Question:
Hi-Res + Powerful + Cheap.
Hi.
I'm considering buying a personal/work laptop.
Budget: $2000 - $3000 NZ Dollars. (x 0.6 = $1200-$1800 US)
Size: 15" and up.
Screen: Must be at least 1600 x 1200 resolution. I prefer the matt finish, because the reflections from shiny screens are extremely annoying to me.
Hard Drive: High read speed is preferable, but not essential. 40GB is enough, but more would not go to waste.
Reliability is also rather important, but only needs to last about two years.
Looks and Style unimportant.
Components:
CD writing and DVD reading required, but not DVD writing.
A "comm" port would also be useful for work.
USB and Ethernet required.
OS:
Ubuntu Linux.
Windows XP.
Applications:
I work for an automation company, and almost all automation software is written by people who don't know how to program properly - hence the applications look like they come from the 1980s yet require enormous processing power. However, most of the applications like to run as a collection of servers, so multi-core or hyperthreading might be a large benefit.
C++ development (mostly debug build - any final optimized builds can be done on PC) - writing OpenGL applications, plan to use shaders later.
Video / Audio playing (using headphones probably).
Not important:
Feature set. No need for wi-fi, modem.
Preferably comes without OS (Cos it will be reformatted anyway), and I don't want to buy Windows, cos I'm only using Windows for work and they supply it.
Battery life is also not that important. A few hours of high-load should be enough.
Screen quality is of low to medium importance, as long as it can handle 1600x1200.
Country:
New Zealand.
Answer:
Re: Hi-Res + Powerful + Cheap.
The HP nx9420 is a business-class 17" worth considering, in addition to the nc8430.
The Dell Latitude D820 is another possiblity but will not feature the build quality of the HPs.
Answer:
Re: Hi-Res + Powerful + Cheap.
If you want cheap I think the Dell is the way to go.