Question:
Business grade laptop + Graphics
I am looking for a few business grade laptops that can do some gaming. Gaming isn't a huge priority, I probably play HL2 an hour a week. I'm looking for 15.4" matte screens, but I could be talked into a 14" screen.
The two that I'm looking at is the Dell D820 and HP NC8430:
D820
+ I have a $300 gift certificate that I may or may not be able to use (not sure)
- I hear a lot of bad things about the D820 and D620 monitor
NC8430
+ X1600 is a big plus!
- I hear the fan is always on when AC is plugged in. I want a quiet laptop.
Any thoughts? Any other laptops I should be looking at?
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
the D820's graphics card is about equal to the NVIDIA 7400.
i've also heard that the fans aren't really THAT loud...just constant.
i can't wait to play Oblivion on my new laptop.
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
I'm pretty sure the fan issue on the NC8430 is a software/bios bug that will be fixed, but looking at the HP support forum it doesn't appear that HP is working on it with any dilligence.
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
The Dell D820 uses a Quadro video card which is great for productivity software but it isn't meant for gaming. It will do alright but the drivers for the Quadro series cripple it for the most part for gaming.
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
What's your budget?
Since you're looking for a 15.4" matte screen, you have to look at the Lenovo T60. Their Flexview screens, which are the 15" SXGA+ and UXGA models, are really the best matte screen you'll find. They have great viewing angles, good color, and are surprisingly bright and vibrant.
Unfortunately to get an X1600 equivalent card you'll need to splurge for the T60p with the FireGL 5200. They do have a big sale on the P models right now, so you might be able to get that to work. Otherwise you can get an x1400 equipped model for under $2000. I can fully suggest the model you'll see in my signature, which I got for $2027 from Page Computers. If I had it to do again I'd pay another $100 to get it from someone who packages properly.
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
since noone's mentioned it yet, have a look at the Compal HEL80. I don't know how it compares exactly to the nc8430, but I quite like the matte screen.
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
Some answers/comments to the above posts (thanks to all who responded BTW):
Budget: ~$1500 (nothing more than the HP NC8430)
nVidia Quadro: I know it's not the best for gaming, but it should be almost equal to a X1400, which may be good enough for what I want to do. X1600 or 7600Go would be a dream, though.
HEL80: A possiblity, but I'm more in the mood to get a sturdy business grade notebook with a metal (alloy) frame.
Thinkpad: Always a possibility, but once you upgrade the graphics they really jack up the price. I may only be able to afford the GMA version.
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
The hel80's pretty sturdy for plastic. I'm quite comfortable picking it up by the corner with one hand (holding it horizontally) without it feeling squishy or about to crack. The plastic gives only very slightly when I do this on the right side. On the left side, not as much. When closed, it feels even better.
The keyboard could use some work though. But if you're just concerned about build quality and not so much materials, I don't think you'll find the hel80 lacking.
It sounds like you want the nc8430... I say go for it :)
The reviewer at seems to think the noise isn't too bad. It sounds fairly typical to me, just reading that review and comparing it to laptops I've had.
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
I do want the NC8430. :) But the D820 can save me a few hundered dollars, and I could probably live with the Quadro. What would be awesome is if someone on these forums had used both the D820 and the NC8430 and could tell me how their LCD screens compared and how they compared in noise (but I am valueing everyone elses opinion too)
Answer:
Re: Business grade laptop + Graphics
Have you already sifted through the reviews of each system? That's probably the closest you'll get to a first-person account of each screen.
I can vouch for the Compal HEL80's matte screen which is wonderful. Build construction and overall quality is also very good and it is less expensive than the HP. I've heard that the D820's screen isn't the best but haven't seen it in person.
Bottom line is you'll be fine with any of the systems you're looking at.