trying to decide on notebook brand

klonopin

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2007
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This is going to be my first ever laptop purchase. I wont have any alternate computers so this laptop will have to cover everything. from gaming to playing music, burning dvds. editing in photoshop, etc.

One thing I've done before when buying a desktop and am not interested in doing this time around is waste money.
I want to get a computer in the mid-high end range. The point where you're getting a good computer without shelling out that extra cash just to have the best thing available at the time.

My price goal is at about the $2000 mark. Although less is always better :)

One key factor for me is warranty support. I've had experience with dell's home support and have been impressed - If somethings not working, they send you a new part.

I've also been looking at brands like ASUS or ACER - or even HP. I've never had any experience with either companies but am interested as long as the warranty support is there and the price is right. I've saved up enough money to buy this laptop now, but I wont have much spare cash to maintain it over the next year or two because I will be finishing college. Thats why the fact that a company like dell will replace dysfunctional parts with basically no questions asked for free appeals so much to me.

I'd like to go with a less mainstream brand like asus or acer just to try something new, but I'm weary of doing that for fear of losing that mainstream support.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Also, any model suggestions.
thanks
 
Dec 10, 2005
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From what I've heard (never had to use it myself), Asus' support is decent and the turn around time from shipping your notebook if it needs a repair is pretty good. Also, Asus' come with a 2 year warranty for parts and labor.
I hear that Acer's support is abysmal, so if support is a concern, I'd steer clear of them.

What kind of gaming do you plan on doing? If it is just something like WoW, you could go for something with a 7400Go or MRX1400/X2300 and you'll be fine. If it is something more demanding, it would be better to get something with the 7700Go (or X1700/X1600/7600Go if you couldn't get the 7700Go).

Obviously, the lower end graphics will lead to more battery life, which is just another thing to consider.

Things to note: The W and V series are higher quality than the A and F series notebooks, which aim more towards the value segment of the market.
Also: Graphics power: 7700Go >> 7600Go = MR X1700 (die shrink of X1600) = MR X1600 >> MR X2300 > MR X1400 > 7400Go >> Integrated Graphics

Asus Vista Home Premium machines with lower end graphics:
A8Jr - 14" - MR X2300 (on par or a little better than a MR X1400, but better battery life) - $1250
W7J - 13" - 7400Go - $1500

Asus Vista Home Premium with mid-range graphics:
F3Jp - 15.4" - MRX1700 - $1500
A8Js - 14" - 7700Go - $1600
G1 - 15.4" - 7700Go - $1900

Asus Vista Business with mid-range graphics:
V1Jp - 15.4" - MR X1700 - $2000

Asus XP machines (with potential upgrades to Vista) with midrange graphics:
F3Jv - 15.4" - 7600Go - $1300
A8Jp - 14" - MR X1700 - $1250
F3Jp - 15.4" - MR X1700 - $1500
A8Js - 14" - 7700Go - $1550
W3J - 14" - MR X1600 - $1700 - Note: This notebook has ended production and is going to be replaced with the V2 (lower graphics in a month or two).
V1Jp - 15.4" - MR X1700 - $2000

Note: The V1 notebooks have an optional docking station (~$100-$200 extra).

You may find better prices purchasing an Asus notebook through places like Proportable (I bought my W3J through them), C9Tech, or Milestone PC.
 

klonopin

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2007
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Sorry I should have specified more.

Here are some specs I want:
2 GB memory
256 mb video memory
Vista Home Premium

It looks like harddrives around the 200 gb range are not common for laptops. Doesn't really matter though, I can just get a USB drive for storage.

As for gaming I want to be able to play games releasing now - not worried about max settings but having a good video card is a priority. WoW is not an issue.

I like the looks of the G1 for 1900. Is 512 mb of video memory necessary? Would cutting that in half and upping the processor speed a bit be better?

Also, screen size is not much of an issue... kind of wondering about anything below 15" though
 
Dec 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: klonopin
Sorry I should have specified more.

Here are some specs I want:
2 GB memory
256 mb video memory
Vista Home Premium

It looks like harddrives around the 200 gb range are not common for laptops. Doesn't really matter though, I can just get a USB drive for storage.

As for gaming I want to be able to play games releasing now - not worried about max settings but having a good video card is a priority. WoW is not an issue.

Not too many notebooks come with 2GB standard, but some of those Asus notebooks come with 1x1GB of RAM (so you can just pop in another 1GB stick). If you want to play games coming out now, then focus on this section:

Asus Vista Home Premium with mid-range graphics:
F3Jp - 15.4" - MRX1700 - $1500
A8Js - 14"WXGA+ (1440x900) - 7700Go - $1600 - Best choice for graphics power and mobility
G1 - 15.4" WSXGA+ - 7700Go - $1900

Video memory isn't the key to video performance; the key is looking at the GPU core. All the notebooks in the mini-list of this post have graphics cards with 256MB dedicated + up to using 256MB of system RAM (if needed).

The only 200GB hard drives available through Newegg are 4200RPM drives, so they would be kind of slow still. As you said, you can always just go for external storage (Firewire or USB).

I'd say your best choice would be the A8Js, it is a great balance between being a portable notebook and being a gaming machine. Also, the WXGA+ will be easier for the graphics card to drive compared with the WSXGA+ used on the G1.
 

klonopin

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2007
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actually I like the A8J 14" 7700Go for 1600

2.0 ghz & 512 of video memory

with another gb of ram it'd be perfect.
id still need to research the 7700 go though
 
Dec 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: klonopin
actually I like the A8J 14" 7700Go for 1600

2.0 ghz & 512 of video memory

with another gb of ram it'd be perfect.

The 7700Go actually has 256MB dedicated and the other 256MB comes from using system RAM when it is needed (I don't know if the 7700Go can fully utilize the dedicated 256MB anyway since it is only a midrange card).

The A8J would probably be your best bet and purchase a stick of DDR2 667 MHz (PC2-5300, like these link) memory to just pop in when you get the notebook.

BTW: The 7700Go is a 12 pipe card. Best midrange mobile graphics card on the market for anything 15.4" and smaller. The only better cards are the 7900GS and 7950GTX which are only available in 17" notebooks.