Want to buy a laptop, need advice...

djuhn · 11th December 2006, 7:00 PM

Massed a bit of money and my old laptop is really on its last legs...

I'd like to spend $2000 - $3000, the cheaper the better cause I'd also like to start saving for a car...
Basically after a reasonably thin 15" max laptop with a Core 2 Duo processor and a decent graphics chipset in it; speaking of which, is there anywhere I can get a good comparison on mobile gfx chipsets?

Cheers for any advice!

mrpats · 11th December 2006, 7:23 PM

The best gfx card you'll probably get in a 15" laptop is something like a firegl 5250/x1600.

The better GFX cards need the size of a 17" screen to get the necessary airflow.

Check out the lenovo/ibm site and look at the new T60/Z60 range.

Very reliable/durable laptops with some nice hardware.

LHEFI · 11th December 2006, 9:29 PM

I just bought a Asus F3JV for $2200 specs as follows

INTEL CORE-2-DUO T7200 2.0GHz/2x512MB DDRII/120GBSATA/NVIDIA GeForce GO7600 512MB/15.4" WSXGA+/DVD-DL/WiFi +GLAN/BT/WINXPPro N/B

Phat Devil · 12th December 2006, 7:10 PM

There are actually a few 14in laptops out there with a very decent graphics card. Especially from Asus.

The W3J and the A8J range.

Both sport a X1600, 7700go respectively. However they are on the higher end of your budget. The good thing about them is that they are small enough to carry around with you all day everyday and still be able to play games.

I play NFS Carbon with everything set on high on my W3J which only have the T2500, 2gb ram and 120gig 5400rpm hdd without any glitches/lag. Everything is smooth.

The laptops can be configured at p4laptops.com.au

The one i'd pick would be the A8JS which has
T7200
1gig ram (1 stick) - add another gig afterwards as it'll work out to be cheaper.
120gig 5400rpm hdd
Xp pro
7700go
all the usual stuff
2 years global warrenty

$2845!

djuhn · 12th December 2006, 11:20 PM

I'd get the A8Js if it were available anywhere -_-
They haven't hit our shores yet and no dealers seem to have an eta.

What do people think? settle for the A8Jp or wait (an indefinite period of time) for the A8Js?

Will either the 4mb cache proc. or the go7700 have much gain over the 2mb cache proc and the x1700? Opinions?

josh81 · 13th December 2006, 1:29 AM

Best graphics in a portable for the money i think, is the Asus A8JP.

ASUS A8JP ASUS site

- Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz
- 14.1" WXGA
- 1GB RAM DDR2 667 MHz (2GB max)
- 100GB HDD 5400rpm
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1700 512MB HyperMemory
- DVD-Super Multi
- Web Cam 0.35mp
- Bluetooth & Infrared
- Windows XP Pro
- 6 cell
- 2.4kg
- 2-year warranty

$2,369.00

http://www.pcmarket.com.au/7419_ASUS...5600_183GH.php

There's also the ASUS A8JM which is also good, but i'm not sure if it's got anything better than the other one.
http://www.p4laptops.com.au/order-a8j.htm

bfluff · 13th December 2006, 10:37 AM

just out of interest, is there something similar spec'ed (14" - 15", c2d, 7600go'ish card) but in the sony brand?

fusionau · 13th December 2006, 12:50 PM

The A8JP can be had @ JB HiFi for $2100 or $1900 if you can negotiate well with them.

djuhn · 14th December 2006, 10:20 PM

Picked up an Asus A8JP (T5600, 1gb, x1700, 100gb) today from Myer (Sydney City). Called up, the guy quoted $2100 but I asked him to go cheaper and he pulls $1880 out of his a$$.

no complaints.

It works a treat, formatted and installed Vista Ultimate RTM straight away. There were no problems during install, everything worked sweet except there were no graphics card drivers installed, but the Vista Catalyst drivers on the ATi webpage supports the X1700 perfectly. Aero glass looks sweet!

uge1 · 14th December 2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHEFI

I just bought a Asus F3JV for $2200 specs as follows

INTEL CORE-2-DUO T7200 2.0GHz/2x512MB DDRII/120GBSATA/NVIDIA GeForce GO7600 512MB/15.4" WSXGA+/DVD-DL/WiFi +GLAN/BT/WINXPPro N/B

I'm looking for the same computer but can only find it at $2428. Where did you find it at that price? Thanks

LHEFI · 15th December 2006, 7:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uge1

I'm looking for the same computer but can only find it at $2428. Where did you find it at that price? Thanks

www.i-store.com.au

11th December 2006, 7:00 PM	#1
djuhn Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Eastwood, Sydney Posts: 43	Want to buy a laptop, need advice... Massed a bit of money and my old laptop is really on its last legs... I'd like to spend $2000 - $3000, the cheaper the better cause I'd also like to start saving for a car... Basically after a reasonably thin 15" max laptop with a Core 2 Duo processor and a decent graphics chipset in it; speaking of which, is there anywhere I can get a good comparison on mobile gfx chipsets? Cheers for any advice!

11th December 2006, 7:23 PM	#2
mrpats Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 323	The best gfx card you'll probably get in a 15" laptop is something like a firegl 5250/x1600. The better GFX cards need the size of a 17" screen to get the necessary airflow. Check out the lenovo/ibm site and look at the new T60/Z60 range. Very reliable/durable laptops with some nice hardware. __________________ Successful Trade: Kurwa, need4speed, walgard, Jai, llamaboy,markpunti,KGBSpy,unixyk Folding@Home 110000 Points Milestone

13th December 2006, 1:29 AM	#6
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,414	Best graphics in a portable for the money i think, is the Asus A8JP. ASUS A8JP ASUS site - Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz - 14.1" WXGA - 1GB RAM DDR2 667 MHz (2GB max) - 100GB HDD 5400rpm - ATI Mobility Radeon X1700 512MB HyperMemory - DVD-Super Multi - Web Cam 0.35mp - Bluetooth & Infrared - Windows XP Pro - 6 cell - 2.4kg - 2-year warranty $2,369.00 http://www.pcmarket.com.au/7419_ASUS...5600_183GH.php There's also the ASUS A8JM which is also good, but i'm not sure if it's got anything better than the other one. http://www.p4laptops.com.au/order-a8j.htm __________________ feeBay & PayPay =

13th December 2006, 12:50 PM	#8
fusionau Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 35	The A8JP can be had @ JB HiFi for $2100 or $1900 if you can negotiate well with them. __________________ Trades: kathshan, kevmif, dukeman, andy8, dvs, enigma, teaseR, Keefa, Yoodaa, tupac130996, Gab.popp, Quittersss, mgk, Jazper Main Rig: Q6600 @ 3.2Ghz \| Tuniq Tower \| P35-DS3P \| 8GB HyperX 1066 \| 320MB 8800GTS \| 2 x 22" Samsung 2243BW \| Antec 900 File Server: E2160 \| 1GB Corsair VS \| Highpoint 2320 \| 4 x 640GB WD RAID5 \| TT Armour+ \| Corsair TX750

11th December 2006, 9:29 PM	#3
LHEFI Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 73	I just bought a Asus F3JV for $2200 specs as follows INTEL CORE-2-DUO T7200 2.0GHz/2x512MB DDRII/120GBSATA/NVIDIA GeForce GO7600 512MB/15.4" WSXGA+/DVD-DL/WiFi +GLAN/BT/WINXPPro N/B

12th December 2006, 7:10 PM	#4
Phat Devil Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brissy Posts: 454	There are actually a few 14in laptops out there with a very decent graphics card. Especially from Asus. The W3J and the A8J range. Both sport a X1600, 7700go respectively. However they are on the higher end of your budget. The good thing about them is that they are small enough to carry around with you all day everyday and still be able to play games. I play NFS Carbon with everything set on high on my W3J which only have the T2500, 2gb ram and 120gig 5400rpm hdd without any glitches/lag. Everything is smooth. The laptops can be configured at p4laptops.com.au The one i'd pick would be the A8JS which has T7200 1gig ram (1 stick) - add another gig afterwards as it'll work out to be cheaper. 120gig 5400rpm hdd Xp pro 7700go all the usual stuff 2 years global warrenty $2845!

12th December 2006, 11:20 PM	#5
djuhn Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Eastwood, Sydney Posts: 43	I'd get the A8Js if it were available anywhere -_- They haven't hit our shores yet and no dealers seem to have an eta. What do people think? settle for the A8Jp or wait (an indefinite period of time) for the A8Js? Will either the 4mb cache proc. or the go7700 have much gain over the 2mb cache proc and the x1700? Opinions?

13th December 2006, 10:37 AM	#7
bfluff Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 39	just out of interest, is there something similar spec'ed (14" - 15", c2d, 7600go'ish card) but in the sony brand?

14th December 2006, 10:20 PM	#9
djuhn Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Eastwood, Sydney Posts: 43	Picked up an Asus A8JP (T5600, 1gb, x1700, 100gb) today from Myer (Sydney City). Called up, the guy quoted $2100 but I asked him to go cheaper and he pulls $1880 out of his a$$. no complaints. It works a treat, formatted and installed Vista Ultimate RTM straight away. There were no problems during install, everything worked sweet except there were no graphics card drivers installed, but the Vista Catalyst drivers on the ATi webpage supports the X1700 perfectly. Aero glass looks sweet!