In the market for new general use laptop

S

steamboateng

New member
I have $1k of Uncle Sam refund put aside for a new laptop to replace my 12 year old, old HP.
It must be good quality with installed Win7-64, OS.......and:
17 inch screen
i5 or i7 cpu
4 to 6 Gb memory
A separate graphics card
7200 rpm HD
Integrated ethernet
It must handle general computing tasks as well as Blender, Photoshop Essentials, PSP,.......
Not looking to use it for gaming.....
Any of you geeky Trainzer's got recommendations..........?
 
I would say a Dell XPS 17. This is the rig I was looking at before I started looking at the Alienware M17x.

For about $1150 you can get this setup:
Processor: 2nd Gen Intel Core i5-2450M 2.5GHz with boost up to 3.1GHz
Memory: 8GB DDR3
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GT 555M 3GB with Optimus
Hard Drive: 750GB 7200RPM
Display: 17.3in HD+ with webcam
OS: Win 7 Home 64-bit

For $100 more you can get a 17.3 Full HD display with webcam. A 90Whr battery will be about $50 more. If you dont need the 3GB graphics, you can get a Nvidia GeForce GT 550M 1GB with Optimus for $150 less.


Paul
 
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Yes. Those are the top end options for the XPS 17 copied right off the Dell customization pages. Like I said this was my choice before I started looking at the Alienware. I think the Alienware will suit my needs better thats my I am not going with the XPS 17.

Here is the link to the XPS 17: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-l702x/pd.aspx?~ck=mn When you choose which one to customize, go with the lowest price, thats the base model and build from there


Paul
 
So far 'Best Bang for the Buck' comes out to:
Dell XPS17 w/all the above......and
i7 2670QM cpu
6 Gb Dual Channel DDR3 memory
NVidea GeForce GT 550m video card w/1 Gb memory ( I AM NOT runninning Trainz on this!)
750 Gb x 7200 rpm HDD (more than I need)
Backlit Keyboard ('cause old people are always in the dark)!

Better deal somewhere............?
 
ptrainman said:
Yes. Those are the top end options for the XPS 17 copied right off the Dell customization pages. Like I said this was my choice before I started looking at the Alienware. I think the Alienware will suit my needs better thats my I am not going with the XPS 17.

Here is the link to the XPS 17: http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-l702x/pd.aspx?~ck=mn When you choose which one to customize, go with the lowest price, thats the base model and build from there


Paul
Click to expand...

dell owns alienware.
 
I think someone in the distant past mentioned that Sager made an excellent laptop. What is their rep for quality components and service?
I like what they're offering pricewise.
 
I checked out reviews for Sager products (should have done that yesterday) and it seems have their service dept shortfalls also.
Considering that a notebook is somewhat more difficult to service than desk top, I think I'll stick with the more reliable maker; i.e. Dell. Between the wife and kids, I've had plenty of Dell's go through this house over the years. At least I know where Dell stands on service!
I may get a bit less for the buck with Dell, but they are no more than the internet away for service, and have proven to be a reliable source over the years.
 
I checked out the Toshiba. Not a bad choice, but it seems the Dell is a sturdier constructionn.
As I get deeper into this I started to compare pricing vs. performance.
I think I've decided on the Dell with:
i7-2670QM processor: this puppy just jumps off the chart when compared to an i5 processor......
6 Gb dual channel DDR3
NVIDEA Ge Force GT 555M 3Gb video card (with Optimus)
Backlit Keyboard
Upgraded 90 Whr Battery (required for Graphics card)
Price-$1284 USD

I believe the price difference compared to an i5 processor is small enough to justify the i7 quad core when performance is factored in.
I also feel the i7 offers some insurance in the 'time vs obselesence' factor.
As I mentioned earier, Trainz will not be put on this computer. it's basicaly a second computer to assist with route building and model making. It will also be the family travel computer so some non-intensive gaming may be loaded on it.
 
steamboateng said:
I checked out the Toshiba. Not a bad choice, but it seems the Dell is a sturdier constructionn.
As I get deeper into this I started to compare pricing vs. performance.
I think I've decided on the Dell with:
i7-2670QM processor: this puppy just jumps off the chart when compared to an i5 processor......
6 Gb dual channel DDR3
NVIDEA Ge Force GT 555M 3Gb video card (with Optimus)
Backlit Keyboard
Upgraded 90 Whr Battery (required for Graphics card)
Price-$1284 USD

I believe the price difference compared to an i5 processor is small enough to justify the i7 quad core when performance is factored in.
I also feel the i7 offers some insurance in the 'time vs obselesence' factor.
As I mentioned earier, Trainz will not be put on this computer. it's basicaly a second computer to assist with route building and model making. It will also be the family travel computer so some non-intensive gaming may be loaded on it.
Click to expand...

Be sure to compare display quality too by physically looking at them both in operation. That is an important factor that cannot be discerned from specs. Toshiba's tend to have a better display than Dell.
 
John, thanks for the heads up on the coupon.
I ordered the machine w/the 1080p display. In effect, that $100 coupon got me the better display for $0!
That's the good news.
The bad news.........
I ordered direct from Dell and the suckers got me for $72 Massachusetts sales tax......
I will never vote for another Democrat in this state!
Dell is no longer at the top of favorites list!
 
steamboateng said:
John, thanks for the heads up on the coupon.
I ordered the machine w/the 1080p display. In effect, that $100 coupon got me the better display for $0!
That's the good news.
The bad news.........
I ordered direct from Dell and the suckers got me for $72 Massachusetts sales tax......
I will never vote for another Democrat in this state!
Dell is no longer at the top of favorites list!
Click to expand...

Good luck with your machine.

$72.00 tax isn't that bad. At least it goes to the general fund to cover schools and roads, etc., and there's no tax on food or clothing unlike most of the other states. Our sales tax is pretty low or average compared to other states, and these aren't all Democratic states! The other thing too is all the companies will charge tax because they have an office here. Not to make this a politically charged thread, but the repubs in the house are looking to impost Internet sales taxes on every transaction. The bill keeps getting buried thanks to people like me who keep signing petitions against it. ;)

http://tax-rates.org/taxtables/sales-tax-by-state

Anyway have fun. This machine looks pretty cool. :)
 
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