laptop suggestion

papertigers · 2009-08-24 02:49:40

I was looking through the laptop sticky. However I want some suggestions
What I am looking for is a laptop that is nice looking itself especially in the lid closed position.
Linux support for things like screen brightness (my toshiba now cant control anything like this).
NVidia graphics is a plus.
and a low price point.

Any suggestions out there from other arch users? I have been looking at some lenovos and the hp mini but im not sure I want a netbook as a laptop.

thanks

evr · 2009-08-24 03:34:06

are you looking for a particular size for your laptop? and what is considered a low price point for you? i have a t61p, which has brightness control and nvidia graphics. However, i'm sure most people don't think it looks that good (even though i think it looks great) and it's probably not really in the 'low price point' you're looking for.

papertigers · 2009-08-24 03:43:53

I was gonna try and stick around $500 or less.
I actually really like the lenovos/thinkpads and I too think they look good, how much was yours?
I am also looking at this one:

https://www.insight.com/search/ppp.web? … Id=444623U

Square · 2009-08-24 03:55:41

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/ … =dhs&cs=19

This is what I've got. It's beautiful, powerful, and the brightness keys work independantly of the operating system (as well as the eject button and the wireless on/off button)

Suggested configuration:
Any of the processor upgrades (Don't keep the Celeron with it)
Screen upgrade (Totally worth it)
Battery upgrade
Any other upgrade you see fit.

I upgraded the processor and the screen, and the total price after shipping and tax came out to be just over 400USD. The integrated graphics is very good and works very well with KMS enabled, but gaming performance might not come back for a while with the Intel drivers. (Under Windows, the IGP competes with the Nvidia GeForce 8600M in performance.)

It beats the Lenovo, and the only issue I've had is the laptop is so sexy and glossy you have to wipe off the hand rests a bit more often.

EDIT: Well damn, it looks like Dell changed it up a bit. They took out some of the lower options and increased the price significantly. It still competes with the Lenovo.

Last edited by Square (2009-08-24 03:58:30)

papertigers · 2009-08-24 04:20:25

Square wrote:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/ … =dhs&cs=19
This is what I've got. It's beautiful, powerful, and the brightness keys work independantly of the operating system (as well as the eject button and the wireless on/off button)
Suggested configuration:
Any of the processor upgrades (Don't keep the Celeron with it)
Screen upgrade (Totally worth it)
Battery upgrade
Any other upgrade you see fit.
I upgraded the processor and the screen, and the total price after shipping and tax came out to be just over 400USD. The integrated graphics is very good and works very well with KMS enabled, but gaming performance might not come back for a while with the Intel drivers. (Under Windows, the IGP competes with the Nvidia GeForce 8600M in performance.)
It beats the Lenovo, and the only issue I've had is the laptop is so sexy and glossy you have to wipe off the hand rests a bit more often.

EDIT: Well damn, it looks like Dell changed it up a bit. They took out some of the lower options and increased the price significantly. It still competes with the Lenovo.

Hmmm now I have more to think about haha I actually really like this. They both lack 802.11n which is a bummer. The graphics card on the dell is better though. You have no problem with anything on this under linux?

It looks nice, except does the case slant? it looks like its thicker on the back and gets narrower at the front on the keyboard half of the laptop.
And I wonder if it would be possible to debadge the dell logo on the front. I want to do a custom paint job with the arch logo on the front. haha

AdrenalineJunky · 2009-08-24 06:07:11

Square wrote:

(Under Windows, the IGP competes with the Nvidia GeForce 8600M in performance.)

say WHAT?

i'm gonna have to see some bechmarks of that... from everything i've seen the x4500 is nowhere close to the geforce 8600M

Square · 2009-08-24 07:24:29

papertigers wrote:

Hmmm now I have more to think about haha I actually really like this. They both lack 802.11n which is a bummer. The graphics card on the dell is better though. You have no problem with anything on this under linux?
It looks nice, except does the case slant? it looks like its thicker on the back and gets narrower at the front on the keyboard half of the laptop.
And I wonder if it would be possible to debadge the dell logo on the front. I want to do a custom paint job with the arch logo on the front. haha

The case does slant, but somehow it's still flat when it sits. It's an odd illusion. I have no problem with anything at all on this laptop in Arch, and I mean not a single thing. The wireless works flawlessly with the broadcom-wl module. The Intel drivers leave something to be desired... but they're likely only to get better as time goes on, now.
I am in love with this laptop

AdrenalineJunky wrote:

say WHAT?
i'm gonna have to see some bechmarks of that... from everything i've seen the x4500 is nowhere close to the geforce 8600M

I can't remember where... might have been phoronix that reviewed it with benchmarks, but those are under linux. Do a bit more research on the X4500HD, it might be a bit more capable than you think. Most of the reviews I've read dismiss it immediately since it's Intel, but trust me... It's not as handicapped as anyone says.

EDIT: Excuse me: Wikipedia now has information from a review that compares it to the GeForce lineup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA#GMA_X4500_2

Last edited by Square (2009-08-24 07:30:18)

evr · 2009-08-24 12:10:48

papertigers wrote:

I was gonna try and stick around $500 or less.
I actually really like the lenovos/thinkpads and I too think they look good, how much was yours?
I am also looking at this one:
https://www.insight.com/search/ppp.web? … Id=444623U

yeah, mine was around $1500 but that was a couple years ago, so i'm sure you could get something better for cheap now. The one you linked to looks pretty good too.

vi3dr0 · 2009-08-24 12:22:53

thinkpad +1

SiC · 2009-08-24 12:39:16

Square wrote:

EDIT: Excuse me: Wikipedia now has information from a review that compares it to the GeForce lineup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA#GMA_X4500_2

Yeah it doesn't compare like for like though, it compares the X4500HD with a better CPU than the Nvidia cards, and the nvidia cards still come out top with gaming performance. Also the 8400 series it is compared to isn't as good as the 8600 series.

AdrenalineJunky · 2009-08-24 15:24:08

^^^ yeah, thats more where i thought it was.

and that phoronix article compared it to an x800 x1300 and x1800 with open drivers, which didn't really showcase anything about the hardware on either side, just showed how much more work the OSS drivers need.

uwinkelvos · 2009-08-24 17:00:15

You might take a look at HP's dv3t series, although it's a bit over your 500$ budget.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopp … a-Portable

papertigers · 2009-08-24 17:35:30

uwinkelvos wrote:

You might take a look at HP's dv3t series, although it's a bit over your 500$ budget.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopp … a-Portable

I wonder if I call HP and asked them if it was possible to get the laptop without windows knocking down the price $100, if they would. Think they would work with me?

AdrenalineJunky · 2009-08-24 17:56:38

possibly, i know the windows liscense should be refundable if you don't accept the eula, though whether HP will work with you on that can be best found out by asking.

uwinkelvos · 2009-08-24 20:43:45

I don't know exactly, but i remeber to have read that these windows oem licenses don't cost HP (and others) more than about 40$ to 60$.

AdrenalineJunky · 2009-08-24 21:33:12

i believe you are correct on that ^^

Babets · 2009-08-26 16:57:13

papertigers wrote:

They both lack 802.11n which is a bummer.

802.11n is not ready yet. If you'll buy computer with it now, you can only find a card based on some "draft".
802.11n will become a standard at the beginning of 2010.

rebugger · 2009-08-26 17:06:15

i bought a thinkpad x32 (with 1gb memory, 160gb hdd, ultrabay x3 + dvd-rw-burner) for 399€ (around 567$) - high quality, very cool hardware and 1 year guarantee (it's a refurbished from a german onlineshop)

so: thinkpad +1

Arch Linux

#1 2009-08-24 02:49:40

laptop suggestion

#2 2009-08-24 03:34:06

Re: laptop suggestion

#3 2009-08-24 03:43:53

Re: laptop suggestion

#4 2009-08-24 03:55:41

Re: laptop suggestion

#5 2009-08-24 04:20:25

Re: laptop suggestion

#6 2009-08-24 06:07:11

Re: laptop suggestion

#7 2009-08-24 07:24:29

Re: laptop suggestion

#8 2009-08-24 12:10:48

Re: laptop suggestion

#9 2009-08-24 12:22:53

Re: laptop suggestion

#10 2009-08-24 12:39:16

Re: laptop suggestion

#11 2009-08-24 15:24:08

Re: laptop suggestion

#12 2009-08-24 17:00:15

Re: laptop suggestion

#13 2009-08-24 17:35:30

Re: laptop suggestion

#14 2009-08-24 17:56:38

Re: laptop suggestion

#15 2009-08-24 20:43:45

Re: laptop suggestion

#16 2009-08-24 21:33:12

Re: laptop suggestion

#17 2009-08-26 16:57:13

Re: laptop suggestion

#18 2009-08-26 17:06:15

Re: laptop suggestion

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