New lappy toppy

[RazielDemon]

What is the first thing a gentleman needs?

An address.
Ok, got that sorted.


What's the second thing a gentleman needs?

A manservant.... Alright, still working on that one, any vollunteers? You'll have to sleep in the bicycle shed I'm afraid.


What's the THIRD thing a gentleman needs?

Why, a laptop of course. So... to pick one out...



The uni has a special offer on the following:

Intel® Centrino® processor 1.74 GHz, Dothan 740, 2MB L2
ATI Mobility X700 (pci-express)
512 MB memory (expandable, but I'm passing on that for now)
15.4 inch widescreen TFT screen (WXGA+)
8x DVD+/- RW Double layer (bootable)
integrated AC 97 SoundBlaster Pro Compatible SC
80GB HD
1 x type I/II PCMCIA extensionslot
integrated 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
V.92 56Kbps modem (not that that's much use, but it's in there)
Lithium-Ion 8 cells 4400mAh battery
integrated webcam (1.05 Mb pixel)

and of course a cr*pload of connectorslots:
1 x IEEE 1394
4 x USB 2.0
1 x IrDA
1 x 15 pins Mini D-sub VGA
3x audio (Speaker out/Mic-in)
1 x RJ11 modem connector
1 x RJ45 LAN connector
1 x parallel
1 x TV-Out

For 1200 euros.


I'm thinking HELL YES, it's just that I'm not sure about that 1.74GHz processor. Centrino's are effectively just pentium M's, but with a specific chipset and a couple of extra bits and bobs (Intel's 802.11 wireless networking module and intel 855 chipset family and intel pro/wireless mini pci card).

They are pretty decent to my knowledge, but I just don't know anything about notebook processors... anyone help me out?


Heh, I'm gonna look forward to comparing the ATI M X700 to the GF 6800 in my normal PC if I do get it anyways :)




P.S. a tech question only marginaly related: I was having a little trouble with stuttering in BF2, so I expanded the virtual memory to 1152-4000 (had forgotten to do so after putting in an extra 512 a few months back, bringing total to 768, and it's reccomended to have at least 1.5 times your physical memory in your virtual paging file).
This didn't help the problem much, but I then also made 1152-4000 available on my other hard disc, bringing thte total to 2304-8000, and this cured all stuttering completely.
So the question is... WHY? would the same happen if I let either C or D alone have 2304 to 8000 or will it be just fine with ONLY D having a virtual memory paging file?
I don't feel like changing it over to all the options just to find out as it's working good now and I don't want to bugger it up by changing things again... so if anyone can tell me whut's happening I'd be much obliged :)

[RazielDemon]

Noone know ANYTHING about laptops? :(

[MVB]

My two big concerns are a) cooling for the graphics card, etc. ... what kind of cooling system/#of fans, fan location, etc. does the thing have ... and b) wtf 1.75ghz?

[Lord_Ulrik]

I wont grab a laptop for playing games, ya need at least ~$2500 for a good one.
Dell offering some really good notebooks, but its crazy to play games on a notebook.

ATI Mobility X700 (pci-express) declined


512 MB memory declined


80GB HD hrm, declined

For 1200 euros ya could grab a really good pc forget the notebook.

A) Playin on a notebook is a pain
B) Ya need much more than 1200 euro for a good notebook (for playin games)
C) The most notebook screens arent fast enough for the new games.

[RazielDemon]

Now, some of you might consider taking a PC onto campus, but I'd preffer not to carry it around... I'll go for a notebook.

Read: If I say I want a laptop, then I want a laptop. Shut up about PC's I've already got the best available. I've got my normal pc for gaming, this is an extra :P


Anywayz... 1.7 to 1.8 GHz seems to be standard for notebooks though there are some notable exceptions (expensive ones) with athlon 3000+'s.


What the hell is wrong wrong with the X700? it's about equal to a GF 6600.
Old 9600's are excellent still and on sale (for what, about 3 years now and will run Battlefield 2 with no particular problems?), and they're the previous generation :S
But alright, I don't know much about the mobile versions, I've seen more expensive notebooks with mobility 9700's... dunno why. Then again, those did have athlon 64bit 3000+'s in them too, which would account for the price.

80GB's is fine, I've lived with 40GB's for 3 years before I recently upgraded to 200 on my main PC, and I'm not going to fill the laptop with pr0n and iso's.

You realise that there are hardly any notebooks out there with more than 512 memory for under 2000? But ok, I'll go allong with it, I'll make that 1024, for an extra 100 euros.

[Lord_Ulrik]

blah blub :nyah: , when ya need sth to work with on campus 1200 is damn to much. Spend 650-700 euros for a good notebook. More you wont need, if ya not play with.

[RazielDemon]

oh, I'm GOING to play with it... what else am I supposed to do during classes? :confused:


Sorry about my last responce, I was in a bad mood at the time, was less friendly than intended.

Thing is, I'm probably going to have to leave my normal PC at home for now, and I want this thing to be game capable, though of course no laptop is gonna be THAT good for gaming.

Turns out the upgrade to 1GB memory is only 70, not 100 euro's, so that's alright, I reckon this'll about do me... wish I could afford one of the new 64bit ones though, I don't even have that in my normal PC yet, gotta save up for the next upgrade spree (/me strokes 6800 ultra) :(