[geeks] Best laptop for $3K max

[Dan Sikorski]

Francois Dion wrote:
> This is more geek than rescue, although there's an interesting laptop
> discussion over there.
>
> Anyway, I've been looking at a few laptops. I thought I wanted a
> precision M6300 but it's a bit too big. The M4300 seems more what I'm
> looking for. Actually the XPS would have been good too, but the M1330
> just has a pathetic resolution and M1730 is too big. Too bad they dont
> make an M1530.
>
> So anyway, I'm looking at the M4300. just a tad less than $3000 MSRP:
>
> Intel(R) Core 2 Duo T7800 (2.60GHz, 4M L2 Cache, 800MHz) Dual Core
> Genuine Windows(R) XP Professional, SP2 with Media
> NVIDIA Quadro FX 360M, 512MB Turbo Cache memory (256 dedicated)
> 15.4 IN WIDE WUXGA Anti-Glare LCD Panel
> 4.0GB, DDR2-667MHz SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
> 120GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM
> 24X CD-RW/DVD w/ Cyberlink PowerDVD
> Dell Wireless(R) 360 Bluetooth Module for Windows XP
> Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card
> Standard Touchpad
> Resource CD - Contains Diagnostics and Drivers for Windows XP
> My Accessories
> 9 Cell Primary Battery
> 90W A/C Adapter, Energy Star Compliant
> Internal English Keyboard
>
> What I want
> Graphics requirements:
> -I need Nvidia Quadro FX
> -I want 1920x1200 but willing to go 1600x1200 if I can get a smaller laptop
>
> CPU: T7800 good, T7900 best
>
> Memory: 4GB ddr2-667 minimum
>
> Physical:
> I dont want a 10lbs monster
> I dont want larger than 15.4. Current Dell Latitude D600 is perfect in
> term of size.
> 9 cell battery
>
> 15" MacBook Pro
> I looked at MacBook Pro, but with 4GB, even with 15" 1440x900, slower
> cpu and slower hard disk, it is way > $3000. At any rate, on 15" I
> expect 1920x1200 or worst case 1600x1200, but 1440x900 that's even
> lower than my 3 years old 14" laptop. So, no macbook pro.
>
> Alienware Area-51(R) m5550
> was a shoe in ($2569 w/4GHz, fastest processor, 1920x1200, nvidia)
> until I realised I couldn't get any faster than a 2.33GHz T7600. Argh.
> And I still had $400 to go, could have been a contender.
>
> ASUS G1S 15" is borderline on resolution (nevermind, it doesn't even
> do 1600x1200, it does1680x1050) but T7500 cpu. I'm really wanting
> T7900 but T7800 will do if it means I am south of $3K.
>
> Any other ideas? Needs to run Solaris, but nowadays they pretty much all do.
>   
Just as an anecdote, I use a Precision M65 (the predecessor to the m4300 
before dell changed their model naming convention a few months ago.)  
Mine is a T7200, 2GB, and since it is my PC for work, running vista.  
I've had it for about 11 months now, and am fairly happy with it.  I got 
it when my Inspiron 8200 ceased to function.  (When i ingest coffee in 
the morning, it enhances my productivity, i don't know why it completely 
stopped the productivity of the Inspiron...)

    -Dan Sikorski