Question:
budget Core Duo
Hello everyone, I'm new in this forum. I am from the Philippines. Notebooks here are quite expensive. (I am saying that because when I see US$ prices of notebooks, the equivalent price in Philippines peso is 20% more) cheapest ASUS Celeron M notebooks cost about $750.
I'm looking forward to buying my first notebook but I'm considering to add a few bucks more to get the cheapest Core Duo I can get. I am a programmer and not much of a gamer. I am inclined to buy a mainstream 'business class' notebooks because I heard they are more durable. BTW, is that true?
Anyways, here are the units I am considering:
(I don't mind that all of them have integrated graphics)
One from ASUS:
Asus A3F Core Duo Notebook
[url="http://www.laptopking.com.ph/laptopking/controller.do?action=singleproduct&productid=3024"]
Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300
(1.66GHz, 2Mb L2, 667MHz FSB)
Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset
Intel® PRO / Wireless LAN 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
512Mb DDR2-533MHz
60Gb SATA Mobile HDD
15.1in. XGA Clear-Wide Screen
DVD SuperMulti Writer
Intel® GMA 950 (up to 224Mb VRAM !)
10-100-1000Mbps Gigabit LAN / 56Kb modem
Freebies:
* Bluetooth 2.0 MSI
* Microphone + Headset
(Approx in US$1325)
Does anyone know what materials were used in the chassis? What material does ASUS usually use in their business line of notebooks? I can't seem to find it in their website or any other site..
I am also considering these BTO notebooks:
Apex S62FP / Mainstream - Napa Core
[url="http://www.laptopking.com.ph/laptopking/controller.do?action=singleproduct&productid=2856"]
Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300
(1.66GHz, 2Mb L2, 667MHz FSB)
Intel® 945GM Express Chipset
Intel® Pro-Wireless 3945a/b/g Card
14.1in. WXGA TFT Display 1280x768
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Built-in DVD SuperMulti Drive
1.0Gb DDR2 667MHz Memory
80Gb 5400rpm PATA HDD
Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit LAN / 56Kb Modem
6-cell Li-Ion Battery
3-in-1 Card Reader (MS/SD/MMC)
Weight: 2.4Kgs. (w/ battery)
Carry Bag
(Approx in US$1153)
Apex SW1 / Mainstream - Napa Core:
[url="http://www.laptopking.com.ph/laptopking/controller.do?action=singleproduct&productid=3046"]
Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300
(1.66GHz, 2Mb L2, 667MHz FSB)
Intel® 945GM Express Chipset
Intel® Pro-Wireless 3945a/b/g Card
14.1in. WXGA TFT Display 1280x768
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Built-in DVD Dual Drive
512Mb DDR2 667MHz Memory
80Gb 5400rpm PATA HDD
Built-in 10/100/1000 Gigabit LAN / 56Kb Modem
6-cell Li-Ion Battery
4-in-1 Card Reader (MS/SD/MMC/MS Pro)
Weight: 2.25Kgs. (w/ battery)
Carry Bag
(Approx. in US$1038)
Does anyone know from what ODM are these S62PF and SW1 chassis? Would they be of a good quality build? Are they plastic?
Apex Notes Colnago Core Duo
[url="http://www.laptopking.com.ph/laptopking/controller.do?action=singleproduct&productid=3025"]
Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300
(1.66GHz, 2Mb L2, 667MHz FSB)
Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset
Intel® PRO / Wireless LAN 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g)
512Mb DDR2-533MHz
80Gb SATA Mobile HDD
14.1in. WXGA Clear-Wide Screen
DVD SuperMulti Writer
Intel® GMA 950 (up to 224Mb VRAM !)
10-100-1000Mbps Gigabit LAN / 56Kb modem
Freebies:
* Bluetooth 2.0 MSI
* Web-Camera
* Microphone + Headset
* 512Mb DDR2-667MHz - - - - Note !!! (cash buyer)
Special Bundle: (+ PhP 5,000.00)
* Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
* Microsoft® Works
(Approx: in US$1153)
I believe this one uses an ECS G410 chassis. How is the build quality of ECS notebooks?
I like the ASUS because I heard ASUS build quality is top notch and I'll get 2 years warranty. But it's not yet widescreen like the others I mentioned. So if the others mentioned here are also from refutable ODM's, I might settle with one because of the widescreen.
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
I have the same problem in my country Albania, thats why I told some relatives to bring me a laptop from the U.S. Right now I am set On dell E1505 wich I customized like this :
15" monitor
core duo T2500
2 gig 533Mhz DDR 2 RAM
80 gig 7200rpm harddrive
wlan and bluetooth
256mb ati radeon x1400
1 year warranty
all this for 2032 bucks and after applying a 750$ dell coupon you can find here at computer-notebook for 1282$. Great Deal
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
business notebooks are better quality than consumer line b/c they use better materials for the chassis and have things like hd shocks and anti-spill. i think the s62f sounds like asus (they have the z62f and the s62f is probably teh vbi model). the sw1 is quanta. i have never actually heard of the w3f.
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
thanks for the reply. very much appreciated.
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
I like the "S62F," which I think is the Z62F as well, out of them all. The design is very good and Asus has great quality. International warranty is a plus if you travel.
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
For the price i am pretty sure nothing beats this.. $1069
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
I don't think that Newegg ships outside the US though - the original poster is in the Philippines.
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
Thanks ChazMan.
Yes, overall I'm seriously considering the S62F cause it's a better deal and all I would need is add a few bucks for WinXP Pro.
I would like to stay away from Acer, though..
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
Any recommended notebook store that ships internationally? Does CanadaSys/MilestonePC ship internationally? B&H PhotoVideo has good ratings in ResellerRatings.com and they ship to the Philippines via UPS but they don't have Asus or even Thinkpad...
Answer:
Re: budget Core Duo
i don't think that they do ship internationally, but you can send danny a pm or email him.