Laptop research
I'm looking for a new gaming laptop. I installed Aion and it became painfully obvious how much my current one is starting to lag behind. I'm posting this here mostly to keep track for my own benefit but if anyone knows enough about computers to want to chip in their opinion, feel free :) Going to cut as it's pretty long.
All of these are within the budget I'm willing to spend and I'd be equally comfortable paying for any as long as the improvement over the other laptops makes the expense worth it.
Alienware M17
I'm considering this one because it's *not* absurdly expensive like most of their other computers.
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/alienware-m17.aspx
Dual 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 with CrossFireX
Intel Core 2 P8600 2.4GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
17" Wide UXGA 1920x1200 LCD (1200p) with Clearview Technology
Illuminated Keyboard with Numberic Pad (guilty pleasure)
Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1 and Free Windows 7 upgrade option
Internal Digital/Analog (ATSC) TV Tuner with Adapter
2GB Dual channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1066MHz - 2 x 1024MB (Would buy RAM elsewhere and upgrade myself - way cheaper)
320GB 7200RPM (16MB Cache) (I have a 750GB external HDD if I really needed more room)
8x Dual Layer Burner - DVD/CD
Internal Wireless b/g Full Mini-Card
1 Year Warranty
World of Warcraft pre-installed (free! :D)
$1534 + another $75 or so for upgraded RAM (yahoo.com-1208489)
Toshiba Satellite P500-ST6821
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetland.to?poid=446072&src=EXPL&cm_mmc=explore-_-bto_series-_-satellite-_-P500
This one was suggested to me by someone who has one.
* Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit version)
* Fusion Finish™ Sonic Pattern in Black Onyx
* Glossy Black US LED Backlight Keyboard
* Microsoft® Office Ready with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 60-day Trial Edition
* 4GB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM (2048MBx2)
* ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD4650 with 1GB DDR3 discrete graphics
plus 254MB-1278MB shared memory using ATI HyperMemory™ technology
* 320GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
* No Secondary Hard Drive Installed
* No Bluetooth (No Antenna)
* Lithium Ion battery (6-Cell, 4000mAh)
* 3 Years Standard Limited Warranty
$1344.60, free shipping
Asus G71Gx
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus-g71gx-rx05/4505-3121_7-33695862.html
This one seems neat but I'm not entirely sure where I can get it or if it's possible to upgrade/change anything.
Processor 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8700
Memory 6GB, 800MHz DDR2
Hard drive 500GB 5,400rpm
Chipset Mobile Intel P43 Express +ICH10
Graphics 1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M
Operating system Windows Vista Premium
Dimensions (WD) 16.2x12 inches
Height 1.8-2.4 inches
Screen size (diagonal) 17 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter 8.9/10.9 pounds
Looks to be around $1200 or so.
Gateway P-7809u FX Edition
http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668292.php
Same as the Toshiba, it doesn't seem to be customizable. But looking over the specs, I don't think it bothers me. Right now I'm leaning towards this one more than any of the others.
* Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P87001 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB L2 Cache)8
* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1
* 4096MB 1066MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory (2-2048MB modules)9
* 500GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive5
* Chassis with NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GTS Graphics with 1GB of GDDR3 Discrete Video Memory and Intel® PM45 Chipset9
* Intel® WiFi Link 5100AGN 802.11a/g/Draft-N Wireless LAN
* Microsoft® Works 9.0, Microsoft® Windows Live™ Essentials & Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 (60-day complimentary trial period)4
* 9-Cell Lithium Ion (7800 mAh)
* FX Premium Design with brushed metal keyboard surround and high-impact composite finish
* Cyberlink® DVD Solution™ featuring PowerDVD™ and Power2 Go™
* (Box Dimensions) 14.6" (H) x 19.1" (W) x 6.5" (D) or 370mm (H) x 485mm (W) x 165mm (D)
* (System Dimensions)1.3"-1.70" (H) x 15.75" (W) x 11.75" (D) or 33-43mm (H) x 400mm (W) x 298mm (D)
* 17" High-Definition Widescreen WXGA+ Display (1440 x 900)11
* ExpressCard™ Type 54
* (3) USB 2.0, VGA Connector, IEEE 1394b, eSATA Port, HDMI™, DVI-D
* Full-Size Keyboard, Synaptics Touchpad with Vertical Scroll
* 5-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader (Memory Stick™, Memory Stick™ Pro, Multi Media Card™, Secure Digital™, xD-Picture Card™)
* Maximum 4GB RAM
* 8x Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW and DVD-RAM
* Adobe® Reader®, Adobe® Flash® Player, Gateway MyBackup Solution, Gateway Recovery Management
* High-Definition Audio- 2 Channel, Built-In speakers, microphone, headphone/SPDIF Audio Out
* 1 Year Parts and Labor + Toll Free12
* 1.3 Megapixel Integrated Webcam
* 9.05 lbs. (4.11 kg) system unit only / 10.8 lbs. (4.9 kg.) box
It's on Amazon for $1179.99 with free shipping.
All of these are within the budget I'm willing to spend and I'd be equally comfortable paying for any as long as the improvement over the other laptops makes the expense worth it.
Alienware M17
I'm considering this one because it's *not* absurdly expensive like most of their other computers.
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptops/alienware-m17.aspx
Dual 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3870 with CrossFireX
Intel Core 2 P8600 2.4GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
17" Wide UXGA 1920x1200 LCD (1200p) with Clearview Technology
Illuminated Keyboard with Numberic Pad (guilty pleasure)
Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1 and Free Windows 7 upgrade option
Internal Digital/Analog (ATSC) TV Tuner with Adapter
2GB Dual channel DDR3 SO-DIMM at 1066MHz - 2 x 1024MB (Would buy RAM elsewhere and upgrade myself - way cheaper)
320GB 7200RPM (16MB Cache) (I have a 750GB external HDD if I really needed more room)
8x Dual Layer Burner - DVD/CD
Internal Wireless b/g Full Mini-Card
1 Year Warranty
World of Warcraft pre-installed (free! :D)
$1534 + another $75 or so for upgraded RAM (yahoo.com-1208489)
Toshiba Satellite P500-ST6821
http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/cdetland.to?poid=446072&src=EXPL&cm_mmc=explore-_-bto_series-_-satellite-_-P500
This one was suggested to me by someone who has one.
* Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (SP1, 64-bit version)
* Fusion Finish™ Sonic Pattern in Black Onyx
* Glossy Black US LED Backlight Keyboard
* Microsoft® Office Ready with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 60-day Trial Edition
* 4GB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz SDRAM (2048MBx2)
* ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD4650 with 1GB DDR3 discrete graphics
plus 254MB-1278MB shared memory using ATI HyperMemory™ technology
* 320GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
* No Secondary Hard Drive Installed
* No Bluetooth (No Antenna)
* Lithium Ion battery (6-Cell, 4000mAh)
* 3 Years Standard Limited Warranty
$1344.60, free shipping
Asus G71Gx
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus-g71gx-rx05/4505-3121_7-33695862.html
This one seems neat but I'm not entirely sure where I can get it or if it's possible to upgrade/change anything.
Processor 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8700
Memory 6GB, 800MHz DDR2
Hard drive 500GB 5,400rpm
Chipset Mobile Intel P43 Express +ICH10
Graphics 1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M
Operating system Windows Vista Premium
Dimensions (WD) 16.2x12 inches
Height 1.8-2.4 inches
Screen size (diagonal) 17 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter 8.9/10.9 pounds
Looks to be around $1200 or so.
Gateway P-7809u FX Edition
http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668292.php
Same as the Toshiba, it doesn't seem to be customizable. But looking over the specs, I don't think it bothers me. Right now I'm leaning towards this one more than any of the others.
* Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P87001 (2.53GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 3MB L2 Cache)8
* Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (64-bit) with SP1
* 4096MB 1066MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Memory (2-2048MB modules)9
* 500GB 5400RPM SATA hard drive5
* Chassis with NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GTS Graphics with 1GB of GDDR3 Discrete Video Memory and Intel® PM45 Chipset9
* Intel® WiFi Link 5100AGN 802.11a/g/Draft-N Wireless LAN
* Microsoft® Works 9.0, Microsoft® Windows Live™ Essentials & Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 (60-day complimentary trial period)4
* 9-Cell Lithium Ion (7800 mAh)
* FX Premium Design with brushed metal keyboard surround and high-impact composite finish
* Cyberlink® DVD Solution™ featuring PowerDVD™ and Power2 Go™
* (Box Dimensions) 14.6" (H) x 19.1" (W) x 6.5" (D) or 370mm (H) x 485mm (W) x 165mm (D)
* (System Dimensions)1.3"-1.70" (H) x 15.75" (W) x 11.75" (D) or 33-43mm (H) x 400mm (W) x 298mm (D)
* 17" High-Definition Widescreen WXGA+ Display (1440 x 900)11
* ExpressCard™ Type 54
* (3) USB 2.0, VGA Connector, IEEE 1394b, eSATA Port, HDMI™, DVI-D
* Full-Size Keyboard, Synaptics Touchpad with Vertical Scroll
* 5-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader (Memory Stick™, Memory Stick™ Pro, Multi Media Card™, Secure Digital™, xD-Picture Card™)
* Maximum 4GB RAM
* 8x Multi-Format Dual Layer DVDRW and DVD-RAM
* Adobe® Reader®, Adobe® Flash® Player, Gateway MyBackup Solution, Gateway Recovery Management
* High-Definition Audio- 2 Channel, Built-In speakers, microphone, headphone/SPDIF Audio Out
* 1 Year Parts and Labor + Toll Free12
* 1.3 Megapixel Integrated Webcam
* 9.05 lbs. (4.11 kg) system unit only / 10.8 lbs. (4.9 kg.) box
It's on Amazon for $1179.99 with free shipping.