Need New Beasts of Lappies

[ScareyXIII]

General Questions

1) What is your budget?
3400 each...(need 2 for my design staff)

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

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?
Currently running Alienware so Sager works but no real preference

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
3Ds Max 2009 renders, animations, PS, AI, and Eng Drwgs using Ashlar Vellum Cobalt

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? Traveling (and snow days)

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Only ones that my boss doesn't know about :)

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Unrealsitic to expect more than an hour with the programs we use

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
not at all

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Our Servers are running Windows Server 2000 but need as much RAM as we can get does Vista work with older servers? If not XP pro

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? Widescreen

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.


13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? (Read below on differences) matte

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? not really

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? soon and 2 yrs-3yrs

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? we only need 100 gb @ 7200 rpms

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Prefer Blu-Ray drive (does this have HDMI out?)

We also have a digital camera that uses a Compact Flash card and was wondering if the 7-in-1 reader reads this?

Thanks....
ScareyXIII

[The Bill]

Vista does indeed work with Windows Server 2000 =). A budget of $3,400 can get you a lot. I would recommend the Sagar NP5796 (That's just me though >_>), it can easily be mended to fit your requirements, for example:

- 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1200)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® T9600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.80GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 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)
- 2GB Intel® Robson Turbo Memory II
- NP579x Orange Frame Trim Color
- Panasonic UJ-220 Blu-Ray Super Multi DVD+/ -R/RW BD-R/RE Dual Layer Burner -
- ~ 100GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA 150)
- 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 Ultimate 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
$3,121.00

Unless you need more power than a nVidia 9800M GT card for graphics I wouldn't say you need to go with the Sagar NP9262. Anyway, you could save money by lowering the OS to Home Premium, or even just lowering the RAM to 3GB, and going with XP Pro. Obviously the processor can be lowered to save money as well, and of course you can get rid of the Turbo Memory. Anyway just an example, almost all of the computers here can be mended to fit your needs/budget.

Bill

[ScareyXIII]

Prefer Blu-Ray drive (does this have HDMI out?)

We also have a Nikon D-70 digital camera that uses a Compact Flash card and was wondering if the 7-in-1 reader reads this?

Thanks

[Justin_W@XoticPC]

The Sager np5796 does have an HDMI output.

The compact flash acronym would be "CF" and the 7 in 1 supports MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS.

[MDavid]

General Questions

1) What is your budget?
3400 each...(need 2 for my design staff)

2) What size notebook would you prefer?
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

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?
Currently running Alienware so Sager works but no real preference

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
3Ds Max 2009 renders, animations, PS, AI, and Eng Drwgs using Ashlar Vellum Cobalt

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? Traveling (and snow days)

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Only ones that my boss doesn't know about :)

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Unrealsitic to expect more than an hour with the programs we use

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
not at all

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Our Servers are running Windows Server 2000 but need as much RAM as we can get does Vista work with older servers? If not XP pro

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? Widescreen

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.


13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen? (Read below on differences) matte

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? not really

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last? soon and 2 yrs-3yrs

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB? we only need 100 gb @ 7200 rpms

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
Prefer Blu-Ray drive (does this have HDMI out?)

We also have a digital camera that uses a Compact Flash card and was wondering if the 7-in-1 reader reads this?

Thanks....
ScareyXIII



Your requirements are nearly identical to mine and I went with the 9262 with the 1600M QuadroFX video card. (the GeForce is for gaming... DON'T go with that one unless your employees will be playing games more that working.)

I don't use 3Ds Max, but I use Maya for animation and a GeForce series card just isn't up to par when it comes to working within apps like these.

[talldan]

This sounds like what I should get after lowering my budget. I've decided I'm probably not playing games that much so I will only use my lappie for computer graphics programs and probably website design, and flash and animation.

Thanks TheBill!

NP5796
- 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1200)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® T9600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.80GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 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)
- 2GB Intel® Robson Turbo Memory II
- NP579x Orange Frame Trim Color
- Panasonic UJ-220 Blu-Ray Super Multi DVD+/ -R/RW BD-R/RE Dual Layer Burner -
- ~ 100GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA 150)
- 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 Ultimate 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
$3,121.00

[Lymn]

This sounds like what I should get after lowering my budget. I've decided I'm probably not playing games that much so I will only use my lappie for computer graphics programs and probably website design, and flash and animation.

Thanks TheBill!

NP5796
- 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1920x1200)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® T9600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.80GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 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)
- 2GB Intel® Robson Turbo Memory II
- NP579x Orange Frame Trim Color
- Panasonic UJ-220 Blu-Ray Super Multi DVD+/ -R/RW BD-R/RE Dual Layer Burner -
- ~ 100GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA 150)
- 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 Ultimate 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's
$3,121.00

To maximize battery life at the expensive of almost unnoticeable read/write differences I would go with a 5400rpm hard drive if you're not cutting edge gaming.