17'' Newbie Help

[Lockey2k]

Hi all:

I'm on the market for a 17'' laptop. Current budget is about $2000 or less. Preferablely less. Current priorities are ranked in order (1) high res screen; (2) gaming performance; (3) heat/quiet.

Current models in consideration:
Dell i9200 (concerned about the issues with the wuxga screen)
HPzd8000 (Windows MCE? hot and loud?)
Sony A-290 (Can't find a decent review/info)
Hypersonic Aviator ax7

Anything else I should consider?

Thanks in advance.

Locke

 

[RobsTV]

Was in the same boat.
I chose the Dell 9200 at $1500 after a couple upgrades.

Solution to screen is to get the wxga version. Still 17" and still looks awesome and still is high res (1440x900). It is much better suited for gaming than the wuxga version with it's 1920x1200 unusable res for most modern 3d games. When you lower res to play a game on a laptop, it looks like sh!t in a hurry. Most can play modern games with the WXGA native 1440x900 resolutions due to it's ATi 128 meg MR9700.

The P-M runs stone cold temps, so of course that helps keep noise down, yet is a fast as the A64.

 

[Don66]

I own an Inspiron 9200 and it's awsome :clock:
It's a very solid laptop.
Great design.
Beautiful XGA+ screen, bright and very easy on the eyes.
Gamming is very nice.
runs cool:beer:

 

[Wuzup101]

For your price range... I'm a fan of the dell latitude D800 if they still make it??? Friend's dad has one w/ the 1920x1200 screan and it's nice and thin and the screan is amazing. I believe it was a centrino... probably 1.6ghz when he got it a while ago...