Any new laptop models coming out for Dell/Asus/other good brands?

[benny_burny]

Hiya, I'm in the market for a laptop, but I don't need to buy it for a while. Which means I can hold off for a while of there's anything new and good coming out.

So... is there? Anything that will blow me away? I want this laptop for around 3 years, so it's gotta have some lasting specs.

Oh yeah, anything up to $2,500 or so. And is Dell good for laptops? Cheap?

[SLATYE]

At that specific budget, I'd look at Asus's A8JS instead (the model with a Geforce Go 7700). None of Dell's reasonably small laptops have a GPU anywhere near that fast.

New things coming out:

• Nvidia and ATI Mobile DX10 GPUs. If you're aiming to use the laptop for gaming, it might be worth waiting for these.
• Santa Rosa chipset. Probably not worth waiting for (it'll give a performance gain, but nothing spectacular).
• SideStep support for Vista. Essentially, this is an LCD mounted on the outside of the laptop which does things like tell you when you've got new email messages. I don't see the point, but it might be worthwhile for you.
• Hybrid HDDs. These have a decent amount (~256MB) of flash RAM onboard to store frequently used files. Personally I wouldn't bother waiting - they'll probably start very expensive, and it should be very easy to put one in an older laptop if you decide it's necessary.

[ghost]

I am not sure on this but I thought the next generation of Intel chipset will have the wireless-N in even though it has not been ratified?

Also the good brands (Sony, Asus and Macs) will have LED backlid LCD screens on their laptops?

Sorry if this sounded more like questions rather than useful info

[SLATYE]

Originally Posted by ghost

I am not sure on this but I thought the next generation of Intel chipset will have the wireless-N in even though it has not been ratified?

I think that'll be mostly up to the manufacturers. Intel just provide a mini-PCIe connection from the chipset; laptop manufacturers can put whatever wireless network card they want in there.

Originally Posted by ghost

Also the good brands (Sony, Asus and Macs) will have LED backlid LCD screens on their laptops?

I don't think they're ready to actually apply that to mass-produced laptops just yet. Maybe in a few more generations, if we don't move to OLED screens or something similar first.

[bahman]

aren't the current LED backlit lcd's on notebooks like the fujitsu one announced recently...just white LED backlit? In which case how is that better?
better colour saturation?
no more backlight bleeding?

i thought the real gains were when there would be more mass market RGB LED backlit lcd's?

[benny_burny]

So when would any new models come out int he Asus range? I'd want it with at least 1Gb, preferably 2Gb or RAM. Do they come normally with wireless connectivity? Because I'd need something able to connect to a wireless network.

Also, where do you buy Asus from?

Also, how old is that Asus A8JS model? Will it be replaced by a newer model anytime soon? It looks pretty sweet.

[banshee]

Not sure when the new ones will be out, but I got an F3Jm just before Christmas with close to your specs.

T7200 Core2Duo
1GB RAM
GeForeceGo 7600
120GB HD
DVD RW
802.11 B/G
Bluetooth

It cost me about $2500 then, I'm sure you can find something similar/better in the price range now.

[benny_burny]

Originally Posted by banshee

Not sure when the new ones will be out, but I got an F3Jm just before Christmas with close to your specs.

T7200 Core2Duo
1GB RAM
GeForeceGo 7600
120GB HD
DVD RW
802.11 B/G
Bluetooth

It cost me about $2500 then, I'm sure you can find something similar/better in the price range now.

Actually I was looking at an F3JV. How does that computer handle? Fast loading? How does the screen look, and is it good enough for gaming etc?

EDIT: Also, what is the difference between the one you mentioned Slatye and this one: http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products...2=76&sid=22423

[Python]

I was really looking at getting an Asus G1 but seeing as they aren't getting here for a month or so (who knows really..probably a limited stock of freakin 50!).

So now I'm looking at getting a Dell XPS M1210 as one of the alternatives..only that it is a 12 inch laptop.

[LHEFI]

Originally Posted by bahman

aren't the current LED backlit lcd's on notebooks like the fujitsu one announced recently...just white LED backlit? In which case how is that better?
better colour saturation?
no more backlight bleeding?

i thought the real gains were when there would be more mass market RGB LED backlit lcd's?

Generally speaking LED back lights require less power. As the back light of a screen is one of the major power uses in a system this is a good advatage. Also the LED are more robust compared to CFL, and don't require an invertor.

[bigteethygrin]

dont forget it makes the lid heaps thinner!

[benny_burny]

When are those LED backlit screens coming out? Will they be expensive as balls?

[bahman]

Originally Posted by LHEFI

Generally speaking LED back lights require less power. As the back light of a screen is one of the major power uses in a system this is a good advatage. Also the LED are more robust compared to CFL, and don't require an invertor.

aren't there problems with LED back lights providing an even brightness throughout the entire screen?

That's still white LED back light, how about RGB LED back lights?

[bahman]

Originally Posted by benny_burny

When are those LED backlit screens coming out? Will they be expensive as balls?

Fujitsu and toshiba have a model out...sub 12" screens though...

[benny_burny]

Once again I ask you, anything worth waiting for coming out soon? My gf said she's bankroll my purchase with some inheritance she recieved, so I can buy one sometime this year. Once again, anything up to $2500 or so.

Cheers