Any big company laptop exists like this? BEEFY

[trexpesto]

3 GHz mobile proc - not too hot. Prefer AMD but willing to go Intel. Pentium M don't go high enuf.
7200 RPM HD
2 Gb RAM of good speed
decent 15-17" screen, wireless card, 3 year ADP, etc.


My boss says has to be Dell, HP, or I am guessing IBM would be OK. So far I have to choose between mobile chip and 7200:

Dell: Insipidron 9100 has 7200 HD but desktop chip w/800MHz FSB. $3,292.05
5160 has the Intel 538 3.2GHz 533 MHz, with no 7200 drive. $2,969.05 Dell sales rep said that it was not possible to run the 7200 with the P4-M. ??

HP: zd7000 17" has 7200 HD - proc is straight desktop.
zd7000 - first link under "Top Sellers"

IBM: they don't have both etiher, and price was astronomical. Edit: And they suck: 1G memory max on the G40, which is the only one with a proc > 2GHz

I found some cool configurable ones at discountlaptops.com and they are cheaper, but my boss... Plus they don't have mobile chips either.

Also the Hypersonic Aviator AX6 comes to $3050 with 7200 and DTR A64 3400.

Is there much of a thermal difference between Mobile P4 and Desktop P4?
How about between Desktop P4 and Desktop A64?
Actual experience of the differences would be nice.

Couldjust wait until the .90 nm A64 3000+ comes out, but that will be a while.
If too long, may consider the xp-m 3000+ or the mobile 64 2800+.
If you know of those from one of the majors, with 7200, sounds OK too.
Worst case, I guess go desktop chip.

 

[trexpesto]

bumpty-bmp

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: trexpesto
3 GHz mobile proc - not too hot.

Do not confuse the Pentium 4 (used in some DTRs), the Mobile Pentium 4 HT, the Pentium 4-M, or the Pentium M with each other. Easy mistake for those new to the mobile market.

Also the Hypersonic Aviator AX6 comes to $3050 with 7200 and DTR A64 3400.

Believe the Hypersonic AX6 is a rebadged Mitac 8355. Same machine is also sold as the CyberPower Xplorer X64-8000, the iBuyPower Battalion-101, the M-Tech 8350, the Voodoo Envy m:855, etc.

Also might consider the Sager NP4750, which is a Clevo D470K. A number of Acer AMD based machines on the market as well.

Would likely bode well for you to narrow down your desired specifications a bit more, or list the desired applications to run on the proposed machine. Would undoubtedly aid those offering suggestions.

Good luck.

 

[trexpesto]

Good suggestion. I am running 2 dbs, weblogic server with a very demanding set of apps, a honking GUI builder, the resultant client apps, as well as the usual Java IDE, mozilla, etc. Plenty.
About the only thing I don't fret about is a great vid card.

My boss ruled out any of the Sagers, Clevo, anything besides Dell, IBM, and HP. He might balk at Compaq even though the same as HP supposedly.

Anyway, I found that I can get either Compaq Presario R3000z or HP Pavilion zv5000z (same thing with different case) with AMD DTR 3700+ and that is real tempting. These have the half-lock, so I should be able to turn down the multi if it is actually burning me. I'll look yp some benchies on the P-M anyway.


Edit: OKThe Dothan Investigated article shows the P-M 755 doing quite well against the P4 and AMD 3000 except in encoding and 3d rendering.

 

[jvarszegi]

Also might consider the Sager NP4750,

There you go, shilling for PC Torque again. Hope they're giving you a sweet bonus this year.

 

[Justin216]

I'd op for a 2.0 Pentium-M based T42....you get just as much performance as you listed up top, but much thinner, newer tech machines.....GHZ is being taken away by Intel, as AMD have....because MHZ/GHZ is not the true way to measure power in a computer....If you think it is, then you need to do some research my friend

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: jvarszegi
There you go, shilling for PC Torque again. Hope they're giving you a sweet bonus this year.

Responses such as this have become very boring I'm afraid, especially considering I named a number of non-Sager based machines above (the Mitac is actually a quite popular machine at the moment). As stated prior (in case poor jvarszegi's ability to read has dwindled from this thread), "I do not work for Sager or Clevo, nor do I receive any compensation for any of my opinions (because, quite frankly, that is all it really is - an opinion of my own experiences)."

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: trexpesto
Good suggestion. I am running 2 dbs, weblogic server with a very demanding set of apps, a honking GUI builder, the resultant client apps, as well as the usual Java IDE, mozilla, etc. Plenty.
About the only thing I don't fret about is a great vid card.

These type of activities seem to warrant a full fledged DTR.

Notice you've mentioned nothing in the way of battery performance or weight concerns . Perhaps you could list your desired weight and battery life requirements? From your description, it sounds as though you essentially require a mobile desktop; that is, a machine that is easily transportable daily (if need be), yet still contains the power necessary for the tasks normally designated to a desktop/server.

I would think an AMD64 or P4 solution would be the most cost effective in terms of raw power per dollar, as the Pentium-M processors tend to run a bit steeper in cost; and thus, the machines that employ them do likewise. This of course is dependent on your weight and battery requirements as well, however.

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: trexpesto
3 GHz mobile proc - not too hot. Prefer AMD but willing to go Intel. Pentium M don't go high enuf.

You are aware that a 2GHz Pentium M or Athlon 64 mobile will outrun a 3GHz Pentium 4, right? The Pentium M will also run cooler, and give you better battery life.

 

[Roadraider]

^ What he said ^

Don't fall for the GHz marketing scam. There is SO much more in the performance of a computer/laptop than the CPU. For example, IBM laptops have some of the best specced motherboards around providing better performance than similarly specced laptops.

Also, stay the heck away from HP/Compaq. WAY too much plastic, way too many complaints and issues. They run quite hot too.

Your best option it to pick up any laptop with the minimum HD &amp; memory from the manufacturer. Then buy a 7200rpm HD &amp; GBs of sodimms either here on the forum or on eBay for a fraction of the cost. e.g 80GB 7200rpm HD is <$200 shipped on eBay but $400 option with Dell!! Even worse with memory. You don't need to be technical and only takes minutes to make the upgrade.

And no, there is no issue whatsoever with running 7200rpm disks with P4Ms or Centrinos. They do require a bit more power than a 5400 or 4200 but it is not that much.

Overall, the latest IBM T42 with the Centrino-based 2.0 CPU will outdo a 3GHZ P4 hands down. As for AMD, I love them for desktops but still got some way to go on mobile CPUs. Running very hot and power hungry compared to Intel's offerings.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Roadraider
with the Centrino-based 2.0 CPU will outdo a 3GHZ P4 hands down. As for AMD, I love them for desktops but still got some way to go on mobile CPUs.

For those interested in actual data regarding the above, Anandtech tested the 755 back in July of this year. Results can be found here. The 3.2GHz P4 tested rather equivalent to the Dothan 755. On some tests, the 755 scored marginally better (productivity, multimedia content creation, etc), while others the P4 had slightly higher benchmarks (internet content creation, rendering, encoding, etc). In addition, the 3000+ scored equally as well on most tests.

The cost issue mentioned above still remains a factor, coupled with desired battery life and weight.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: Roadraider
Your best option it to pick up any laptop with the minimum HD &amp; memory from the manufacturer. Then buy a 7200rpm HD &amp; GBs of sodimms either here on the forum or on eBay for a fraction of the cost. e.g 80GB 7200rpm HD is <$200 shipped on eBay but $400 option with Dell!! Even worse with memory. You don't need to be technical and only takes minutes to make the upgrade.

Do not believe there is a 2.5" 80GB 7200RPM drive yet available to the end-user market (nor did I see it an option at Dell, on any of the major lines). As mentioned in another thread, Seagate has plans to release the Momentus 7200.1 (their new naming convention) line of drives - storage capacities of 40GB, 60GB, and 100GB. Specifications found here. Perhaps you meant a 60GB drive?

One caution regarding memory: be certain to conduct a bit of thorough research (forums, newsgroups, etc) prior to purchasing additional memory for one's mobile machine. Even with high quality ram, there are often a myriad of compatibility issues. The cause for such is the necessary proprietary design of notebook boards, and often finding truly compatible memory (the kind that can undergo the near six hour full diagnostic of memtest) can be very much a hit or miss situation (again, even with the better branded ram).

This is by no means a suggestion to purchase additional memory at the inflated prices manufacturers/distributors/resellers often attempt to pass along to the end-user - merely a caveat to be certain one has a compatibility guarantee or an excellent return policy in place prior to purchase.

 

[trexpesto]

Check, check..,and check.

Crucial PC3200 1Gb ~ $500 @ crucial.com. may be able to get cheaper like 400 or so.
Hitachi 7200 60 Gb ~ $170 @ newegg.com

Yap, I was thinking P-M 755 or highest I can get at the latest time possible, pity they don't have the anti-virus bit yet. That was a good article alright.
Either that or for DTR, HPCompaq sells an AMD 3700+ model. (that's why I priced the PC3200, although they say there is only one slot user accessible, bet I can get to it without the dremel)

Edit: yep you unscrew the keyboard from below and retract 4 tabs on top and fold it forward over the touchpad.

 

[trexpesto]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: trexpesto
Good suggestion. I am running 2 dbs, weblogic server with a very demanding set of apps, a honking GUI builder, the resultant client apps, as well as the usual Java IDE, mozilla, etc. Plenty.
About the only thing I don't fret about is a great vid card.

These type of activities seem to warrant a full fledged DTR.

Notice you've mentioned nothing in the way of battery performance or weight concerns . Perhaps you could list your desired weight and battery life requirements? From your description, it sounds as though you essentially require a mobile desktop; that is, a machine that is easily transportable daily (if need be), yet still contains the power necessary for the tasks normally designated to a desktop/server.

I would think an AMD64 or P4 solution would be the most cost effective in terms of raw power per dollar, as the Pentium-M processors tend to run a bit steeper in cost; and thus, the machines that employ them do likewise. This of course is dependent on your weight and battery requirements as well, however.

Hey someone told me I should only be considering a P4 with HyperThreading because I am doing all those things at once, is that right?

 

[jvarszegi]

As stated prior (in case poor jvarszegi's ability to read has dwindled from this thread)

Hilarious. So you think you came out ahead in that other thread, hmmm? You form "opinions of your own experience", yes? My opinion of your own experience is a little different. You make a bunch of barely-readable, wordy statements, which contain multiple inaccuracies and abuses of the language, and then conclude you're the winner. You're the AnandTech counterpart of Wimp Lo from "Kung Pow: Enter the Fist".

You occasionally (not always) mention laptops from distributors other than PC Torque, but you don't link to them, even when they provide better values (which is all the time). That's why you stand accused of being a PC Torque marketer. You abuse this board.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: jvarszegi
You occasionally (not always) mention laptops from distributors other than PC Torque, but you don't link to them, even when they provide better values (which is all the time). That's why you stand accused of being a PC Torque marketer. You abuse this board.

While I do not feel compelled to justify my own actions, I do think inaccuracies should be pointed out.

You might want to read the 8th post in this thread, which directly refutes your above conjecture. You might also venture into ATHD, where I post regularly (including machines other than those made by Sager/Clevo). A few examples: here, here, here, etc.

Am quite sorry you feel the need to continually launch personal attacks based solely on my opinion, but you may want to frequent these forums for more than 62 days prior to making further accusations.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: trexpesto
Hey someone told me I should only be considering a P4 with HyperThreading because I am doing all those things at once, is that right?

HyperThreaded processors can indeed aid in multitasking, but can often hinder overall performance. It depends on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the cache size of the processor, which applications are being utilized, how processor intensive those applications are, etc. One's machine can at times take an overall performance hit in one application in favor of having a machine that can run a multitude of applications simultaneously. Some applications are written with SMP in mind, and others are not.

In short, it depends on what you run, but for the most part HyperThreading aids the multitasker more than those seeking raw speed from their machine.

Also, as inquired a few times earlier, you may want to post your weight and battery life requirements for this proposed machine. Those are key factors in the decision making (and recommending) process not listed above.

 

[trexpesto]

1/2 hour battery life min, 10 lb max
As long as it fits under the airline seat....

mostly I am concerned with the performance of Oracle and WebLogic, somewhat less the webserver or my dev tools.

 

[bdjohnson]

you can get a machine with specs like that from falcon northwest here.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: bdjohnson
you can get a machine with specs like that from falcon northwest here.

There are two models of mobile machines currently marketed by Falcon Northwest.

• The FragBook TL is a rebadged Compal CL56, which can be purchased from a number of resellers.
• The FragBook DR is a rebadged Clevo D870P, or Sager NP8790, which can be found from alternate sources as well.

With the above requirements regarding weight and battery life (is that 1 to 2 hours, or 1/2 hour?), the more cost effective, feature rich solution would seem to suggest a P4 HT or AMD 64 processor, as either will provide the above battery life (most offer close to 2 hours).

Still believe the original suggestion of the Mitac 8355 might prove the most apt and cost effective solution for this particular case. With any of the above mentioned AMD 64-bit processors, the machine would perform quite well and have the ample power necessary for heavy multitasking.

Of course, as mentioned a few posts above, the P4 HT also performs well in a multitasking environment (on a personal note, I make use of a 3.4GHz HT Northwood in my own mobile machine, and I find it handles the heavy stress very well). Also, you might reexamine discountlaptops.com, as they offer a number of machines with mobile processors if you do indeed decide to opt for that route. If such is the case, as mentioned in a few previous threads, the Compal CL56 (rebadged by several resellers), the Asus M6000N, and the Mitac 8050 (rebadged as well) are all excellent choices as well.

Am afraid without an inclination toward one line of processors or another, it is difficult to make a concrete suggestion. Most purchasers have an idea which processor line they are most attracted to, feature-wise - long life battery performance (Pentium-M), or portable full desktop-like performance in all processing arenas (P4 and AMD 64). It is a decision no one (save perhaps your employer, as they are making the purchase) can make for the end-user. Different sects of users have different needs and requirements, as well as budgetary concerns.

Regardless of your decision, good luck. Should you require any further suggestions once you reach the above processor decision, do not hesistate to ask.