Question:
Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
I'm attracted to the business notebooks for their superior build quality, lack of bundled ****ware, and sober styling but I want to be future-proofed against Windows Vista and its Aero Glass eye candy. I may play the occasional game or two but my primary concern is Windows Vista compatibility. So the question is: are there any business class notebooks that come with (decent) discrete graphics under my budget of approximately $1500 USD? This notebook will be for college use so I can wait until the new Turion X2 comes out but I doubt I will be able to wait for Merom. Thanks for the help.
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
Maybe if you filled out the FAQ we could find something to suit your needs better.
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
Yes, there are quite a few.
Dell has the D820, and HP has five right here:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...321838-f1.html
The ThinkPad T60 and Z60M are others.
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
Maybe if you filled out the FAQ we could find something to suit your needs better.
Thanks. Will do.
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
Dell D820 is a good one.
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
I should clarify that I was interested in a business-quality notebook with standard graphics cards as opposed to the CAD graphics (like the Quadro) that some of the suggested ones have. Unless I am mistaken (which I could be), these cards are not well suited for even rudimentary gaming. Thank you for your suggestions.
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
~$1500 USD
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
Would prefer b) thin and light but may settle for 15"
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
word processing, labs, movies, some games
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
different places
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
some gaming: Half Life 2, FEAR, Battlefield
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
nope
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
not too concerned about this one since I will not be mobile for long stretches
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
no
9) What country are you buying this in?
USA
Screen Specifics
10) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
a. XGA = eXtended Graphics Array; 1024x768; This resolution will give you the largest viewable text and images while offering the least amount of screen real estate.
b. SXGA = Super eXtended Graphics Array; 1400x1050; This resolution offers a middle ground between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA = Ultra eXtended Graphics Array; 1600x1200; This resolution will give you the smallest viewable text and images while offering the greatest amount of screen real estate.
d. WXGA = Widescreen eXtended Graphics Array; 1280x768 or 1280x800; This resolution offers the same as XGA except that there is more horizontal real estate; 1280 versus 1024. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
e. WXGA+ = Widescreen eXtended Graphics Array+; 1440x900; This resolution is offered on 17" widescreen notebooks and is comparable to WXGA in terms of text and icon size versus available screen real estate. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
f. WSXGA+ = Widescreen Super eXtended Graphics Array; 1680x1050; This resolution is comparable to SXGA in that it offers a middle ground between WXGA/WXGA+ and WUXGA. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
g. WUXGA = Widescreen Ultra eXtended Graphics Array; 1920x1200; This resolution offers the smallest viewable text and images while offering the greatest amount of screen real estate.
Preferably something better than XGA if the screen is 14" or bigger.
11) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Doesn't matter.
Build Quality and Design
12) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
No.
13) How long do you want this laptop to last?
4 years
Notebook Components
14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
at least 60 gigs
15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive?
DVD/CD-RW at the least, DVD-R would be nice
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
Well as far as video cards go, the Quadros that come in the D820 will play games fairly well. They are modified GO 7400's, so you should expect similar performance to that card. Being that as it may, business notebooks in general are not going to have top end gaming cards. Remember they are business, not consumer notebooks.
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
Will the Quadro at least compete with the radeon X1400 in the e1505?
Answer:
Re: Business class notebook with discrete gfx?
the quadro is based on the 7400go, which performs comparably to the x1400.