I'm looking for a software development/portable theater laptop that can replace my desktop altogether, with the exception of my 24" flat panel. I'd like to stay within $3500 including all software and accessories (excluding flat panel which is ~$600).
So let's start comparing what these shops can do.
operating system:
Home Premium doesn't cut it. XoticPC is a little cheaper than AVADirect for Windows 7 Professional.
AVADirect will pre-load the laptop with a few desktop UNIX flavors, but the only one that could ever interest me, openSUSE, is not on the list.
Pixel warranty:
ASUS offers a 30 day warranty, XoticPC allows you to upgrade to 1 year.
processor:
upgrading costs too much, and the default processor is fine
thermal compound:
AVADirect offers Arctic Silver 5 and a bunch of overpriced junky looking alternatives.
XoticPC puts the thermal compound on both the CPU and the GPU and they offer a diamond based upgrade in addition to Arctic Silver 5. Given that notebooks don't have the cooling systems that desktops do, that may really make a difference.
memory:
AVADirect has the advantage here. You get to choose what brand you want and they have Corsair for a lower price than whatever XoticPC is using.
primary hard drive:
I want the 80 GB Intel mainstream drive. XoticPC is a bit cheaper.
secondary hard drive:
AVADirect offers a better selection, including Western Digital drives, including a 10000 rpm 2.5" drive. Didn't know it existed.
internal wireless adapters:
Both offer the Intel 6200-N for the same price. XoticPC offers the 6300-N which is the same thing with a 3rd antenna? Sounds like a gimmick to get you to spend money for no noticable increase in performance. Maybe if somebody can vouch for the 6300, I'll be interested.
mouse:
No need to buy this at the time of purchase. That being said, the Razer Orochi that AVADirect offers is the perfect laptop mouse.
warranty:
Both offer an upgrade of the ASUS warranty to 3 years. XoticPC offers their own upgrade of the accidental damage coverage to 3 years.
So in the end I guess I'm leaning towards XoticPC because I think the thermal grease thing is really important.
Oh yeah. Does anyone know a sleeve big enough to fit the ears on this thing?
So let's start comparing what these shops can do.
operating system:
Home Premium doesn't cut it. XoticPC is a little cheaper than AVADirect for Windows 7 Professional.
AVADirect will pre-load the laptop with a few desktop UNIX flavors, but the only one that could ever interest me, openSUSE, is not on the list.
Pixel warranty:
ASUS offers a 30 day warranty, XoticPC allows you to upgrade to 1 year.
processor:
upgrading costs too much, and the default processor is fine
thermal compound:
AVADirect offers Arctic Silver 5 and a bunch of overpriced junky looking alternatives.
XoticPC puts the thermal compound on both the CPU and the GPU and they offer a diamond based upgrade in addition to Arctic Silver 5. Given that notebooks don't have the cooling systems that desktops do, that may really make a difference.
memory:
AVADirect has the advantage here. You get to choose what brand you want and they have Corsair for a lower price than whatever XoticPC is using.
primary hard drive:
I want the 80 GB Intel mainstream drive. XoticPC is a bit cheaper.
secondary hard drive:
AVADirect offers a better selection, including Western Digital drives, including a 10000 rpm 2.5" drive. Didn't know it existed.
internal wireless adapters:
Both offer the Intel 6200-N for the same price. XoticPC offers the 6300-N which is the same thing with a 3rd antenna? Sounds like a gimmick to get you to spend money for no noticable increase in performance. Maybe if somebody can vouch for the 6300, I'll be interested.
mouse:
No need to buy this at the time of purchase. That being said, the Razer Orochi that AVADirect offers is the perfect laptop mouse.
warranty:
Both offer an upgrade of the ASUS warranty to 3 years. XoticPC offers their own upgrade of the accidental damage coverage to 3 years.
So in the end I guess I'm leaning towards XoticPC because I think the thermal grease thing is really important.
Oh yeah. Does anyone know a sleeve big enough to fit the ears on this thing?
