clone of voodoo's m:860 this month. In fact it was supposed to come out April 10th. It should be at least 1k cheaper than voodoo.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 9
4/13/04 at 6:22pm
I bought a PowerPro M 5:6 which is that Chembook 2056/Compal CL56, and I LOVE IT! My review is coming when I get a camera and some free time (this weekend I think).
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Notebook Forums - General