Question:
8 Hours in Forums, One Final Decision - Please Help
Hi everyone. I just want to first thank all the regular contributors who have provided me with so much reading material for the past few days. Sadly, I find myself unable to make the final purchasing decision, and I hope you can help push me one way or the other.
The basic questionnaire is below, but I can more aptly summarize my dilemma here.
After many hours of research I have settled on the following specs:
14-15" (widescreen preferred)
Intel Core Duo 1.66-2.0 GHz (I'm amenable ot the Turion X2's, however)
x1400/7400 or better graphics card
1 GB RAM (I can upgrade this personally, if needed)
7200 RPM Hard Drive (Again, I can upgrade)
HIGH RESOLUTION, NO-GLOSS SCREEN. SXGA (1400 x 950),
WXGA+ (1440 x 900), or WSXGA+ (1680 x 1050)
This last part is the sticking point. I want the higher resolutions because I find myself limited on my current 15.4" widescreen with 1280 x 800. Also, though I have not seen a glossy screen, I am almost certain that I will hate it. Most of my work will take place with a window behind me, and I am always the first to complain about a glare on the television. Plus, most of my work will be text-based.
The Lenovo Z61m and T60 lines meet all the requirements, but they sell at quite a hefty premium over the Dell E1505 (which only comes in glossy), the HP D5000t (which is limited to 1280 x 800) and Acer 5670 series (also limited to 1280 x 800).
What do you guys recommend? Should I pay the premium for Thinkpad, or should I give up the no-gloss requirement? Should I give up the higher resolution? Is there another notebook I've overlooked?
Thanks in advance.
1) What is your budget?
Targeting < $1,500
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
14-15" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Some gaming; mostly internet/Word/Excel; some movie-watching, photo-editing, etc.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
95% at home, 5% for use in plane/hotel. Mostly I will use the computer at home, doing personal things and work-related things I couldn't do at the office (I'm a lawyer), but I travel about once a month and will need to be able to do work while I'm away.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
First person shooters, war-strategy games. Can't give better details, because my current laptop can't render a 3 dimensional stick to save its life, but I definitely want this computer to play some games.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
I'm open to any respectable brand.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
I figure the battery life is dictated by the hardware, which is more important to me. I'll buy a 2nd battery if needed.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Buying online is fine with me.
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
USA
Screen Specifics
THE SCREEN IS THE BIG HANGUP.
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Prefer widescreen, but standard is acceptable.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
b. SXGA - 1400x1050
d. WXGA+ - 1440x900
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Matte.
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Looks are not critical. I'll pay a small premium for them, but I can deal with a 2" slab, if it's otherwise perfect.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
I need it delivered by Sept. 14. I'd like to use it for 2 years, then give it to a family member in need.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
I plan to upgrade to an 80GB, 7200 RPM drive.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Again, I can upgrade this if I need to.
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Answer:
Re: 8 Hours in Forums, One Final Decision - Please Help
go for hp compaq nc 8430
Answer:
Re: 8 Hours in Forums, One Final Decision - Please Help
Hmmm... It's hard to find a screen that's matte now a days. The only one I can think of (which fills all the other requirements), is the Apple Macbook Pro 15", and it's also at the high end of the costs (and you'll be paying for a separate version of Windows).
Answer:
Re: 8 Hours in Forums, One Final Decision - Please Help
Given your requirements, I would agree the nc8430 seems ideal. The Compal HEL80 might be worth a look too. Its WSXGA screen is matte as well I believe.
Answer:
Re: 8 Hours in Forums, One Final Decision - Please Help
Yasir, thank you for the quick reply. And thank you for pointing me to a laptop I had not yet reviewed. Unfortunately, the Compaq NC 8430 you recommended, is several hundred dollars more expensive than the Z61m configurations I had considered (probably due to Compaq's requisite features -- XP Pro., the x1600, a 2.0 GHz dual core, and 3 yr total warranty -- all of which are very nice, but probably a bit too much for my needs).
Answer:
Re: 8 Hours in Forums, One Final Decision - Please Help
Compal HEL80 sounds like an ideal choice. Also look into some Acers, they seem to have matte screens quite frequently. Won't be as performing/nicely built as the Compal or the HP, though.
C.
Answer:
Re: 8 Hours in Forums, One Final Decision - Please Help
Thank you all for your help. I have priced several configurations, and I think I'm going with the following from Discount Laptops (there's a virtually identical one available through Power Notebooks, too).
Price: $1,485 (no tax shipping from Nevada!!)
Design:
Chembook 4080C (Compal HEL80)
15.4" WSXGA+ screen (1680 x 1050)
1.3" x 13.9" x 10.4" and 6.5 lbs.
Performance Specs:
1.83 GHz Core Duo
1 GB RAM (2 x 512) 533 MHz
128 MB Nvidia GForce Go 7600
80 GB 7200 RPM HD
Other Features:
1.3 MPixel Camera
Fingerprint Scanner
Internal Bluetooth
Internal Wireless
9 Cell Battery
3Yr Parts and Labor Warranty
What's Missing:
No DVD Burner (I've never felt a need to burn a DVD)
No OS Installed (I can use the one from my soon-to-be-destroyed laptop)
Thanks again. I really feel like I've found the perfect laptop.