Laptop buying advice : I'm torn now that Windows 7 and the Core i7 are out...help!
I'm torn now that Windows 7 and the Core i7 are out...help!
by 09hendenem - 10/28/09 8:11 PMI've had the same service academy-issued Gateway M460 for five years, and I'm finally sick of it. I'd like to get a new, high-end performance laptop with all of the latest features. I want something that can handle games, media, and everything else I throw at it for years to come. It'll mainly be a desktop replacement, but I want it to be as portable as possible. Here are the must-haves:
-Full 1080p HD display
-Backlit Keyboard w/ number pad
-500 GB 7200 RPM hard drive
-Blu-ray + DVD/RW drive
-Windows 7
-Core i7 processor
-At least 4 GB RAM
-1 GB graphics card
-No bigger than 16"
At least, I think they're must-haves. I'm torn, because I can't find a laptop that has it all. I would buy the HP dv6t Quad Edition in a heartbeat if it only had a 1080p display and backlit keyboard, and I'd probably go with an HP HDX 16t if it came with an i7 processor. Toshibas are nice, but don't offer the i7 yet. Dells and Sonys are great, but you're looking at 17" minimum if you want a number pad. I'm looking at having to go with something in the 17" range, but I'd much rather have a notebook between 15" and 16". Bottom line, I want the smallest high-performance laptop I can find. I'm pretty sold on the i7, which seems to be a fantastic processor, and this is making it hard to find the right laptop, because it's quite new and not very common yet. If anyone out there can provide guidance, perhaps convince me that I don't need one or more of these features, and suggest a suitable laptop, I'd be much obliged. Thanks in advance.
Maybe the 1080p on 16 inch display is the one thing.
by R. Proffitt
- 10/29/09 7:17 AM
In reply to: I'm torn now that Windows 7 and the Core i7 are out...help! by 09hendenem
At 10 inches tall it missed by very little little to display the 1080 screen. Going above 100dpi today is going to blast the price by 10x so if you pull back that one thing and use the HDMI output for 1080 play then you have choices.
Bob
A couple of choices...
by 09hendenem - 10/29/09 2:47 PM In reply to: Maybe the 1080p on 16 inch display is the one thing. by R. Proffitt
I guess it's hard to completely have it all, but there are some nice notebooks out there even so. I think it's going to be between the HP dv6t Quad Edition and the Dell Studio XPS 16. Which would you recommend?
Oops.
by R. Proffitt - 10/29/09 6:12 PM
In reply to: A couple of choices... by 09hendenem
Duplicating the discussions. See the other discussion about a soon to arrive here model.
I Ran Into This Deal That Ends 11/01 - Pull the Trigger?
by SleepNumber - 10/31/09 7:44 PM In reply to: I'm torn now that Windows 7 and the Core i7 are out...help! by 09hendenemProcessor & Memory:
* Intel® Core™ i7-720QM Processor at 1.6GHz (2.8GHz Turbo Mode)
* 6MB L2 cache
* 1333MHz front side bus
* 4GB DDR3 SDRAM (2 DIMM)
Drives:
* 320GB (7,200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
* Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW drive with Double Layer Support
Graphics & Video:
* 18.4" Diagonal High-Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display; 1920 x 1080p native resolution
* 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 230M Graphics
Communications:
*
Wireless-N Mini Card
*
Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit LAN (RJ-45)
Audio:
* Built-in Altec Lansing speakers
Keyboard:
* HP color matching keyboard
* Touch Pad with on/off and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad
Personalization:
* Integrated Webcam + Fingeprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish
Expandability:
* ExpressCard/54 Slot
Ports:
* 4x USB 2.0 ports (one shared with eSATA port)
* 1x HDMI Port
* 1x IEEE 1394 Firewire Port
* 1x Notebook Expansion Port 3
Operating System:
* Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Additional Software:
* Microsoft® Works 9.0
* Norton Internet Security™ (60 days complimentary live updates)
Power Supply:
* 8-cell Lithium Ion Battery
* 120W AC Adapter
Additional Information:
* Approximate Weight: 8.77 lbs.
* Dimensions: 17.16” W x 11.24" D x 1.32"~1.72" H
[Model dv8t]
All for $1250!
I think this is a screaming machine!
Screaming...and a tank
by 09hendenem - 10/31/09 8:49 PM In reply to: I Ran Into This Deal That Ends 11/01 - Pull the Trigger? by SleepNumberThat's a great deal, if you can put up with a monster laptop like that. Personally, I don't want to go above 16", which complicates things, but I like a somewhat portable laptop. That is definitely a fast, cutting-edge machine in every respect, though, and a great deal. I've been looking hard at Dells lately, and if you could find a great deal on a Dell, I'd consider it. They offer the DisplayPort port on many models, which seems to be a great technology, and have backlit keyboards as well as unparalleled displays. I've heard good things about their customer service and general customer satisfaction, too. Still, can't go wrong with that HP.
The hp dv6 1361sb is in the house.
by R. Proffitt - 11/1/09 6:04 AM
In reply to: Screaming...and a tank by 09hendenem
It's nice. I wish I had time to look again at the dv6t and compare keyboards. The key tops are a little too flat for my taste but I'm getting used to it.
As I suspected it does get warmer than my older Intel 4500 based laptop but this is one fast machine with 7200 RPM drive etc.
It came in under 1K so not a budget buster. Those that demand a cold surface or want to run it on a lap will want to look at non-3D based solutions (ie Intel 4500).
Bob
I Just Pulled the Trigger On That 18.4" HP
by Meat45 - 11/2/09 9:04 AM In reply to: Screaming...and a tank by 09hendenemI guess you could have a Dell custom built but I haven't seen any 1920 x 1080p cards in 16" notebooks. I must admit I haven't been looking. To me it's always been the bigger the better (but I'm not carrying it around).
I just bought the DV7 about 3 months ago.
by orlbuckeye - 11/3/09 5:18 AM In reply to: I Ran Into This Deal That Ends 11/01 - Pull the Trigger? by SleepNumberIt has a quad processor but not the new technology. Since i got mine HP released a new DV7 with the I7 processor and the DV8. What's lacking on mine is the 1920x1080 and Bluray. Mine does have 6 gig of ram but is 1600X900. I got mine for around the same proce so yours is a steal. Go price that on the HP website and see how much you save.
This laptop meets want you want more then
by orlbuckeye - 11/1/09 8:22 AM In reply to: I'm torn now that Windows 7 and the Core i7 are out...help! by 09hendenemany i've seen. Newegg has 6 with the new processor but most are 18.4 but the Asus has 2 less then 17". One with bluray and one without.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220605
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220615
Asus...
by 09hendenem - 11/1/09 12:03 PM In reply to: This laptop meets want you want more then by orlbuckeyeThe Asus laptop actually looks like a good design. I haven't really heard anything about this brand - does anyone have any experience with them? I think I'm down to the Dell Studio XPS 16 and this Asus now...
Asus is famous for their motherboards.
by orlbuckeye - 11/2/09 4:51 AM In reply to: Asus... by 09hendenemAsus is an ODM. What has been happening in the manufacturing laptops is the OEM's like (HP, Dell and Toshiba) are in contract wars with the ODM's (Compal, Quanta and Clevo) and the ODM are getting more competitive in pricing and quality. This led to some poorer quality builds as well, to save money during the design manufacturing stages. Because of this, custom notebook ODMs (like ASUS, MSI, Clevo, Arima, etc) have been more soughtafter for their machines that overall have better build quality than a typical mainstream OEM machine.
This is why your seeing more Asus's and MSI's available through retail outlets.
Asus is famous for no spare parts too.
by R. Proffitt - 11/2/09 5:57 AM
In reply to: Asus... by 09hendenem
Here in the US they are still catching up with the names for spare parts. HP, Dell and such are not perfect here but the smaller names do not stock spare parts since it is a costly business to buy spares such as boards, LCDs and more to be able to repair a machine in 2 years. So the no names skip that and hope they can buy parts later. HP, Motorola and such do the research about MTBF, spares stocking so they are ready for a repair in some number of years.
The member that replied with the ASUS has a history that is easy to research. They always bring up the smaller names and I have to write warnings repeatedly since I've been burned in the repair shops over no parts available for the smaller names. Be sure they will respond about OEM and more but its your money. Do the research on who is replying to you.
Bob
But no Asus is being sold at the number 1
by orlbuckeye - 11/3/09 9:16 AM In reply to: Asus is famous for no spare parts too. by R. Proffitt
electronics retailer in Best Buy. It was a difference situation before Asus hit the mainstream retail stores.
Does not help those that need a part.
by R. Proffitt - 11/3/09 11:00 AM
In reply to: But no Asus is being sold at the number 1 by orlbuckeye
Sorry but the fact remains they have issues with spares.
Feel free to keep bringing up this name but its their choice to make and let's get everyone well armed.
Bob
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