Current Desktop vs Possible Laptop

[f1sh3r]

alright, im running across a bit of a conundrum here. right now i have a desktop...

P4 550 3.4 on an intel mobo
2GB 667 OCZ Ram
BFG 7900GT

i was going to upgrade the mobo and proc when the conroe came out, but now im thinking about buying a laptop instead. right now the desktop gets used for mild CS, CS:S play, basic web browsing, and graphic design... adobe software. should i part out the desktop, and get a laptop?

im looking at a Toshiba tecra notebook with the core duo, 2gb ram, intel graphics (ugh). it will come with a port replicator, so i can easily dock it and use it with my monitor, keyboard, etc... also, i should be able to throw in a merom chip when they get released in august or further down the road.

processor wise, the lappy will be more powerful, graphics are negligible (no 3d modeling will occur), and the ram would be the same...

i already own a toshiba satellite that i do most of my stuff on... programming, some photoshop, and i dont have a problem with it. should i stick with toshiba?

how much can i get out of my current rig? check my sig for specs.

 

[fbrdphreak]

You won't get much for the CPU, mobo, or RAM given its all last gen tech and new Intel dual cores are dirt cheap. The graphics card will get you about $250-$275.

I would investigate more options than just the Tecra, there are likely better deals.

List out your needs for the notebook and most importantly, price.

 

[f1sh3r]

well, we would be using it for adobe suite stuff and web browsing. i dont play that many games anymore - of course i realized this after dropping $350 on a graphics card.

i liked the tecra because of the docking capabilities. its a convenience that i enjoy.

my wife likes the 15.4" screens because theyre big enough to see, and small enough to take places. my ideal specs...

15.4 screen
core duo
DVDRW
Any size HDD, everything is external
Bluetooth is a plus
expandable to 2-4 gb ram
docking abilities
VISTA CAPABLE

right now someone is selling his tecra A7-S712 with the docking station for less than a new A7-S712 alone. i hoped to spend less than 1200. $1300 max.

 

[ai42]

I'm just not a huge fan of Toshiba, to me they are just a step above Dell. They use heavy amounts of plastic and the whole chasis does not give you confidence in the build quality. I would suggest the Sony Vaio FE series. Also perhaps look into Gateway notebooks I picked up a cheapo notebook a couple of months back and was REALLY impressed with the overall build.

FYI you are going to find almost no laptops that support over 2GB. Simply because fitting 2GB on a single SODIMM is well fairly hard.

 

[fbrdphreak]

You can get a new Lenovo N100 15.4" WXGA Core Duo 1.66GHz DVDRW 80GB SATA Bluetooth 512MB DDR2 with USB/Video port replicator for $1227. This price includes an additional 9-cell battery as only the 6-cell is offered standard. You can drop the 9-cell and get the system for $1078. There is also free shipping and a $100 MIR.

I would get that over a used Toshiba any day. I played with the N100 and while its not the most petite system, its not too large and the screen was pretty nice. Good keyboard too

 

[f1sh3r]

uhh, so i can. that looks good. what if i can get the toshiba for $900? is that better? im so glad people around here spend time with laptops like i do with desktop, cause i dont know that much about them. i was told that the quality of laptops by manufacturer went like this:

sony
toshiba
dell
hp
gateway
compaq

is that a decent representation? feel free to rearrange, add, or delete as you see fit. id like to know what im looking for.

btw. you guys have been of great help.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

don't leave out lenovo and apple.

 

[ai42]

Manufactuer matters only to a small degree. After all Dell once had the Latitude X1 which is an amazing machine all around, but then again 95% of their line is just terrible. Determine it on a case by case basis. Read reviews from people who actually own it and if you can go to a store (even if you don't buy it there) and check it out in person.

 

[f1sh3r]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834146155

if this comes back in stock, i think ill grab it up. good deal? i like the high res screen

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: ai42
Manufactuer matters only to a small degree. After all Dell once had the Latitude X1 which is an amazing machine all around, but then again 95% of their line is just terrible. Determine it on a case by case basis. Read reviews from people who actually own it and if you can go to a store (even if you don't buy it there) and check it out in person.

Actually manufacturers are extremely important. The reason why the X1 was so good is because Samsung makes it. If you want my impromptu-don't-quote-me-on-this list in terms of quality I'd say:

Lenovo Thinkpad
New Dell Latitude (Near tie)
Apple
HP business
Sony/HP consumer/Lenovo 3000
Dell Inspiron
Gateway consumer

And don't forget Compaq = HP now

Originally posted by: f1sh3r
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834146155

if this comes back in stock, i think ill grab it up. good deal? i like the high res screen

That is a really good deal. I was honestly disappointed Lenovo wasn't offering the breadth of configurations they said they would at launch, but that right there is nice.

BTW, it is back in stock!