I'm desperately in need of a new laptop!!

2008-02-27 21:47:55

#1

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

And I am turning to you guys for help. I am looking at ASUS laptops and from what I can tell, they are a well made piece of hardware. BUT my #1 gripe is this: I DONT WANT WINDOWS VISTA! I can't seem to find ANY new ASUS without it.

Anyway, so far I'm looking at these:

ASUS M51S $1,199.99
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500(2.20GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 2GB DDR2 667 250GB 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2400

CyberPower Xplorer X5-5900 $1246.00
15.4" WXGA TFT LCD Display 1280x800 Pixels
CPU: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Mobile T7250 Dual-Core Processor @ 2.0GHz 800FSB 2MB L2 Cache 64-bit
MOTHERBOARD: Intel PM965 + ICH-8M Chipset Mainboard
MEMORY: 2GB (2x1GB) PC5300 DDR2-667 SODIMM Memory (Corsair or Major Brand)
VIDEO CARD: Built-in NVIDIA GeForce GO 8600M-GT 512MB Video
HARD DRIVE: 250GB 5400RPM SATA150 HARD DRIVE
OPTICAL DRIVE: 8X DVD REWRITABLE DRIVE

ASUS G1S $1,549.99
Intel Core 2 Duo T7700(2.40GHz) 15.4" Wide SXGA+ 2GB DDR2 667 200GB 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT

I think buying from CyberPower is my only options because I can choose XP rather then Vista, unless I can get an ASUS ordered with XP installed instead, but I don't think you can since they don't build to suit do they? Also, if i get the CyberPower laptop, I can order it in a shinny blue my fav color

Tips? Links to other sites?

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-02-27 21:50:34

#2

SenorToenails: Veritas et Scientia; +444|6408|North Tonawanda, NY

I believe you can still get WinXP through the small business arm of Dell (on certain models). I got a WinXP laptop in October through them for ~$1000.

Edit: Dell Vostro 1500. Windows XP Pro is a selectable feature.

Last edited by SenorToenails (2008-02-27 22:01:58)

2008-02-27 21:53:49

#3

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

The more I look at it, the more I think I want that Xplorer X5. Its got two USB ports on each side which is another +

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-02-27 21:54:08

#4

commandochristian: Honda - The Power of Dreams; +293|6691|Michigan, USA

You asked for a link to another site, and you shall have one. I have my Sony Vaio (Sony laptop site). Of course, I think my heat-dissipation issue is just unique to me, not in general, and they're much newer, so I would say they're well built, and sexy too. Of course, you don't have the blue option

As I'm hardly knowledgeable about any other laptops, I'll leave you with this:
Best of luck finding your laptop without Vista in a configuration/price you want

Edit: I lied about the blue color option: you can (as an extra feature) get one of three special covers for the 15.4" FZ series:

https://www.sonystyle.com/wcsstore/SonyStyleStorefrontAssetStore/img/195x128/LFVALL.jpg

Last edited by commandochristian (2008-02-27 22:05:59)

2008-02-27 22:08:30

#5

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

https://www.xoticpc.com/laptop/5792/57921.jpg

I guess I haven't done all the looking yet....

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-02-27 22:13:04

#6

maniacmattie: Karma Whore.. LOL; +27|6580

What does the 'M' in 8800M GTX mean? Is it as good as a normal GTX?

2008-02-27 22:21:47

#7

commandochristian: Honda - The Power of Dreams; +293|6691|Michigan, USA

maniacmattie wrote:
What does the 'M' in 8800M GTX mean? Is it as good as a normal GTX?

My guess is it signifies that it's a laptop variant?

2008-02-28 02:00:49

#8

max: Vela Incident; +1,652|6845|NYC / Hamburg

commandochristian wrote:
maniacmattie wrote:
What does the 'M' in 8800M GTX mean? Is it as good as a normal GTX?
My guess is it signifies that it's a laptop variant?

bingo

A normal GTX would melt that laptop down in seconds

_{once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.}

2008-02-28 02:15:48

#9

Gawwad: My way or Haddaway!; +212|6963|Espoo, Finland

Why don't you want Vista?
And if you have an XP CD already, why not just order a laptop you want with Vista and instal XP on it?

2008-02-28 02:20:37

#10

loonitic: ...is a potty mouth; +286|6813|Valhalla

max wrote:
commandochristian wrote:
maniacmattie wrote:
What does the 'M' in 8800M GTX mean? Is it as good as a normal GTX?
My guess is it signifies that it's a laptop variant?
bingo

A normal GTX would melt that laptop down in seconds

This one has got 2 in Sli. I wonder how hot it runs?

2008-02-28 02:31:42

#11

De_Jappe: Triarii; +432|6805|Belgium

commandochristian wrote:
Edit: I lied about the blue color option: you can (as an extra feature) get one of three special covers for the 15.4" FZ series: http://www.sonystyle.com/wcsstore/SonyS … LFVALL.jpg

Yeah but try to get the hard disk out of that laptop... You have to remove the keyboard, unscrew it all, unhook some cables, lift the cover and FINALLY you can reach your hard disk. Which you have to put back together after you put a new HD in.
(at least, it was a vaio that looked very similar two weeks ago at work).

Personally I wouldn't go for Asus, I always seem to have problems with their recovery disks, but might be the noobs bringing the wrong cd's in, wouldn't be the first time.

I would go for a dell. Their warranty and support is pretty amazing, their drivers easy to find, and they replace items the next day usually.

And nothing stops you from overwriting vista with XP that you buy (get from a friend). The positive side is that you don't have to install all those crappy programs too that are pre-installed. Just make sure you find the right drivers (which is very easy at Dell's).

2008-02-28 03:50:58

#12

[HOF]Mercenary: o_O; +53|6456

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp … 5599780039

The 8800M Is about the same as a 8800gs

2008-02-28 03:59:31

#13

']['error: Banned; +630|6922|The Netherlands

[HOF]Mercenary wrote:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8651167&st=Gateway+Laptop&type=product&id=1195599780039

The 8800M Is about the same as a 8800gs

Get this one, it is leet! Wow look at only $1300 for a laptop with a 8800GTS in it

2008-02-28 14:30:35

#14

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

Gawwad wrote:
Why don't you want Vista?
And if you have an XP CD already, why not just order a laptop you want with Vista and instal XP on it?

I actually have three copies of XP

But, they are all in use and registered. So, I don't think I can install them again and get it registered with Microsoft, they only give you 30 days before you HAVE to register them.

Also, I was worried that if I got a laptop with Vista preloaded, and I reformatted with XP, things would just...Get screwy with the apps...I don't know.

I DO like the idea of having a laptop with bays to access harddrives, and video cards though. I might consider that Clevo laptop. (The black one with orange trim, its made by Clevo.)

NOW HERE is an interesting article:

Who Really Makes Laptops and What is behind the name of a laptop? (The industries hidden secret)

You have all heard of National Brand laptop's on the market today; such as Alienware/Dell, HP, Toshiba, Compaq and Sony. It may be surprising but none of these companies actually manufacture their own laptop's. These National Brand companies purchase their laptops from an ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) such as Clevo, Compal, Asus, MSI, Quanta, Wistron, Mitac, Arima and Inventec. The ODM's design & manufacture the machine and sell it to these National Brand companies as a barebones system. The National Brand companies then customize the system with a Processors, Hard Drives, Ram, DVD Drive, Wireless, Bluetooth along with other internal accessories, then install a Microsoft Operating System and label it and market it as their own. Most of these National Brand companies force you to purchase a Microsoft Operating System regardless if you have one already or not.

Over the last few years we have been seeing these National Brands forcing ODM's against each other in competition for their contracts. In result of this fierce competition we have seen the quality in these National Brands machines going down. As these National Brands strive for the lowest cost, their base or barebones machines are more stripped down then ever before. While we still buy our barebones shells from ODM's like Clevo, Compal, ASUS & MSI we don't buy the stripped down models. We buy the fully featured models with the latest technology including Quad Core or Extreme Processor Support, the latest video cards supporting SLi technology, high resolution HD screens and multi hard drive systems supporting Raid 0/1/5. So when buying a Xotic PC laptop you are buying cutting edge technology combined with non proprietary components, more flexible customizations and followed by unmatched personalized U.S based. 24/7 Support. (Not to mention we don't force you to purchase a Microsoft Operating System, as you see these National Brands force consumers to do.)

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-02-28 15:00:26

#15

ceslayer23: IN YOUR MIRROR; +142|6639|CLOSER THAN I APPEAR

Im_Dooomed wrote:
Gawwad wrote:
Why don't you want Vista?
And if you have an XP CD already, why not just order a laptop you want with Vista and instal XP on it?
I actually have three copies of XP

But, they are all in use and registered. So, I don't think I can install them again and get it registered with Microsoft, they only give you 30 days before you HAVE to register them.

actually you can use one XP CD-Key for as many computers as you want. Just click "activate by phone" not by the internet, and when they ask how many computers it is installed on, say 1.

2008-02-28 15:11:47

#16

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

Should I pick out a 250 Gig 5200 RPM sata drive, or a 200 Gig 7200 RPM sata drive? I'm gonna use it for gaming, and working with graphics design and such. So, I think the 7200 would be a better choice no? I kinda want the extra 50 gigs though...

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-02-28 15:16:28

#17

M@rC.ExE: Member; +28|6502

Gawwad wrote:
Why don't you want Vista?
And if you have an XP CD already, why not just order a laptop you want with Vista and instal XP on it?

This was my first reaction.

2008-02-28 15:34:40

#18

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

M@rC.ExE wrote:
Gawwad wrote:
Why don't you want Vista?
And if you have an XP CD already, why not just order a laptop you want with Vista and instal XP on it?
This was my first reaction.

I don't want to dick around with a new operating system.

I know XP and can get around easily.

I can't buy a laptop with Vista and install XP because the graphics cards on Vista are DX10, and XP isn't compatible with a DX10 Graphics card.

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-02-28 15:38:47

#19

steelie34: pub hero!; +603|6659|the land of bourbon

commandochristian wrote:
maniacmattie wrote:
What does the 'M' in 8800M GTX mean? Is it as good as a normal GTX?
My guess is it signifies that it's a laptop variant?

Mobile is my guess...

Im_Dooomed wrote:
M@rC.ExE wrote:
Gawwad wrote:
Why don't you want Vista?
And if you have an XP CD already, why not just order a laptop you want with Vista and instal XP on it?
This was my first reaction.
I don't want to dick around with a new operating system.

I know XP and can get around easily.

I can't buy a laptop with Vista and install XP because the graphics cards on Vista are DX10, and XP isn't compatible with a DX10 Graphics card.

im pretty sure the directx level is software, not built in to the hardware. you could get a vista capable system and install xp, as long as drivers are available. but vista drivers will most likely be backwards compatible. the OS is the least of your worries

https://bf3s.com/sigs/36e1d9e36ae924048a933db90fb05bb247fe315e.png

2008-02-28 15:40:16

#20

blademaster: I'm moving to Brazil; +2,075|6923

Im_Dooomed wrote:
http://www.xoticpc.com/laptop/5792/57921.jpg

I guess I haven't done all the looking yet....

ohh I like get that one or the Assus one

2008-02-28 15:42:49

#21

DUnlimited: got any popo lolo intersting?; +1,160|6741|cuntshitlake

Im_Dooomed wrote:
M@rC.ExE wrote:
Gawwad wrote:
Why don't you want Vista?
And if you have an XP CD already, why not just order a laptop you want with Vista and instal XP on it?
This was my first reaction.
I don't want to dick around with a new operating system.

I know XP and can get around easily.

I can't buy a laptop with Vista and install XP because the graphics cards on Vista are DX10, and XP isn't compatible with a DX10 Graphics card.

Incorrect. DX10 Graphics cards DO support XP, the DX10 capabilities will just drop down. 8800's DO work with DX9 without _any_ problem.

main battle tank karthus medikopter 117 megamegapowershot gg

2008-02-28 15:52:03

#22

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

DeathUnlimited wrote:
Incorrect. DX10 Graphics cards DO support XP, the DX10 capabilities will just drop down. 8800's DO work with DX9 without _any_ problem.

orly? Those bastards via tech support told me otherwise. I'm looking at a laptop for a little over $1000 right now with some pretty nice hardware, but its got intergrated graphics rather then Nvidia

http://www.powernotebooks.com/specs/Crown/p15-10.php

I want a full keyboard btw, and its a 15" display rather then 17"

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

2008-02-28 15:54:07

#23

steelie34: pub hero!; +603|6659|the land of bourbon

Im_Dooomed wrote:
DeathUnlimited wrote:
Incorrect. DX10 Graphics cards DO support XP, the DX10 capabilities will just drop down. 8800's DO work with DX9 without _any_ problem.
orly? Those bastards via tech support told me otherwise. I'm looking at a laptop for a little over $1000 right now with some pretty nice hardware, but its got intergrated graphics rather then Nvidia

http://www.powernotebooks.com/specs/Crown/p15-10.php

I want a full keyboard btw, and its a 15" display rather then 17"

what a bunch of tools, stupid techs. the direct x stuff is just software. the card will support any OS, but if you use XP, you can only use dx9, which wont take full advantage of your video cards capability. its the only reason i ungraded to vista (but it has turned out pretty good, i have to admit)

2008-02-28 15:58:03

#24

Mr.Dooomed: Find your center.; +752|6606

So if I get say, this: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplo … 0_Notebook

With the 8600GT, but order it without an OS, I should expect a clean and simple install of XP when I get it home?

I'm reconsidering one of these now:

https://www.sagernotebook.com/php_proj/sagernotebook/images/Image/creation3.jpg

But, they come configured with an 8800GTX which I really don't need...

Last edited by Im_Dooomed (2008-02-28 16:02:01)

Nature is a powerful force. Those who seek to subdue nature, never do so permanently.

BF2S Forums I'm desperately in need of a new laptop!!

maniacmattie wrote:

commandochristian wrote:

maniacmattie wrote:

max wrote:

commandochristian wrote:

maniacmattie wrote:

commandochristian wrote:

[HOF]Mercenary wrote:

Gawwad wrote:

Im_Dooomed wrote:

Gawwad wrote:

Gawwad wrote:

M@rC.ExE wrote:

Gawwad wrote:

commandochristian wrote:

maniacmattie wrote:

Im_Dooomed wrote:

M@rC.ExE wrote:

Gawwad wrote:

Im_Dooomed wrote:

Im_Dooomed wrote:

M@rC.ExE wrote:

Gawwad wrote:

DeathUnlimited wrote:

Im_Dooomed wrote:

DeathUnlimited wrote:

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