Possible laptop purchase

[DarkForceRising]

I am currently thinking of purchasing a laptop for school. I'm hoping for a 15.4 in (possibly 17, but unlikely) widescreen. 1500-2000$ range. I'm hoping to use this for school work (programming, wordprocessing, etc), but I would also like to get pretty much the best gaming computer possible for that size. I'm not quite sure where to start, but the two laptops I was looking at to start off were the Asus G1 and the Sager np2090. I think those are the models off the top of my head. Anyway, value and build quality are major plusses. I would also prefer not to get a Dell.

Any suggestions?

Edits: having the option of no OS included is a plus.

 

[JustaGeek]

This is a copy of my post in another thread - top of the line laptop CPU and GPU:



I am still going to recommend the HP - dv9500t with 17" screen, 2GB of RAM, Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB), 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS comes to ~1,524.99. And I strongly believe in HP quality and great support database.

Pick your components:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/ser...ation/browse1/home_SDP

Support:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...bmit.x=9&lang=en&cc=us

This is the config I came up with (you can get faster HD's too)

? Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
? Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
? 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
? $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
? 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
? HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
? Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
? 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
? FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
? No TV Tuner w/remote control
? High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
? Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
? HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Notebook instant rebate ?$150.00
Order subtotal $1,528.99
E-financing price/month? $46/month
Free shipping
Your order qualifies for free Standard 5-7 Business Days shipping.

 

[VinDSL]

Here you go...

Alienware Area-51 m9750 - $2099

 

[Daleon]

I'd put a Sager ahead of a HP in quality any day of the week.

Nice review here a NP5790:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=146695

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
This is a copy of my post in another thread - top of the line laptop CPU and GPU:



I am still going to recommend the HP - dv9500t with 17" screen, 2GB of RAM, Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB), 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS comes to ~1,524.99. And I strongly believe in HP quality and great support database.

Pick your components:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/ser...ation/browse1/home_SDP

Support:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...bmit.x=9&lang=en&cc=us

This is the config I came up with (you can get faster HD's too)

? Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
? Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
? 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
? $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
? 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
? HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
? Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
? 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
? FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
? No TV Tuner w/remote control
? High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
? Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
? HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Notebook instant rebate ?$150.00
Order subtotal $1,528.99
E-financing price/month? $46/month
Free shipping
Your order qualifies for free Standard 5-7 Business Days shipping.

You got my build right there just about. Proud owner for three weeks. I got Ultimate 64 bit on mine. It's a sweet laptop, wouldn't trade it for anything. really I would say it is my dream laptop, except for wishing I had gotten the second 160GB drive, it has everything I could possibly want.

 

[JustaGeek]

Alienware with similar configuration is ~$3,000.

Sager (?!?) is ~$2,000, and available (quite appropriately...) at Xotic PC E-Store.

If you guys can give me the links to their support websites with the info and the downloads as impressive as HP's, I'll say "maybe it's worth the extra $500 - $1,500".


Probably not.


Show me the maintenance manual for Sager and Alienware, please.

Here is the HP's "Maintenance and Service Guide" - essentially the Repair Manual (the bottom download link):

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...oduct=3369393&lang=en&

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Alienware with similar configuration is ~$3,000.

Yeah, but you get $1,000,000 worth of bragging rights for free...

Priceless!!!

 

[DarkForceRising]

Originally posted by: VinDSL
Here you go...

Alienware Area-51 m9750 - $2099

That kinda screams "STEAL ME!!!" Also, fully configured puts it a bit out of my price range.

Also, with the HPs. My brother was given an HP a few years back, and it had overheating problems. Any issues with that?

To reiterate, this is a laptop that I would be lugging across campus to programming classes, so 15 inch would be preferable.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Alienware with similar configuration is ~$3,000.

Yeah, but you get $1,000,000 worth of bragging rights for free...

Priceless!!!

LOL. I know, I know...

For everything else there is MasterCard.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: DarkForceRising

Originally posted by: VinDSL
Here you go...

Alienware Area-51 m9750 - $2099

That kinda screams "STEAL ME!!!" Also, fully configured puts it a bit out of my price range.

Also, with the HPs. My brother was given an HP a few years back, and it had overheating problems. Any issues with that?

To reiterate, this is a laptop that I would be lugging across campus to programming classes, so 15 inch would be preferable.

Look, everyone here can only give you their personal preferences.

But ONLY YOU know exactly what you need.

Just make an educated decision...


BTW, if you are concerned about the long term potential issues, get that:

3-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with Pick Up and Return +$250.00

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: DarkForceRising
To reiterate, this is a laptop that I would be lugging across campus to programming classes, so 15 inch would be preferable.

Alienware Area-51 m5550 - $999

 

[heymrdj]

I'll be straight. The 9500t. Get hot? Yes it Does. How hot? Very. Gaming for an hour yields a 54C Hard drive, 68C GPU, and 48C cores on the processor. I ran some DVD's through Nero today that took approx. 2 hours 45min. to encode each one. 49C on the Hard Drive, 64C on the GPU, and 52C on the cores was the end of it. It gets hot, but it never gets overheated, and it's never throttled, and I should know, I max these cores out daily. Once those fans are triggered to max (yes it sounds like a small jet taking off when they're full throttle) the temps go right back to the 40's.

As to HP's service, it's fantastic. ON chat, so-so, the guys hardly know english, but they'll solve the problem. I have the 3 year warranty and accidental protection. One week after I got this sucker I got stupid and bent the CD Rom drive while it was open. Got on HP chat. Within 15 minutes, new drive ordered, arrived 2 days later, popped in, goin straight on. HP didn't ask me any questions or give me any hangups, which is a must for a student like me.

If you get the HP, I promise you won't be too unhappy.

And for the record, I lug this guy and accessories and my books around campus. The pack weighed in at an impressive 43lbs fully loaded with all my stuff today (I use the sport pack that comes in the accessory bundle, which I like cause it gives me only thins I need like optical travel mouse, Kingston lock, and HP Sport Back Pack all for 125$, alot cheaper then individual). I would rather do this and have this gorgeous 17" then lost what, 2lbs of weight for a 15?



EDIT: I got up to go to the bathroom and got to typing all that. I'm goin back to bed yall. lol
And on battery life, the monitor takes alot of juice. But like today when i recorded my seminars with a free audio recorder that encodes to 256kb MP3 as it goes, 2hr. 10min (with the lid closed so the monitor was off and the mics were on) only used 28% battery. It does well.

 

[MichaelD]

Man, I've got to admit this: Heymrdj has pretty much got me sold on the HP dv9500! He's shared his personal experience with this laptop to many folks in (me included) in a few different threads. His high opinion of the the 9500 got me curious and I started researching.

I've been researching a few hours, every day for a week now on different laptops from diff manuf's. I've not found one from any manuf that comes close to the specs of the 9500 for the same price or anywhere near it.

The only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is "genuine need vs. genuine want."

I have a decent laptop now (Acer TM4400) but gaming on it is a less than satisfying proposition. The prob is I only game on the laptop when i travel on business, which is only 4-5 times per year. I have a killer desktop at home.

I know, I know; "sounds like a personal problem, buddy."

I'm still trying to rationalize the purchase to myself.

 

[slugg]

Every single real college student I know that TRULY uses their laptop as a laptop (meaning, bringing it to classes, the library, starbucks, etc), absolutely HATES their large 17 inch laptops. Sure, if you leave it on your desk every day, then who cares right? But at this point, why not just get a desktop? If you're planning to be portable, do yourself the favor and get a 14 or 15 inch laptop and go as thin/light as possible.

Just a fair warning

If it means anything, I'm a computer science student myself. I used to have a 17 inch gaming laptop. Ever since I've sold it and purchased my 14 inch non-gaming IBM Thinkpad T61, I've never been happier. But hey, that's just me.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: slugg
Every single real college student I know that TRULY uses their laptop as a laptop (meaning, bringing it to classes, the library, starbucks, etc), absolutely HATES their large 17 inch laptops. Sure, if you leave it on your desk every day, then who cares right? But at this point, why not just get a desktop? If you're planning to be portable, do yourself the favor and get a 14 or 15 inch laptop and go as thin/light as possible.

Just a fair warning

If it means anything, I'm a computer science student myself. I used to have a 17 inch gaming laptop. Ever since I've sold it and purchased my 14 inch non-gaming IBM Thinkpad T61, I've never been happier. But hey, that's just me.

I use mine in all 5 of my classes. I record two, and use this and Microsoft office as my notepad and formula creator. I sit here in my lazy boy chair 5 hours a day with this thing humming in my lap. I don't mind it. I'm far from hating it. I LOVE the size. And I LOVE all the goodies they can stuff in a 17" chassis laptop (like a secondary HD). I don't know what guys you been meeting, but I must be the odd ball lol. I mean I'll admit, my friends 14" dell is alot easier to carry, but my friends dell couldn't have the second largest mobile proc intel makes, a second HD so I could store my VM's on the go, and a giant Dual Lamp Ultrabright Display powered by 8600GM graphics so I could play UT2004 all high while I waited 30 minutes for class to start.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: slugg
Every single real college student I know that TRULY uses their laptop as a laptop (meaning, bringing it to classes, the library, starbucks, etc), absolutely HATES their large 17 inch laptops. Sure, if you leave it on your desk every day, then who cares right? But at this point, why not just get a desktop? If you're planning to be portable, do yourself the favor and get a 14 or 15 inch laptop and go as thin/light as possible.

Just a fair warning

This is a V good point!!!

17" laptops are great as desktop replacements, where you won't be moving them around a lot. And they work fine for corporate meetings, where you're sitting at a huge table (seats 15-20). It's not unusual to see ppl lugging 17s around in those fold-up airport luggage carrier, but...

I was just watching a C/NET laptop video, and they were commenting on how product-x had a 15.4" widescreen and bordered on being too big to haul around.

I think you're exactly right! A 14" or 15" panel would be the way for this guy to go...

 

[slugg]

If you have any questions about the IBM Thinkpad T61, feel free to PM me and I'd be happy to assist

And to the original poster, take a look at this laptop... available without an operating system as well! My friend owns a Sager (not this specific model) and I've taken a look at it. The build quality is good (not as good as Lenovo, however).

this laptop here

 

[DarkForceRising]

Nice, slugg. That laptop is one that I listed in the OP as being one that I was looking at.

Still looking with great interest.

 

[Ichigo]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
This is a copy of my post in another thread - top of the line laptop CPU and GPU:



I am still going to recommend the HP - dv9500t with 17" screen, 2GB of RAM, Core 2 Duo T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB), 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS comes to ~1,524.99. And I strongly believe in HP quality and great support database.

Pick your components:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/ser...ation/browse1/home_SDP

Support:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfr...bmit.x=9&lang=en&cc=us

This is the config I came up with (you can get faster HD's too)

? Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
? Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
? 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
? $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
? 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
? HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
? Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
? 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
? FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
? No TV Tuner w/remote control
? High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
? Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
? HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Notebook instant rebate ?$150.00
Order subtotal $1,528.99
E-financing price/month? $46/month
Free shipping
Your order qualifies for free Standard 5-7 Business Days shipping.

There's no option for an 8600M GT? Only a crippled GS with 512MB as a moot point?

 

[heymrdj]

If you're pumping high resolutions, RAM is very important. And on an entertainment book like this, containing SVID and HDMi outputs, this book is for far more then gaming on a puny 17" scree.

 

[Ichigo]

Originally posted by: heymrdj
If you're pumping high resolutions, RAM is very important. And on an entertainment book like this, containing SVID and HDMi outputs, this book is for far more then gaming on a puny 17" scree.

More RAM is great if you have the power behind it to recognize its full potential. For a 17" not to be running the GT is pretty sad.

 

[JustaGeek]

Originally posted by: Ichigo

Originally posted by: heymrdj
If you're pumping high resolutions, RAM is very important. And on an entertainment book like this, containing SVID and HDMi outputs, this book is for far more then gaming on a puny 17" scree.

More RAM is great if you have the power behind it to recognize its full potential. For a 17" not to be running the GT is pretty sad.

What's sad is that the other OEM's dont even come close to these specs at $1,500.

 

[Ichigo]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

Originally posted by: Ichigo

Originally posted by: heymrdj
If you're pumping high resolutions, RAM is very important. And on an entertainment book like this, containing SVID and HDMi outputs, this book is for far more then gaming on a puny 17" scree.

More RAM is great if you have the power behind it to recognize its full potential. For a 17" not to be running the GT is pretty sad.

What's sad is that the other OEM's dont even come close to these specs at $1,500.

I was arguing options, not price. But since you asked...

These amazing price/perf specs of which you speak are only the cpu, display, and perhaps the fingerprint reader. Taking into account the slower hard drive, the crap (relatively) gpu, no WUXGA resolution, some may consider it a tradeoff for features certain individuals may or may not want. It's certainly a great deal if you don't mind the cons, but some people will. An 8600m GT is rather significant, if the buyer plays games anyways.

 

[JustaGeek]

If you want to knit-pick, you can do it with practically any brand and configuration.

There is no better laptop for the price out there at the moment - period.

You can now proceed to the other thread you've started and state your arguments there.

I am sure the OP has already made his purchase anyway...

 

[Ichigo]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
If you want to knit-pick, you can do it with practically any brand and configuration.

There is no better laptop for the price out there at the moment - period.

You can now proceed to the other thread you've started and state your arguments there.

I am sure the OP has already made his purchase anyway...

Why would I argue your hypocrisy in another thread? The mere fact that many people can reasonably choose another laptop at this price segment discredits your statement. You cannot say something so definite and not expect a rebuttal, especially if you are wrong.