NotebookForums.com › Forums › General Notebook Discussions › Notebook Forums - General › If Buying A New Laptop What Would You Buy?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

If Buying A New Laptop What Would You Buy?

post #1 of 43
7/23/04 at 1:51pm
Thread Starter 
I know this is a loaded question, but I have to ask b4 deciding on a new laptop. Doesn't matter if it's a PC based or Mac based system.

What I need is a really powerful machine used for programming and database compiling. Something that has at least a 15" high resolution screen but not a fixed resolution. In other words I need to test things in 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024 and so on up to 1600+. This machine will also be used for graphic design, no games. Used for presentations and must have these configs.

Will be used all day in a productive environment, so heat may be an issue, seems the Clevo / Sager 5690 has the heat issue. I looked all over this forum before porting this.

LETS HAVE SOME FUN

if (PC Based System) {
Pentium 4 = "3G+";
}
screen = 15"+;
memory = 1g+;
processor = 3g+;
hard drive = 60g+;
video = 128 mb+;
cdrw/dvd r = burn and read+;
wifi = b/g 108mbs+;
usb/firewire= 4/1 ports+;
keyboard = standard;

else {
Apple / MAC = G4+;
}
screen = 15"+;
memory = 512mb++;
processor = 1G+;
hard drive = 60G+;
video = 64MB;
cdrw/dvd r = aka super drive+;
wifi = airport extreme+;
usb/firewire= 4/1 ports+;
keyboard = standard+;
}

then either {
non desk tied programmer+;
take the wife on vacations+;
replace desktop+;
not be tied to office+;
get out more+;
make cleint more money+;
make me more money+;
}
}

Thanks for all your help.

PS: What I have looked at so far is Clevo / Sager 8790 , Clevo / Sager 5690 , Dell Xps , Powerbook G4 .
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 43
7/23/04 at 2:09pm
either your code is flawed, or your programming language has some wierd way of handling code blocks :P


if(heat.isAnIssue()){
CPU.Suggest(Pentium-M);
}

if(!amountMoney()){
printf("so, how much money do you plan to spend?");
}


Anyways, what kind of graphics design do you do? If its 3d stuff, a dedicated 3d card would be nice, although a super powerful one is not required. But if its like photoshop and flash, I doubt a 3d card will help much. If its 3d stuff, one suggestion is the Asus m6n. it as a 64meg 9600 which is powerful enough to run your 3d apps, but not too powerful to get too expensive or heavy. Not sure about its heat, though.

p.s. You posted in the wrong forum this is the reviews section!
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 43
7/23/04 at 2:28pm
you guys are dorks
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 43
7/23/04 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
Ender0910,

Code is a low level proprietary C and used mainly for web apps. Uses fox pro and db2.

No more than 2K if I can help it. Looked at Dells site they must be nuts, may buy from eBay.

No 3D stuff, no need yet, so I think even a 64mb card would be more than enough. But I do need the memory, my desktop 2.4, 2G RAMBUS, 2.2 Tera of HD's and still max it out when it come to memory, must also have something to do with the FSB 533mhz.

Anyhow thanks for the suggestions. Maybe someday they will make a laptop than can be fully upgraded like a desktop. So lets call this a desktop supplement not replacement. No way can a laptop replace my 4 foot tall beast.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 43
7/23/04 at 2:43pm

Dell Inspiron 9100 or XPS

The Dell Inspiron XPS would be right up your alley, 3.4GHz can be Extreme Edition, up to 2GB of 400MHz DDR RAM in a Dual Channel Configuration. 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive, 128MB Mobility Radeon 9700, 15.4" Wide Screen UXGA Native Resolution is 1920x1200, Can have a CD-RW DVD-ROM combo or DVD-RW w/Dual Layer Capability, Dell 1350 Internal wireless b/g with antennas in the lcd casing, 4 USB 2.0 ports and one 1394 (firewire) port. I have the 9100 which is basically the same thing with different tech support. But it will fly through and 3D or 2D applications you throw at it, games included. Heat yes it will get hot but the fans don't turn on high until you start to play games, or run a heavy 3D app. It has three fans two are absolutly huge and handle the heat with no problem. The only part of the componets that the heat can be felt is the memory, which does get hot to the touch. The XPS/9100 has 4, 1/4" feet that it stands on and since you will be in an office type of enviornment it will be sitting on a table, therefore you will have no problems with heat. If you want to go mobile then i suggest you get the second battery that way you will have 2+ hours of extra time to use. I know that you have already heard most of this stuff but if you have any other questions about my personal experience with my 9100 just pm or e-mail me.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 43
7/23/04 at 2:46pm
I would buy a notebook by Sun Microsystems or SGI...wait a minute..those don't exist yet ;-)
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 43
7/23/04 at 2:55pm

Actually

Actually a new XPS with just the 3.4GHz (non EE) w/2GB of RAM will out perform your current desktop. You stated you have RAMBUS memory well that runs at 800MHz but your FSB can't keep up with that so there is a major bottleneck. You can upgrade the XPS/9100's processor, hd, GPU memory etc. not to the extent of a desktop but very similar. The only thing your dektop has on the XPS is the 2.2 terabyes of HD space.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 43
7/23/04 at 2:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoyWhatAWorld
if (PC Based System) {
Pentium 4 = "3G+";
}
screen = 15"+;
memory = 1g+;
processor = 3g+;
hard drive = 60g+;
video = 128 mb+;
cdrw/dvd r = burn and read+;
wifi = b/g 108mbs+;
usb/firewire= 4/1 ports+;
keyboard = standard;

else {
Apple / MAC = G4+;
}
screen = 15"+;
memory = 512mb++;
processor = 1G+;
hard drive = 60G+;
video = 64MB;
cdrw/dvd r = aka super drive+;
wifi = airport extreme+;
usb/firewire= 4/1 ports+;
keyboard = standard+;
}

then either {
non desk tied programmer+;
take the wife on vacations+;
replace desktop+;
not be tied to office+;
get out more+;
make cleint more money+;
make me more money+;
}
}

And I thought I was a geek
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 43
7/23/04 at 3:01pm
Your syntax is flawed ;-)
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 43
7/23/04 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
My syntax is simple, flawed who cares

But thanks for the help so far.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 43
7/23/04 at 3:26pm
Thread Starter 
Anyone like Macs?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 43
7/23/04 at 4:07pm

Me no

My boss is a mac freak any questions you have i can ask him.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 43
7/23/04 at 4:12pm
Thread Starter 
I'm leaning tords a Dell XPS. Any reason why I shouldn't? Reasons, graphic display seems to be superior and cooling is not that big of an issue.

Plus I'm hearing of low quality builds with the Sagers. Since this will be used in presentations, quality is an issue.

Now if they made a Panasonic Tough Book, that was a desktop replacement, I'm there.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 43
7/23/04 at 9:39pm
What time frame are you considering? If you can wait a month you may want to consider Clevo's new model M37EW. It has a 15.4 WUXGA with a 9700 128MB GPU also available with a Dothan 2.0 with 2mb of cache. It is capable of 2gigs of RAM and can run 5hrs plus on one battery charge. It will be lighter than an XPS or 9100 and still offer great performance.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 43
7/23/04 at 10:54pm
Thread Starter 
Now would be good, but if I wait for the new what's the price going to be I do like the Sager 5690. Seems like Sager is still on my list. I also like Dell, but not the price.

So many choices and so little time. I guess if it would be worth the wait I could wait it out, I waited this long. No upgrade on my lappy since

Micron Transport Xke
13.3 TFT
266 Mhz MMX
196 MB RAM
1.5 MB FDD
12 Gig IBM Travel Star
8x CD
4 Batts all still work great
Car / Airplane Adapt.
Built in Cell, & 56K Modem
I even have the cell plug which I used at 14.4K
+ get this 10/100 built in,
1 USB, Video Out, S. Video Out
oh and Game Port, in a 266 lappy, I never saw that b4.

And the dock I have can do the dished and dry them. Wish I could upgrade it.

I love my Micron lappy.

Anyway, another ideas, Brands, Configs, Cuts on my code,

BTW: This lappy was starting out at $5000 up to $9700. Mine is maxed and I paid nothing as I received from client after upgrading his system. At the time what a gift.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 43
7/25/04 at 1:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoyWhatAWorld
Now would be good, but if I wait for the new what's the price going to be I do like the Sager 5690. Seems like Sager is still on my list. I also like Dell, but not the price.

So many choices and so little time. I guess if it would be worth the wait I could wait it out, I waited this long. No upgrade on my lappy since

Micron Transport Xke
13.3 TFT
266 Mhz MMX
196 MB RAM
1.5 MB FDD
12 Gig IBM Travel Star
8x CD
4 Batts all still work great
Car / Airplane Adapt.
Built in Cell, & 56K Modem
I even have the cell plug which I used at 14.4K
+ get this 10/100 built in,
1 USB, Video Out, S. Video Out
oh and Game Port, in a 266 lappy, I never saw that b4.

And the dock I have can do the dished and dry them. Wish I could upgrade it.

I love my Micron lappy.

Anyway, another ideas, Brands, Configs, Cuts on my code,

BTW: This lappy was starting out at $5000 up to $9700. Mine is maxed and I paid nothing as I received from client after upgrading his system. At the time what a gift.
have you considered the aspire 1700 series? monstrous size, but has basically what you want below $2000. if size and battery life is not an issue(i.e. you'll have it plugged in most of the time anyway), this is basically cheap and good. and it uses desktop parts which means upgrades are a lot cheaper.http://pctorque.com/acer_1712.php
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 43
7/25/04 at 11:46pm
Thread Starter 
wow It looks like they are getting really close to making a desktop replacement. Can't wait for the 21" Desknote. , with lol roller wheels.

I have to tell you I'm impressed, BIGGER IS BETTER. I guess I wonder what the quality of the screen is. I was at Best Buy today and there is not one laptop at any price I like the screen. Sony gets real close.

I do however like the 21" Samsung LCD monitor, that turned a full 360 deg, that was impressive at $1000. I almost got it, then the wifey reminded me we need a washer and dryer and I bought that instead. Just enough cash left to get the Laptop I need b4
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 43
7/25/04 at 11:53pm
Quote:
Plus I'm hearing of low quality builds with the Sagers.
WTF?!?! WHA?!?!??! WHERE DID YOU HEAR THIS?!?!? BS!!!!

Sager's are the most-toppest-highest-superduper laptops. There build quality is absolutely superior. You have been seriously misinformed my fried.

(Sorry for the all caps and spaz :P).
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 43
7/26/04 at 12:12am
Thread Starter 
Well now, I also think Sager are nice, but on this forum they do get dogged by Dell owners. I guess it's like anything else. High quality is very important, If I wanted the best a Panasonic Tough Book would be the best in the world. but not the fastest, sure they can stand fire, water and your can even run them over with your truck. But they top out at 15" and not much flexibility to upgrade.

I have a few friends in the armed forces that own them and they sure do hold up to almost anything. Anyway Sager is still on my list, I do have up until Dec 31 2004. So if I need to wait a little longer that is fine.

I just want to get as many details I can, so I can make a well informed decision, based on my needs. I believe this to be the best forum I have seen for Laptop info yet. I'm learning so much just based on the facts of ownership. I still think Dell is a great machine, but way overprices for the functionality.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 43
11/5/04 at 2:27am
Thread Starter 
ok guys still looking whats the best now?
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 › If Buying A New Laptop What Would You Buy?