Question:
A Challenge for the best ;)
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
Infinite! (if its more then $3000 it better be made of a metal not yet known to man...)
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Remote Desktop mainly? :)
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Travelling alot.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Probably None
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
See below?
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
atleast 3-4 hours!
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Online is fine...in person is better
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?
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, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
No preference.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Yes, , business look is good too, e.g IBM Z61t
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Very Soon, atleast a few years
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
100+
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVDRW
Basically I am looking for something with the minimum following specs or better..
T2500
100GB 7200rpm
1024MB (1 Dimm)
ATI X1400/N7400
14.1 WXGA (+ would be nice...)
DVDRW
Intel 3945 abg
Touch/Track
Gigabit
3 Year Warranty
2.3KG (w/opt/batt)
3-4hours
WebCam/Card Reader/FingerPrint Security
1.3" thick or less
Must have high build quality, e.g. Dell Latitude or an IBM Z/T series.
Best of Luck :) and thanks for any suggestions that can be given!
to get an idea... :
Currently a frontrunner is the Z61t 9442-8BU, unfortunately it lacks in video and has a 5400rpm hard drive...I also hear the included battery doesn't have a very good life...(4-cell)
Dell D620 is also a good candidate but the video is only okay... NVS110 (like an X1300) and doesn't have a webcam or card reader...which is part of the minimum req. list.
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
Just wondering, but why do you want an X1400 or a 7400 if you aren't even going to be gaming? It will just drive the price up, but that's your call.
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
I wanted to get something a little more futureproof and with Vista coming and rumors that the GMA950 and other current integrated solutions like the X200 won't be able to run Aero Glass to its full ability I figure I might as well go with a dedicated Video solution... the 7300/X1300 seem like a waste though.
As well, as added above-- It might be used for gaming once in a while...not often at all, but id like to have that option. Since this is mostly getting paid for I wanted to go all out :)
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
Asus Z62J seems to be the best (in theory). Its a barebone with 14" wxga+, go7300, webcam, 5.5lbs. As far as I know, the only place to buy it in the norhtamerica *was* PortableOne, but now they dont because there is some mixup in Asus so that it isnt out yet.
Aside from that, the D620 seems better than the Z61t, because of the dedicated graphics.
If you are willing to go with WXGA, then there are tons of choices.
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
Well, if you would suggest that if I went with just WXGA, I could live with that, what kinda options am I looking at?
Thanks for all the advice :)
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
How bout the ASUS W3J, or if you don't mind going up to 15", then the V6J or Lamborghini VX1 :)
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
15" is getting too heavy...
W3J I have seriously considered but it is lacking many features that I am looking for:
-Webcam
-Fingerprint Reader
-Gigabit Ethernet
-5400rpm P-ATA drive
-T2400 seems to be whats in most of the configs
If I were to upgrade the processor and HD I would be voiding the global asus warranty...and although shops usually honor that, I dont really want to have that hassle as well as not have a corporation backing the repairs...
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
The refreshed W3J which has been out a few months does come with T2500, but yeah it misses lots of your requirements...
Well.. the soon to come V1J solves all those, except it's 15.4 :) ... very tough to find what you want
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
have u seen the Sony SZ series ?? in a few weeks i think the 3rd series will come out that will cost around 2 k atleast ....
Answer:
Re: A Challenge for the best ;)
There is always the FANTASTIC LG T1.
14" WXGA+ at around 4lbs - no dedicated video though.
There is also tge ASUS W7j, 13.3" with an 7400.