Bateluer
Lifer
I've needed a new laptop for a while now. My 17in Dothan machine is really showing its age now. Plus, I don't exactly like lugging it around when I'm traveling or moving it around at work.
I looked a few different different models, the Gateway LT series and the Acer Timeline 3810T. I'm looking for something light with decent battery life, but still boasts the power for me to actually accomplish work. MS Office, VOIP, Internet, and some HD videos, etc. There will be some light gaming on it, but fairly rarely.
After putting hands on the Gateway at Best Buy, I ruled it out. Its not a bad machine, and its performance was well above that of the Atom powered netbooks it sat beside, however, two things kinda turned me off. I had a hard time typing on the keyboard and the 720p 11.6in screen was a little difficult to read. I can easily see some serious eye strain using it for an extended period of time.
I did, however, also look at a Dell Studio 14z on display as well. Seems to be sturdy, decent CPU options, 3GB of RAM stock, upgradeable to 5GB. Not 100% sure how many slots are in it, but DDR3 SO-DIMMs aren't terribly expensive if I wanted to bump it up later. Vista 64 is preinstalled, with coupon for Windows 7. The Nvidia 9400M IGP makes me a little nervous. Its the highest performing IGP on there with a fairly low TDP, but Nvidia has had a lot of troubles lately with their mobile chips. Most of the games I'd probably play on the laptop would run fine. The only time I'd be gaming on it would be when I visit family in Michigan, and probably only Source games and Age of Empires 3. With a T6500 C2D, 3GB of DDR3, and a 9400M, I think AOE3 will run alright at 720p at medium-low settings. I already have an external DVD drive, so on the rare occasions I need to install software from a disk, I have it available.
The Studio 14z offers far better performance than either the LT or the Timeline, with their A64 L110 and C2S SU3500 CPUs.
Right now, if I buy from Dell.com, I get a 7% discount through my employer, making it a little cheaper. There's also a Zero Interest for 9 months promotion for the Studio line(probably other lines too).
While I can afford and need a new laptop, I also need to save funds for a trip to Las Vegas for the Rock and Roll Marathon in December and the Goofy Challenge races in January. Also, I'll still be in school during those trips and will need a mobile device for home work. I'd rather not lug my 17in monster and its paltry 20 minute battery life around through the airports. I'd rather pack light and void unnecessary airline fees. I don't foresee a problem paying off the balance within that 9 month time frame.
What sayeth ATOT? Should I jump on the 9 months, 0% financing and employer discount and buy myself a Studio 14z?
Cliffs
-Old laptop feeling extremely antiquated, heavy
-Vacation trips planned for the end of the year, but need new laptop
-Bonus 0% financing and employer discount to buy now
Moved from Off Topic.
Sr Moderator allisolm
I looked a few different different models, the Gateway LT series and the Acer Timeline 3810T. I'm looking for something light with decent battery life, but still boasts the power for me to actually accomplish work. MS Office, VOIP, Internet, and some HD videos, etc. There will be some light gaming on it, but fairly rarely.
After putting hands on the Gateway at Best Buy, I ruled it out. Its not a bad machine, and its performance was well above that of the Atom powered netbooks it sat beside, however, two things kinda turned me off. I had a hard time typing on the keyboard and the 720p 11.6in screen was a little difficult to read. I can easily see some serious eye strain using it for an extended period of time.
I did, however, also look at a Dell Studio 14z on display as well. Seems to be sturdy, decent CPU options, 3GB of RAM stock, upgradeable to 5GB. Not 100% sure how many slots are in it, but DDR3 SO-DIMMs aren't terribly expensive if I wanted to bump it up later. Vista 64 is preinstalled, with coupon for Windows 7. The Nvidia 9400M IGP makes me a little nervous. Its the highest performing IGP on there with a fairly low TDP, but Nvidia has had a lot of troubles lately with their mobile chips. Most of the games I'd probably play on the laptop would run fine. The only time I'd be gaming on it would be when I visit family in Michigan, and probably only Source games and Age of Empires 3. With a T6500 C2D, 3GB of DDR3, and a 9400M, I think AOE3 will run alright at 720p at medium-low settings. I already have an external DVD drive, so on the rare occasions I need to install software from a disk, I have it available.
The Studio 14z offers far better performance than either the LT or the Timeline, with their A64 L110 and C2S SU3500 CPUs.
Right now, if I buy from Dell.com, I get a 7% discount through my employer, making it a little cheaper. There's also a Zero Interest for 9 months promotion for the Studio line(probably other lines too).
While I can afford and need a new laptop, I also need to save funds for a trip to Las Vegas for the Rock and Roll Marathon in December and the Goofy Challenge races in January. Also, I'll still be in school during those trips and will need a mobile device for home work. I'd rather not lug my 17in monster and its paltry 20 minute battery life around through the airports. I'd rather pack light and void unnecessary airline fees. I don't foresee a problem paying off the balance within that 9 month time frame.
What sayeth ATOT? Should I jump on the 9 months, 0% financing and employer discount and buy myself a Studio 14z?
Cliffs
-Old laptop feeling extremely antiquated, heavy
-Vacation trips planned for the end of the year, but need new laptop
-Bonus 0% financing and employer discount to buy now
Moved from Off Topic.
Sr Moderator allisolm
