Question:
Fast notebook, long battery life (filled FAQ)
1) 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
preferably thin and light but mainstream is okay
2) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Mainly university tasks, occasional gaming. We'll be using the wireless a lot
3) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Yes I will be taking the notebook to university and having it running on batteries for long periods
4) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
5) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
6) How many hours of battery life do you need
four to six hours. The longer the better (major priority)
7) What is your budget?
Anything really. Hoping not to spend over US$3000
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Yes, if it has the specifications for me
9) What country are you buying this in?
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.
Doesn't matter
11) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Non glossy
Build Quality and Design
12) Are the notebook’s looks and stylishness important to you?
Not really, as long as it isn't extremely ugly
13) How long do you want this laptop to last?
Maybe four to five years
Notebook Components
14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
60 to 80 GB
15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive?
DVD -R writer
Additional: would like 2 gigabytes of RAM or at least the capability of 2 GB
would like the fastest processor possible
would like a video card, 128 MB is preferable or even 64 MB. Don't want it to be shared
Is it advisable to wait for the new processors to come out? What is there available at the moment? Thank you very much
Answer:
Re: Fast notebook, long battery life (filled FAQ)
Greetings. :)
You may want to wait for the new Intel processors, as they will bring more power and new graphics cards with them. Here is an example:
Right now, you can look at the Compal EFL-30, MSI-1022, and the Asus W3V. All 14" with dedicated GPU's. Not sure on the battery life for each, although I think you could find an estimate on the manufacturer's website. ;)
Cheers,
Chaz
Answer:
Re: Fast notebook, long battery life (filled FAQ)
Since it seem slike your limit is $3000, which is a LOT, I would say to wait until the notebook buying season comes back around for the best deal (August-September).
4-6 hour battery life laptops rarely exist with powerful graphics cards in them, so it's best to wait and see what comes out.
Answer:
Re: Fast notebook, long battery life (filled FAQ)
I agree with dagamer34.. you will barely get 4 hours (usually slightly less or slightly more) on a laptop with a GPU and default battery. You'll probably have to get an extended one or a 2nd one for a modular bay. In this case..
Compal EFL 30: Has an Nvidia Go 6400, 5lbs, 1 inch thick.. so pretty thin and light. it has a 6-cell which gets like 3-3h30m of battery life, you'll probably want to move up to a 9 cell which will probably get at least 4:30m life. This is a very cost friendly notebook so it wont dent your wallet and would still be cheaper than the following..
W3V: Gets around 4 hours, maybe slightly less..weighs a lil more at 5.5lbs and has the x600 card. Great looker! I believe it has a modular bay in which you can swap out the optical drive with another battery.
No MSI-1022. It gets around the same life as the Compal, but it has no extended battery option..so you'll have to settle for 2 batteries. About same price as Compal.
however if you wait longer.. the new IBM T60 gets 5 hours on a 6 cell. No word yet if whether it which T model (14 or the 15"), and if it had a gpu (the x1600).. assuming it was a 14" model with the x1600, you'd get a powerful machine with good battery life! but we'll have to wait and see