blast00

Okay, Im going off to graduate school, and I need a new laptop.. I would like to spend at most, $2,800... here are my requirements:

-the Basics: typing, powerpoint, internet browsing

- some gaming. but not too much (so a good, but not great graphic card), however need to use complicated engineering software such as inventer, autocad, 3dsmax (so it may require a good graphic card)

- NO NEED for movie editing, or music manipulation of any kind..

-must last 4 years...

These are the 4 laptops I have it narrowed down to, if you guys could say which one I should get, I would really apprecaite it.. remember my needs, as a constatly moving around graduate student from class to class, not really much gaming (only command and conquer 3), and a long battery life (im buying all the 9 cells)

1) alienware Area-51® m5550

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7400 2.16GHz 4MB Cache
Display: 15.4" WideXGA 1280 x 800 LCD
Motherboard: Alienware® Intel® 945PM + ICH7 Chipset
Memory: 2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SO-DIMM at 667MHz - 2 x 1024MB
Hard Drive: 160GB Serial ATA 1.5Gb/s 5,400 RPM w/ 8MB Cache
Video/Graphics Card: 256MB NVidia® GeForce™ Go 7600
Communications: Integrated 10/1000Mb Gigabit Ethernet & 56K V.92 Modem

Total: $2,417.00

2) Dell m1210
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 (2.33GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)
Memory: 2GB Dual Shared Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Hard Drive: 160GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
Video Card: 256MB GeForce Go 7400 TurboCache

Total: $2,550

3) Asus Z96J
custom built from pugentsystems.com

Motherboard: Asus Z96J 15.4 inch Notebook (SATA) w/ DVDRW
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33GHz Merom
Video Card: ATI X1600 256mb
Ram: 2 x Super Talent SODIMM PC2-5400 1024mb
Hard Drive: 160GB 5400RPM Notebook SATA Hard Drive

Total: $2,450


4) Asus Z62J 14" WSXGA (1440x900)
custom built from pugentsystems.com

Motherboard: Asus Z62JM 14.1 inch Notebook (SATA) w/ DVDRW
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33GHz
Video Card: GeForce Go 7300 128mb
Ram: 2 x Super Talent SODIMM PC2-5400 1024mb
Hard Drive: 160GB 5400RPM Notebook SATA Hard Drive

Total: $2,600

Thanks!

Dropkickmurphys

personally, i like the look of the dell, but i hate dell lol, personally i wold prob go for the Asus, but i dont know much about ATi Graphics Cards, so i dont know if it compares to teh 7400/7600 well or not

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Laptop (Acer Aspire 5720): Intel T7500 2.2GHz, Intel Graphics X3100, 2GB DDR2 Ram, 160GB HDD, 15.4" Acer CrystalBrite Monitor.
Xfire: poultrygeist Steam ID: unpdave

soccerdude

I would get the Asus Z96J.

Bramp

I am going to suggest the asus G1 the santa rosa model that may be coming out in a few months has more video power (geforce go 8600m GT) then any of the ones you listed, core2duo, 160gig HD, and it's less money too...

EDIT: where are you getting those prices they seem outrages!

DrCuddles

Your prices are pretty out of control,
try looking on newegg, these guys have all the best stuff for cheap prices

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ducis

Id wait for santa rosa core

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blast00

What is the santa rosa core? it is a type of asus? and will it be small and portable like the ones above that I have listed? I need a laptop by early august.. .. and I got my prices from the consumers.. they look too high :/?

dropkickmurpheys- why do you hate dells?

ducis

It will be intels next generation laptop processor it will be used in new asuses dells and alienwares it will be like a normal core 2 duo but alot faster

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CPTMuller

Also look into the lenovo T series or the Z series they have cards that are better optimized to do autocad and the such, they also have awesome battery life/portability/durability that you almost need for college/buisness.

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Specs of my main PC:Laptop (Thinkpad X61)
C2D e6320, NVIDIA 7950GT (Factory OC) : C2D T7100, Intel GMA 965 Express
2gb ram 533mhz DDR2, 320GB 7200RPM : 1gb ra, 80gb 5400RPM
Soundblaster X-FI Xtreme Audio, Linksys 10/100 Ethernet Card : on board Audio, on board Ethernet

blast00

Also, I have filled out a FAQ that I got from another site, maybe using this you guys can recommend some good laptops for me.. I really really apprecaite it:
Here is my FAQ, I really really appreciate your guys help.. and can someone please explain what santa rose is, where I can buy it, if it is the same as centrino duo/ centrino pro, what its advantages/ why its better.. etc

General Questions

1) What is your budget?

up to $2,800

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

Which ever one ends up being the better one to suit my needs.. (best battery life, light, with ease to carry around)

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

I am in the United States, and buying in the United States (I dont understand what you mean by post flag icon)


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

I'm open to your expertise advice, id prefer to stay away from macintosh.

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

The basics, internet browsing, word, powerpoint, plus some engineering programs such as 3dsmax, autocad, inventer, as well as some gaming but not much.

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

I will be carrying it at least 5 hours a day, around my college campus.

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

only one game, command and conquer 3.

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

I would like 4. But, if thats not possible I can always buy an extra battery.

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

No I do not mind, I actually prefer.

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

Windows Vista

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

Doesnt matter

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
It doesnt matter

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

Doesnt Matter

Build Quality and Design

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

Somewhat, I dont want a junky looking IBM.

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

I am buying it within the next 2 months, and I plan on it lasting 3-4 years.

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 200GB?

between 100 and 200GB

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?

Yes, I need a DVD-RW/ DVD drive

Additional Information-
Remember, my 2 top priorities are battery life, (since I will be using it from class to class without really a large oppurtunity to charge it) and its ability to be not nessecarily really small or super light, but easy enough to fit into my backpack, and carry around all day.

I really apprecaite the help!!

CPTMuller-- I will look into them.. but their very junky businessy look doesnt really fit me .. even if it is good, it looks like it is 10 years old