Hot? Best Buy eMachines notebook m6805 $1249.99 ARs 5/9-5/15

[foolish501]

does anybody know the rpm of the hard drive on these ? is it 4200rpm or 5400rpm

 

[Godsguitarist]

As far as HDD's, a FEW people have reported receiving 5400s, but most are 4200s.

Brandon <><

 

[formulav8]

My wifes is a 4200rpm drive. At least it has a 8MB cache.



Jason

 

[AmishPcFreak]

Has anybody dropped in a 7200 RPM drive in one of these babies yet?

I have one on backorder.....

APCFreak

 

[Godsguitarist]

If anyone has, be sure to share. That's definitely an upgrade I'm planning on doing since I'll be recording with this lappy, too. I'll probably sell the 80 4200 and try to get as close to even with a 40 7200 or so. Maybe a 60 7200 if I can. Just depends. The only thing I worry about is confiscation if I have to return it for warranty service, but if it's even, no big deal... heh. Anyways, someone reply if they have done so!

Brandon <><

 

[jm0ris0n]

I plan to sell the 4200 and add a faster one. My only question is how much extra battery drain will there be for going to a faster drive ?

 

[souja]

Originally posted by: jm0ris0n
I plan to sell the 4200 and add a faster one. My only question is how much extra battery drain will there be for going to a faster drive ?

Not much/if any at all.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/mobile/20031031/index.html

I've got a 7k60 in mine and the performance difference is noticeable. Worth the upgrade.

 

[RocketsFan]

I just went to Best Buy today here in the Dallas area and they still have $250 in rebates on both the 6809 and 6805. The price stickers said the offer was good until May 22 (after which I'm sure they'll have them again or drop the price...hehe).

 

[jm0ris0n]

souja, thanks for that link. Its just what I needed

 

[RocketsFan]

Hmm... is this a better deal guys? I don't know. I believe this machine is based upon the Mitac 8355 design.

The screen is better at SXGA+ (but not wide-screen)
It has 128MB ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
No DVD-RW though
Can get 5400-7200 RPM drive (or a slow 4200 RPM 20 GB)
"Only" 3-in-1 media reader as opposed to 6-in-1.
You can get a TV Tuner if you want
No OS (which I don't mind since I don't want XP Home anyway)

The cost will be a bit more, but you do have more choices as far as upgrading. You're not stuck with what they give you like the eMachines. The big deal for me would be the video card and the LCD ... are they worth the bump? Keep in mind the price for the eMachines is with the rebates which as we all know aren't certain things in the world of deals.

My choices just got tougher...

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: RocketsFan
Hmm... is this a better deal guys? I don't know. I believe this machine is based upon the Mitac 8355 design.

The screen is better at SXGA+ (but not wide-screen)
It has 128MB ATI Radeon 9600 Pro
No DVD-RW though
Can get 5400-7200 RPM drive (or a slow 4200 RPM 20 GB)
"Only" 3-in-1 media reader as opposed to 6-in-1.
You can get a TV Tuner if you want
No OS (which I don't mind since I don't want XP Home anyway)

The cost will be a bit more, but you do have more choices as far as upgrading. You're not stuck with what they give you like the eMachines. The big deal for me would be the video card and the LCD ... are they worth the bump? Keep in mind the price for the eMachines is with the rebates which as we all know aren't certain things in the world of deals.

My choices just got tougher...

Everybody has reported getting the rebates pretty fast. I recieved my BB rebate in less than 3 weeks and my Emachines in less than 4. There has been no trouble getting them.

As far as the above Ibuypower laptop, I do not think it is worth the extra $250 for the 128 meg video and that is not including a DVD burner.

 

[Yo2]

Great thread -

For productivity/desktop replacement use I am noticing the emachines does not offer a docking station. My local CC has the comPAQ PRESARIO r3040 for $1549-$200 in rebates - this is a very nice machine with dvdr/w, which has the option (unlike e-machines) of a docking station (currently $149 AR). This machine can also be found possibly cheaper or better equipped at www.hpshopping.com

 

[Godsguitarist]

Did you mean the 3140? The only thing about it is that the video sucks on it. It was actually my first choice, until I seen that the M6809 had a Radeon 9600. Just a thought.

Brandon <><

 

[Yo2]

I was wondering about the video - is it really bad or just sub-par? The docking station is important for me though...

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: Yo2
Great thread -

For productivity/desktop replacement use I am noticing the emachines does not offer a docking station. My local CC has the comPAQ PRESARIO r3040 for $1549-$200 in rebates - this is a very nice machine with dvdr/w, which has the option (unlike e-machines) of a docking station (currently $149 AR). This machine can also be found possibly cheaper or better equipped at www.hpshopping.com

I've been researching docking stations for my M680x and found a few non-proprietary versions. For example, this one has USB2.0 ports, PS2 ports, parallel port, serial port, and ethernet port. Less than $100 too

 

[Godsguitarist]

Originally posted by: Yo2
I was wondering about the video - is it really bad or just sub-par? The docking station is important for me though...

The GeForce 4 420 Go is about 2 years old. I couldn't find specs, but here's a release
link..

The Radeon 9600 (which has 64MB of RAM, as compared to the GeForce 4 420 Go's 32) is about a year old, according to this link.

I wish I could have found some specs, but I couldn't. You could do some searching and probably find some specs, such as frame rates and what not.

In conclusion, I would say that it would most likely be sub-par. More than fine for most applications, but if you shall be gaming, go for the eMachine.

Brandon <><

 

[Godsguitarist]

Also, does anyone know of any reviews of the M6809? I have been able to find two user reviews here, and an M6807 here and here. Does anyone know of any others or have any benchmarks?

In addition to docking station solutions, the aforementioned USB 2.0 is nice and if you can deal with 10MB Ethernet, the Targus PA090 for cheap (usually around $30, but sometimes cheaper, such as this auction)

Here's the specs for the PA090:

(2) USB (Type B) ports (USB A-B cable included)
(1) RS232 (DB-9) serial port
(2) PS/2 ports
(1) 25-pin parallel port
(1) RJ-45 Ethernet port


Brandon <><

 

[jm0ris0n]

Here is a helpful review of the 6805.

I finally bit the bullet and picked up the 6809 today at best buy. Total came to 1796.10 with the purchase of a reward zone card (You get a $5 gift chevery every 125 you spend.

I'll let everyone know of my first impressions and the experience I had at the store sometime tomorrow

 

[Godsguitarist]

Please do!

Also, what are the details of the reward zone card and how much did it cost ya?

Brandon <><

 

[jm0ris0n]

A quick post before class (Yuck, minimester).

The reward zone card is $9.99 and for every $125 you spend at best buy using the card you get a $5 gift check from them in the mail (No idea how long it takes them to send the check). Its not a credit card, but rather more like a gift card. The card is valid for one full year.

 

[cholley]

Originally posted by: Yo2
what if I get the extended warranty and e-machines is out of business(which they are) and the thing breaks?

out of buz, no

get the bestbuy psp for your laptop,

 

[cholley]

this is a very good laptop.
i sell it in my store and i run the unreal 2004 demo on it set to 999 time limit
1280x800 32 bit color high detail.

after a full day of this it's still cooler than any p-4 notebook on display,
i have sold a ton of this one and the 6809, had 2 come back with bad pixel but just did the exchange for the customer, no sweat

 

[Godsguitarist]

I know what you mean about school... I had to take summer classes so I could get my loan for my m6809... heh. They failed to tell me that I had to take 6 hours this summer to get the second disbursement of my loan, of which was solely for a laptop.... SOOOOO....

But I am getting to take a Linux class, so it's not too bad. Be sure to get back with us about your new laptop!

Brandon <><

 

[jasonja]

Originally posted by: cholley

Originally posted by: Yo2
what if I get the extended warranty and e-machines is out of business(which they are) and the thing breaks?

out of buz, no

get the bestbuy psp for your laptop,

ugh.. even a defunct E-machines warranty is probably better than a Best Buy PSP warranty.

 

[Godsguitarist]

Why do you say that?

Brandon <><