is this dumb?

[wifi4lyfe]

I'm currently a college student and own a 14" SXGA+ IBM T42p (1.8/60gb/512mb/wifi/dvd/cdrw/FireGL/etc). Dont get me wrong, this is a GREAT laptop and I love it to death. Especially the 6hr+ battery life. Only problem is, the laptop RARELY ever leaves me desk except for when I fly home. And when I fly home, I usually listen to my iPod or pass out because I'm hungover

SO, I'm thinking of selling this (I've only had it about 5 months) and purchasing one of those HUGE 17" beast laptops as a desktop replacement. I already tried purchasing an external monitor but the screen resolution sucked quality wise, and it was a good LCD.

I'm currently considering the toshiba G15-AV501 (i think thats the model?). It's basically the same specs, but you can watch TV on it, it has a DVD-RW (which I actually want), and ofcourse this behemouth 17" LCD. I havent really checked out any other laptops, and I'm hoping to find one with a 17" LCD that runs at higher than 1440x900 which alot of them do.

so, is this a dumb idea? should I just keep what I have? The smallish screen is starting to takes its toll on me, I was used to dual monitors back home....

thanks

 

[trikster2]

wifi

I'm trying to decide between a T42 and a monster laptop too. Can't decide if I want the portability or a total replacement for my desktop system.

The Qosmio has a really bright screen, and a solid keyboard. Overall nice feel to it.

However it's THREE grand.

Yikes.

You can do better for that price. My biggest problem with the Qosmio is you shell out 3g's and it does not even have a DVI out! You mentioned LCD quality. If you ever want dual monitor goodness get DVI on your next laptop.

If you want 17" AND probability and you have 3 grand, look at the apple Power book. It's the lightest 17" at about 7lbs (and has DVI out).

Or looks at the Dell 9200/9300. Under 8 lbs and 3 hrs or so of battery life and DVI out. Get a USB TV tuner if that's a requirement.

If 60 minute battery life in a 12 lb beast is OK with you look at the Sagers/Alienwares. You pay the price in weight but you get dual optical drives, and dual hard drives.

Finally there is the Dell XPS-2 (my current favorite). Based on the inspiron 9200/9300 chasis it has a 6800 ultra that (in initial tests) is blowing every other laptop away and giving $400 desktop cards a run for their money. also has gig ethernet, DVI, a 2+ hr battery life in an 8lb package.

Anandtech thread

 

[wifi4lyfe]

i'm seriously considering getting the Dell 9200. I was hoping to sell my laptop and not have to spend more than 100-200 extra and i dont really wanna wait for that new dell to come out. I found a 9200, new, for about 1600 with the 17" UXGA, 128mb 9700 (plenty for my needs), 2ghz, 512mb, cdrw/dvd, wifi, etc

good deal?

 

[trikster2]

Sounds like a great deal. 9300 is about $300 more than that.

Pull the trigger now if that's what you want.

The 9200 is no longer available on my EPP site. Only the 9300.

 

[wifi4lyfe]

it was brand new, buy it now on ebay....

 

[atsang]

and it has dvi too doesnt it?

 

[fbrdphreak]

I'll trade you my T42 for your T42p....

 

[motard]

The resale values of the newer T42P will be slightly higher than non p versions.