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post #21 of 39
7/20/05 at 1:51am
If you are going to be carrying the laptop around alot, maybe the Asus or Sager. A lot of people in the Dell forums mention that they take their 9300's to classes (and use either the Targus XL or Kensington Contour backpacks), but it IS bulky.
If you consider yourself pretty fit, then by all means the Dell. It's gaming performance is better than the other two you listed.

Oh, by the way, be very careful when getting the extra RAM from the laptop vendor. In Dell's case, you should probably just buy the laptop with a 256 MB stick and order a 1 Gig stick from Newegg (or your favorite store); you'll save potentially HUGE amounts of money.
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post #22 of 39
7/20/05 at 3:49am
Thread Starter 
Wow. I just reconfigured my i9300. I stripped down my RAM to 256 MB and just got the stock drive. Then I added the cost of a 1 gb stick (~$105) from newegg.com and a decent DVD burner (~$130 off ebay) then subtracted the stock drive (selling at about $70 on ebay) and that brings my total price down to $1372 shipped with tax! It's a little work, but it soo worth the almost 300 bucks. Thanks throndt. Any recommendations on RAM? Brand? Speed? etc
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post #23 of 39
7/20/05 at 4:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by TaterSalad77
Wow. I just reconfigured my i9300. I stripped down my RAM to 256 MB and just got the stock drive. Then I added the cost of a 1 gb stick (~$105) from newegg.com and a decent DVD burner (~$130 off ebay) then subtracted the stock drive (selling at about $70 on ebay) and that brings my total price down to $1372 shipped with tax! It's a little work, but it soo worth the almost 300 bucks. Thanks throndt. Any recommendations on RAM? Brand? Speed? etc
I'm assuming that you're okay with the size of the thing?
Remember, this thing is LARGE.

Well, anyway, lots of folks with XPS2's and 9300's (me included) bought the 1 Gig transcend brand DIMM. A few people had issues with it (ran memtest86 continuously for 14+ hours and they saw a few RAM errors). They just RMA'ed the sticks with Newegg and got new ones...

If you don't want the (slight, in my opinion) chance of the headaches of returning the module, try Kingston ValueRAM, also sold at newegg -- heh, maybe Newegg should give me a referral fee .

The 9300 uses 533 MHz non-ECC PC4200 DDR2 RAM modules.
A typical RAM timing you'll see with PC4200 modules is 4-4-4-12 or 4-4-4-11. Smaller numbers are better.
My Transcend stick has 4-4-4-11 timing.

Oh, one question: do you have a preference for matte-finish or glossy-finish LCD screens?
I ask because I believe the WSXGA that you listed is non-glossy (Dell's name for glossy screens is TrueLife). I just wanted you to be aware of that difference...
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post #24 of 39
7/20/05 at 1:31pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
I'm assuming that you're okay with the size of the thing?
Remember, this thing is LARGE.
Well I figure that its smaller that a desktop. Its for a dorm, so I really don't think I will be portablizing this thing to an extreme amount. Mainly I want something I can easily take home or to the library or study room occasionally.

Thanks for pointing the screen thing out. The i9300 does offer the glossy finish, but its a hundred bucks. So, to me, its not worth it. I'd rather glue some plexi glass on my screen. jk.


Thanks for the advice on the RAM. I think I am gonna order everything today.
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post #25 of 39
7/20/05 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
I cant believe it. The Dell deal ended. IT ENDED! #*@$*&#@$ Now the same computer will cost me about $1850. Thats like 400 bucks more!!! RAWR! I called Dell and they said they were sold out in 20 minutes. BS it was working last night.
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post #26 of 39
7/20/05 at 3:14pm
It sold out in 12~15 minutes last time didnt it?
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post #27 of 39
7/20/05 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
I dono. I was so mad I couldn't think straight.

After calming down, I am now looking at the Sager 3880-C. It was probably my second choice. It is smaller. The GPU is 128 MB Dedicated VRAM - nVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 6600 16X PCI-Express, which is not a bad video card. (I still miss the 6800 though)

I also looked at the Sager 4881-C. Its GPU is the 256 MB GDDR3 ATi MOBILITY™ RADEON® X700 / 16x PCI-Express Graphics. Is that going to be a signifigant difference from the 6600? This notebook about $80 more and its not widescreen. What do you think? Worth it?

Also, another question. If I don't get an OS installed, am I going to have a lot of driver issues? I mean I am pretty good with computers. I've installed Windows on formated hard drives before, but I have also read horror stories about driver issues.

Also, would anyone recommend a cheap and reliable Sage retailer. Discountnotebooks.com and pctorque.com seem popular. Discount is cheaper though.
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post #28 of 39
7/20/05 at 3:35pm
They'll include drivers on a CD for you, or at least they SHOULD

The 6600 +/- x700 more or less, and to not debate on the nVidia vs ATI, lets say they are equal. The 256 will have more 'bandwidth' then the 128. Thus the 256 is better in a sense
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post #29 of 39
7/20/05 at 3:38pm
Thread Starter 
But when it really comes down to it, is that going to be a huge difference as far as gaming? And is it worth giving up the widescreen and dishing out $80 more?
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post #30 of 39
7/20/05 at 3:52pm
Thread Starter 


Well judging by this graph (taken from 3880 review), it seems as long as the 3880 is overclock (bottom bar I assuming) It performs just as well as the 4880. Right?

EDIT: That graph is a 3DMARK03 graph.
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post #31 of 39
7/20/05 at 5:57pm
Deal ended???

Was THIS the coupon code?

VN0WCCCKM?NVCD

It ends on the 25th.
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post #32 of 39
7/20/05 at 8:31pm
Thread Starter 
Well, thats not the one I used, but I just called about that one, and they said its redeemed. It expires when X units are sold or expire date. Sometimes it doesnt show til checkout. I decided the go the Sager 3880. I think I got a good deal. I got 2.5% instant rebate by paying cash. I am going to write a review to get a free shipping rebate. And I recieved an email the they are expecting a price drop on Centrinos. So I will be credited or upgraded. Anyways heres the specs:

> Sager NP3880 -C1
> Qty: 1 Price Ea: $1,408.00
> Total Price: $1,408.00
> ----------
> 15.4" TFT WXGA (1280 x 800) Active Matrix Display (Glare-Type) [$-50.00]
> 1.73 GHz Intel Pentium M (740) Processor (533 MHz Sonoma, 2 MB Cache)
> 128 MB Dedicated VRAM - nVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 6600 16X PCI-Express
> 80 GB Hard Drive (5400 RPM) [$45.00]
> 512 MB DDR SDRAM (533 MHz, PC-4200, Dual Channel) (1 x 512 MB)
> Internal 8X DVD±R/RW (Dual-Layer) / CD-RW Combo Drivew/ Software [$60.00]
> Internal 56k Modem (V.90 & V.92)
> Internal 10/100/1000 Ethernet/LAN Card
> Internal PCI Intel® PRO/Wireless 2915ABG 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN
> 12-cell Smart Lithium Ion Battery (3 - 4 hours)
> No Bluetooth Installed
> 4-in-1 Flash Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MSPro)
> Integrated Digital Video Camera (640x480 resolution)
> Ac Adapter w/ power cord included
> Free Carry Case
> *FREE* Notebook Essentials Software
> No Operating System Installed, drivers included on CD-ROM [$-70.00]
> Factory 1-yr parts & labor warranty w/ lifetime techincal support
>
>
>
> $ 1,408.00 [Sub Total - Cash discounted]
> $ 25.00 [Shipping:Ground]
> $ -34.34 [Discounts / Surcharges]
> $ 0.00 [State Sales Tax]
> $ 0.00 [Price Adjustments]
> ------------
> $ 1,398.66 [Total for this order]

Then I plan to buy a 512 ram stick, then subtract shipping once i get rebate.
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post #33 of 39
7/20/05 at 8:48pm
Congrats! Here's hoping you enjoy your new lappy.

Later
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post #34 of 39
7/20/05 at 9:40pm
Thread Starter 
Any idea on RAM recommendations? Should just about any work? Brand? Speed?
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post #35 of 39
7/20/05 at 11:17pm
Sorry, I'm not familiar with the 3880's specs. But looking at the pctorque page on the 3880-C, it states DDR533. That's the PC4200 DDR2 RAM modules, like the Transcend I mentioned earlier.
You really should check the Sager forums though--those guys should know the best...
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post #36 of 39
7/21/05 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 
Alright. The sager guys hooked me up. I just ordered this baby:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820144182
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post #37 of 39
7/21/05 at 7:49pm
Yep looks good. That's the right RAM if you doubted the Sager guys at all.
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post #38 of 39
9/9/05 at 11:43pm
Look at inspiron 9300,or maybe even Latitude d810
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post #39 of 39
9/10/05 at 4:24pm
why not this? http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/c...r.aspx?mid=156
or this
http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/c...r.aspx?mid=146
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