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Thread: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

  1. #1

    Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    So I am currently on the market for a new laptop.
    My old POS Dell that I rebuilt just isn't cutting it and well,
    I need something a little faster for work purposes (reflashing an ECU and it taking 20 min just isn't going to cut it in the flat rate world....)

    So Here are the options for PCs that I have chosen in order of what I like least to most.
    I would love your opinion on all laptops and which one of the ones I posted you like the best.

    #1 # Alienware M11x
    Processor:
    Intel® Core™ i7 640UM (4M Cache, 1.2 GHZ with 2.266 GHz Max Turbo Frequency) - Overclockable
    Operating System:
    Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate (64-bit)
    Video Card:
    1GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 335M
    LCD:
    11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p)
    Memory:
    8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 800MHz
    Hard Drive:
    500GB SATAII 7,200RPM
    Bluetooth:
    Bluetooth Module, 2.1+ Enhanced Data Rate
    WWAN:
    No Internal WWAN Antenna Installed
    Sound:
    Internal High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
    Hardware Services:
    3 Year Basic Plan
    Security Software:
    McAfee SecurityCenter, 36-Months
    Integrated NIC:
    Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
    Webcam:
    1.3MP Web Cam
    Nameplate:
    Personalized Nameplate [Yotafun]
    Wireless:
    Alienware M11x a/b/g/n 2x2 MIMO Wireless

    #2 HP dm3t
    Operating system:
    Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64-bit edit
    Processor and Graphics:
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-380UM Processor (1.33 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) + Intel(R) HD Graphics edit
    Memory:
    8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) edit
    Hard drive:
    500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection edit
    Security software:
    Norton 360(TM) - 15 Months (activation required) edit
    Primary battery:
    50% OFF! Two 6 Cell Lithium-Ion Batteries (standard) edit
    Display:
    13.3" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView LED Display (1366 x 768) edit
    External optical drive:
    External Tray Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer edit
    Personalization:
    HP TrueVision Webcam with Integrated Digital Microphone edit
    Networking:
    802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R) edit
    HP Care Pack Services:
    HP 2-year Care Pack Pick Up and Return Service for HP Pavilion Laptop PC edit

    #3 Sony VPCZ1390X CTO
    * Standard Capacity Battery
    * Fresh Start
    * 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1066
    * Norton Internet Security™ 2010 (30 Day Trial)
    * CD/DVD Player/Burner
    * Engraving
    * Intel® Core™ i7-640M processor (2.80GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 3.47GHz (Reg. Price $250.00)
    * 13.1" VAIO Full HD Premium Display (1920x1080)
    * Premium Carbon Fiber
    * Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate 64-bit
    * 500GB Hard Disk Drive (5400rpm)

    #4 Toshiba Satellite Pro U500-S1322
    Performance
    Processor*
    Intel® Core™ i3-330M Processor
    Operating System*
    Genuine Windows 7 Professional (32-bit), Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
    Graphics Engine*
    Intel® HD Graphics
    Graphics Memory*
    32MB-1696MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory

    Memory and Storage
    Memory*
    4GB DDR3 1066MHz memory
    Hard Drive*
    320GB HDD (5400rpm)
    Optical Drive*
    Slot-Loading DVD SuperMulti (+/- Double Layer) with Labelflash®

    Audio and Video
    Display Size*
    13.3" widescreen
    Display Type*
    WXGA MultiTouch LCD Display
    Display Resolution*
    Supports 720p content, 1280x800, 16:10 aspect ratio
    Audio
    Standard stereo speakers, S/P DIF output port (shared with headphone port), Built-in microphone, Headphone jack (stereo), Microphone jack (mono)

    Communication
    Webcam
    Webcam and microphone built into LCD bezel
    Wireless LAN*
    Realtek® 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth® V2.1 + EDR
    Modem
    Modem
    LAN
    10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN

    Power
    AC Adapter
    65W (19V 3.42A) Auto-sensing, 100-240V / 50-60Hz input
    Battery
    Li-Ion (52Wh, 6-Cell)
    Battery Life*
    Up to 3.60 hours

    Expansion
    PC Express Slot
    1-ExpressCard™ Slot
    Media
    Memory Card Reader, S/P DIF output port (shared with headphone port)
    USB Ports*
    1-eSATA/USB (2.0) combo port with Sleep and Charge, 2-USB (2.0)
    HDMI
    HDMI-CEC output port

    Software, Support and Security
    Security and Protection
    Security Cable Lock Slot, HDD Recovery
    Software*
    TOSHIBA Power-saving Eco utility™, TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor, TOSHIBA Disc Creator, WildTangent® Orb™ Games Console, TOSHIBA Hard Drive Impact Sensor (3D sensor), Hard disc (HDD) recovery, TOSHIBA Face Recognition, TOSHIBA DVD Player, TOSHIBA ConfigFree®, TOSHIBA Recovery Disk Creator, Microsoft® Silverlight™ , Norton Internet Security™ 2010 (30-day trial), Microsoft® Windows Live Essentials including Photo Gallery, Messenger, Mail and Writer., TOSHIBA Bulletin Board™, Microsoft® Office Ready with Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (60-day trial), TOSHIBA ReelTime™
    Standards*
    Energy Star Qualified, RoHS Compliant, EPEAT™ Gold
    Standard Limited Warranty*
    1-Yr Parts and Labor, 1-Year Battery

    #5 MacBook Pro 13-inch

    * 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    * 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
    * 500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
    * SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
    * None
    * Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
    * MacBook / MacBook Air / 13-inch MacBook Pro - AppleCare Protection Plan - Auto-enroll


    Sorry for the rough lists, I built them and there was no easy way to copy the configurations over.
    So what does everyone thing?

  2. #2

    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    I think you'd be better off with one of the i7 processors over the i3. Not sure which brand is better though. My dad bought a Toshiba with the i5 a few months ago, and it hasn't given him any issues. Touch pad is a bit too sensitive, but I think there's a way to adjust that.

    MacBooks are super nice too. Do all your shop programs run on Macs?

    Just my $.02.
    -Daniel2000 4Runner Sport | V6 | 5spd | 4x4 | Leather | 265/75-16 BFG AT/KO | OBA | BudBuilt front skid

    1990 4Runner SR5 | V6 | Auto | 2wd | 3.90 rear | Cobra CB | 265/65r17 Bridgestone Duelers H/Ts | '08 Tacoma 5 spoke rims | Has an 11:1 crawl ratio! SOLD

  3. #3

    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    Dan the Mac is dual boot, so I can run XP and shop programs if I had to,
    And while I love mac, I do wonder if it would really be too much,
    I wont really be using the art side of it as much as the practicality thats why I have it as last on my list.

    And as for the Toshiba the i3 was the fastest processor offered for that model.

  4. #4

    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    Here's my motto....
    Buy stuff that works right out of the box that doesn't require constant tweaking. If it's expensive then so be it. Just buy something that works...

    With that said I'd say get a mac :P
    Lance
    TLCA Member

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  5. #5

    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    I haven't had too many issues with my ~6 m/o Dell.
    Though, I wish I had the money at the time to buy a Mac.

    99 Taco 2.7/ It&#39;s got stuff<br /><br />[quote author=troyboy162 link=topic=8256.msg78136#msg78136 date=1255335181]Toyota never built a rock brawlin/pimp mobile...you have strayed from the intended use&nbsp; <br />[/quote]

  6. #6
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    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    just a note after your wonderful experience with Dell Avy, Alienware is owned by Dell, and is not nearly as good as they once were. you'd probably be better off with an Envy or something similar
    - Kevin

    2018 Taco TRD Pro - 2.5" lift, 33" tires, everything else stock.
    2012 Triumph Tiger XC - Stock

  7. #7

    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    it's very simple, what's your budget? what is it for?

    you mentioned reflashing ECU, can the program run on mac? if not, then you still consider a mac?

    94 4Runner, SR5 3.0V6, 4WD, 5spd: SOLD<br />99 4Runner, SR5, 3.4L 4WD, 5spd.&nbsp;&nbsp; full SS 1.2 lift, RedLine Fluids, Marline Shifter seat, BruceTS rear bumper, roof busket, Marlin 1200 Clutch, hitch mount tire carrier, Tundra brakes, Brembo rotors.&nbsp; Stubb&#039;s sliders, Lightforce 240, ARB Taco bar, BruceTS rear bumper, stainless steel skid plate.&nbsp; ScanGaugeII, Hankook AT 265/75 LC80 wheels.<br />04 4Runner, V6 SR5 4WD, 3rd Gen. LTD wheels, BFG AT 265/75, FJC coils and silver Bilstein shocks, Scion H/U.

  8. #8

    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    Quote Originally Posted by Good Times
    Here's my motto....
    Buy stuff that works right out of the box that doesn't require constant tweaking. If it's expensive then so be it. Just buy something that works...

    With that said I'd say get a mac :P
    I am in total agreement with you Lance, but might it be to much computer for me?
    I mean all I will be really using this PC for is occasional web browsing and e-mail, and Techstream for work purposes.

    I still have my desktop of all my other wonderful things such as music, watching movies and anything else I need (just have to add a little more memory and it will be fine for me for a little while longer)

    Quote Originally Posted by Scuba
    I haven't had too many issues with my ~6 m/o Dell.
    Though, I wish I had the money at the time to buy a Mac.
    Its good to hear someone is having some success with Dell, The desktop I had was a dell and it wasn't the greatest, then again the OS it came with was Millennium, which I think everyone has had experience with it and knows it sucks, but still even after upgrading it to 2000 and eventually XP it still was meh.

    Quote Originally Posted by Crinale
    just a note after your wonderful experience with Dell Avy, Alienware is owned by Dell, and is not nearly as good as they once were. you'd probably be better off with an Envy or something similar
    Well to tell you the truth this dell laptop is that bad, compare to the desktop I had (as mentioned above), This laptop was based on Windows 2000 and I did an upgrade to XP pro, it was fine but in today's world of technology its just obsolete, and I am fully aware that Alienware is Dell now, but I have to admit it was a neat computer to play with at the store and def doesn't share the Dell look.

    I am still on the fence as well as having HP as a second choice, While I thought HP was a good brand I am starting to find out that it has a shorter shelf life then even this Dell I am on which is way older then it. My HP laptop lasted 2 years and died right after it got out of warranty, needs a new mother board and power supply... The HP desktop I have is so so, could be better, but its been built enough to suit the needs I need.

    Quote Originally Posted by 2ndGen
    it's very simple, what's your budget? what is it for?

    you mentioned reflashing ECU, can the program run on mac? if not, then you still consider a mac?
    Honestly I feel the budget is no more then $2 Grand, I didn't include price cause it honestly didn't cross my mind at first to post it, my bad lol
    Also Size is another thing, I am I guess use to the traditional size laptop which I feel is anywhere from 12"-15", I think the Alienware is a tad smaller at around 11.6" but it felt right when I was holding it and plugging around on the keyboard.

    Mini-notebooks and netbooks are just way to small, when I am reading live data on the screen I would like to be able to see it, there is a few tech at my shop that are using the netbooks and are alright with it, but honestly thats just seems like a nuisance to have to scroll all around to see all the data you need to see.

    The purpose of the laptop is stated above in my response to Lance, and I do believe if I can at least boot into windows that I should be able to run Techstream just fine, but the other thing is I don't want to dual boot into XP, windows is up to Windows & now which is really nice, and I would like to set it up to Dual boot into Window Ultimate 64 bit. But I haven't even researched how much that would cost.......

  9. #9
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    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    looking back over those, the only 2 i would consider are the Sony and that Mac... but i agree with 2ndGen, if the program does not run on a mac, is it worth still buying?

    therefore top choice with that in mind for me would be the Sony.
    - Kevin

    2018 Taco TRD Pro - 2.5" lift, 33" tires, everything else stock.
    2012 Triumph Tiger XC - Stock

  10. #10
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    Re: Need Laptop Advise, Opinions welcome.

    you got really lucky with that dell then. A friend of mine when going to college was told by his peer advisor that most of the people who bought dells had to replace them about a year later because they just didnt last. On the other hand, i have a budget Compaq (rebadged HP) that lasted me great for 5 years of extremely heavy use (it was almost never turned off, usually using most of the processor power for something or other). I personally have had very good luck with HP products, but if you haven't thats understandable then. I've never really heard bad things about Sony laptops, other than price, and most people seem to have good luck with Toshiba, but they usually are more business oriented without as much graphics ability.
    - Kevin

    2018 Taco TRD Pro - 2.5" lift, 33" tires, everything else stock.
    2012 Triumph Tiger XC - Stock

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