Looking to buy Portable Laptop

[Stokes]

I'm looking for around a 13.3" laptop that is light weight, ultra portable but still performs.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EE...8771721-8247238?n=541966&s=pc&v=glance

I'm liking this sony because it has good specifications, except the hardrive is only 5400 RPM. Processor speed is just fine and it has wireless.

I'm looking to use this for personal use, some note taking in classes, but also playing some poker on it using the wireless. I would like good battery life. The one thing that might be hard to make this match would be something that can also handle some of the latest games. Like Age of Empires III for example or Civilization would be nice. The Sony Vaio seems to struggle with this point. Looking to spend around $1,500-$1,800 or so.

Coupons, etc are welcomed, help me find the right choice.

 

[6000SUX]

In my experience, Sony laptops are not very durable. Their service is also not the worst, but also not the best in the industry. That said, I don't know a lot of other notebooks meeting your specs. The ASUS W3J comes to mind.

A 7400 Go will not struggle with AOE3 or Civilization; far from it.

 

[pkme2]

Sonys were built originally for quality, reliability and solid construction. The Vaios today would make Mr. Sony turn in his grave.
The thin construction makes a Vaio a difficult laptop to work on, try changing both Dimms RAM. Repairing is difficult. Nevertheless, you have to own one to know what I'm referring to. Get a repair manual on a Sony Vaio and see what I'm talking about.
I recommend the Inspiron 700 series

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: pkme2
I recommend the Inspiron 700 series

It doesn't have dedicated graphics. It's also not a very good choice for taking notes, because it's heavy for the specs and the keyboard is pretty small. I've used one...

 

[Stokes]

Any other choices? I don't know much about the ASUS or the brand. I really like the aesthetics of the sony, but seems like thats all it has

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: Stokes
Any other choices? I don't know much about the ASUS or the brand. I really like the aesthetics of the sony, but seems like thats all it has

The requirement for dedicated graphics is the killer. How about this? 14", but an awesome laptop for the price.

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...963&catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1

They're also rumored to be coming out with a successor to the Z60m with dedicated graphics soon, but I don't know the specs. Also, Apple may release a 13.3" MacBook with dedicated graphics in the next month, if rumors are correct.

 

[BUrassler]

Originally posted by: 6000SUX

Originally posted by: Stokes
Any other choices? I don't know much about the ASUS or the brand. I really like the aesthetics of the sony, but seems like thats all it has

The requirement for dedicated graphics is the killer. How about this? 14", but an awesome laptop for the price.

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...963&catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1

They're also rumored to be coming out with a successor to the Z60m with dedicated graphics soon, but I don't know the specs. Also, Apple may release a 13.3" MacBook with dedicated graphics in the next month, if rumors are correct.

Actually, the rumor is a Core Duo Z61, but still no dedicated graphics or improved screen resolution.

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: BUrassler

Originally posted by: 6000SUX

Originally posted by: Stokes
Any other choices? I don't know much about the ASUS or the brand. I really like the aesthetics of the sony, but seems like thats all it has

The requirement for dedicated graphics is the killer. How about this? 14", but an awesome laptop for the price.

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...963&catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1

They're also rumored to be coming out with a successor to the Z60m with dedicated graphics soon, but I don't know the specs. Also, Apple may release a 13.3" MacBook with dedicated graphics in the next month, if rumors are correct.

Actually, the rumor is a Core Duo Z61, but still no dedicated graphics or improved screen resolution.

The Z61M already has dedicated graphics, no? The rumor is an update to the Z line for Core Duo and other minor enhancements.

 

[BUrassler]

Originally posted by: 6000SUX

Originally posted by: BUrassler

Originally posted by: 6000SUX

Originally posted by: Stokes
Any other choices? I don't know much about the ASUS or the brand. I really like the aesthetics of the sony, but seems like thats all it has

The requirement for dedicated graphics is the killer. How about this? 14", but an awesome laptop for the price.

http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/s...963&catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1

They're also rumored to be coming out with a successor to the Z60m with dedicated graphics soon, but I don't know the specs. Also, Apple may release a 13.3" MacBook with dedicated graphics in the next month, if rumors are correct.

Actually, the rumor is a Core Duo Z61, but still no dedicated graphics or improved screen resolution.

The Z61M already has dedicated graphics, no? The rumor is an update to the Z line for Core Duo and other minor enhancements.

Im sorry, you are right. I was talking about the Z60t and you were talking about the Z60m. Yea, the Z60m has a dedicated GPU already, while the Z60t doesnt. The upgrade, expected in about a week and a half will be the Z61t and Z61m, expected to each have Core Duo.

The Z60m is 15.4" and that is what threw me off, because you talked about a 14" Z series, which would be the Z60t

 

[6000SUX]

You're right, 15.4" is way too big for the OP's requirements.

It's really too bad the S600 line from Fujitsu doesn't have decent dedicated graphics. It'd be a world-beater. I also wish IBM made a Thinkpad in 13.3", a slightly bigger X series but with a modular bay and dedicated graphics.

 

[BUrassler]

Originally posted by: 6000SUX
You're right, 15.4" is way too big for the OP's requirements.

It's really too bad the S600 line from Fujitsu doesn't have decent dedicated graphics. It'd be a world-beater. I also wish IBM made a Thinkpad in 13.3", a slightly bigger X series but with a modular bay and dedicated graphics.

That would be GREAT!!

 

[ubercaffeinated]

the 13.3 inch macbook pro is supposed to be annouced this coming tuesday. not an apple fan, but as far as laptops go, i find macbooks and macbookpros a more than viable option.

 

[imported_goku]

Don't buy a sony. For a person who has owned his fair shair of sony products, I can say with out a doubt they're unreliable. They may be built physically well but software wise, they're impossible to deal with.

 

[imported_goku]

Get an IBM laptop, if you HAVE TO GET A DELL WHICH I SUGGEST YOU DON'T, get a latitude series, avoid the inspirons...

 

[BladeVenom]

The Dell XPS M1210 is suppose to come out this month. If priced well, I think it's definitely worth considering. If I didn't already have a 700m I would be getting one. http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2912&laptop=Dell+XPS+M1210

 

[6000SUX]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom
The Dell XPS M1210 is suppose to come out this month. If priced well, I think it's definitely worth considering. If I didn't already have a 700m I would be getting one. http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2912&laptop=Dell+XPS+M1210

It's pretty nice-looking! Too bad the optical drive is rumored to be fixed. It would have been a lot better with a modular bay; I sometimes wonder who designs these things. I bet it will have lackluster battery life, unless you get a battery that pooches out the back and adds more weight, but we'll see.

 

[Stokes]

That new Dell does look great.. I'll wait and see what happens or keep looking around some more. I wish it was a 13.3" 12.1 just seems small..

 

[halfadder]

Check out the little Sager:

http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product.cfm?ProductType=5420

 

[Stokes]

Originally posted by: halfadder
Check out the little Sager:

http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/notebooks/product.cfm?ProductType=5420

I've never heard of Sager, doesnt look like they have the duo core avaliable yet which I think may make a difference with what I want to use it for. Looks really good though. I'll look into what I can make with them in a bit. What else are my options?

 

[halfadder]

I'm really only familar with the higher end Sagers. Both Sager and Alienware notebooks are made by Clevo. Or put another way, an Alienware notebook minus the ugly plastics equals Sager.

In my circle of friends we have tried pretty much every major notebook brand. Right now we all pretty much use Sager and/or Apple PowerBook. Two brands that we seem to like the most.

 

[Stokes]

Well the Sager NP5420-V has me more curious. 14" WXGA with glossy surface. 2Ghz Pentium M 2.0 Ghz, 80 GB 7200 RPM, 1GB SDRAM at 400Mhz, and the usual for around $1319. Its not a bad price for what I'm getting. I just wonder about battery life with this and the graphics is this:

VIA /S3G UniChrome Pro IGP Graphics with Share Memory Architecture up to 64MB

I'm thinking that is the problem with this. Don't know if that can handle AoEIII

 

[6000SUX]

Right. The graphics are on the extreme low end, and I'd also have questions about the battery. That's why I woudn't buy that model.

 

[Stokes]

Any other possibilities 6000?

 

[Stokes]

It does look like though the ASUS W3J is the right choice because it offers my 14" Light and portable feel I want plus it has the dedicated graphics. Kind of Pricey though.

 

[6000SUX]

That's the problem. I feel like we're on the verge of an era when they will start packing real powerhouse features into smaller packages, including graphics. It's just that there aren't a lot of choices yet with decent graphics-- the ASUS and Dell XPS mentioned in another post are really on the forefront. That means it's even harder to get such a machine on a budget.

I'd wait and see the actual specs and price tag on the upcoming XPS machine if I were you, much as I hate Dell. They do come in at a low price point most of the time.

One thing that's cool about that ASUS is that it has a modular bay, and an available battery for it.