Need some laptop suggestions

[shuggy2005]

Hello people,

I am on the hunt for a new laptop after being bored with my Acer Aspire 2023 WLMi. IT has lasted me 2 good years and i have been happy with it. However time for a change!

I am in the UK, so i have a budget of around 800 GBP, but can stretch 1000 MAX.

I am on the hunt for something that will last me a good while, i.e. future proof ( if there is such thing in the PC world)

The requirements I am after are along the lines of :

A good looking laptop
good screen quality
It will not be used for High end games at all like Doom 25 or HL 43. Basic games like football manager.
1GB ram
60 GB HDD will do
15.4 screen
a good independant GPU.

I initially was looking at the Dell XPS M1710 with core duo 1.8 + Nvidia 7900 256 + 1gb ram + 17 screen ( i know its a gaming laptop but figued it would last a good while - only problem there is its around 4KG and i might be using it to take to uni )

I loved the look of the toshiba Qismio but also very heavy.

I dont want to go for a Acer, or a Sony but I am being attracted towards Sony's.

Any idea's ?

EDIT********

I can either go for a Core Duo with Nvidia 7900 256mb, or a Core 2 Duo with either a 7600/x1400 256 - Which one will be better in the long run ?

 

[Rockinacoustic]

If battery life isn't important to you then go for the Core Duo with the 7900gs. The difference between Core Duo and Core 2 Duo isn't really noticable enough to justify losing out on such a good gpu.

Yet, since you don't plan on running any demanding games you might want to go for a 7600/MR x1600. They'll consume less power (more battery life) and give off less heat.

 

[shuggy2005]

What do you think of the Dell XPS M1710

or Sony Vaio FE31Z

or Toshiba satellite pro A100 or P100

So many to choose from !

 

[Rockinacoustic]

If you can afford the Dell then go for it. Supposingly the XPS line has excellent quality and support.

Toshiba makes decent baseline laptops, and the p100 series seems to be nice for gaming but i'd pass. Nothing much to say about Sony either, and their battrey isssue doesn't make me a willing consumer of their products now anyway.

 

[imported_Uber]

Dell tends to have not-too-good Customer Support, but they make good computers. My current desktop and laptop are both Dell, and I havent had any major problems with either one.

 

[irishScott]

Why not Acer? I'm posting off a new TM8204 with a Core Duo T2500 (2GHz) 2 GB of Memory and a Mobility Radeon X1600 256 MB Dedicated, 120 GB HD. The screen's nothing spectacular, but its more than adequate unless your doing some hardcore photochoping/video editing/gaming. The new TM 8210 has Core 2, 160 GB HD and Blu-ray. Not to mentions SOME of Acer's software is actually nice (i.e. their power and settings management). Granted, some, like eNet are pratically useless. Still, its a nice comp. Whats not to like?

 

[shuggy2005]

There is no particular reason why I don't want an Acer, just since my current one is an acer, I would like a little change!

My preference for the Toshiba Sat P100 has grown and the XPS has gone down the list. Although it is a Dell, and it has very good components, I'm not too sure about the screen quality and the keyboard layout. To be honest, gaming will be my least priority, as thats what my desktop is there for. It will be for watching DVD's, internet, music listening, Uni related work and possibly want it to be mobile, but mostly will stay at home.

Only thing is, how good is a 7600 256MB GPU?? is it better than X1400 256MB? or X1600 256 GPU ?

Thanks!

 

[WackyDan]

Take a look at the ThinkPad Z61m.

 

[shuggy2005]

What do you guys think of Rock laptops ?

In particular the Rock Pegasus P665-T56

http://www.rockdirect.com/viewNotebook.php?pName=PEGASUS%20665

Looks good I would say, never heard of the company though, but its got what i'm looking for plus a 3 years warranty.

 

[shuggy2005]

Its a nice laptop but it's a little out of my price range though!

 

[pkme2]

Any other laptop will do, avoid the Sony Vaio.

 

[shuggy2005]

Well I have finally decided and went for a Rock Pegasus 665

Specs are :

Core 2 Duo 2.0 4MB Cache
1 GB (2 x 512 ) DDR2 667MHZ
Nvidia 7600 256 MB
15.4 widescreen X-Glass screen
100 GB 7,200 RPM SATA
6-Cell Battery ( Soon to release a 9 cell for 75 pounds)
Vista - Premium Ready
Windows Media Centre
Weighs 3.1 KG
3 years Parts & Labour warranty
3% Student Discount! (Woohooo!)

All inclusive = 992.00 GBP