Seeking laptop advice

[pilzner]

I'm hoping to use the holiday sales to purchase my first laptop. Budget is ~$1000, but the more money saved the better. Specifically, I plan on using this laptop on a 1 hour bus commute to spend time coding in Visual Studio and/or developing in the Unreal Development Kit. Some additional gaming may take place, but nothing too high-end.

I've shopped for, and built my own desktops for almost a decade now. The problem is that I have no idea which mobile components equate to which desktop components, or how long it takes mobile technology to 'catch up' to its stationary equivalent. I also have no idea which gfx cards are better than others, or what the tradeoffs are from an i5 cpu vs i7. I used the "Attention System Builders" thread in General hardware the last time I built a desktop, and it was a huge help. Is there a similar site to use for comparing the different processors/ GFX cards for notebooks?

FWIW, I've posted details on my current desktop below. I built this about a year and a half ago - it was not top of the line back then, but is EASILY enough computing power for my needs. If I could get a mobile equivalent, I'd be happy.

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P 790X
Video: XFX GeForce GTX 260 896MB PCI Express 2.0
CPU: AMD Phenom II 2.8 Ghx Triple-Core
Memory: 4Gig

Just some other thoughts:
* Laptop needs to have at least 400 Gigs storage. 500+ preferably.
* This box is going to be used primarily unplugged. Battery life is important, hoping to be able to go 2+ hours with no source.
* I'd preferably install my own version of win7 pro to avoid all the craplets and junkware that I'm expecting will be loaded on whatever I buy. So, good drivers are crucial. Alternately, are there any notebook manufacturers that don't load systems down with junk?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Envy 14 with i7 since you're doing more encoding work. Slice battery and you're looking at 4+ hours.

 

[pilzner]

The HP Envy looks great. Now I just need to find a way to get the i7 version for $1000. Crossing fingers for holiday deals.

 

[Infrnl]

They do have a deal with $300 off a $1300 configured envy, but I do not think you will be able to hit that mark with an i7. Maybe in the refurb section, but not necessarily refurbed units.

Actually you could but the slice battery would put you over your 1k mark. separate slice is oos for some reason and is $150, but they still have the option to add slice in configuration...doesn't make much sense

 

[pilzner]

They do have a deal with $300 off a $1300 configured envy, but I do not think you will be able to hit that mark with an i7.

I found a $300 off with the i7 720 1.6Ghz version plus HD upgrade to 640gb. All configured and with the coupon, it's $999. I have until tonight to decide (unless they run out of inventory). Is this a good deal, or should I just wait til January?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I found a $300 off with the i7 720 1.6Ghz version plus HD upgrade to 640gb. All configured and with the coupon, it's $999. I have until tonight to decide (unless they run out of inventory). Is this a good deal, or should I just wait til January?

I dont know. Im happy with mine but I am contemplating selling it when Sandy Bridge comes out during the first quarter depending on how much improvement it will offer and at what price.

Depends on do you need it now or can you wait? I needed it ASAP and it has given me much use during my last 5 weeks of school.

 

[pilzner]

Went ahead and bought one, checked it out, and now it's RMA.

The biggest problem was the i7 not having an integrated graphics card. I shoulda seen that coming - battery with the GPU active was near dead at 1:30.

The other problem was the touchpad. UDK has a movement control where you press down on *both* mouse buttons, and the pad just wouldn't allow for it. It's one button or the other. I think the next one needs to have actual buttons.