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Need Professional Help!! Which to buy W1N, Acer, IBM

post #1 of 16
8/2/04 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, all. I will buy a notebook computer in the next 2 weeks or so and am in dire need of advice. I have about 2500 to spend. I've done my homework and have come up with these choices:

IBM T42 2373-3VU:

735 1.7 GHz - 14.1" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 3 12.2 in x 10 in x 1.1 in
Weight 2 4.9 lbs
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN antenna, ThinkLight
Processor 1 Intel Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz
Cache Memory 2 MB - L2 cache
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM - PC2700 - 333 MHz
Hard Drive 1 x 80 GB - 5400 rpm
Optical Storage DVD-R - plug-in module
Display 14.1" TFT active matrix - 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Graphics Controller ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9600 - 64 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom 4 Fax / modem - CDC - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Input Device Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Power AC 110/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium ion
Average Run Time 5 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 3 years warranty

That is the DVD RW and with an ugrade to total protection and 3yr onsite and tax = ~$2500 (sweet edu pricing!)

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Asus W1N configured from Startech:

Processor & Cache Memory Intel® Pentium® M 1.7 GHz Processor, 1MB On-Die L2 Cache
Operation System Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Edition
Microsoft® Outlook Express

Chipset Intel 855PM & ICH4-M
Main Memory 768MB DDR333 SODIMM
Expandable to 2GB

Display 15.4" (16:10) WSXGA+ active matrix color TFT LCD
Video Graphics & Memory ATI Mobility™ Radeon™ 9600, 64MB VRAM
Hard Drive 2.5-inch 5400RPM IDE HDD with DMA 100 supported, 80 GB
Card Reader Built-in card reader: SD/MMC/MS/MS Pro
Optical Drive DVD-R/RW: 4X/2X, DVD+R/RW: 4X/2.4X, CD-R/RW: 16X/10x, DVD: 8X, CD:24X
Fax / Modem / LAN Integrated V.92 MDC Fax/Modem, with AC-Link Version. 2.1 Compliant.
AC 97 s/w MODEM and 10/100/ 1000 Base T PCI LAN on board
Pass and support worldwide regulation

LED Status Indicator Power-on/Suspend
˙Battery Charging/full/low
˙Storage device access
˙Capital / Scroll / Number Lock
˙E-mail in box
˙Wireless indicator

Interface 1 x Infrared port support SIR-115.2Kbps IrDA V1.1
˙1 x Video & Audio in Jack (subject to different models)
˙1 x Headphone-out & SPDIF combo jack
˙1 x Microphone-in
˙1 x Line-in jack
˙1 x CIR for remote controller
˙1 x mini RF connector (subject to different models)
˙1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
˙1 x RJ11 Modem jack for phone line
˙1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert
˙1 x Video connector including S Signal and composite video signal
˙1 x Card Reader
˙1 x Type II PCMCIA Slot
˙3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x IEEE 1394 port

Audio AC 97 S/W audio with 3D Effect & Full Duplex
˙Built-in stereo speaker
˙Built-in Subwoofer
˙Hot key supports 4.1 channel surrounding sound

Keyboard 19 mm full size 88 key with MS-Windows function keys

Battery Pack & Life 65WHr. battery pack
Run-down life 4.5 hrs
AC Adapter Output: 19 V DC, 3.42 A, 65W
Input: 100—240V AC, 50/60Hz universal
Dimension & Weight 14.3" x 10.4" x 1.3" (WxDxH)
7 lbs
Security Pre-OS Authentication by programmable key code
BIOS Booting / HDD User Password
Protection and security lock
Kensington lock hole provided

Supplied Accessories Optical Mouse
Carrying bag
Head Set

Warranty & e-support 2 year limited global hardware warranty
Online problem resolution through web interface (BIOS, Driver update)

Upgraded to 1.7 Dothan, 3Yr warranty and only 512 RAM.

= $2600 with tax and edu pricing.

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Acer 2025

You know the specs....$~2500 with 3 yr warranty

****************************************

Sager np3790 (New Clevo M37EW) to be released in Mid-Aug. Pricing ???? but probably same ballpark


Okay, so I don't really game. Occasionally I'll download a free trial and screw around but nothing major at all.

I will be taking it from and to school everyday in San Fran (hills!) and so weight is a concern. My current dell is about 8lbs all together and this is a bit heavy, but not killer...

I'm thinking that IBM is a killer deal with their reliabiliity and support, but damn that thing is the ugly step child to the Asus...

What do you guys think?

Matt
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post #2 of 16
8/2/04 at 6:47pm
As far as I know, Asus doesn't allow resellers to modify the W1N right now, so I don't know what the "upgrade" is from Startech.

ASUS offers warranty only on the original manufactured configuration of the unit. Any upgrade or installation by non- authorized Asus Service Provider void the warranty of the product. ASUS does not accept any return with non-original parts or modified system.

But maybe ST has some kind of agreement. I don't know. But I think you can do better on price, anyway.

These are two pretty different systems, one with larger widescreen, more RAM. The IBM is solid and looks like you'll get better service.

I like the Asus look better, but it's two different things - buy one for looks and a little more performance, the other for reliability and service.
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post #3 of 16
8/2/04 at 6:50pm
Thread Starter 
I talked to the guys at Startech and they are permitted by Asus to configure the W1N. The global warranty is good and they will back it up with their own warranty if I have any problems. The upgrade would be to the 7200RPM HDD, 1.7 Dothan, and 3rd year on the warranty. If I can avoid sales tax that puts the price at 2500.

Yeah, I think what it really comes down to is which solution is better for my situation and that I can't decide!! Ugh.

Matt
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post #4 of 16
8/2/04 at 6:58pm
From what I know Asus has not given them permission to modify the laptops... That is why thy have to back it up with their own warranty... Because you no longer have one with Asus... Just a FYI
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post #5 of 16
8/3/04 at 1:34am
go with the w1, the w1! pick the asus W1 !
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post #6 of 16
8/3/04 at 12:35pm
Thread Starter 
LOL! Why?

I now realized I might be able to get the IBM 2373-GRU (T42p model) for 2300.
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post #7 of 16
8/3/04 at 12:37pm
You can get the asus for $2300, too, if you look around.
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post #8 of 16
8/3/04 at 12:50pm
I'd check out MSI.
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post #9 of 16
8/3/04 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 
Msi?
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post #10 of 16
8/3/04 at 1:58pm
mawst95,

MSI is a major parts manufacturer that has recently introduced a laptop line, my new favorite laptop. It's not very well known because it's not carried in many shops, but it's very stylish, has a decent gpu and stats. Lots of people on here dismiss it because it's XGA and gpu is only 64mb 9600, but I love it, great battery life too.
You can see it on MSI's site:
http://www.msi.com.tw/html/products/...3_overview.htm
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post #11 of 16
8/4/04 at 4:09am
Matt,

I say get the W1N for the following reasons:

1) Widescreen format *plus* 1050 lines make XGA pale in comparison, aesthetic and functionally. In my book, WSXGA+ is mandatory. Note that I gave WUXGA (1920 x 1200) a try but found it to be a bit too much (or should I really say too little). I tinkered with various font sizes and DPI settings, which did make most of the text readable, but there are still many places where the font sizes are "locked in" and thus a strain to view. And I'm not talking about any regular LCD, I am writing from having experienced the Sony Vaio VGN-A190's XBRITE technology first hand. XBRITE is unfreakin' believable! Sure wish that all vendors had such an feature.

2) Having DVD+R in addition to DVD-R is great for flexibility/compatibility reasons. Similarly, the W1N's multi-format card reader should also come in quite handy. There's also the added audio impact of the W1N's built-in subwoofer (not an earth-shaker, but certainly better than not having one at all). Extra features such as these *do* make a difference.

3) While styling & looks are of course subjective, 99 out of 100 reviews/posts I have read indicate that Thinkpad's looks are sinful. You, yourself, even slapped the T42 with the "ugly stepchild" analog. I don't know about you, but it would irk me to spend a lot of hard-earned money on a product that would be a constant sore spot to my eyes... especially given all the other options available in the marketplace (e.g. Asus W1N). Speaking of the W1N... not only does it *not* look shameful (IMO); but on the contrary, it looks sheik, sophisticated, high-tech, durable, etc... [I can't express enough positive adjectives to describe what a wonderful job Asus did of designing this brushed aluminum beauty (well actually, of mimicking the look of Apple's highly-applauded PowerBook).]. Regardless of origin or inspiration, the W1N will cause heads to turn (in a positive way); the T42 will cause heads to droop down into a slumber (not so positive).

4) Who's to say that the W1N won't be every bit as reliable as the T42? Sure IBM is a bigger name brand, but ASUS also has a wonderful reputation for superior quality. And if your intention is to upgrade the warranty to 3 years, then doesn't that quell (perhaps even negate) the T42's perceived reliability advantage?

My $.02 (I'm a future W1N owner (just recently ordered it from Spartan Micro; should arrive within a few days -- oh yeah!)),
Tom
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post #12 of 16
8/4/04 at 10:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by CoffeeShark
mawst95,

MSI is a major parts manufacturer that has recently introduced a laptop line, my new favorite laptop. It's not very well known because it's not carried in many shops, but it's very stylish, has a decent gpu and stats. Lots of people on here dismiss it because it's XGA and gpu is only 64mb 9600, but I love it, great battery life too.
You can see it on MSI's site:
http://www.msi.com.tw/html/products/...3_overview.htm

AFAIK a 128MB 9700 model is now available as well. I hope they start making AMD notebooks as well. When it's time to replace my Ferrari I'll definitely be looking at MSI. They are beautiful and sturdy at a great price.
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post #13 of 16
8/4/04 at 10:33am
Ferrari,

Those are available overseas (Asia) but I haven't seen any in Europe or North America. Trust me, that will be one cool machine with a 9700 in it.
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post #14 of 16
8/4/04 at 11:15am
I haven't seen one here in Taiwan yet, probably all get sent to Japan. It's sad how high end electronics are hard to find here since most are made here. Go figure.
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post #15 of 16
8/4/04 at 11:24am
If I were you, and had 2 weeks to wait, I would seriously check out this new
Sager 3790. It looks as sexy as the w1n with some more horsepower in the graphics card department. Most of all it is probably going to be cheaper than the W1n. Here is the link to the specs:

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=34850


kilgor
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post #16 of 16
8/5/04 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah I just configured my dream 3790 for about 2300! I might wait to hear a few reviews on it first. My parents just flaked on me and now I have to wait about 3 weeks.

Transpark! Thanks for the amazing advice. I know i'd be happier in many regards with the w1n or sager, but a 3400 IBM t42p for 2200 is also tempting from the practicality standpoint....

Matt
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