Question:
High-end, portable w/docking
1) What is your budget?
Up to about 2500$ CAD
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
- Although a 15" is acceptable if it is outstanding :)
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Scoolwork, development, compiling code, and gaming. Graphics wise, x1600 or 7600 go necessary.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
All over the place
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
High-end games: Half-Life 2, AOE3, etc.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Not a big fan of dell or acer.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Reasonable amount. Average is good, above average is better.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
I don't mind.
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
Canada
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Doesn't matter.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Higher resolution is better. If there is a choice to upgrade to a higher res, I'll take it.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Doesn't matter
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Somewhat. I don't like tacky, and I don't like cheaply made stuff.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
At the very least, my four-five years of undergrad
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
100GB-120GB 7,200 rpm
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVD-RW
ADDITIONAL: This is important: I need to be able to put it into a port replicator/docking station. I'd prefer it, at least. Either to have one available now, or coming to retail soon (I've been looking at the ASUS A8JM and W3J, except I've been told the portdock/replicator is not compatible)
Answer:
Re: High-end, portable w/docking
You'll probably need to make a compromise here between the graphics card and the docking station - two options I see leading the pack are the ThinkPad T60 and Asus W3J. The Asus W3J will have much better video performance thanks to its 256MB X1600, but lacks a docking station. The ThinkPad T60 has a less-powerful X1400 graphics card (you should be able to get one with that option), but does have an excellent docking station.
Or, you could go 15.4" and get both - the HP nc8430. Radeon X1600 256MB and a docking station. It's not that heavy for a 15.4".
Answer:
Re: High-end, portable w/docking
yeah I would also look at the ThinkPads.. very good quality and u can also get docking stations
Answer:
Re: High-end, portable w/docking
Perhaps, if you can wait, something like the ASUS V1j?
Answer:
Re: High-end, portable w/docking
Any idea on when the v1 will be released? I need this laptop at my place before the 30th of august :P
Answer:
Re: High-end, portable w/docking
The HP nc8430 will get you the x1600. It is a business class notebook and built accordingly. You'll have the docking options and it is fairly light for 15.4" notebook.
Answer:
Re: High-end, portable w/docking
The V1j is unknown at this point, but it "should" come with a Merom chip, so in any case, Merom won't be widely released til after August.
The NC8430 seems to be your top contender!
Answer:
Re: High-end, portable w/docking
If I could live without the docking station, what would be my best bet?
I was leaning towards the a8jm because of slightly better performance over the w3j and it has dvi. But now I've found out that the w3j allows a battery to be put in place of the optical drive, and the a8jm does not. Grrr.
- A