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Need a laptop..

C

coxmaster

Diamond Member
Right now I'm starting to look into laptops for college. I will be purchasing within the next month or two (at the most).

Price range: $1100-1400, lower=better.

What I want:
RAM, 3 or 4GB
Blu Ray Reader (possibly writer)
HDMI output!!!
15-17" screen, depending on final price
Intel CPU.

What i dont want:
Super fast, I will be taking my desktop also.. It already handles most of my games better than a laptop is going to.

Anything i forgot?

What brands/models does anybody suggest? Sony is looking appealing to me right now..

Thanks for the help!!


 
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Still doesnt really answer my question of brand though. Is there any that are better/worse value or quality?
 
For college, I'd go with a basic configuration in either a lenovo thinkpad T400/T500 or a dell latitude e6400/e6500. Get something that works and is going to take some abuse (dell's base 3 year warranty on their business line is very attractive - as are their outlet prices). I took my desktop to college originally (well I built one going in my freshman year). I bought an apple powerbook my sophomore year. I ended up using the laptop much more than the desktop (just used the desktop for gaming and some cad/programming).
 
Take a look at Compal KHLB2

w/ screen: 15.6" WXGA 1366X768 backlit lcd , Video card: ATI HD 4650 (class 2), cpu: P8700, RAM: 4GB, HDD 320/7200, Blue Ray reader, Bluetooth, Intel 5100 wireless LAN, Windows Vista home premium, 3 year warranty.

Price approx. $1,373.00 from RJ Tech.


If you can find another $700 try this one (this is what I'm buying to replace my Dell Latitude):

Sager 8662 built on Clevo M860TU

This will have quad core cpu, better video card.


From where I live (ymmv), these Sagers can be bought for a little less than from Sager directly by going to any of:
PowerNotebooks, Genoa, Nevada www.powernotebooks.com/ , or
Pro-Star www.pro-star.com/ , or
R & J Technology www.rjtech.com/ .

That place way back east that people mention might be a good source for your locale:
Xotic PC, Lincoln, NE www.xoticpc.com/

 
There was a deal (office max?) a month or so ago for a HP 16" with blu-ray. Look into the HP deals. They and Dell have the most customization options. I haven't seen a laptop with a blu-ray burner yet, nor have I seen a slim blu-ray burner (you may have to wait a few months to see this). Your best bet is to wait for a HP $400 off $1399 deal. Then you can probably get a HD screen (1920x1080), blu-ray, and other upgrades for well within your budget. I think it's silly to get blu-ray but have a low resolution screen like 1280x800 or 1366x768. You can probably get a similarly configured Dell at a similar price but it'd probably be a Vostro, which looks ugly in my opinion.
 
Cool thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll keep them in mind.

And ya, therookie, that was an OfficeMax deal (i work there 😛)
 
HP/Compaq notebooks are nice but I dont recommand even though I own HP/Compaq and have two problems - wireless and graphic card died they fixed them. But I read many complaints about HP poor customer service and repair job does not get job done.
I would go with Thinkpad notebook...or maybe Dell XPS notebook.
 
I've got a Sager that will be here Monday. It's a 17" (1920x1200) Quad core w/ Geforce 280M GTX w/ 2GB Ram (I have 4GB that I'm putting into it) and a 250GB 7200 Harddrive. It ran me $1920 + 33 shipping!! All of my research about Sager was nothing but positive. It seems most people like them and they're a decent build.

The only thing about PowerNotebook and those other resellers is that you must pay CASH to get the discount, otherwise they are the same price as Sager. Also, I didn't order online through Sager, I placed my order over the phone. I was able to get a discount and order it without an OS ($95 savings!).

I'll post some pics and a review after I get it Monday!
 
People keep recommending me Sager. The only problem is, they have all been $1900 OR MORE.

1900 is more than my price range (as stated in OP)
 
slickdeals.net

Dell SB has a new 35% off coupon 9TLZ6FC3V8WP90 for most Dell Vostro 1320, 1520, and 1720 as well as Latitude E5400, E5500 and D630 laptops configured at $949 and up. Thanks aigne and BlueCrown

Well equipped Vostro 1520 Laptop $616 [Discuss]

Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 (2.4GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz, 2 DIMM
NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS 256MB
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
15.4 Premium WXGA+ Anti-Glare Display (Wide View)
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Vista
8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability, Roxio and Cyberlink PowerDVD DX 8.1
Integrated 1.3MP Webcam and Digital Mic with webcam and video chat software
Dell Wireless 1397 802.11b/g Mini Card
9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1 Year Basic Limited Warranty plus 1 Year Mail-in Service
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic

I took out the webcam, upgraded the wifi, added truelife display, upgraded to 250GB 7200rpm and changed it to 2gb 1 dimm (will buy another 2gb online for cheap) and it came out to $648 (before tax) + free shipping
 
Originally posted by: coxmaster
People keep recommending me Sager. The only problem is, they have all been $1900 OR MORE.

1900 is more than my price range (as stated in OP)
Click to expand...

****Nay, $1,300***LOOK****(and read me)

Sager NP2098 Custom Laptop built on the Compal KHLB2 (Compal is the worlds 2nd largest laptop maker)
- Screen: 15.6" HD 16:9 WXGA Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy LED Screen (1366x768)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- CPU: Intel® P8700 45nm "Montevina" Core?2 Duo 2.53GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- Video card: ATI HD4650 512MB PCI-Express DDR3
- RAM: 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)
- Standard Finish
- DVD: Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- HDD: 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- Internal 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- Sager 3 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Lifetime Sager Toll Free Support

Sub-Total: $1,213.00 Check it out for yourself

I forgot to add the BlueRay you want, you can do that. Shop around those places I suggested in earlier post above. They all have online configurators, so it'll only take you a few minutes.


Edit: and to go with it buy yerself a Belkin F8E550 Notebook Security Lock on Amazon.com. This one has a strong padlock instead of those not-so-good roller combination locks like the Kensington ones.
 
Originally posted by: coxmaster
People keep recommending me Sager. The only problem is, they have all been $1900 OR MORE.

1900 is more than my price range (as stated in OP)
Click to expand...

My post was not recommending a $1900 Sager, I was simply saying that I got one (more as a reply to Scotts post). Sager has a variety of computers to choose from. I picked their highest end system simply because i do video editing and need a powerhouse..you probably don't and one of the other models are just fine. Scott posted a great one below.
 
The combo Scott pointed out does look like a pretty good deal. I customized one, with everything i want and it definitely is a good deal. My only question is quality. I haven't even seen/used a Sager laptop. In fact, i've never even heard of Sager.. What can you guys tell me?
 
Originally posted by: coxmaster
The combo Scott pointed out does look like a pretty good deal. I customized one, with everything i want and it definitely is a good deal. My only question is quality. I haven't even seen/used a Sager laptop. In fact, i've never even heard of Sager.. What can you guys tell me?
Click to expand...

Sager is just a reband of the Clevo brand. They make laptops for Dell, Alienware, Voodoo and others. So the quality is good. Do some research about Sager..they make great laptops.
 
Originally posted by: coxmaster
Right now I'm starting to look into laptops for college. I will be purchasing within the next month or two (at the most).

Price range: $1100-1400, lower=better.

What I want:
RAM, 3 or 4GB
Blu Ray Reader (possibly writer)
HDMI output!!!
15-17" screen, depending on final price
Intel CPU.

What i dont want:
Super fast, I will be taking my desktop also.. It already handles most of my games better than a laptop is going to.

Anything i forgot?

What brands/models does anybody suggest? Sony is looking appealing to me right now..

Thanks for the help!!
Click to expand...

Sony FW-series. Blu-ray a reasonably priced option and high resolution screen.
 
Thanks tdawg.. Glad to see im not the only person considering Sony. Right now im actually looking at the FW series. The FW series has HDMI out which is awesome, Blu-Ray for a good price, and I just like the style. Hopefully i'm gonna run down to the Sony store this week and pick one up.
 
Originally posted by: coxmaster
Thanks tdawg.. Glad to see im not the only person considering Sony. Right now im actually looking at the FW series. The FW series has HDMI out which is awesome, Blu-Ray for a good price, and I just like the style. Hopefully i'm gonna run down to the Sony store this week and pick one up.
Click to expand...

I'm looking at getting a new laptop and this one's always been near the top of my list, given the blu ray player and hi-res screen (1920x1080 even an option!), but the reviews put it below the typical battery life I'm wanting at the moment. Sony claims 5+ hours, but reviews are putting it around 2:30. Not bad and pretty much in line with other consumer-oriented offerings, and this one comes with some nice options for sure. Replacement batteries are a bit pricey, though.

Design of the FW is nice and it's not too bad in the weight department, given its size--it's comparable to my Lenovo 15" Ideapad in both weight and battery life.
 
Battery wont be a huge deal to me. I almost always have a power source, no matter where it is.

Replacement batteries are expensive from everyone...
 
Originally posted by: coxmaster
Battery wont be a huge deal to me. I almost always have a power source, no matter where it is.

Replacement batteries are expensive from everyone...
Click to expand...

I think if battery life is not a concern, the sony is your best bang/buck option, personally.
 
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