Question:
Dell 1750 too big
General Questions
*I got my Dell 1705 tonight in the mail and it's just too big for a college student. I'm going to send it back, but before I do I would like to get some feedback in case I want to just request credit towards another Dell, or go for a different brand.
1) What is your budget? $1500+/-
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? Gaming, websurfing/web researching, school stuff.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? Home/School/Lan Parties (I"ll take my 19in lcd to the lans with me)
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? CS Source, and my friends and I are looking for a good, very recent rts to start playing, so it will have to be able to play recent games. I don't really care if I'm at most of the lowest video settings as long as the performance is good.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? No.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need? I'll have access to power outlets at school whenever I'm studying, and so I'll only need it cordless for 1-2 hours at a time during lectures, but I won't want to have to always have it plugged in. I'll be at school for anywhere from 4-8 hours, and might have it on half that time.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person? A little, after buying the Dell online. But that's also why I'm here.
9) What country are you buying this in? USA
Screen Specifics
10) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? I don't really care that much right now. I imagine I'll select a better screen than the default I'm offered online, but the main thing I'm looking for in a laptop is a mix between mobility and power.
11) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen? I have that on my Dell 1705 now, and I don't think it's necessary anymore.
Build Quality and Design
12) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? Not really.
13) How long do you want this laptop to last? For the next 1.5 years while I finish college, and hopefully longer.
Notebook Components
14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB? 60 is more than enough for me.
15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive? I would like DVD writing capabilities.
Answer:
Re: Dell 1750 too big
Sorry to hear that the E1705 didn't fit your needs. But it's quite a big notebook, and meant to be a desktop replacement. I think 15.4" is the biggest size you should consider for college. You could look at the HP DV4000, with the X700 its quite a nice machine. The Aspire 5672WLMi is also a notebook to look into. But it has the X1400, and that isn't as good as the X700 but better then the X600. At compusa its $1499 with a loaded config. Check it out: http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...36978&pfp=cat3
As for a smaller notebook with good graphics you could check out the Check out the Sony SZ - with the GeForce Go7400. Nothing else in the 13-14" range comes to mind.
Answer:
Re: Dell 1750 too big
A Thinkpad T43 or T60 might be a good fit for you. They aren't the best gaming machines, but an X300 can handle most of what you're likely to throw at it, and I can only assume than an X1300 would do even better.
What I love about my T43 is just how small and light it is, especially for having a 14" screen. I carry it around campus all day in a messenger bag with no problems at all (well, the bag is kind of hard on the laptop).
The only thing you might have trouble with is getting a DVD burner and still keep the whole thing within your budget, so you'd have to check that out.
Answer:
Re: Dell 1750 too big
A modestly configured Asus Z70va is on the high of your budget. It is well built and has the x700. It is also relatively light for a 15.4" notebook.