Question:
[NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
Hey Guys,
After endless hours of browsing sites (trustedreviews.com, notebookriew.com, pcpro.co.uk and cnet/zdnet) things are getting pretty messed up in my head. So I came here fore help.
I’m an it-worker having to travel a lot to costumers, but I'm also starting university next month. So I reasoned: it's time for a laptop. I basically need a lot of battery time, through extra batteries if I have to. (4 cell batteries just wont do ;-) and some decent graphic performance. (not too fancy, but in the range of the ATI x1600). Also dual core centrino is the only way to go.
Ill answer the usual questions first :P
1) What is your budget?
everything up to € 2000 ($2200 usd +/-)
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 14.1" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
I'll need the lappy primarily for use at university but also at work (server/network management) meaning: MS office, management software, but also gaming / watching movies.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
A LOT of different places, most with no wired power available. Battery life is very importand. 5-6 hours needed.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Yup, Call of Duty 2, Black Hawk Down, C&C generals, that kind of stuff.
Looking at x1600 or equivalent GPU
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I like: !ASUS, !TOSHIBA, !HP, Dell. I dont like IBM (hiddeous design) or Apple (not cost effective)
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
5 & up. although my performance needs are higher then battery life needs.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Not a problem, but only from trusted brands such as asus/toshiba/hp/dell
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
Buying in netherlands, QWERTY keyboard layout is essential, but you dont have to look at availability, ordering from US etc is not really a problem
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Defenitly a matte/non-glossy one. The pre's of the glossy are not big enough to outweigh the con's (hate reflection...brrrrrr)
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Yup, so I guess that eliminates IBM (even the threecolour logo... ieeuw)
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
This or next month, but there is no rush.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
anything from 80 to 120 'll do.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Don't need to burn anything, but being able to play DVD would be nice.
At the moment I am most drawn to the ASUS W3J, as it has two plusses: medium graphics (ati x1600) and centrino dual core. But the problem is I can't find any real alternatives. And that is why I need some help from the lot of you ;) And the battery life is only 3 to 3.5 hours (according to guy who send in review for this site (great job!) ) Which is simply not enough.
Therefore I am lookin for alteratives (different brand, different GPU, tricks with batteries/software)
Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
For your needs anything with a modular bay is probably going to be needed. The W3J would fi that perfectly. I am sure that with the modular bay battery and the main battery you could get in the neighborhood of six hours. Almost any notebook with a GPU isn't going to give you the battery life you want without that modular bay.
I would definitely look into the HP Business laptops. The 8340 can come with a good GPU and the modular bay battery feature.
The sony sz's could reach the 6 hour number about, with the extended battery and stamina mode on (uses intel media accelerator instead of the Nvidia 7400)
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
Thnx for the advice. The vaio SZ is indeed a smart machine (the dual graphics i've seen before in alienware laptops) but with vaio the batteries are always very expensive (about €400 for an extended battery/replacement) so extending it that way is kinda too expensive.
For the hp 8340 I couldn't find a review, which is too bad (maybe someone can help out here?)
Asus V3J is still an option, but I dislike the glossy screen (having to turn on the full brightness when outdoors is not great for your battery life I guess)
Anyone else any suggestions?
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
have a look at zepto www.zepto.com this isnt a 'well known' company but within the forums has a growing reputation and they have some very good well priced systems:)
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
sorry there i meant 8430 for the hp. no wonder you couldn't find reviews :) sorry about that
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
sorry there i meant 8430 for the hp. no wonder you couldn't find reviews :) sorry about that
hehe no problem, I thought u meant that model :P.... I must say (not yet read a review) Im very excited... especially about the screen (better resolution) but also the security features (HP HD lock etc) and the extended battery life (not yet checked the price)
i'll certainly look into it.
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
I got 3 hours and 40 minutes with my W3J, and you can also spend the extra 100$ left over to get a modular battery which extends your battery close to 6 hours if you want.
Other than that, if your problem is the battery, this is your best alternative. For a 14.1" with medium to high graphics, this is the best battery life your going to get.
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
At the moment my shortlist is down to two lappies:
- Asus W3J + 2nd battery
- HP Compaq nc8430 + HP EXTENDED LIFE BATTERY NS MSD
Which one will have longer battery time? And judging from brands which one do you guys think has the longest life-span? The HP comes with a 3-year warrenty.Overall: which one do you like more?
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
Well, I'm probably biased, but I absouletly love the W3J thus far. No problems at all and its just an awesome laptop. So I am not going to tell you to get it, but it really is a good laptop.
My question about the nc8430, isn't that a 15.4" laptop? Thats bigger than what you wanted if it is. But Its definitely a great laptop as well since it is a business class laptop.
And my guess is that you would probably get more battery with the nc8430 as long as you got the extended battery. But you would have it jet out of the bottom little bit.
Answer:
Re: [NL] Durable, long batt, centrino dual core, medium GPU
Well, I'm probably biased, but I absouletly love the W3J thus far. No problems at all and its just an awesome laptop. So I am not going to tell you to get it, but it really is a good laptop.
My question about the nc8430, isn't that a 15.4" laptop? Thats bigger than what you wanted if it is. But Its definitely a great laptop as well since it is a business class laptop.
And my guess is that you would probably get more battery with the nc8430 as long as you got the extended battery. But you would have it jet out of the bottom little bit.
Thnx for your reply: and yes, it is a bit bigger then I originally intended, but the weight issnt very much extra while the screen resolution is larger. The only problem with the extended battery is that it is a "pack" hanging underneath the laptop.... that kinda sucks...