Building a ComPal Notebook for $1070

[imported_ToySoldier]

Compal GL30 $680
256Mb 7600 Video "dedicated" $0
DVD / CDRW $0
Celeron M 410 ? 1.46Ghz $55
2GB Ram CORSAIR DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel $210
100GB (7200rpm) $125

$1070 Total (price includes S/H) for $50 more you can upgrade to a DVD Burner

I'm buying the Compal from RjTech.com and the rest of the components on NewEgg.com
I will pop out the Celeron and install a Core 2 Duo next year when the price goes below $150. My brother just wants to play older 3D games like Age of Mythology and WarCraft 3. He'll play more demanding games like World of Warcraft or Empire at War when I install the Core 2 Duo in 12-18 months.

 

[us3rnotfound]

One word of warning about barebones: The build quality, especially the screen and keyboard, might disappoint you, but the performance will not, so it's up to you.

 

[alimoalem]

that's a good deal. i've never had experience with a barebones laptop so us3rnotfound could have a point but still, that's an EXTREMELY good deal for those parts

 

[imported_ToySoldier]

Not much I can do about the keyboard but for game play I guess you could always plug in an an external LCD or CRT. The screen quality hopefully will suffice for "on the go" computing. It will be great if I could upgrade the video MXM but I'm not holding my breath on that.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: us3rnotfound
One word of warning about barebones: The build quality, especially the screen and keyboard, might disappoint you, but the performance will not, so it's up to you.

Bingo. Built my Dad an Asus. The motherboard didn't want to recognize my 1.6/533 Dothan, only running it on a 400 bus and reducing the max clock to 1.2. The keyboard was nothing special, but overall build quality was okay for a total cost under $700 almost a year ago.

You probably won't get another decent system with a Go 7600 at that price, because to get a good discrete GPU means you pay for other higher end components as well. But you will also get a better notebook in terms of quality and other features for $1070.

Also keep in mind warranty. Barebones are often a tricky warranty situation at best

 

[imported_ToySoldier]

You probably won't get another decent system with a Go 7600 at that price, because to get a good discrete GPU means you pay for other higher end components as well. But you will also get a better notebook in terms of quality and other features for $1070.

The price range get's into the $1500+ range and you get less ram and a slower hard drive from Alienware... HP crowd. Price factors in S/H and or taxes.

 

[alimoalem]

check this out...i have no idea on ibuypower's quality but it's a good price for the parts for a prebuilt notebook.

 

[Scouzer]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
check this out...i have no idea on ibuypower's quality but it's a good price for the parts for a prebuilt notebook.

lol...dude, thats the same brand computer, same idea, etc.

me...i'm woefully disapointed with my A8Js...way too expensive in hindsight for the quality of the machine

 

[imported_ToySoldier]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
check this out...i have no idea on ibuypower's quality but it's a good price for the parts for a prebuilt notebook.

That's not a bad build even if it has 1GB less Ram and a 5400rpm HD. But I still like my build. The 2GB Ram will come in handy for Vista.

S-550BX This other iBuy laptop is not a bad deal either for $1115 after rebate and s/h. It would be great if the MXM could be upgraded.