Help choosing a new laptop please

The_Scroop · 1st January 2007, 2:58 PM

Well it's been 3 years since I purchased my dell 6800....warranty has expired and it's pretty much dead. It's time for a new laptop.

This laptop won't be primarily used for gaming. It will mainly be used for writing essays, internet browsing and photo editing.

I would like it to be fairly high end. I am not worried about price, I will be in Hong Kong in a few days and may purchase it there.

I would like the following features:
- dual core cpu
- at least 1gb, preferably 2gb of RAM
- decent gfx, but doesnt need to be high end.
- around a 14-15" screen (must be widescreen)
- bright and sharp screen
- not too big as I would like it to be a fairly portable laptop.
- fairly good power consumption so that the power cord doesnt need to be plugged in all the time.
- Hdd no smaller than 80gb (not a huge requirement as I do have a spare 80gb hdd which i can install myself if needed)
- not another dell

any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
T.S.

Tobes1990 · 1st January 2007, 3:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Scroop

- not another dell

Just about to recommend the i6400.....

I get it from Hong Kong.

sublib · 1st January 2007, 5:01 PM

i bought a ASUS A8JP last week, very solid performing laptop, plays NFS carbon at max detail no problem, and is still small enough to carry round day to day, battery life isn't that bad, like just surfing the net and using msn (over wireless) will get 2-2.5hrs out of it at least.

specs are.....
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz Processor
Mobile Intel 945PM Express Chipset
ATI Mobility™ Radeon™ X1700 up to 512MB HyperMemory
1GB DDR2 667MHz Memory (2x 512mb sticks)
100GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
DVD±Rewriter Double Layer
14.1” WXGA+ ColourShine ( 1440x900 )
DVI, VGA, S-Video Output
0.3 Mega Pixel Camera
10/100/1000 network inbuilt
Battery Life: Upto 3hrs
Weight: from 2.40kg

you will get one for under $2k if you shop around,

djuhn · 1st January 2007, 7:47 PM

yep, same recommendation as me, i too have an asus a8jp

got mine from myer for $1880 after asking the guy "errr... can you do it any cheaper" on the $2099 price tag

same spec as sublib, and just to clarify, the x1700 has 256mb dedicated and taxes 256 system memory.

small, fast, everything you are looking for

The_Scroop · 1st January 2007, 8:08 PM

sounds quite good. Just wanted to know, whats it like processing images? Has anyone used it with photoshop, preferably photoshop cs2?

I'm also open to any more suggesstions please.

cheers
T.S.

josh81 · 1st January 2007, 8:16 PM

That Asus is a very nice deal, but it's only a 6-cell battery, if you want large battery life then you should get something with a 9-cell or 8-cell. Otherwise see if you can buy a 9-cell for this laptop seperately.

Also, the RAM is only 1GB, and it's split into 2 pieces which means you will have to sell one of the sticks and put a 1GB or 2GB stick in to bump it up.

5400rpm HD is a bit of a let down.

It's biggest asset is the graphics card, which as you've mentioned is not what you're after.

So it's not the perfect laptop for your needs.

Tobes1990 · 2nd January 2007, 7:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Scroop

sounds quite good. Just wanted to know, whats it like processing images? Has anyone used it with photoshop, preferably photoshop cs2?

I'm also open to any more suggesstions please.

cheers
T.S.

Quote a PC Authority Review -Link

Quote:

Asus’ A8JP is the company’s first Core 2 notebook. It’s powered by the mid-range T7200 processor which sports 4MB of Level 2 cache along with 1GB of RAM and an 80GB, 5400rpm hard disk. Not surprisingly, this proved powerful, scoring 1.17 in our benchmarks – just 4% slower than last month’s Pioneer M57U: the joint fastest notebook we’ve ever seen. Needless to say, if you’re into high-powered applications, it will suffice.

fredman007 · 4th January 2007, 10:13 AM

yeh i was thinking of getting that asus as it had a seperate gfx as well as the dual core and decent screen.

but is it a centrino duo or a C2D ?

n00by · 4th January 2007, 2:27 PM

same thing lol

get an F3JV

joel231 · 4th January 2007, 8:37 PM

well i have the A8JP and i love it. Great machine, runs nicely etc etc, havent played many games, Cricket 07 runs fine and have heard good reports from other people that BF2 runs fine.

Cheers Joel

The_Scroop · 6th January 2007, 9:22 PM

I've got a question about the 2 year warranty.
If I purchased the laptop here in Hong Kong, will the warranty be valid in AUS? if it is valid, will the laptop be fixed in AUS if there is a problem or will it have to be sent back to Hong Kong to be fixed.

Cheers
T.S.

josh81 · 7th January 2007, 2:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n00by

same thing lol

Centrino Duo isn't the same thing as C2D (Core 2 Duo).

sublib · 7th January 2007, 4:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh81

Centrino Duo isn't the same thing as C2D (Core 2 Duo).

well my A8JP has a centrino duo sticker on the front, but when you go into the system prperties it says its a Core 2 T5600, which is a C2D cpu. so i would take that to mean they are the same thing.

and here it says the t5600 is a core 2 duo processor, so i would be fairly certain there the same thing

http://processorfinder.intel.com/det...px?sspec=sl9sp

SLATYE · 7th January 2007, 5:26 PM

Centrino Duo = Core Duo or Core 2 Duo CPU + Intel chipset + Intel wireless network card.

Almost all Core 2 Duo laptops will also be Centrino Duo laptops.

josh81 · 8th January 2007, 3:04 AM

Ok fair enough, but i think Freedman007 was asking which type of core duo it was between Centrino Duo and C2D. I think he meant Core duo instead of Centrino Duo.
But i didn't realise C2D falls under Centrino Duo, even though it makes sense.

1st January 2007, 2:58 PM	#1
The_Scroop Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 546	Help choosing a new laptop please Well it's been 3 years since I purchased my dell 6800....warranty has expired and it's pretty much dead. It's time for a new laptop. This laptop won't be primarily used for gaming. It will mainly be used for writing essays, internet browsing and photo editing. I would like it to be fairly high end. I am not worried about price, I will be in Hong Kong in a few days and may purchase it there. I would like the following features: - dual core cpu - at least 1gb, preferably 2gb of RAM - decent gfx, but doesnt need to be high end. - around a 14-15" screen (must be widescreen) - bright and sharp screen - not too big as I would like it to be a fairly portable laptop. - fairly good power consumption so that the power cord doesnt need to be plugged in all the time. - Hdd no smaller than 80gb (not a huge requirement as I do have a spare 80gb hdd which i can install myself if needed) - not another dell any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks T.S. __________________ www.apertureprophoto.com My Camera Gear; August 2006 OCAU Iron Photographer OCAU Camera Club Member #238 ausphotography COME AND JOIN! My Trades Last edited by The_Scroop; 1st January 2007 at 4:52 PM.

1st January 2007, 5:01 PM	#3
sublib Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: adelaide Posts: 30	i bought a ASUS A8JP last week, very solid performing laptop, plays NFS carbon at max detail no problem, and is still small enough to carry round day to day, battery life isn't that bad, like just surfing the net and using msn (over wireless) will get 2-2.5hrs out of it at least. specs are..... Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 1.83GHz Processor Mobile Intel 945PM Express Chipset ATI Mobility™ Radeon™ X1700 up to 512MB HyperMemory 1GB DDR2 667MHz Memory (2x 512mb sticks) 100GB 5400rpm Hard Drive DVD±Rewriter Double Layer 14.1” WXGA+ ColourShine ( 1440x900 ) DVI, VGA, S-Video Output 0.3 Mega Pixel Camera 10/100/1000 network inbuilt Battery Life: Upto 3hrs Weight: from 2.40kg you will get one for under $2k if you shop around, __________________ Successful Trades: darknight84

1st January 2007, 8:08 PM	#5
The_Scroop Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 546	sounds quite good. Just wanted to know, whats it like processing images? Has anyone used it with photoshop, preferably photoshop cs2? I'm also open to any more suggesstions please. cheers T.S. __________________ www.apertureprophoto.com My Camera Gear; August 2006 OCAU Iron Photographer OCAU Camera Club Member #238 ausphotography COME AND JOIN! My Trades

1st January 2007, 8:16 PM	#6
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,414	That Asus is a very nice deal, but it's only a 6-cell battery, if you want large battery life then you should get something with a 9-cell or 8-cell. Otherwise see if you can buy a 9-cell for this laptop seperately. Also, the RAM is only 1GB, and it's split into 2 pieces which means you will have to sell one of the sticks and put a 1GB or 2GB stick in to bump it up. 5400rpm HD is a bit of a let down. It's biggest asset is the graphics card, which as you've mentioned is not what you're after. So it's not the perfect laptop for your needs. __________________ feeBay & PayPay =

4th January 2007, 10:13 AM	#8
fredman007 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MELBOURNE !!! Posts: 88	yeh i was thinking of getting that asus as it had a seperate gfx as well as the dual core and decent screen. but is it a centrino duo or a C2D ? __________________ Australian Mobile Forum---COME JOIN!...please

1st January 2007, 7:47 PM	#4
djuhn Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Eastwood, Sydney Posts: 43	yep, same recommendation as me, i too have an asus a8jp got mine from myer for $1880 after asking the guy "errr... can you do it any cheaper" on the $2099 price tag same spec as sublib, and just to clarify, the x1700 has 256mb dedicated and taxes 256 system memory. small, fast, everything you are looking for

4th January 2007, 2:27 PM	#9
n00by Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, 2219 Posts: 2,023	same thing lol get an F3JV __________________ DELL XPS m1330: T9300 2.5ghz \| 4GB RAM \| nVidia 8400M GS \| 320GB HDD \| 24" Dell Monitor \| Logitech Wave Wireless Keyboard \| MX Revolution Camera Rig: Canon 450D DSLR \| 18-55 IS \| 55-250 IS \| 50 II 1.8 \| 17-85 USM IS \| 430EXII \| 2x8gb Sandisk Extreme II \| Battery Grip Click to View Trades

4th January 2007, 8:37 PM	#10
joel231 Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: flat side of perth Posts: 286	well i have the A8JP and i love it. Great machine, runs nicely etc etc, havent played many games, Cricket 07 runs fine and have heard good reports from other people that BF2 runs fine. Cheers Joel __________________ \| Asus A8JP Notebook \| \| Asus Eee PC 1000H \| \| Shuttle SG33G5M HTPC \| \| If its broke hit it with a hammer, if its still broke add duct tape.\|

6th January 2007, 9:22 PM	#11
The_Scroop Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 546	I've got a question about the 2 year warranty. If I purchased the laptop here in Hong Kong, will the warranty be valid in AUS? if it is valid, will the laptop be fixed in AUS if there is a problem or will it have to be sent back to Hong Kong to be fixed. Cheers T.S. __________________ www.apertureprophoto.com My Camera Gear; August 2006 OCAU Iron Photographer OCAU Camera Club Member #238 ausphotography COME AND JOIN! My Trades

7th January 2007, 5:26 PM	#14
SLATYE SLATYE, not SLAYTE Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 21,040	Centrino Duo = Core Duo or Core 2 Duo CPU + Intel chipset + Intel wireless network card. Almost all Core 2 Duo laptops will also be Centrino Duo laptops. __________________ Main system: Pentium-D 805 \| 1GB (2x 512MB) PQI DDR400 \| Gigabyte 8I865GMK-775 \| Xtreama Radeon 9800Pro with Zalman ZM-80HP-D \| 320GB WD SATA HDD \| Antec SmartPower 2.0 500w Laptop: Compal EL80 \| C2D T7200 \| 320GB Fujistu HDD \| 2GB DDR2-667 \| GF Go 7600

8th January 2007, 3:04 AM	#15
josh81 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bellbowrie, Brisbane Posts: 2,414	Ok fair enough, but i think Freedman007 was asking which type of core duo it was between Centrino Duo and C2D. I think he meant Core duo instead of Centrino Duo. But i didn't realise C2D falls under Centrino Duo, even though it makes sense. __________________ feeBay & PayPay =