Looking for desktop replacement/gaming laptop

[scavy]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for any input on this

General Questions

1) What is your budget?

No hard set budget. $1000-$1900 maybe, could go above if necessary.

2) What size notebook would you prefer?a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

Well, C or D I think. I plan to hook up my laptop via DVI or HDMI to my Sharp LC-32GP1U (1920x1080) for majority of the time.

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.

USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

Based on what's offered from xoticpc, no huge preference at the moment. Although my research so far has me leaning slightly towards Sager.

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Gaming and normal online tasks.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

It will normally stay in my computer room. I'd take it on vacation/trips with me for sure. Maybe 5-6 weeks a year total.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

Games I'm specifically upgrading for - Warhammer Online & Diablo III. :)

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?

Not a huge issue. I think a few hours would be more than sufficient.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

Nope.

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

XP or Vista. Preference is for XP, but willing to move to Vista if it means a better system.

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

No real preference.

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
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.

I think c or e, but maybe not too big of an issue either.
13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? (Read below on differences)

non glossy

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

Somewhat

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

3-4 years

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB?

Somewhere around 200GB

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

Dvd burner

[Anewbus]

Hi Scavy,
Here's some configs I did for your review:

First, you will notice that pretty much only the glossy screens are available now days. Fewer and fewer models offer the matte screens anymore. The reason is that actually the glossy screens are much better. With a glossy screen you get better contrast, richer color and sharper detail.:)

Starting off with a couple of 17-inch screens I did a config for the Asus M70M – C1 and the Sager NP5796.
The Asus M70VM –C1 is currently a Pre-order as it has not yet been released, but will be soon.
The 17-inch laptops are considered “desktop replacements” because of the screen size. However, a 15.4 inch screen laptop can also be considered a desktop replacement if one is hooking up a larger monitor or indeed a TV.
I know you mentioned that battery life is not a concern, but I just thought I would mention that it’s much shorter with a 17-inch screen than a 15.4 inch.

All the configs I have done here are only my suggestions or opinions.:) I did them while keeping your budget and needs in mind and your preference for XP. You can change anything you wish.

ASUS M70VM -- C1 - PRE ORDER (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2487%7B161%7D1411%7B7 6%7D1296%7B187%7D1416%7B94%7D1903%7B92%7D2451%7B88 %7D2452%7B186%7D734%7B93%7D1645%7B112%7D656%7B98%7 D1797%7B96%7D1469%7B97%7D1469%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7 D1416%7B117%7D1915%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2486%7B169% 7D1449%7B119%7D1678%7B100%7D735%7B164%7D1441%7B107 %7D689%7B10%20)-
!! FREE !! UPS GROUND SHIPPING (Use Coupon Code FREESHIP in Checkout)
- 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1200)
- ASUS Zero Bright Dot (ZBD) Pixel Guarantee
- -Intel® T9400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 watt - ASUS Default Processor
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9600M GS DDR2 DX10
- ~ 4,096MB DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory
-- Standard Finish
- - 2X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- - 250GB SATA 150 5400RPM Hard Drive - Default
- - 250GB SATA 150 5400RPM Hard Drive - Default
- Internal 8-in-1 Card Reader: MMC/SD/Mini-SD/XD/Memory Stick/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 1.3Megapixel Camera
- Internal Digital TV Tuner with Remote Control
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio
- Included- Basic Black Business Case
- Included- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- Asus USB Optical Mouse
- -Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
- 2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty, 24/7 Tech Support, 1 Year Accidental Damage Coverage & 2-Way Pre-Paid Overnight Shipping for Repairs

TOTAL = $1904.00 with cash discount


As you can see, this one (Asus) is a tad over your budget. It comes with a good warranty and 4GB of RAM so I also upgraded it to Vista 64 bit due to the 4GB of RAM. (XP is 32 bit and will only recognize up to 3GB of RAM). 64 bit OS will go as high as 6GB. Vista from what hear is good for gaming due to the way it allocates. Basically, when you bring up a game Vista sort of makes a virtual machine for that game thereby able to allocate more system resources to it. (Personally, I’m an XP man myself though. I’m very slow to upgrade or convert). As you can see this one comes with two HDs for lots of space.

Sager NP5796 Custom Notebook (Built on Clevo M570TU) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2415%7B76%7D1883%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2422%7B88%7D2418%7B186 %7D734%7B93%7D2431%7B193%7D657%7B112%7D2032%7B98%7 D1295%7B96%7D786%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117%7 D705%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2426%7B169%7D1449%7B119%7 D1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D689%7B106%7 D1696%7B121%20)
- 17" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.40GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9800M GT DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- ~ 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires Vista 64-Bit to recognize Full 4GB)
- NP579x Orange Frame Trim Color
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Based Toll Free Telephone Tech Support
(Year2 & 3 Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)

TOTAL = $2099.08 with cash discount


This one (Sager 5796) is more over your budget. In this config I bumped the CPU up a notch to give the 25 watt instead of the 35 watt. This means less heat and more efficient power without sacrifice. Again, this comes with 4GB of RAM so I upgraded the OS to Vista 64 bit. You can choose between orange or silver trim on this one at no cost. I also bumped up the HD to 320 GB 5400rpm. This provides faster file transfer speed over a 200GB 7200rpm and a tad less heat and even less battery power for those times you may be on battery. This one also has a more powerful video card with DX10 capability, as newer games will require. (Also note that XP can not handle DX10 so you will need Vista for that). Again, a nice warranty on this one.


Now for some 15.4 inch screens:

Sager NP8660 (Built on Clevo M860TU) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2411%7B76%7D2438%7B18 7%7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2422%7B88%7D2418%7B186 %7D734%7B93%7D2429%7B193%7D657%7B112%7D656%7B98%7D 1295%7B96%7D786%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117%7D 705%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2426%7B169%7D1449%7B119%7D 1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D1539%7B106%7 D1696%7B121%20)
- 15.4" WUXGA "Matte Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Screen (1920x1200)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.40GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9800M GT DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- ~ 2,048MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carrying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- ~Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Based Toll Free Telephone Tech Support
(Year2 & 3 Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)

TOTAL = $2019.54 with cash discount


This one (Sager 8660) is the only one that offers a matte screen, which is why I wanted to show it to you. Again, I bumped the CPU to a 25 watt as explained previously. The video card on this one is user upgradeable, but very nice as is. I also configured this machine for XP, which also saves a bit of money since it’s already a bit over your budget. Again, I bumped the HD to the 320GB 5400rpm.

FORCE 3310 (Built on COMPAL JHL90) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2455%7B76%7D650%7B187 %7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2447%7B88%7D2410%7B186% 7D734%7B93%7D2490%7B193%7D657%7B112%7D656%7B98%7D1 799%7B96%7D2349%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117%7D 890%7B120%7D702%7B110%7D2486%7B169%7D1449%7B119%7D 1898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D1539%7B106%7 D1688%7B121%20)
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050) `
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- -Intel® P9500 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9600M GT DDR2 DX10
- - 2,048MB DDR2 800MHz KINGSTON HyperX Matched Kit - Low Latency CL5 (2 SODIMMs) Dual Channel Memory SPECIAL!
- Standard Finish
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- - 320GB 3GB/S SATA II 5400RPM Hard Drive
- Internal 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carrying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- -Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 3 Year Complete Care Full Parts / Labor Warranty - Next Business Day Shipping - Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Tech Support

TOTAL = $1529.69 with cash discount


This one (Force 3310) is nice system that is well within your budget providing you with money left over from your max for other goodies you may desire. I also configured this one for XP. I bumped up the CPU and the HD as before. This machine comes with the best warranty in the industry as standard equipment! Good battery life as well should you ever need that.

Sager NP2096 Custom Laptop (Built on the Compal JHL90) (http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2409%7B76%7D650%7B187 %7D1757%7B94%7D1074%7B92%7D2422%7B88%7D2410%7B186% 7D734%7B93%7D1997%7B193%7D657%7B112%7D656%7B98%7D1 295%7B96%7D786%7B168%7D1453%7B116%7D1416%7B117%7D8 90%7B120%7D703%7B110%7D2486%7B169%7D1449%7B119%7D1 898%7B100%7D734%7B164%7D1441%7B107%7D1539%7B106%7D 1688%7B121%7D%20)
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050) `
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.40GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9600M GT DDR2 DX10
- ~ 2,048MB DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory
- Standard Finish
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 8MB Cache)
- Internal 3-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS)
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 5100 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carrying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- ~Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- Sager 3 Year Parts & Labor Warranty, Lifetime Sager Toll Free Support

TOTAL = $1363.82 with cash discount


This machine (Sager 2096) is also popular. Again I configured it for XP with the same upgrades as previous. The warranty on this one is nice, but it is through Sager as opposed to XoticPC. Sager has been known to be a tiny bit lack-luster in their warranty customer service just so you know. XoticPC is a better advocate in that department.

All machines come with FREE 24/7 lifetime Domestic Tech support. (I have actually tested this and its true. I have called on weekends, evenings, holidays, etc. and got a live person promptly every time). (Just try that with Dell…doesn’t happen).

Of all the machines I configed here, my personal favorite is the Force3310 in my opinion. It’s cost effective and leaves you enough to do some more upgrading (for example, if you wanted to configure it for Vista instead or maybe even a skin or something). :) Note: General rule of thumb if you want to go with Vista be sure to get 4GB of RAM. Plus it comes with the best warranty serviced by XoticPC as standard.:XPCS::notworthy

Feel free to ask more questions if you like, as much as you want. Lots of folks are here to help.