14" Widescreen and Decent Video on a Notebook?

[Crism]

I'm starting to think about a laptop for college in the Fall. I'm looking for something with a 14" screen so it's portable, but I'd also like it to have a GREAT video card for gaming in the dorm when necessary since I won't be able to take my tower (unless I build a Shuttle box, which actually might be an option. In that case I'd have the shuttle box, 17" LCD, with a 14" Dell or Alienware notebook for travel and class).

Any ideas? Everything I've seen has either integrated video or the Geforce 7300.

 

[TheStu]

You most likely wont get much better than a 7300 in a 14" since most all of the 14" laptops out there are considered to be portables, something that actually gets a little bit of battery life. If you want a laptop that has a GREAT video card, then your likelihood of finding it with a 14" screen is about nil.

 

[Oil]

Asus A8JS or A8JP if you can find one. The difference between the two is that the A8JP has an ATI x1700

Compal HGL30 (7600) is another good choice

 

[Crism]

Thanks for the info. I was actually looking at those 13.3" Sony laptops that have the Go 7400 AND Intel Integrated...I don't know how that is set up, but it's beautiful when it has 2GB of RAM and the 2.00GHz Core 2 Duo. I'm in love with the scroll on the touchpad too. I've currently got the 12.1" laptop with docking station. The 13.3" wide looks like the PERFECT upgrade for a small laptop.

Anyone know the difference between the DVD Super Multi and the Dual Layer Burner?

I was looking at something like this. I need to check out the Sony store at the mall though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834117413

 

[Brainonska511]

The Sony system has a hard wired switch on it. To go from dedicated graphics to integrated, you have to shut down the notebook and reboot each time you change graphics solutions.

 

[Crism]

Nice! What's the advantages of using integrated video? Saves battery life? Sounds like a sweet deal. How's the 7400 compare to other mobile graphics?

Also my dilemna on the SFF PC right now (if I did it now, not in August), I would choose from the AMD box keeping my Opteron 148 from my main PC and getting a 300W PSU for it with 2GB of memory for $420. If I did the Core 2 Duo box, it'd be $630, but it'd have the 2.4GHz CPU, 2GB of GSkill 3-4-3-8 DDR2 PC5300, my current 7800GT. I don't know if it's worth the upgrade or not.

 

[Brainonska511]

Using integrated graphics saves a significant amount of battery life. The 7400Go is not significantly better than integrated graphics in terms of performance, as it is a low-end card. The midrange cards are the 7700Go, 7600Go, and X1700/X1600. It will allow you to play games at the lowest settings, but if you don't play games, then just go with an integrated only option as you'll enjoy better battery life.

 

[Ichigo]

7400 is significantly better.

And unless you're talking about Oblivion, those cards will run games like CS:S, BF2, and even SC fine (considering it's CPU intensive) at high settings.

 

[Oil]

If you want something VERY portable with decent graphics look at a Dell XPS M1210. 12" with 7400

 

[corkyg]

My Lenovo T60 has a 14-in screen and a ATI X1400. Works fine.

 

[Crism]

Originally posted by: OSx86
If you want something VERY portable with decent graphics look at a Dell XPS M1210. 12" with 7400

I've got a 12.1in normal now. I looked at the 12.1 wide and it's too small for my liking. Theres a kid in my school with a 14in widescreen Compaq and it's not bad. I actually think 13.3 would be perfect, but a trip to the Sony Store to confirm this is in order. Hopefully things will be shaping up over the summer. I'm not buying it now.

Any opinions on the SFF PC?



Stuff I need for college:
Laptop - looking around
Phone - iPhone would be amazing if TMobile gets it otherwise I'll look for a PDA phone or just get a regular one
PDA - possibly integrated in the phone. I'm very anal about scheduling programs though and I'd like to to be Windows based so I could throw in an SD card with some music for an MP3 player
PC - not 100% needed, but it would be nice to have for storage/music/movies since the smaller laptop won't have great video power

 

[Auryg]

The Compal someone suggested earlier

Comes with a great warranty.

 

[Crism]

I was actually looking at the Sager NP2030-C now. 14.1" screen, 256MB Go 7600 video, 2GB RAM, 2.00GHz CPU for about $400 less than a Sony.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: Crism
I was actually looking at the Sager NP2030-C now. 14.1" screen, 256MB Go 7600 video, 2GB RAM, 2.00GHz CPU for about $400 less than a Sony.

The Sager is the Compal. It comes with a one year warranty. The one I linked about comes with a 3 year, but is more expensive. Choose accordingly. (I just bought one )

 

[cw42]

Latitude D620

 

[mercanucaribe]

Here are some 3dmark scores.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-Quadro-FX-1500M.2134.0.html


A site I just found http://laptoping.com/category/laptop-graphics-card/