Help me become better at configuring a cheap laptop (I'm getting better)

[ultimatebob]

It's kinda weird that you think that the Dell XPS 15 case is "beautiful". I have one, and I think that it's cheap and plasticy compared to either a Macbook Pro or a Lenovo Thinkpad.

The price was right, though... I got mine for $1350 fully loaded. I think that I got every upgrade available except for the SSD.

 

[skace]

It's kinda weird that you think that the Dell XPS 15 case is "beautiful". I have one, and I think that it's cheap and plasticy compared to either a Macbook Pro or a Lenovo Thinkpad.

The price was right, though... I got mine for $1350 fully loaded. I think that I got every upgrade available except for the SSD.

Well, that comment is directed towards the fact that I can customize the lid with some pretty nice paintings. Not that I think the case itself is the best thing ever made.

The new Lenovo looks cool, but I'm not sure I can stomach only sandybridge w/out any discrete graphics. Ouch.

 

[Tom]

You havent listed the weight of ones you're looking at, like I said before a lighter laptop is much easier to carry all over the state and use on the couch, etc.

btw, that Sager 8130 weighs almost 7 pounds, which is really heavy for a 15 inch laptop.

Under 5 pounds is really important to portability around the house,any more and taking the laptop is kind of a chore.

 

[skace]

Xotic PC (and all the major resellers) recently added the NP 8130-S1 package, which includes: 2630QM/8GB DDR3 1600/750Gb 7200/95% Gamut (Glossy) Screen...total: $1319. Otherwise it maintains the same GTX 560m.

The 8130 sounds perfect. Didn't really look at it, I'll go over it again.

 

[skace]

You havent listed the weight of ones you're looking at, like I said before a lighter laptop is much easier to carry all over the state and use on the couch, etc.

Good point. Everything in my list is either 7lbs or under (I think...). However, I do need to identify whether 7lbs is manageable or not. I may go back through and collect all the weights for my list.

Her current laptop is not a netbook or small in any fashion, so I don't think she has any problems carrying 7lbs.

From the light / compact perspective, I really like that Lenovo x220. But it isn't considered a gaming machine and I can't really afford to risk purchasing something that ends up not being able to run things from the onset.

 

[Axon]

XoticPC has a great review up on youtube re: the NP 8130: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swp7aC05h5w

As to weight, gaming capable laptops are typically 6+ lbs. Just the nature of the beast. Even the Alienware m11x is over 6 pounds if I recall correctly.

 

[Bolas]

Well, that comment is directed towards the fact that I can customize the lid with some pretty nice paintings. Not that I think the case itself is the best thing ever made.

The new Lenovo looks cool, but I'm not sure I can stomach only sandybridge w/out any discrete graphics. Ouch.

Xoticpc will do custom skins with whatever design you want on the lid. If that's what you want.

Some of the more expensive vendors will do custom paint jobs as well. www.falcon-nw.com and www.smoothcreations.com does some really nice paint work. But you pay for it.

 

[Tom]

XoticPC has a great review up on youtube re: the NP 8130: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swp7aC05h5w

As to weight, gaming capable laptops are typically 6+ lbs. Just the nature of the beast. Even the Alienware m11x is over 6 pounds if I recall correctly.

the m11x is a little over 4 lbs. It's too compromized to be what I would choose as an only laptop though. I have one and it's great for some things.

For someone who wants to use their laptop on the couch or in their lap, I still think a 5.5 lb with a mid-range gpu is better than a 6.5-7.5 lb high end gaming laptop. That much weight requires a desk or table. And higher end components make more heat. Not fun on the lap.

The midrange gpus will play any game anyway.

 

[Bolas]

the m11x is a little over 4 lbs. It's too compromized to be what I would choose as an only laptop though. I have one and it's great for some things.

For someone who wants to use their laptop on the couch or in their lap, I still think a 5.5 lb with a mid-range gpu is better than a 6.5-7.5 lb high end gaming laptop. That much weight requires a desk or table. And higher end components make more heat. Not fun on the lap.

The midrange gpus will play any game anyway.

Agreed. A 15" is a better gift for a lady than a 17", unless she specifically says "I want a big friggin screen!!". Like my wife wants LOL.