Question:
$2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
Background...
My toshiba satellite 5105-s501 finally bit the dust and i am looking to buy a high end laptop for work/play. I have been looking around a lot and am getting a lot of mixxed reviews of just about everything. I was originally favoring the dell xps or inspiron, however I really dislike the keyboards on them... kind of a lame thing but for some reason it really bothers me. I like some of the alienware products and am very impressed by the clevo products. On that note, the alienware laptops are a lot more expensive. I was also looking at a Sager 5760 from Xoticpc.com, but was wondering if anyone has experience with buying from them? Any help would be great, so thanks in advance!! Oh, and also i am looking to finance my laptop, so it would have to be available through a company that offers financing... which kind of narrows things down a bit.
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
About $2500-3000... maybe a little over 3000 if a good warantee is included in the price.
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Gaming (WoW), Work related stuff (multiple programs at a time), Media (music, movies, ect..)
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Probably moving locations with the laptop a fair about so I want something with good build quality that can handle being moved, however when it is in use it will be on a desk of some sort.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
World of Warcraft and other new games.. so i want a nvidia geforce 7900 or better...
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Had a HORRIBLE experience with TOSHIBA (Satellite 5105-s501) and won't go back. Want something with a good warantee. As for parts, id prefur to stay with a amd/ati or intel/nvidia combo.
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
2+
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
No, as long as it is from a reputable place.
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
USA
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Widescreen
Either of these.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Prefur matte/non-glossy as it will be used at the office and i hate glare.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Slightly, id rather not lug around a 15 lb box.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
3+ years
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
80, 7200 rpm
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
It will be difficult finding a 17" laptop with a matte screen and a 7900. But if you can deal with glare, go for the Sager 5760 from www.powernotebooks.com
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
I'll second the Sager 5760, its agurably the best 17" gaming notebook on the market.
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
a cheaper option is going to be the dell e1705 with coupons.
Although I do not like its build and its size
I would actually call it quite durable.
Where it really lacks is in INITIAL quality but its a great deal.
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
I can deal with a glossy screen, just it wouldn't be my preference. Also i am looking to finance the laptop as i just started my new job and don't really have 3k to drop right now, but will have it in a few months easy. So i am looking to buy from somewhere that offers financing (hopefully at a low rate!
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
Sounds like the Sager NP5760 is the system for you. Finding a matte screen on a 17" system with at least a go 7900-level GPU may be an impossible task. The NP5750 used to have a matte screen and go 7800 GTX, but it's since been switched to glossy too.
I can only think of the HP nx9420 with WSXGA+ matte screen and x1600 as the closest match with a matte screen.
resellerratings.com is a great place to check reseller's reputations.
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
Question with the 5760... what is it made out of? the casing that is? my dad has an acer aspire? and it looks somewhat the same and when u press the back of the lcd it effects the front. Is the 5760 more sturdy than that?
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
If a matte screen is very important, you may want to consider the Dell M90, as it is offered with a WUXGA matte screen option. Only problem being it shares the same basic chasis design as the E1705 and M1710 and will have the same/similar keyboard. The 2 video options available are Nvidia 7900 cores with some added optimization for OpenGL. The 1500M corresponds to a 7900gs and 2500M to a 7900gtx. The notebook also has a more business-like look if you're planning to take it into the office. The problem is that buying it new and decently specced will likely definitely use your whole budget and run you $2500-$3000. If you're willing to watch the outlet for a week or so something should pop there at a significant discount (price down to ~$2000).
If the screen is not an issue, the Sager 5760 has been mentioned by others and is a great choice for your budget. If cost was an issue I'd recommend the E1705, as it is a great machine that can be had with a 7900gs for ~$1500 well loaded, but if you have the cash to go all out pick up the 5760
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
Question with the 5760... what is it made out of? the casing that is? my dad has an acer aspire? and it looks somewhat the same and when u press the back of the lcd it effects the front. Is the 5760 more sturdy than that?
:D Reviews for it:
Answer:
Re: $2500-$3000, Speed, Power, Durability!
Definitely check our reviews of the NP5760; I also highly recommend it.
I've been using my Sager for over a year now and it still looks new. Sagers are much more durable than mainstream machines like Dell and especially Toshiba.