Help find a notebook

[GreenGhost]

:Edit:
I got a bigger budget and decided to go with a more powerful machine, so I'm considering (all C2D7200/2GB/160GB/Ultimate/ ):

Asus G1 (Go7700, 1yr warr) $1800 (txh huynhc)
Toshiba Satellite P200 (Go7600, 3yr warr., Office SB) $2100
Dell M65 (Quadro FX350, 3yr warr) $2250 (know nothing about it)
Lenovo T60p (Fire GL v5250, 3yr warr, Office SB) $2270 (shipping delays)
HP nc8430 $2200

Any opinions welcome. Other models?


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My main requirements would be:
1. reasonably fast, the slowest core 2 duo would be ok.
2. not very big, I will carry it everyday; preferably WS.
3. graphics powerful enough for some visualization/GIS software (usually OpenGL); don't need it for gaming.
4. Decent battery life. My last one would go beyond 2 hours. Useless on the road. Besides, it was hot and noisy.
5. Vista, any flavor; I don't care to connect to a domain, just my work pc. Maybe I'll get an ethernet card and a patch cable.

Any models or series you'd recommend? (I'm careful, but 2 years on the road and they start to crack, etc.).

Are ASUS reliable? Harder to get support if something goes wrong? I've never seen one.
The only Lenovo I saw didn't look that good. Still the same quality as the old IBM's?

THanks

 

[TheStu]

I know that the integrated graphics on teh macbooks is actually more powerful than people give it credit for.... no it will not run FEAR at max or anything, but is more than capable for most of what you are asking for. It can dual boot Vista, or you can run it straight if you like. And if you get it on education discount, then you can get it with 80GB HDD and 2GB RAM (2GHz Core 2, pretty darned capable) for $1350

 

[Scouzer]

Avoid Asus A8 series. Just sold my A8Js in disgust. Terrible laptops...

 

[Brainonska511]

The A8 series would be a great notebook to get for the OP. Plenty of other people are satisfied with their purchases: http://forums.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=84736

You could look at the XPS M1210 with the 7400Go, but it is a little thick for a 12". There is also the Asus W7J, a 13.3" with a 7400Go.

 

[imported_kenyee]

Another choice is the Thinkpad T60. Should just squeak under the requirements list...

 

[huynhc]

i just purchased a ASUS G1 and it is a good bang for the buck machine if you dont mind the "immature" gamer look. In person, the computer is not bad looking (just disable the ridiculous directflash lights on the side once you get it). I have received many complements on it for looks and its quiet-running abilities given the specs (2.0 C2D; 2 gigs of ram, 512 geforce 7700, etc.). I would highly recommend this as the best bang for the buck laptop under $2000. However, the keyboard is a bit noisy to type on compared to my old Fujitsu. The screen however is great and Vista is not too shabby (just disable UAC). MSG me if you need any more info on the system....

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: Scouzer
Avoid Asus A8 series. Just sold my A8Js in disgust. Terrible laptops...

what problem did you have with yours? all of the reviews i've seen have been very positive, including the one done by anandtech. all of the people who have bought one on the notebook forums i've checked are happy with them. just curious because the a8js is topping my list right now.

 

[dementedlemur]

Dell Latitude D820 should fit your needs, it's around $2000 with the specs you want, 512mb graphics, and WSXGA+ screen, and has the 3yr warranty. You can add complete care protection for accidents too for around $200.
I just got one as a replacement for my older D800 and so far it's great. One of the other things about it I really like is that it has both the PCMCIA and PC Expresscard slots.

 

[gus6464]

My friend has an XPS M1210 with the 7400 GfGo and it is not a bad laptop at all. Its very speedy and not flashy looking at all. Also looks very well built like the dell latitudes. Although the screen size might strain your eyes after long periods of usage.