Hello folks,
Any recommendations are very much appreciated.
1 - What is your budget?
About $2500, including extended warranty
2 - What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15 to 17"
3 - What screen resolution do you want?
At least WSXGA+, prefer Full HD
4 - Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Desktop replacement, looking for an I7 840 QM based system.
If it can accomodate more than 8 gb of RAM, that'd be a plus but not necessary.
5 - How much battery life do you need?
2 hours or more would be ideal.
I know the I7 series is a power hog, but even though I can usually be plugged in, I can't imagine being happy with not being able to spend at least two hours untethered.
6 - Do you want to play games with your laptop?
Yes, but I'm not hard core by any means. I guess I'd just like a smooth framerate w/ at least medium detail to play the occasional game that doesn't make it to the PS3
7 - What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)
Photo & video editing, graphic design w/drawing tablet, web development, light 3d rendering, movies, media server.
8 - How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
500 gb or more
9 - If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Dell
HP
Sony
Xotic PC
PC Torque
Other Sager, MSI, ASUS builder/resellers
I've heard good things about Toshiba but haven't been able to find one that meets the specs I'm looking for.
10 - How long do you want to keep your laptop?
3 years +
11 - What kind of Optical drive do you need?
At least DVD writer, BluRay ROM would be nice
12 - Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
Have a Dell, it's been fine overall, so I'd consider another although I'm always hearing that their components are mediocre.
Will not consider a Mac because most of my clients use a PC environment and much of my software is PC only, or at least the PC version is better.
13 - What country do you live in?
US
14 - Please tell us any additional information if needed.
Might be moving abroad next year, so the availability of an international warranty and support would be a big plus. Otherwise, I'm putting a premium on build and component quality, but there is so much conjecture out there concerning this issue, it's hard to know who to believe. At the very least, I want a company that backs their product with little BS.
Any recommendations are very much appreciated.
1 - What is your budget?
About $2500, including extended warranty
2 - What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15 to 17"
3 - What screen resolution do you want?
At least WSXGA+, prefer Full HD
4 - Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Desktop replacement, looking for an I7 840 QM based system.
If it can accomodate more than 8 gb of RAM, that'd be a plus but not necessary.
5 - How much battery life do you need?
2 hours or more would be ideal.
I know the I7 series is a power hog, but even though I can usually be plugged in, I can't imagine being happy with not being able to spend at least two hours untethered.
6 - Do you want to play games with your laptop?
Yes, but I'm not hard core by any means. I guess I'd just like a smooth framerate w/ at least medium detail to play the occasional game that doesn't make it to the PS3
7 - What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)
Photo & video editing, graphic design w/drawing tablet, web development, light 3d rendering, movies, media server.
8 - How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
500 gb or more
9 - If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
Dell
HP
Sony
Xotic PC
PC Torque
Other Sager, MSI, ASUS builder/resellers
I've heard good things about Toshiba but haven't been able to find one that meets the specs I'm looking for.
10 - How long do you want to keep your laptop?
3 years +
11 - What kind of Optical drive do you need?
At least DVD writer, BluRay ROM would be nice
12 - Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
Have a Dell, it's been fine overall, so I'd consider another although I'm always hearing that their components are mediocre.
Will not consider a Mac because most of my clients use a PC environment and much of my software is PC only, or at least the PC version is better.
13 - What country do you live in?
US
14 - Please tell us any additional information if needed.
Might be moving abroad next year, so the availability of an international warranty and support would be a big plus. Otherwise, I'm putting a premium on build and component quality, but there is so much conjecture out there concerning this issue, it's hard to know who to believe. At the very least, I want a company that backs their product with little BS.