Question:
High Power - Low Weight
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
$2000
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Mostly for software development - perhaps to occasionally watch a DVD.
Must have maximum amount of memory and a fairly punchy CPU.
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Taking it to different places on a daily basis
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Unlikely - this is not a key requirement.
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Not particularily.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
At least 3 hours. 4 or more would be ideal.
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
I do mind. I'd like to be able to see how big it is and lift it to feel the weight
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
Buying in the UK.
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen, but could be happy with standard.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
(W)UXGA or (W)SXGA
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Matte.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Not particularily
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Ideally within the next month. I won't be buying a replacement for at least five years.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
60 or 80 GB
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Yes a DVD-CD/RW, but it could be external to save on weight etc.
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Answer:
Re: High Power - Low Weight
Well, as I've said in other threads I am biased toward the Asus W3J.
What fits your criteria:
- Excellent build quality and materials (carbon-fiber case, anodized aluminum lid)
- Hot-Swappable DVD bay (Extra 6-cell battery (~6hr max, equipped), extra HDD, or empty)
- 80 GB Hard Drive standard
- 14" wide screen, and 4.5lb (4.1 or so with empty DVD bay)
- Stock Config, around $1800
What doesnt fit your criteria:
- Available mostly online.
- Glossy Screen
- Stylish, Asus A8J is less so, for same specs.
I'm partial to this machine, but shop around. This is just a suggestion, based mostly on the beefy processor and build quality (for longevity).
One small note: any laptop you buy, see if the reseller lets you put in a Seagate hard drive. Their units carry a 5 year warranty, vs the 3 year of most HDD manufacturers.
Answer:
Re: High Power - Low Weight
You're here in the UK but buying in $?
I do want to say if you want to see in person you'll excluded 90% of laptops - this is the UK. However I suppose you could see choices in store for 'general idea' about size and screens, etc
So is your budget £1050? That's the exchange rate. If it is, the Asus W3J is £200 over budget.
Answer:
Re: High Power - Low Weight
There is also this which is 400gbp cheaper.
http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/HP_Co.../version-1.asp
Excellent hp build quality and very fast and the option of doubling the ram. There is also this:http://www.comet.co.uk/comet/html/cache/572_339237.html which is cheaper but has a slower gpu.
Or this the most expensive of the three but also the fastest by some bit. 2gb of ram, 2.0ghz core 2 duo and a 7200rpm hd. But you can customise it to your needs. http://uk.zepto.com/Default.aspx?pag...FPVDnzh2ZwCsY6