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Need advice on new laptop

post #1 of 10
Thread Starter 
First let me state that I am a software developer so the CPU/hard drive speed/screen/keyboard are my top priorities. I do game so for me a minimum of an ATI9700 with 128MB is required, though I do not NEED a 6800 Go device either.

But here is what I'd like to see:

2Ghz+ Dothan Pentium M Centrino
802.11g
60GB+ 7200 RPM
1400 or 1600 or 1920 resolution display
keyboard with numeric keypad
ATI 9700 128MB or higher

So far I'm mainly looking at the Sager notebooks. The really difficult
part of the above is the keyboard. The Sager laptops for Athlon 64 and
Pentium IV chips have their newer keyboards which are what I'd like -
but they haven't done them yet for the Centrino laptops and from what Sager tells me, they don't plan to anytime soon.

So that leaves me with PIV or Athlon 64. I have no issue with either - except that for me heat is a problem. I don't mind heat from the bottom or the back, but I cannot have heat on the keyboard or palmrests. From what I've read, this is a problem with Sager notebooks.

Or if you know of any Centrino based notebooks with a numeric keypad - I'd like to know that as well. I do not think the 9860 is my type as its just far too big and heavy for lugging into bed, onto couches, verandas, etc... where I like to work.

So let me know what you think. I'm honestly also looking at the HP zd8000 since it does seem to have what I'm looking for and more plus awesome heat management, but I hate how HP adds so much junk to the system. I like the ability to install XP myself.
post #2 of 10
Thread Starter 
So I guess nobody here has any suggestions?
post #3 of 10
don't buy an HP. ever. really. seriously. I'm in the same boat as you man looking for a laptop that does everything i need it to do, but its tough man theres so many pros and cons out there of stuff. I dont think the palmrest heat is gonna be so insane that its uncomfortable, i think Syn posted somethign somewhere about this. I would (and I am) go/going with a Sager because I look at this way , why not spend the loot up front and get something good for a little more money, and guys like us are gonna be using these beasts to make money anyway, so it will pay for itself eventually.

For me, i want something that im not gonna have to upgrade in 6 months so im spending the loot up front.

The thing that has steered me towards sager of all things is price and service, i'm seeing almost nothing but good things about both and the quality of the product seems to be top-notch. To guys like us in development enviornments we cant afford crap machines and lots of downtime (like alienware, dell, hp, etc.) These things are our livelyhood and cant die on us. My best advice to give you is to just look through the sager line and figure out what you need and maybe go just a little higher than what you think you need.

It's like the new iPod owner. Buy a 10GB and say OMG ill never need more than that.....2 weeks later....man I shoulda got that damn 40GB....

hope my senseless rambling helps a little.........
post #4 of 10
Thread Starter 
Money is not an object. I just want the fastest laptop that also has a numeric keyboard - which I can also move around the house. If the palm rests are too hot, I can't use it for the time I need. Since most of my work is typing (coding afterall), the palmrest heat is important.

I currently own a Compaq R3000 which is VERY good for me, so the HP doesn't scare me. I did do a clean XP install on it to clean out all the junk.

My only concern about the Sagers are that I really would prefer a Centrino for the battery life, but also want the 17'' screen and numeric keyboard. I think its really simple - just make a 4750 with a Centrino in it and I'll buy Anybody make a 17'' Centrino with numeric keyboard?
post #5 of 10
Have you considered an external keyboard/mouse? I do software development as well and use a wireless keyboard in my lap most of the time. A bluetooth pair should work without having to plug anything in as well (I'm using a regular set via USB right now)..

Still waiting on my 9860 though, but can't wait..
post #6 of 10
Thread Starter 
Yeah, external anything won't work. I already use an external mouse on my desk, but have to remove that when I move to the couch or the bed or the veranda, or a hotel room, or - you get the picture. Keyboard is even more out of the question. It'd be comical.

There is just no way I can lug 5 devices (PDA, cradle, keyboard, mouse, and laptop) all around. The whole point of the laptop is to have only the PDA, cradle, and laptop - which is difficult enough.

Again, the 4750 looks perfect except for possibly heat, and the 3790 looks perfect except for the lack of a numeric keypad. It seems like SOMEBODY must be able to have a Centrino with a numeric keypad. Otherwise the HP frankly looks the best. Numeric keypad, fast processor, and no heat issues. But if I can, I'd prefer a Sager or like brand just because of the customizability.
post #7 of 10
Why not a 4750?

You want: Fastest Laptop, money is no object. = 4750
You want: Numeric Keyboard. = 4750
You want: 17" screen. = 4750

You don't want: too big to carry around. = 9860

I agree that a Centrino 17" would be great for battery life and perhaps a bit lighter than a 4750. There are plenty of factors to weigh and there will probably never be the perfect laptop, so if you want something right now then decide which factors are the most important and base your choice on those. Then sit back and relax, knowing that you did your homework and that you made the best decision possible at that given time.
post #8 of 10
I wouldnt think the heat would be great enough for you too have to take your wrists off the rests. I mean most people here are gamers and will sit at there laptop for hours with their hands on the keyboard. I'm a comp sci major and only time i think you could really get any laptop to heat up like a game while your programming is during a big compile if that.
post #9 of 10
Ditto SirBob. My fan's rarely kick on, and then only short periods of time while compiling. High temps usually mean I've screwed up my logic somewhere and the app is caught in an infinite loop! Course, I write client IM software so its hardly resource intensive.
post #10 of 10
To answer your heat question; i've got a 3790 and my left palmrest has never gotten to a temperature that I would call "hot." Warm, certainly, but not really anything that I would ever complain about - I don't understand where all the complaints come from. I sometimes play some serious games for hours and i've never felt any discomfort.

A numeric keypad would be nice, though...
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