Need help to build a notebook.

[akusoy]

i want to get maximum for gaming at price ~1500 USD, and would like to get a good paintjob done. will buy in 1-2 months.

1) What is your budget?

1500-2000 USD, its all im willing to spend, includes shipping and taxes.

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+

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

Estonia

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

don't like any lame brand stickers on the notebook

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

Gaming, CAD drawing, working

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

Tanking it with me, i have a desktop PC.

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

Fallout3, SW Force Unleashed, BF Bad Company, GTA 4 and newer.

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

2+ (6 or 9 cell battery)

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

I don't care, just need a good one.

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

Linux Ubuntu for working. Whats better Vista or XP for gaming?

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

Widescreen, looks much better for laptop.

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer? (more details below)

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.
(e. is good i guess, f. will do too)

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen?

Don't really know, maybe with a lot of sunlight glossy will be bad. ???

Build Quality and Design

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

Really wanted to get a custom look, but it will cost a lot.

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

Need to get it in year 2008. want it to last me ~3-5 years.

Notebook Components

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

100+, i have external harddrives.

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

Wont need to burn Blu-ray discs, maybe just ready them. Need a DVD burner, dual layer.


++++++++++++++++
Wanted to buy

i'm thinking, should i get INVISIBLE SHIELD or CUSTOM PAINTING.
Paintings i liked.
h¤¤p://www.xoticpc.com/extfinish/037.jpg (http://www.xoticpc.com/extfinish/037.jpg)
h¤¤p://www.laptopdesignusa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=78# (http://www.laptopdesignusa.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=78#)

Sager NP8660 Overview
Display: 15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) Glossy or WUXGA (1920x1200) Matte
Video Card: 512MB DDR3 nVIDIA 9800M GT
Processor: Intel® Core 2 Duo "Montevina" 64-Bit 1066MHz FSB up to 6MB L2 Cache Memory: 2GB DDR3 1066MHz (Up to 4GB)
Hard Drive: 160GB to 320GB SATA 5400 RPM / 7200RPM SATA/SSD
Battery Life: 1-2 Hour
Weight: 7.1lbs
++++++++++++++++
Thanks for reading, feel free to post your comments, ill read them all.

[Anewbus]

Taking into consideration your budget, what you will be using it for and you mentioned you would like a paint job I offer the following choices.
I chose these configurations to try to allow for shipping costs (I don't know how much that will be) and hopefully have enough left over for some kind of graphics design for your laptop.
Each configuration is without paint job cost which you can add if you like:
Paint jobs range from $89 for skinning to $469 for full machine painting.
Glossy screens are better all around for veiwing games and movies and what have you.
I also put in a 360GB hard drive. Even though you have external drives, for things like games, it's a little better to have the game loaded on your primary drive for faster access. As you know, games also take a lot of space.
I also chose XP for all the examples here since you weren't sure. I used my personal preference, but your choice may be different.

#1 SAGER NP2096 = I configured this with the higher resolution screen, a 360GB 5400rpm HD, I went in the middle for the CPU and of course XP.
This machine would do well.
Sager NP2096 Custom Laptop (Built on the Compal JHL90) PRE ORDER
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050) `
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® T9400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 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 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- ~Windows XP Home SP2 with Drivers and Utilities CD
- 1 Year Parts & Labor, Lifetime Sager Toll Free Tech Support
TOTAL= $1352.00 - $40.56 cash discount = $1311.44 (shipping not included)

#2 Since you showed interest in this machine I wanted to show it to you in the similar configuration. It also would cost quite abit. Another good machine though.

Sager NP8660 (Built on Clevo M860TU) PRE ORDER
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® T9400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9800M GT DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- ~ 2,048MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (1 SODIMM
- 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
- Carying 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 Tech Support
(Year2 & 3 Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)
TOTAL = $2012.00 (not including shipping)

#3 Same basic configuration, but this machine offers a BlueRay reader with DVD burner option, but you would have to add $379 to the price. I left it out to show the same config price.

FORCE 3310 (Built on COMPAL JHL90)
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050) `
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- -Intel® T9400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.53GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 35 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9600M GT DDR2 DX10
- - 3,072MB (Corsair, Kingston, Major Brand) DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMs) Dual Channel Memory
- 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 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- 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 = $1557.00 - $46.71 cash discount = $1510.29 (not including shipping)

#4 Yet another choice that would do good for you.

FORCE 3298 v2 (Built on COMPAL JFL92 WSXGA+)
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- -Intel® T9300 45nm "Penryn" Core™2 Duo 2.5GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 800MHz FSB
- - 2,048MB (2 SODIMMS) ~ Kingston HyperX CL4 Low Latency ~ DDR2 667MHz Memory
- Standard Finish
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- - 320GB 3GB/S SATA II 5400RPM Hard Drive
- Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carying 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 = $1486.00 - $44.58 cash discount = $1441.42 (not including shipping)

All these prices are also not including paint job remember. You can pick what you like and add it in to the price.
You can always change anything in any of these configurations by choosing the machine you want and click on the customize button.

Good luck on your lappy hunt and feel free to ask all the questions you like.

[akusoy]

i liked, but i have some questions
is this combo widescreen? ((WS)XGA+)
is this video good and where can i find graphs or statistics
( 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9700M GT DDR3 DX10)
if im a student but not in USA, do i get another discount?

i don't need
Blu-ray burner - if i will get one ill place it into my desktop PC.


(nVidia 8600GT 512MB Video) is it good?
#4 Yet another choice that would do good for you.

FORCE 3298 v2 (Built on COMPAL JFL92 WSXGA+)
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- -Intel® T9300 45nm "Penryn" Core™2 Duo 2.5GHz w/6MB L2 On-die cache - 800MHz FSB
- - 2,048MB (2 SODIMMS) ~ Kingston HyperX CL4 Low Latency ~ DDR2 667MHz Memory
- Standard Finish
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- - 320GB 3GB/S SATA II 5400RPM Hard Drive
- Internal 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO)
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carying 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 = $1486.00 - $44.58 cash discount = $1441.42 (not including shipping)



-------------My combo2
Sager NP8660 (Built on Clevo M860TU) PRE ORDER
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.26GHz w/3MB L2 On-die cache - 1066MHz FSB 25 watt
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 9800M GT DDR3 DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- None Standard
- ~ 2,048MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS)
- None Standard
- Custom Laptop Skins [Choose from our designs or your own Graphic or Logo
(Details of design made after order)
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 250GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA 150)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- 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
- None Standard
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- ADD Car Adapter
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard
- None Standard
- None Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- None Standard
- None Standard
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Based Toll Free Tech Support
(Year2 & 3 Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)
-------------My combo1
ASUS G50V-A1 - PRE ORDER
- !! FREE !! UPS GROUND SHIPPING (Use Coupon Code FREESHIP in Checkout)
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- None Standard
- 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 9700M GT DDR3 DX10
- None Standard
- - 4,096MB (Corsair, Kingston, Major Brand) DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMs) Dual Channel Memory
- Standard Finish
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- - 250GB SATA 150 5400RPM Hard Drive - Default
- - 250GB SATA 150 5400RPM Hard Drive - Default
- None Standard
- None Standard
- 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 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- None Standard
- Built in 1.3Megapixel Camera
- None Standard
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Asus G Series Matching Backpack made by Targus
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- None Standard
- None Standard
- None Standard
- None Standard
- Asus G Series Matching Logitech Mouse
- None Standard
- ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's - ENS
- None Standard
- None Standard
- 2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty, 24/7 Tech Support, 1 Year Accidental Damage Coverage & 2-Way Pre-Paid Overnight Shipping for Repairs

++++++++++++++++++
i want to know what combo has the best performance, 1st ill get a new mobile phone then ill get a new notebook. This is the best place where i found notebooks cheap and good.

[Anewbus]

Yes, when ever you see "WS" that's Widescreen
As to benchmarks for the video card, I think Justin or someone can answer that better than I could. I think the Nvidia 9700M GT is new and there may not be benchmarks yet, but I could be wrong.
Unfortunately, XoticPC does not offer student discounts outside if the US.
All those machines will perform well and probably pretty close together. Justin can probably answer that part in detail as well.
You have indeed found the best place in the US to get a notebook! The prices are good for what you get, the machines are top-shelf and the service can not be beat!

[akusoy]

SAGER NP8660

Sager NP8660
Video Card: 512MB DDR3 nVIDIA 9800M GThttp://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html
its #4 in benchmarks. i think i will get it because i like how it looks.
http://www.xoticpc.com/laptop/8660/86601.jpg

MY final combo!
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Standard Dead Pixel Policy
- ~Intel® P8400 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo 2.26GHz 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)
- Custom Laptop Skins [Choose from our designs or your own Graphic or Logo
(Details of design made after order)
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/Softwares
- ~ 160GB 5400RPM (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 WiLink
- None Standar- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Carying Case Optional (Select if desired)
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Integrated Fingerprint Reader
- None Standard - Drivers & Utility Software Only
- 3 Year Labor* 1 Year Parts Warranty Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Based Toll Free Tech Support
(Year2 & 3 Labor Warranty through Xotic PC)

too bad pimpin' the laptop costs so much, i think it will look very cool but i don't think im willing to spend that much. well i have cash... ok i have 2 months to think about it. maybe ill choose one of those that was posted here.

i have some questions:
if the laptop will be shipped to ESTONIA will i need to pay toll, this could be a really big problem? if i buy from ebay package is marked as a gift.
that price contains taxes?
how much could be shipping costs?

[Justin_W@XoticPC]

You can view performance differences between the video card here (http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showpost.php?p=4803&postcount=6)

The Sager notebooks will generally always be more powerful in performance and a little cheaper than Asus notebooks. The Asus notebooks will have a better warranty coverage with a little less in performance. If you are an international customer, the Asus would probably be your best choice as it offers an Asus Global Warranty and with Sager you would have to pay shipping both way to the US for any warranty repair work.

[Justin_W@XoticPC]

You would be responsible for any taxes/duties due upon delivery of the notebook to your country. The package cannot be marked as a "gift" as this would be falsifying information to government officials. The shipping prices will be listed during the checkout process. The International UPS shipping method is the most recommended as you will receive tracking information with UPS shipment.

[akusoy]

ASUS G50V-A1 - PRE ORDER
- !! FREE !! UPS GROUND SHIPPING (Use Coupon Code FREESHIP in Checkout)
- 15.4" WSXGA+ "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy Screen (1680x1050)
- None Standard
- 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 9700M GT DDR3 DX10
- None Standard
- - 4,096MB (Corsair, Kingston, Major Brand) DDR2 800 (2 SODIMMs) Dual Channel Memory
- Standard Finish
- - Combo Dual Layer SuperMulti 8X DVDRW Drive w/ Software
- - 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 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Built in 1.3Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Asus G Series Matching Backpack made by Targus
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- ADD Car Adapter
- Asus G Series Matching Logitech Mouse
- ~Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's - ENS
- 3 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty, 24/7 DOMESTIC Technical Support, 1 Year Accidental Damage Coverage & 2-Way Overnight Shipping for Warranty

i chose better warranty and arctic silver (nice radiator cream).
so whats with the TOLL, they can charge quite a bit cash, need to ask some people to get accurate info.

don't think paintjob can be dont here.

notebookcheck, this video holds #22 place.
22NVIDIAGeForce 9700M GT (http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9700M-GT.9454.0.html)NB9P32625155080012810