Best Value Laptop w/ Decent Graphics

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Aeridyne
The ultrabay sounds really cool, would be nice if more manufacturers offered functionality like that, Dell used to with the C series I believe if I'm not mistaken, too bad you have to take out the optical drive though otherwise I would probably just go with that and sacrifice the extra screen space for thinkpad durabilty.

I had a big 17-in Gateway about 4 years ago - and it could take a second HDD by removing the LS-120/floppy drive. I carry the Ultrabay in my bag - it accepts any SATA 2.5" drive with new screws or other hardware. It just drops in.

The optical drive for me is not used all that often. When I travel, maybe an occasional movie. It is a quick change in any case.

The Thinkpad ruggedness is legendary. I was in the Charlottesville, VA airport going through the TSA inspection. I set my T60 down on top of my computer bag while putting my shoes back on. Before I could react, it slid off and fell about30 inches to the concrete floor. I had a sick feeling. As soon as I collected my stuff, I went to a seat and turned on the T60. It b ooted right up - no damage at all, cosmetic or functional.

Here is a photo of the Ultrabay alongside the optical.

UB

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: Aeridyne

Originally posted by: corkyg
Interesting coincidence! Idecided to upgrade my T60's HDD from a 200 GB to a WDC 320 GB Scorpio 7200 RPM. And, I used the T60's Ultrabay drive to do the cloning. I booted with a Thumb drive containing Acronis TI2009 (12), and the job was done in 18 minutes. I removed the Ultrabay, took out the 320 Scorpio and then removed the T60's main 200 GB drive (both SATA.)

I then put the Scorpio in the T60 caddy aliong with the rubber rails (part of the above shock mounting story's success) and powered up.

The T60 booted right up - all programs and files intact including two partitions - everything proportionally expanded.

The Ultrabay is hotswappable with the optical drive - a very handy tool!

The ultrabay sounds really cool, would be nice if more manufacturers offered functionality like that, Dell used to with the C series I believe if I'm not mistaken, too bad you have to take out the optical drive though otherwise I would probably just go with that and sacrifice the extra screen space for thinkpad durabilty.

do you *really* need the optical drive AND access to stuff on a second drive at the same time that often? I barely use my optical drive, and ripping something to an ISO and mounting it locally is a no-brainer.

 

[Aeridyne]

Yes, i really need all 3 drives online at once, I wouldn't have it any other way, I don't want to have to juggle things around, which is why I was thinking a 17" was best, but really any 15 or 17 that can have dual drives and the optical online all at once is an option.

 

[Aeridyne]

So I guess at this point, the Studio and the Vostro are about the only 2 I'm even remotely interested in, I don't really see any other options that fit exactly what I am looking for in a quality build... I had thought there would be a lot more room for discussion, maybe not I guess...

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: Aeridyne
Hmm, so you like the Gateway FX series hans? I checked those out on gateway's website, and I thought the same thing, that they can be loaded up with dual drives, but I didn't see anything on the site and there weren't any configuration options for adding a second drive to one it seemed, maybe I was missing something but I didn't see it so it made me wonder if I was imagining things when I was in best buy the other day.

Yeah, I like it. Get them from Best Buy if you want the best deal. Usually the newest models go for around $1200, which is a great deal. With the money you save, you can easily buy a 2nd HD on Newegg.