Performance laptops

[Bateluer]

I was looking at the Sager 8660 models to replace my aging 5720 model, but it seems my usual places have trimmed the available features.

I was looking at a Mobility Radeon 3870, but nobody seems to offer one with the 8660 models. Thats not too big of a deal, the 9800M GT is a higher performance GPU which supports all the features I want, save for DX10.1, which is a checkbox feature at best.

What does annoy me, is the fact that all 8660 vendors I've seen no longer offer a BluRay drive.

I shooting for a 15.4in notebook, with 4GB of RAM, a 9800M GT/MR3870, a 200GB 7200rpm HDD, Vista Ultimate 64, Centrino 2 platform with a P9500 2.53Ghz C2D model and a BluRay drive.

Anyone know of a good place that sells this model, or, baring that, a place where you could buy a slim BluRay drive for notebooks?

 

[Bateluer]

So, nobody?

 

[Brainonska511]

I don't know where you'd find that one, but if you don't mind the 9700M GT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834220377

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
I don't know where you'd find that one, but if you don't mind the 9700M GT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16834220377

Not a bad model, but since I'll be sticking with the notebook for at least 2 years, I need a GPU that will perform better from the gate.

Compared to desktop graphics cards, the 9700M GT is similar to the GeForce 9500GT

According to Notebookcheck, the 9700M GT would be unacceptable performance now, let alone in 1 year.

 

[Brainonska511]

If you need such performance, why not build a desktop for gaming and get a small, cheap laptop for when you're on the go?

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
If you need such performance, why not build a desktop for gaming and get a small, cheap laptop for when you're on the go?

I have a powerful desktop for gaming at home, but when I'm visiting family on the opposite coast, I can't take my desktop with me. I still want to be able play games, at decent quality settings, with my brothers. That takes a notebook with a little bit of power.

Some digging suggests that ATI was having problems with their MR 3870s that led to Sager pulling them from their updated lineup, no word on when they will return though. I didn't find anything on why the bluray drives were pulled though.

I see that Eurocom still offers the 3870s and BluRay drives, but I have no prior experience with them. Some of the forum posts I read suggest they were 'clashing' with Sager over their inclusion of C2Qs into some of the Sager models that Sager didn't want to have quads. Has anyone dealt with Eurocom in the past?

 

[ther00kie16]

Hmm... where did I recently see a 9800m? Gateway 7811fx or Clevo M860TU but they are out of bluray right now.

 

[lurk3r]

The Sager / Prostar top end models are usually Clevos, if that helps you expand your search. Try pro-star.com, or search on clevo too.