Why is it so hard to find a reasonable lappy?

[DavoRulz]

Hey everybody,

Looking at upgrading my laptop in the not so distant future, upgrading from (see sig) looking at spending around the $2k mark. However I can't find anything that meets my criteria. Budget is slightly negotiable, the lappy will be on finance anyways. Looking for:

~14" (I hate big notebooks)
1.66ghz Core Duo
1gb RAM
WiFi
~60-80gb (HDD space isn't so important, that's what my desktop is for)
6600 class video or better I want this machine to play WoW
DVD-RW

I've found numerous machines that fit in my criteria (that I can pick up for a good price with extended warranty) and nicely below my price range, but nothing small with a decent video. It seems that small notebooks have X1300 graphics or Intel GMA. I can pick up a Pioneer notebook at that spec range with a 6600 and a 15.1" wide and 3yr warranty for 2k, but I don't want a 15" wide.

Seen some Dells that would fit, but they only have Intel VGA or X1300's, the occasional X1400 (Ugh hypermemory )

Any suggestions?

Cheers,
David

[SLATYE]

Asus A8JM/A8JA? They've got X1600/7600 series GPUs, and they fit your other requirements. The only issue is that they're expensive - ~$2300+.

[DavoRulz]

Originally Posted by SLATYE

Asus A8JM/A8JA? They've got X1600/7600 series GPUs, and they fit your other requirements. The only issue is that they're expensive - ~$2300+.

Hmm, I could probably stretch up to $2500 (don't tell my partner )

How configurable are these things upon purchase? Can I buy online and customise them?

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by DavoRulz

Hmm, I could probably stretch up to $2500 (don't tell my partner )

How configurable are these things upon purchase? Can I buy online and customise them?

I don't think those ones can be customised normally - only the S96J/Z96J (both 15.4") can be. P4Laptops offer to customise the A8J, but their base price is $2600.

[mordy]

asus makes "white-book" notebooks exclusively ... they all allow easy acess to ram/hdd/cpu and wlan ports.

I dont believe that properly removable video cards are out for laptops yet.

[DavoRulz]

Is it possible to get one in barebones form then? And build one up?

[mordy]

Originally Posted by DavoRulz

Is it possible to get one in barebones form then? And build one up?

not usually, unless ur friends with someone who has a wholesale account with the asus laptop supplier here.

Although I have seen some laptop places selling laptops as empty and then u add parts, but no doubt they arent selling it below wholesale

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by DavoRulz

Is it possible to get one in barebones form then? And build one up?

Yes, but so far I haven't found any which have a quick video card and are 14.1" models. If you're lucky, Intel will eventually put the Compal HGL30 on their VBI system (the VBI laptops are available as barebone models. The HGL30 is 14.1" and has a Geforce Go 7600). I've just bought a barebone Compal EL80 (the 15.4" version of the HGL30), and there'll be a mini-review of it just as soon as the RAM and my backup CPU arrive.

This is where I've been getting prices/parts for the EL80 (all the laptops there are listed as "ACCES" ones, but they're distributed by Intel as part of the VBI system). The quickest 14.1" model there is the Asus S62J - with a Geforce Go 7300/7400.

[DavoRulz]

Originally Posted by mordy

not usually, unless ur friends with someone who has a wholesale account with the asus laptop supplier here.

Well I do happen to have access to wholesaler pricing, who sells them barebones? I can't remember

Officeworks are stocking the A8Jc ATM, everything I want, but only a GF GO7300

Edit: Hmmm, I found a comparison listing between video chips:

6200/X300 = 9600
7300/X1300 = 6400/X600 = 9700
7400/X1600 = 6600/X700 = 9800
7600/X1700 = 6800/X800
(MIA) 7800 / X1800 = 6800 Ultra / X800 XT
7800 GTX = X1800 XT

Is that roughly accurate or not? I didn't know the 7300 would have performance that good. Maybe I can settle for a 7400 if it's equivalent to a 6600. I've used a 6600 in my cousin's lappy and it's capable of running WoW at high detail at 1280x800, with 2xAA. That's what I'm aiming for - the machine will basically be a WoW pig, with other basics like running emulation, GPS, etc. Just want a gaming oriented upgrade

I've only got past experience to go off as far as my opinion is concerned, and usually the low class cards are as shite as onboard.

[Gierke]

Originally Posted by SLATYE

The quickest 14.1" model there is the Asus S62J - with a Geforce Go 7300/7400.

I will most likely getting this one shortly, but what i want to know is does it have the 7300 or the 7400 video? I have been looking everywhere for an answer. Even a hp notebook @ Radio Rentals had 7300/7400 on the sticker...Is there any difference?

I have emailed infinity but they haven't got back to me yet.

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by Gierke

I will most likely getting this one shortly, but what i want to know is does it have the 7300 or the 7400 video? I have been looking everywhere for an answer. Even a hp notebook @ Radio Rentals had 7300/7400 on the sticker...Is there any difference?

The 7400 is the same GPU, just with higher core/RAM clock speeds.

As far as I can tell (from Google), the S62J uses the Geforce Go 7300 rather than the 7400.

The comparison posted above is reasonably close, although the X1600 belongs with the 7600 rather than the 7400 (7400 is about as quick as an X1400). The comparison only really holds true for new games where the GPU is the limiting factor; in old games the much higher RAM bandwidth on the older cards will give them quite a decent advantage.

The distributor for the barebone ones I listed appears to be Synnex.

EDIT: HGL30 is now part of the VBI system, listed as the GL30. If you call Synnex and/or Infinity Online they might be able to order one in for you.

[Phat Devil]

Originally Posted by SLATYE

The quickest 14.1" model there is the Asus S62J - with a Geforce Go 7300/7400.

The ASUS W3J has a better video card and is a 14.1 lappy. Its got the X1600 in it. However it also costs around $2860.

And also, the X1600 is better than the 7400 but just a little under the 7600 in certain games. But the X1600 is better than the 7600 in others.

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by Phat Devil

The ASUS W3J has a better video card and is a 14.1 lappy. Its got the X1600 in it. However it also costs around $2860.

Yes, the price is why I didn't suggest it. It's a nice laptop, but for about a thousand dollars more than an S62J with the same specs (apart from the GPU) it's not particularly good value.

[MrSmith]

What kind of desktop card would a 7200 go relate to?

[Phat Devil]

Originally Posted by SLATYE

Yes, the price is why I didn't suggest it. It's a nice laptop, but for about a thousand dollars more than an S62J with the same specs (apart from the GPU) it's not particularly good value.

The costs adds up from the carbon fibre composite material used and the brushed aluminium instead of plastic. Lol apparently it has better build quality as it is a "premium" range.

And the modular drive =) that's very useful if you are going to be away from a power point for extended periods.