to go ultraportable or not to go ultraportable.......that is my question

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › to go ultraportable or not to go ultraportable.......that is my question

Derelict

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#8861 3-Aug-2006 17:10

Hello all.

Well im faced with a slight problem....I need a laptop (obviously) but i need something good for travelling, something with the following specs:

RAM - 1GB (min)

CPU - Duo would be nice (something 2GHz +)

HDD - 80GB

Screen (12"-14")

Weight - 2.5KG MAX

DVDRW

S-Video Out

USB/Firewire/wireless blah blah all those standards.

and my budget is about $3500 definate max.

So far ive found a few, mainly looking at the Dell M1210 (and i know, its a DELL D: but its a pretty well specd laptop)
I have also looked at the Sony Vaio (over priced under specd crap), and a few toshiba machines too (but the prices on these is pretty hihg)

Im going to Japan for some time, and want something I can travel with easily, something thats a bit tough, and something that is kind of small.

I want to be able to hook it up to a tv and watch movies, do some film editing of my trip and store digi photos, music and other bits n pieces.

Im still not really sold on a 12" screen, and would like a 14, but of course weight is where i suffer on this. And nothing really seems much cheaper with a larger screen.

Anyone suggest some other machines? or opinions on the Dell box, i remain VERY unsure about the dell. for the main reason of dell having a bad rep.

Cheers.

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#43266 3-Aug-2006 18:28

The viao is deffintely not "crap" I run the sz18 model ($3999) and its fantastic. great battery life perfect screen and 2 grapics cards (intel intergrated + nvidia go 7400). plus it is only around 1.6KG.

If you are going to Japan why dont you wait till you get there - much bigger selection and probably better prices.

Mattnzl

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#43271 3-Aug-2006 19:49

These specs: Screen (12"-14") Weight - 2.5KG MAX are not even really in the "ultraportable" catagory, so even some business oriented HP machines would fall withing this range, eg:
http://h50025.www5.hp.com/hpcom/nz_en/11_28_365_5121summary.html
( a bit boring, low on ram and HDD, but 3 year waranty )

I agree with above poster and pick up something cool in Japan, but this can be a hassle as you can't get the machine all setup before you go, will most likely get a mixed jap/english keyboard, and would have to install english xp.

SilentOne

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#43274 3-Aug-2006 20:46

geekiegeek:
If you are going to Japan why dont you wait till you get there - much bigger selection and probably better prices.

Totally agree, If you can hold off it'll most probably be cheaper and a larger selection of brands with the specs your after... then again if you need it now you need it now :)

Dell Laptops in NZ have a onsite warranty, and a standard international warranty if you take it into a Dell service agent overseas from memory... The first part definitely but read the fine print on the international part.

Derelict

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#43290 4-Aug-2006 08:46

yea i looked into getting one in japan, but its not really that much cheaper than here, and i get the added bonus of having a japanese keyboard with english over the top, plus most likely a japanese XP. Sure they have a wider selection, but comparing identical models there was virtually no difference in price. This was with a fujitsu model and a toshiba model (both made in japan, i think)

Alot easier if i buy it here, set the machine up and have it ready to take. Plus i want a new toy.

im not really prepared to pay more thatn $3500, it really is my limit - Im still torn between compromising on weight and physical size to price and specs. Its a really difficult choice, and worse with the dell is i cant see the dam thing before i buy it. Impossible to find a retailer that has one.

I also need to think about the future, how upgradable are these machines, the dell box i know can have a max of 4GB RAM, and thats alot, more than most other laptops i see around.
and battery, also another important thing for me.......

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH decisions decisions ........has anyone seen one of these dell m1210s?

SilentOne

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#43292 4-Aug-2006 10:44

The m1210 looks well packged, 1.98kg... thats pretty good....and @ $2999....

Also...Try Warehouse Stationary, they are selling Alienware Laptops.... yea.. I know.. I was surprised as you...... but they have some pretty serious specs, and becuase they are just trying to launch them, they are having specials from what I remember from the flyer before it was dumped in the bin.

EDIT: Hmmm upon looking at their Alienwares NZ website... apparently not as high specced as I thought. They are still only making the Centrinos availible..... to the NZ market at least, their international site has all sorts.

Derelict

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#43293 4-Aug-2006 11:20

yea i saw that alienware were at warehouse stationary.....what a shock that was. I will have to go in and check one of them out, they are pretty well specd, the centrino is a bit of a put off, it can be configured to a pentium m, but im more after a Duo cpu now that they are out. but id be interested to see how it looks.

in addition to the dell they always offer freebees, im a sucker for free stuff, espically double RAM and harddrive upgrades, or free batteries etc....like they offer.

oooo but alienware do have a 14" model, would be very interested to find out the weight on this machine.....

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jpwise

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#43507 8-Aug-2006 11:41

I do have a vague recollection that Dell bought out Alienware recently, but I can't remember where I read it. Would explain the Warehouse aspect however. Likewise, I was pretty surprised when I saw it.

Jp.

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chiefie

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#43511 8-Aug-2006 11:49

Derelict: the centrino is a bit of a put off, it can be configured to a pentium m, but im more after a Duo cpu now that they are out. but id be interested to see how it looks.

Centrino is a certification for either Pentium M or Core Duo, with Intel WiFi chip and long battery life specification. IT is good to have Centrino certification as oppose to Celeron M.

Here's a good information about Intel's Centrino Mobile Technology, which covers Pentium M, Core Solo and Core Duo.

From InforWorld [Intel extends Centrino cerfitication...]: Intel began its wireless verification program in 2003 prior to the launch of Centrino, which consists of the Pentium M processor, a mobile chipset, and an IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN chip

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Derelict

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#43608 9-Aug-2006 13:59

thanks for your replies, i think i will have to make a trip to aucks and sus out PB Tech, they seem to have a pretty big selection, and a few of the models i would like to check out.
What a bloody delima, so hard to get a good comparison and once i thought i had a descent list of what i wanted it all changed and even more machines were found. aaahhhhhh

Derelict

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#43846 13-Aug-2006 19:07

turns out dell have purchased alienware, crazy but anywho......

Had a look at an alienware laptop today, the m3450, pretty nicely specd laptop, T2300 Duo, 14", 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD, DVDRW, Video out, most of the things i was looking for, battery life is a bit on the low side of about 3.5 hours or so.

Not such a massive let down, and the price was pretty descent, $2600 i think it was.

also got to check out a Toshiba A100 at noel leemings, alright looking and pretty cheap.

The dell machine looks less and less likely as a contender now that ive had a good look at a 12" screen and the price for it.

Still gotta keep the eyes peeled and keep looking around.

Has anyone owned alienware pcs/laptops before? I hear their pretty descent, but I havnt used them before.

chiefie

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#43848 13-Aug-2006 19:38

alienware started their operation in NZ not long ago, and it was probably a year ago Dell bought Alienware as their gaming/performance range and while Dell brand for business/home.

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#43850 13-Aug-2006 19:47

Dell bought Alienware just four months ago: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=6067

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chiefie

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#43853 13-Aug-2006 20:06

lol! time flies real quick in my head! LOL... I must remembering all the hear-say from the past, so when Dell bought Alienware, I wasn't surprised, may be that's how it didn't mark a hotspot in my memory.

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jpwise

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#43883 14-Aug-2006 10:13

freitasm: Dell bought Alienware just four months ago: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=6067

Ahh.. my vague recollection was right after all. :)

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#44385 20-Aug-2006 18:36

Although you don't have any love for Sony, Noel Leaming are clearing the S series for 2900. If you travel, you will love it.

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