Question:
HP8430 over Asus Z96j?
I've been reviewing reviews and comments about 15.4" WSXGA+ computers, and thought I was settled on the Asus Z96j. However, I saw the HP NC8430 can be had for $1,510, which is comparable to a similar Z96j with 3-year warranty.
What would make you get the HP8430 over the Z96j? Does the HP have better build quality (I think it has the magnesium casing)? It would be nice to have the HP's memory in a one 1GB instead of 2 512MB sticks, and to have the option to get a larger hard drive but that may not be so important.
HP8430: http://www.pagecomputers.com/store/p...t%5Fid=1066739
There's also the WUXGA HP NW8440 for $1,728, or about $200 additional for WUXGA: http://www.pagecomputers.com/store/P...t%5Fid=1056480
As a third alternative, my university's student discount lets me get a Lenovo Z61M for $1,293, but with 3-year accidental damage warranty.
Specs:
Core due 1.83mhz processor.
ATI X1400 128MB video card.
15.4" WSXGA+ screen.
1 GB RAM.
80 GB 5400 rpm HDD.
CD/DVD burner.
So... faced with these options, which would you pick?
--Asus Z96j?
--HP8430?
--Z61M with hefty student discount?
Answer:
Re: HP8430 over Asus Z96j?
My comparison was the Asus W3J. My choice was because of price, warranty, brand name and model reputation. My orginal reason for looking at these two was beause of the killer ATI x1600 for gaming.
Answer:
Re: HP8430 over Asus Z96j?
The HP is going to have a nicer build quality due to the magnesuim frame and IBM-like business quality. It should also have better battery life, getting around 3:30-3:50 with the standard 8 cell. More of a professional looking compared to the more gaming looking laptops like the Z96J.
If your going away to school and living in a dorm (as I am) the security options might also be worth looking at. The fingerprint scanner, smartcard, Embedded chip really are intergrated well within HP Protect Tools. BIOS access, windows login, and Passwords can be a fingerprint or smartcard.
Anyway, you can't go wrong with either. But the NC8430 is a great machine.