@gurupanguji

Ramblings of an Eccentric Soul

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Finding a good laptop in Germany!

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As part of the promise that I had made to The Fragger in Just in case people are wondering, I am gonna start a series of posts that lead me to buy a nice laptop in Germany. Maybe the final purchase may not even happen here, but bah humbug, who cares, when at the end I get a nicey lappy 😀 [pardon the pun]!

Anyhoo, Here’s what I want

  • Nice big screen, super cool res – 15.4″ – 17″ [Ultra Wide Res]
  • Tons of processing power and memory – required by my working style 😀
  • A decent graphics processing power – better chug a few framerates for sum games and play those DVD movies without any glitch whatsoever.
  • Must have Wi-Fi and a good network card
  • Preferably bluetooth and cardreader – not a necessity
  • Good keyboard, comfortable and lasting
  • Light – as much as possible
  • Sleek looks -lotsa black [not too much silver]only the last [eye candy features aren’t exactly on my platter] Beggars can’t be choosers :-D!!

So, hopefully I have sum suggestions from you people. My budget is about 1000 Euros plus minus 200 Euros!!

Danke!

33 responses

  1. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    cool.

    Here’s what I can say.

    17″ -> out of question. Those are Desktop replacements and lugging those around means u wouldn’t need to goto a gym anymore. 🙂

    15 inch -> yep. So u r looking at a 15inch widescreen laptop weighing around 6 to 7 pounds. Somewhat ok to carry around.

    Oodles of processing power -> Intel Core Duo!

    Lets start with a lap having the Core Cuo T2500 which is a 2Ghz dual core with 2 MB of cache. But its somewhat expensive, so make it Core Duo T2400 which is 1.83 Ghz, 2 MB cache, to fit your budget if case it overruns.

    Graphics -> GeForce Go 7400 graphics is better than the Radeon 9600 XT which Anoop had with him. It’s got PureVideo technology which means low CPU usage and high quality DVD movies and also good High Definition content playback.

    For 1000 euros, better graphics options would be hard to get. Mobility Radeon X1600 is better than GeForce Go 7400, but i think it would make the lap cost around 1400 or 1500 Euros in the end.

    Wifi, BT and NIC -> All laps around 1k Euros today come with Gigabit NIC integrated. For Wifi, Intel 3945ABG is what’s new and hot. U can get it with most laps for around 25Euros extra. For BT, u can get it with the lap or get a cheap dongle and plug it into the USB port.

    Cardreader -> usually 5 in 1. Comes with some models.

    Keyboard -> can’t say much dude. its an area where i am lacking 🙁

    Reply
  2. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    Hmm. I just visited the HP site.

    Here’s what I found.

    DV8000T series is 17 inches with 8 pounds weight.

    for 1219$ u get,

    Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo processor T2400 (1.83 GHz)
    17.0″ WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680×1050)
    256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600 (This thing rocks man)
    1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)!!
    80 GB 5400 RPM SATA Hard Drive
    Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
    Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
    8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

    Click here to see DV800T

    Another option is the DV5000T, which gets u the following for 1043$

    Core Duo T2400 (same as before)
    15.4″ WXGA BrightView Widescreen
    128MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400
    1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)
    80 GB 5400 RPM (a free upgrade from 60GB)
    Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support
    Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
    12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (more battery life)

    Click here for DV5000T

    I’d go for the DV8000 if I was gonna game more and not care about the extra 1 kilo weight. The Go 7600 has twice the power of the Go 7400 I think and its not because of twice the graphics memory. The Go 7600 has 8 pixel pipelines, while the Go 7400 has only 4. And I am sure the Go 7600 would have faster memory too.

    But if I moved around a lot, didn’t want to play high end games like F.E.A.R. and also wanted longer battery life (12 cell vs 8 cell for DV8000), then I’d go for the DV5000 series. The Go 7400 would run HL2 fine. Episode 1 rocked on a 9600XT with AA and AF and HDR on. So it would run even better on the 7400 and the 7600, well…. U could play F.E.A.R.!!!!

    I have taken only HP because the prices are reasonable compared to exotics from Sony or Toshiba.

    If you can get hold of some Coupon Codes, DELL laptops are a good option. U could get a killer discount with the coupon codes. try http://www.deals2buy.com for DELL.

    Reply
  3. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    I also wanted to look thru Acer and Lenovo, but if I don’t sleep now, I’mma go bonkers! O_o

    Reply
  4. ontheverge Avatar
    ontheverge

    so any luck on the laptop yet?

    Reply
  5. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Hmmm checked out the DV8000T, not a bad deal. Especially for that baby. Will they deliver it to Germany with an international keyboard layout? The German keyboard layout sucks big time dude!!

    Anyhoo, what about the Dell XPS M1710?

    Reply
  6. stan_da_man Avatar
    stan_da_man

    excellent excellent…
    very good topic…
    i was just gonna start my search for a laptop here…
    me lookin at DELL options man..deadly prices.
    Tho the DV800T and 500T looks gud too…sooper sooper..i’d say wait for a lil bit time…with the Core 2 Duo out, prices are gonna crash by Aug…if u can hang on for some more time (i know its tuff), u’ll get cheaper deals for the Core Duo…or u can go in for the Core 2 Duo itself! 🙂 Decide….

    Reply
  7. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Dude, go for the XPS M1710!! Deck it up with 2 Gigs of RAM and the 512MB nVidia Geforce 7900Go!! And Va voom :p!!

    I just hope I will be able to get at least sumin close to it!! :-D!!

    Reply
  8. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    What’s the performance difference b/w ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory and 256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GS??

    Reply
  9. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    And what’s Integrated SoundBlaster Audigy HD Software Edition?

    Reply
  10. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    The GeForce 7900GS is WAY better than the Radeon X1400. But I think it should cost a lot more.

    7900GS has 20 pixel pipes while X1400 has only 4…..

    Soundblaster offers better audio quality and more importantly, EAX in games, but the extent of betterness in quality depends on the person and also whether you are using high end headphones or speakers.

    Reply
  11. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Yeah it does, about $200/Eu200 more :-D!! But is it worth the money is the question?

    Hey I know that Soundblaster is way better, but what is up with the Software Edition? Does it make too much of a difference?

    Reply
  12. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    Of course its worth the money! 5 times the performance! For serious gaming with al the effects on (AA and AF), u gotta have the 7900!

    Software edition usually means that it uses the CPU for some tasks, which isnt a problem as u got a dual core in there.

    Reply
  13. suresh prabhu Avatar
    suresh prabhu

    HP Pavillion series is extremely good. Have been happy with its performance. Wide screen, DVDW, and everything that you are looking for.

    -Suresh Prabhu

    Reply
  14. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Hey Suresh Prabu!!

    Are ya by any chance SP working @ Naus Infosystems? Anyhoo, what about the gaming performance? And of course the graphics subsystem?

    The DV 8000T seems a good deal. Although the Dell Inspiron 9400 Royale [in Dell Germany ] seems an awesome buy!! :-D!

    But, will let ya guys know finally what I am going for. I mite go initially for a stupid laptop, well just for that, coz my dream is still to go for the MacBook Pro. [::slurp] So. mite go in for a cheap one, standard one and once I have enough moolah for a good one, ala MacBook Pro, I will gift this to my sis, who will be needing one soon anyway, and she really doesn’t care for the performance or the graphics subsystem :-D!!

    Reply
  15. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    @overclockedfragger: Thanks a ton man!! That kinda helps in the decision! :P!!

    Reply
  16. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Dude, what about the ATi Mobility X1800 with 256MB of RAM?

    Reply
  17. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    and the X1600 :D!! A small comparison please :-D!!

    Reply
  18. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    Aren’t dell laptops more costly compared to the HP counterparts?

    X1600 has 12 pixel shaders, but only 4 pixel pipelines. So its performance is around same as GeForce Go 7600.

    the mobility X1800 has 12 pipes. So u r looking at around 2 times performance increase when going from X1600 to X1800 (or maybe even more).

    Reply
  19. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Well yes, they are… But I found a very interesting site, thanks to me asking around people here. For people in Germany, this would be quite a deal. There is a site called Notebooks Billiger, roughly translated to “Notebook Discounts”. Features an online portal, sumin like New Egg, where you can check out the deals.

    See if you can check out sum offers from there. I have finally decided that I NEED a MacBook Pro, so now I have changed what I am looking for. Under Eu 1000, read AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, so max bang of the buck. Please lemme know if you do find sumin really good, so that I can buy it off. :-)!!

    Thanks a lot man.

    Once I have accumulated some moolah, I will go in for the MacBook Pro *sigh*

    Reply
  20. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    If u getting a macbook, get it after a long time (I assume thats the case now)

    http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/26/apple-admitting-repairing-laptop-whining-and-discoloration-prob/
    http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/03/apple-quietly-fixing-macbookpro-bugs/
    http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/08/apple-sneaks-new-logic-board-into-whining-macbook-pros/
    http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/01/macbook-pros-overheating-due-to-thermal-grease/

    Maybe this will shatter ur dreams about the macbook 😛

    Reply
  21. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    hmm. check this deal. looks good

    http://www.notebooksbilliger.de/product_info.php/toshiba_satellite_a100_special_

    Reply
  22. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    @The Fragger: Damn… You have to shed water in my dreams, piss on my dreams even :P! Yeah man, they have some problems! Some serious problems :-D!!

    Anyhoo, that Toshiba Satellite seems like a good deal to you? Hmmm, maybe I will go for it! But then what about the service and warranty of Toshiba yaar? I heard they kinda suck at that. I also have a friend, whose sister bought the Toshiba laptop and its keyboard got problems immediately.

    But, how are Toshiba laptops generally? I have heard that they are good as far as features are concerned. What about the build quality and the usability?

    Reply
  23. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Dude, what about this config Asus A6T-AP005H TURION X2??

    How does the AMD equivalent compare with the Intel Core Duos?

    Reply
  24. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    hmm. Havent heard much bad stuff about Toshiba. I suggested that deal, because it was the only one in the site which seemed to fit inside your budget and also deliver the maximum goods.

    also, the toshiba A105 seems to be the #1 popular notebook in here.

    btw, the Asus Turion X2 is a better deal because u get much better graphics (the 7600) with it.

    But, an AMD Turion X2 @ 1.6 Ghz will have slightly less performance and also lesser battery life than a Core Duo @ 1.6 ghz. Also, the 2 MB Cache on the Core duo is shared between the 2 cores. This means that single threaded applications will get almost all of the 2 MB cache which results in a performance increase, which u would need in programming and work.

    What about the batteries offered with the models? I can’t make it out from the german site.

    I think u better go for the Toshiba Core Duo A100 if you want to game less and compile more.

    Reply
  25. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Hmm, yeah as of now, I wanna game less and type/compile more :-D!! So, the Satellite A100 seems to be what I’d be going in for as of now. Will let ya know if there are any changes. :-D!!

    Btw, I am using a Dell Latitude D810 now. Damn, this baby has tremendous performance as well :-D!! Especially the display running @ a cool sizzling 1680*1050 with an ATi Radeon X1600 with 128MB dedicated memory :-D!!

    The only bad part of this laptop that I see – the weight!! I will have to look into the weight comparisons of this baby with the Satellite A100. :-D!

    Reply
  26. The Fragger Avatar
    The Fragger

    yep. its a desktop replacement. it will be heavy. the speed is quite influenced by the hdd rotation speed. 7200 rpm is fast, but expensive….
    5400 rpm kinda cuts the mustard when it comes to price/performance ratio.

    Reply
  27. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Hmmm… I have a 7200RPM external HDD, so a 5400 RPM shouldn’t be too bad anyway, at least initially. I can always add an additional HDD and make the current one another external drive :-D!!

    Reply
  28. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Dude, how about this config Siemens Amilo Pi556???

    Reply
  29. Ramblings of an Eccentric Soul » FSC Amilo Pi1556

    […] I started out from Finding a Good Laptop in Germany and went through a lot of changes as far as my requirements went. In the middle, I had also decided to forego a medium performer laptop to go for an entry level and then went back to the good performer laptop, with some basic customizable and configurable and upgradeable options! […]

    Reply
  30. ibraheem omoniy Avatar
    ibraheem omoniy

    dear suppller,my name is mr ibraheem.the marketing manager of ibcase international co.ltd.we are interested inmonthly purch of 2000unit.of your products.pls mail me the price per unit at that quantity,additional information about this product.and a samples unit i will pay through hsbc-bill pay
    laptop

    Reply
  31. Guru Panguji Avatar
    Guru Panguji

    Yo dude ibraheem,

    I am not a laptop supplier. I just wrote what I was looking for. Sowiee. :-D!

    Reply
  32. ivabeq Avatar
    ivabeq

    Hi My Name Is ivanuq.

    Reply
  33. mgj Avatar
    mgj

    Nice resource, very interesting reading…I

    Reply

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