Notebook Advice - Yes, Another One :)

Hey man

Check out this HP ProBook 4710s (Win 7 Upgradeable)
Intel Core2Duo P7300 2Ghz | 3GB DDR2 800 RAM | 320GB HDD | ATI HD 4330 512MB Dedicated | Numpad | HDMI | 17.3" HD Screen | Vista Business + XP Pro
plus many more, too many to quote

@ PC Zone for R8299 (non cash R8499)

Seems like a good deal 2 me
 
Being as you're more worldly-wise, you may consider something different from the usual suspects: a Sager NP7752. I ran through a few configuration options and, bar not having HDMI out (a shortcoming to be sure, but will it matter to you?), the Sager has fine specs that seem within your budget, up to (mentioning only highlights, full specs on config page:
  • 17" LCD @ 1440x900
  • GeForce-G 105M GPU with 512MB discrete memory
  • P8700 CPU
  • 4GB RAM
  • Windows 7 Pro 32/64
  • 250GB 7200rpm HDD
  • 2Mpix camera
 
Mokusei said:
HDMI is pretty important to me, and Sager is a brand I've never heard of. If it's unknown territory it doesn't work for me. If I have a problem with my product I need to be able to have it fixed easily. And the HDD is a bit small. 320GB to 500GB would be better.
Click to expand...
I just knew I was going to take it on the chin with the HDMI thing! But check around, you'll find Sager has a good rep globally - they've got the same worthwhile bits that go into Alienware. Oh, and you'll find the devil's in the details:that miserly 250GB HDD was the first of the 7200rpm ones available - I was comparing against the Samsung when working that out.
 
Mokusei said:
Where will I get hold of them locally though? As it stands, I am looking for something like the HP 4710s or the Gigabyte 934MZA-V or one of those specifically. I like them both, the Gigabyte more though, since it is cheaper with better components, but I'm not familiar with their notebook quality since it isn't a main part of their company.
Click to expand...
You get Sager *easiest* through .za agents - for which I am your primary contact here. ;) But, with that glaring HDMI failure, I'm outta the running for you. So, moving along to what WILL serve your needs: if, as you say, you care about HDMI (and, by extension, I infer graphics), between the HP and Gigabyte you're better off with any of the HP models: they do 17" LED-lit LCD at 1600x900 against the Gigabyte's 1280x800 ..though you then have to work out which is better between the ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4330 in the HP and the nVIDIA GeForceGo 9600M GS 512MB in the Gigabyte.
 
Last edited:
While you're at it, how do you feel about the Dell Studio 17 range? Yes they're a bit of a budget killer and lose in the display stakes on screen AND card to the HP (with 1440x900 and a 256MB ATi Mobility Radeon HD 3650) - but they may prove a viable option...?
 
Mokusei said:
I checked a few sites on the specs of both and the 9600M GS comes out on top by quite a large margin. Now what do I do? The graphics card in the Gigabyte is better and it contains very nice parts, but you recommend the HP and I can understand it though. Just under the Gigabyte in parts and very well known.
Click to expand...
Then it depends on what you *really* want, dunnit? .. the better card with the lesser display - which gives you a deferred improvement (id est when you jack into bigger screen via HDMI) or the lesser (but likely still competent *enough*) adapter with the better screen for primary viewing.

...you pays your money and you takes your choice! :D
 
Mokusei said:
I'm really very inclined towards the Gigabyte notebook. I have a Samsung 2494HS 23.6" LCD which I will connect to the notebook while it's at home. When on the move, 15.4" is really sufficient I think.
Click to expand...
Well there you go then! ..and, frankly, I'm with you on staying down in the 15" range for carrying the blerry thing around: I recently moved from 17" to 15" and MAN it's so much better!

EDIT: I've also contacted PostmanPot and I will see which models he can find for me.
Click to expand...
He local to your area then? And: "models" ..plural? From what I see (yes, I'm one of the maaaanny dealer channel okes in this place) the 934MZA is the only one with the GeForce Go graphics...
 
Remember that a 17" is longer, wider AND deeper than a 15", and has a heavier brick to book ..AND all of that, obviously, goes into a bag that has to be similarly larger. And all THAT adds up to weight, momentum and the sheer hassle factor that comes with the bigger package hanging off your shoulder - bumping into things, etc. So yes, it makes a difference.
 
So, I've just established something maddening(ly stupid): the 9W1580V-934MZA is EOL (end of life) and has been replaced (but, sadly not on the latest pricelist *sigh!*) by the 9W1580V-934FZA which is just a stock code change. It's the same physical box, id est the Q1580V but now comes with Windows 7 Pro (yayy!) ...32bit (boo, hiss!) pre-installed. Also it costs a bit more.

And no, they DON'T do 32 to 64 bit upgrades so, as is, you're looking at a machine with 4gigs installed and a 32bit OS ..ferking BRILLIANT I tell you!
 
I called twice, speaking with different guys each time - it's the same physical machine. As to price hike, the dealer input cost is up by R500, so allow for that from wherever you buy it. :cool:
 
Mokusei said:
They look like a good choice, but they're like R3k+ over my budget and that's a far stretch. My conscience wouldn't survive with a R12k laptop. Lol.
Click to expand...

Isn't that what you said in the other thread your laptop cost originally? And hence the justification for the extreme price tag second hand?
 
Then I shall ejaculate ruination all over this thread... Nah.. I'm bored.
 
Mokusei said:
Man you're doing so much for me. I appreciate it. :) That's good news then that it's the same machine. As far as I know even the current models ship with a Windows 7 upgrade coupon, but having a Windows 7 sticker on the laptop would be nice. :D R500 ain't too bad so that's alright. Will still be cheaper than the HP.

EDIT: Do you sell these things?
Click to expand...
1. It's in my nature to help (it's more common among tech-heads than you may realise)
2. Having put sufficient time into it, it crossed into angling for a sale, aye...

Mokusei said:
Okay, I suppose the purpose of this thread is fulfilled. So do what you want with it. I'm gone.
Click to expand...
Um. So, what now? You abandon this, or what?
 
Fujitsu Siemens 11k

That was recently on a special for R9k. My brother got one and its pretty spiffy. Small and kickass. Can play most games almost full gfx on a 23"
 
Mokusei said:
No, I'm definitely doing this thing. I just meant that the thread has served its purpose. You've been an awesome help man! If you do sell either the HP 7310s or this Gigabyte model then please PM me the prices at which you can get them. After all your assistance it's only right to consider your offerings.
Click to expand...
'preciate getting a shot at the title, thank you. And, in that line: I know the Gigabyte IS actually available, once I've confirmed that the HP is, I'll send PM ..I've been burnt too many times by trying to quote directly off the price lists: ONLY once I know for a flat-out-checked-fact that something is available am I going to quote on it.
 
You probably already came accross this site, but thought i'd mention it. I used it to stack up graphics cards in notebooks to each other. They have a cool list that shows you and drills down to reviews, and benchmarks.Very useful. I ended up getting a ATI HD4650 graphics card.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X