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**Need university laptop suggestion** (getting a little desperate here...)

post #1 of 46
5/26/05 at 7:15pm
Thread Starter 
Well I've tried to avoid making a specific post for this, but I'm getting a little desperate (and frustrated) about finding my ideal university laptop. (I'm a little picky). Here's all the details of what I'm looking for, and what I need:

USES:
*For university this fall
*I will possibly be taking it to class (not for certain yet)
*I need to run photoshop, CAD, and illustrator on it for interior design
*My main uses will be: internet, word processing, CD burning, watching DVDS (by myself or with 2 or 3 other MAX), and listening to music.
*Will not play intense games. Maybe only things like Sims 2

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
*A laptop that is cool and QUIET (Centrino for sure)
*A high quality screen (like sony xbrite for example)
*Something with good battery life (4 hrs and up would be great!)
*Something that does not exceed 6 lbs
*Something that looks nice (no bright red Ferrari please)

EXTRAS:
*Media buttons would be great, as I would play all my music on my laptop

KEEP IN MIND:
*I will be travelling with the laptop about 5 times a year (from Nova Scotia to Toronto)
*I will be selling my 2 yr old desktop and replacing it with my laptop. I want something that can serve as a desktop replacement I suppose, but not actually BE a desktop replacement notebook (too heavy)
*My budget is $2000 CDN including at least a 3 year extended warranty
*This laptop has to last me all through university (4 years)

There we go. I think that's everything. If I can think of more details, I'll add them. Thanks a lot!
By the way, the laptop I've been looking at most likely is the 700m...still considering...
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post #2 of 46
5/26/05 at 7:25pm
Z71V seems perfect, but if you really wanted like a remote and stuff the W1 would be ideal.
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post #3 of 46
5/26/05 at 9:13pm
Asus Z70v should be an option, too, as it weighs less and has (according to Geared2Play) better battery life than the Z71v, although less video performance.
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post #4 of 46
5/26/05 at 9:59pm
Yes Z70V
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post #5 of 46
5/26/05 at 10:17pm
I agree with rob and awing, the ASUS Z70V seems like it would fit you well. From what I have heard, it has a better screen than the Z71V, and as Rob said, it is about 1 lb lighter than the Z71V, and it should have all of the power you need to get your tasks done.

To get an idea of pricing, go here and configure one: http://istnc.com/store/products.php?cat=111
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post #6 of 46
5/26/05 at 10:23pm
for CAD? Definetly either IBM or DELL why? your gonna need that raw video power pushing your programs specifically I say the IBM T42p is an AWESOME laptop thats made for a road warrior like you imply not to mention the powerful ATI FireGL2 128MB Video card and the epic 7 (real world) HOURS of battery life. The drawback to the IBM is cost a system of that level will definetly set you back some serious dough this is where the dell comes in the Dell Precision M20 heres what your lookin at. http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/prod...DT1&l=en&s=bsd basically you'll get almost th elevel of imbs t42ps power at a fraction of the cost. If your not choosing either i strongly urge you to look for a professional gpu like the FireGL, FireGL2, Quadro, Quadro FX, Quadro 6 etc etc.
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post #7 of 46
5/26/05 at 10:25pm
cmon guys, its obvious that shes looking for the W3V by Asus.

http://www.notebookreview.com/forums...TOPIC_ID=15096
http://notebookforums.com/showthread...&highlight=w3v
http://usa.asus.com/products/noteboo...v_overview.htm
http://www.proportable.com/detail.aspx?ID=107

why yell out such silly things as the z71/z70???
PS: tech girl, I am in a similar situation... Im going to college next year, engineering, and I am buying the w3v
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post #8 of 46
5/27/05 at 4:41pm
Thread Starter 
thanks for the suggestions. anyone else?
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post #9 of 46
5/27/05 at 4:54pm
What about the Vaio VGN-S360, its cool, looks great, has the screen you want (widescreen XBRITE), has plenty of graphical muscle (for its size and weight), very light and easy to travel with (under 4.5 lbs), and has amazing build quality...
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post #10 of 46
5/27/05 at 6:38pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I'll take a look..but for some reason I have a feeling it is going to be much much more expensive than $2000 cdn..
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post #11 of 46
5/27/05 at 8:20pm
I'd personally advise against Sonys. They tend to be overpriced, and their customer satisfaction is down the drain compared with the other main notebook companies.
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post #12 of 46
5/27/05 at 11:52pm
I'll chime in too...

The Z71V will have GREAT graphics.

The Z70V will have very solid graphics, and a better screen. Plus, it is carbon fiber, which should equate to being stronger (and lighter). Plus, the chassis has been proven, and is an Asus favorite.

The W3V will also have solid graphics, but is a 14" widescreen, AND with a shiny screen. This has been one HOT notebook, popularity wise, and temp wise, from what I hear.

If you can handle integrated graphics (which I think basic CAD would be ok with), the Z63A is the customizable W3V, but a lot cheaper, and still with the shiny screen.

I only mentioned the Z63A since you mentioned the Dell 700m.

Good luck. You can price all the above at ISTNC, ProPortable, etc.

BTW – I have a Z63A on the way for MBA School…
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post #13 of 46
5/27/05 at 11:57pm
asus z70v seems pretty much like da best laptop rite now.. and it just came out .. there isn't even a user review yet..

soo thats how good it is ..
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post #14 of 46
5/28/05 at 12:32am
Well, it did, and didn't, "just come out". You probably know it's just the Sonoma refresh of the M6.
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post #15 of 46
5/28/05 at 1:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Djembe_Rob
I'd personally advise against Sonys. They tend to be overpriced, and their customer satisfaction is down the drain compared with the other main notebook companies.

hmm...I cant comment on the tech support issue, but you can definately get a Vaio S360 for $2000 canadian (~$1580 US). In fact, I got mine for $1450 from Best Buy in the US...

-Go
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post #16 of 46
5/28/05 at 1:13am
X600 wont compare to the FireGL in CAD which would probabaly be a minor problem.
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post #17 of 46
5/28/05 at 5:16am
I think DELL-Machina does make a good point about the fire GL in the T42P. The fire GL should be able to handle the games you listed, and it will handle CAD applications better than a gaming card. I forgot all about the IBM or I would have suggested that also. On of my friend has the model that Machina was talking about, and it is *very* solidly built, which is to be expected from IBM. Depending on what school you go to, you may be able to get some kind of student discount on a laptop. For example, I think where I go, students can get discounts on Apple notebooks and HP notebooks.
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post #18 of 46
5/28/05 at 2:28pm
Most tech schools offer huge discounts with Either dell and ibm consider it a boon because most will offer a full 4 year warrenty as you will need one if you attend the school.
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post #19 of 46
5/29/05 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the replies!
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post #20 of 46
5/29/05 at 8:45pm
The Dell M70 has a Quadro FX 1400 which is a pretty capable 3D card, while also being a Quadro (professional level graphics). It is a bit faster than the X600.
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