Laptops again...

[Jakemaster]

...I hate to make 2 seperate posts right after each other, but both are completely different topics (and this one is more important)

As August draws nearer I am looking for laptops again, and have made some discoveries.  Asus seems to be very good, the G1 is at the top of my list right now of what I will probably get, but it's a tad bit too heavy (7 pounds isn't too bad, but the hills in Kansas are pretty significant).  I can deal with the weight, but I still want to try and find something lighter.

I looked at Asus's other laptops, some of them are lighter like the new U1 but they are much more expensive and have less than spectacular specs.

I see they are releasing the C90 soon which sounds amazing (Conroe processor, some Nvidia graphics that they haven't said what it is yet (my money is on the 8800 series for laptops because that seems to be the only thign worth keeping secret) but from the specs alone it sounds like it will be heavy and VERY expensive.

I've customized every dell there is and it just seems pointless because even with student discounts (12% off) they are about the same price as a G1 with lower specs (even though the Inspirons are lighter)

Alienware is pretty much the same, costs more for less.

I looked at the HP dv600t this morning, customized it and while it was really cheap and ended up with pretty good specs, there were some things that just weren't that great.

I looked at some toshibas but except for one that they have been advertising lately there isn't anything good.

I've heard bad things about Acer...

And finally Sony has a 13.3" that would be my second choice.  It has great specs BUT the reviews I've seen say it has really shitty battery life (like an hour and a half...) that could be a major issue.

So anyone have any suggestions?  Insider tips on anything worth waiting for?  Anything that I missed like something that pre-built is not so good but if you customize it becomes good?

Keep in mind that I want something under $2000 and that will run CAD programs and complex math programs as well as FS9 at least.

For comparison, right now I'm running with an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.20GHz 512KB Cache, 160GB 7200RPM HDD, ATi Radeon X700Pro 256MB (the main cause of my frustratin with this machine ), SoundBlaster 24-bit sound card, 1GB RAM (PC3200, basic stuff, not high performance or anything)

Thank you for all your help

[ctjoyce]

The G1 is one hell of a book, infact I was looking at getting one until I figured that I could infact pay for my M1710. The 7LBs is well distributed and doesn't feel that bad, but it isn't the slimest thing in the world. Your other option would be a Mac Book Pro. I know I know,  but a T7400, 2GB of RAM, 120GB HDD, and a X1600 aren't bad for the $1800 pricetag. Not to mention that its 1 inch think, weighs about 4.5 lbs, and gets about three houres of battery. Just run paralells or Boot camp to dual boot OSX and XP/Vista or just wipe the mac clean and only run XP. Your choice.

But if I were a studient between a dv6000t and a G1 from ASUS, or a MBP I would probibly end up with the Mac or the G1. The HP is nice, and small, but the mac is smaller and more powerful, so this would be my choice if I didn't want to lug it. However if you don't mind the weight (I carry a 8.6LB 17" XPS from school to work 4 miles and you really don't notice it) the G81 is the tits.

Cheers
Cameron

[Jakemaster]

Thanks for the input Cameron.  I might look at macs again, but I'm still not 100% sure about it.  Even with boot camp or XP there are so many differences such as the keyboard layout and the mouse buttons, and also I heard from sombody that they don't open very far so you basically have to be sitting as if they are a desktop with a regular monitor which in some situations may not be possible or at least could be a pain.  Also I don't want to run a risk of incompatability with some of my peripherals and possibly some programs.  

I realized today that with a good backpack a 7 pound laptop isnt a big deal.  Really I personally am not all to concerned with the weight, but it seems like an almost better be safe than sorry situation.

[ctjoyce]

The newest versions of the MBPs are really great. They open up a whole 190%, but the mouse button and keyboard are a bit tough to get used to. My suggestion, go over to best buy (make sure the one you are going to has the G1 first) and look at the MBP and the G1 side by side. Then make your choice.

But yea, I use the Swissgear Pegisis bag for my lappy, and its wonderful.

Cheers
Cameron

[Jakemaster]

The newest versions of the MBPs are really great. They open up a whole 190%, but the mouse button and keyboard are a bit tough to get used to. My suggestion, go over to best buy (make sure the one you are going to has the G1 first) and look at the MBP and the G1 side by side. Then make your choice.

But yea, I use the Swissgear Pegisis bag for my lappy, and its wonderful.

Cheers
Cameron

I've seen the G1 at Best Buy, It's nice, I'm not a big fan of the green but beggars can't be choosers.  The biggest issue with the mac is that it has no right mouse button, and I know that I will need that right mouse button to use CAD programs and the like as well as Opera (my preffered browser).  My dad read that the Santa Rosa processors and the DX10 for laptop chips and cards are coming out in may so we will wait and see what there is (such as the Asus C90 and C91)

[ctjoyce]

I kinda liked the green on the ASUS,  but yea, the mouse on the mac is a bit stupid seeing as apple now has a two button mouse, and has support for two button mice where the right click actually works.

Cheers
Cameron

[Jakemaster]

[quote]I kinda liked the green on the ASUS,

[ctjoyce]

Well if you want, you could get a XPS M1210 and customize the LEDs on it.

Cheers
Cameron

[Jakemaster]

Well if you want, you could get a XPS M1210 and customize the LEDs on it.

Cheers
Cameron

I can live with green...lol.  Color is a non issue, I mean ya I wouldn't ever get the pink sony but there isn't that much green to begin with so it's not a big deal, it would be nice if it came with other colors though lol.

[john_uk]

Well if you want, you could get a XPS M1210 and customize the LEDs on it.

Cheers
Cameron

I can live with green...lol.  Color is a non issue, I mean ya I wouldn't ever get the pink sony but there isn't that much green to begin with so it's not a big deal, it would be nice if it came with other colors though lol.

whats wrong with the pink sony, my mate has one and its fab

seriously, its great. better than all those boring black/grey/silver lappy's i see around the common room

john

[ctjoyce]

True that, and when my LEDs flash and change intensity to my music, its like attracting moths to a dim yellow bulb.

Cheers
Cameron