Choice of 3 Laptops: Which one?

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FaNIX

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So i'm going to import a laptop, but still deciding which one to get: I have 3 options, price ranging from, Low, Medium & High:

OPTION 1: $849.99
Acer Aspire AS6930-6073 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz) 16" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115540
34-115-541-02.jpg


Model
Brand Acer
Series Aspire
Model AS6930-6073
Part# LX.ABL0X.015
General
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4G
Screen 16" WXGA
Memory Size 4GB DDR2
Hard Disk 320GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS
Video Memory 512MB
Communication Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 15.2" x 10.9" x 1.6-1.7"
Weight 7.5 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed P8600(2.40GHz)
CPU FSB 1066MHz
CPU L2 Cache 3MB
Display
Screen Size 16"
Wide Screen Support Yes
LCD Features Glare
Display Type Wide XGA
Resolution 1366 x 768
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS
Video Memory Dedicated 512MB
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 320GB
Memory
Memory 4GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Communications
Modem 56K
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN Intel 5100 a/g/n
Ports
Card Slot 1 x ExpressCard/54 slot
USB 4 x USB (3 x USB, 1 x eSATA/USB combo port)
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI
Audio Ports Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support
Microphone
Line-in
Audio
Audio Integrated Sound card
Speaker Two integrated stereo speakers
One Acer Tuba CineBass booster supporting low-frequency effects
Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard Standard
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 5-in-1 card reader for optional MultiMediaCard, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO or xD-Picture Card
Webcam Yes
Power
Battery 8-cell lithium ion
Physical spec
Dimensions 15.2" x 10.9" x 1.6-1.7"
Weight 7.5 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor 1 year limited
Click to expand...


OPTION 2: $999.99
TOSHIBA Satellite A355-S6944 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz) 16" 4GB Memory DDR2 800 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114639
41Kis4sXgRL._SL500_SS150_.jpg


Model
Brand TOSHIBA
Series Satellite
Model A355-S6944
Part# PSAL6U-05801E
General
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4G
Screen 16"
Memory Size 4GB DDR2
Hard Disk 320GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Video Memory 512MB
Communication Modem, LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 15.1" x 10.5" x 1.36-1.52"
Weight 6.48 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed P8600(2.40GHz)
CPU FSB 1066MHz
CPU L2 Cache 3MB
Display
Screen Size 16"
Wide Screen Support Yes
LCD Features TruBrite technology
Resolution 1366 x 768
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Video Memory 512MB DDR discrete graphics memory, plus up to 1789MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory using ATI HyperMemory technology
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 320GB
HDD RPM 5400rpm
HDD Interface SATA
Memory
Memory Slots 2 x DIMM
Memory Speed DDR2 800
Memory 4GB
Max Memory Supported 4GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Optical Drive Spec DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with Labelflash drive supporting 11 formats
Maximum speed and compatibility: CD-ROM (24x), CD-R (24x), CD-RW (24x), DVD-ROM (8x), DVD-R (Single Layer, (8x)), DVD-R (Double Layer, (6x)), DVD-RW (6x), DVD+R (Single Layer, (8x)), DVD+R (Double Layer, (6x)), DVD+RW (8x), DVDRAM (5x)
Supports Labelflash media to burn high quality labels directly on the disk.
Communications
Modem 56K
LAN 10/100Mbps
WLAN Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100AGN (802.11a/g/n)
Ports
Card Slot 1 x ExpressCard slot (ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54)
USB 4 x USB 2.0 (3 x USB v2.0, 1 x eSATA/USB combo port)
IEEE 1394 1
Video Port RGB (monitor) output port
REGZA LINK (HDMI-CEC)
S-Video output port
Audio Ports Yes
Audio
Audio Sound volume control dial
Built-in microphone
Speaker Built-in harman/kardon stereo speakers
Input Device
Touchpad Toshiba TouchPad
Keyboard 86 key US keyboard
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter
Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, miniSD/microSD, Memory Stick/ Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO, MultiMedia Card, xD Picture Card [shared slots]
Webcam Yes
Power
AC Adapter 90W (19V 4.74A) 100-240V/50-60Hz AC Adapter
Battery 4000mAh (6 cell) Lithium Ion battery pack
Physical spec
Dimensions 15.1" x 10.5" x 1.36-1.52"
Weight 6.48 lbs.
Click to expand...


OPTION 3: $1149.99
Acer Aspire AS8930-6386 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T9400(2.53GHz) 18.4" Wide XGA+ 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115541
A180-18404-main-dw.jpg


Model
Brand Acer
Series Aspire
Model AS8930-6386
Part# LX.ADT0X.215
General
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 2.53G
Screen 18.4" WXGA+
Memory Size 4GB DDR3
Hard Disk 320GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Video Memory 1024MB
Communication Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 17.4" x 11.8" x 1.6-1.7"
Weight 9 lbs.
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed T9400(2.53GHz)
CPU FSB 1066MHz
CPU L2 Cache 6MB
Display
Screen Size 18.4"
Wide Screen Support Yes
LCD Features Acer CineCrystal LCD
Display Type Wide XGA+
Resolution 1680 x 945
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Video Memory Dedicated 1024MB
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 320GB
HDD RPM 7200rpm
Memory
Memory Speed DDR3 1066
Memory 4GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type DVD Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Communications
Modem 56K
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN 802.11a/b/g/Draft N wireless LAN
Ports
Card Slot 1 x ExpressCard/54 slot
USB 4 x USB (3 x USB, 1 x eSATA/USB combo port)
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort
Audio Ports Headphones/speaker/line-out with SPDIF support
Microphone-in
Line-in
Audio
Audio Acer PureZone technology with two integrated stereo microphones featuring beam forming, echo cancellation and noise suppression technologies

Optimized second-generation Dolby Home Theater audio enhancement

True 5.1-channel surround-sound output
Speaker Acer CineSurround with five integrated stereo speakers and one Acer Tuba CineBass booster supporting low-frequency effects
Input Device
Touchpad Yes
Keyboard 105-key keyboard, inverted T cursor layout, standard numeric keypad, hotkey controls, 2.5mm minimum key travel, international language support
Acer CineDash media console
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 6-in-1 card reader supports optional MultiMediaCard, MMCplus, Secure Digital card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO or xD-Picture Card
Webcam Yes
Power
Battery 8-cell lithium ion
Physical spec
Dimensions 17.4" x 11.8" x 1.6-1.7"
Weight 9 lbs.
Click to expand...

Note that the import price on Option 2 is R14200. Option 3 is only $150 more, but the price should go up with about R2500.

Option 1 is a cheaper version of Option 2, with slightly better graphics card and a 8-cell batery, and also $150 cheaper. Option 3 is a MONSTER, with a very powerful CPU, DDR3 memory and a monster GFX Card. It also has a 18' LCD,which I guess is okay,i didnt really want something that big, my current laptop is 17" so i guess 1' should make a big diff...

Which option will you go for.. you can click on the links below each option to see full range of images. Option 3 looks very nice, it has a Media Center pad on the left... Option 1 has a better keyboard than option 2,but option is a Toshiba,and looks sleak I think...
 
Last edited:
They all pretty nice.
Just one question?

Is your budget including the custom duties and import VAT?
 
All very nice... Personally, I would go for the last one, if size doesn't matter...!
 
Yea i was wonderingt he same thing because at 1100 dolla your looking at another 10% plus another 14% with customs, so you can add around 150-200 dolla to on all those laptops.
 
FaNIX said:
Yes & Yes. I've done all my homework.
Click to expand...

Good to hear:)

So many people are totally :eek: when they receive the package and find out they need to pay an extra few grand.

I have personally imported a few laptops and some other nice stuff like diamonds and it really is worth it. I have been very lucky when it comes to breakdowns. None so far so warranty had no effect on me. **touchwood**

I would say go for number 3. If you have it in your budget, rather go for the bigger and better machine now rather than later.
 
Eish Fanix, I personally would steer clear of Acer, I have witnessed a number of them failing early on in life, mostly due to heat issues. Last week in fact a client of mine sent her Acer aspire into Acer to have repaired, R4500 for a new mobo, just faulty. :( Use it don’t use it, I would personally look at maybe a Sony? or HP? Even the Toshiba. Good luck ;)
 
I would go for option 1 or 2 tbh - 18.4 inches is just too big for a 'laptop' IMO. To me 14-15 inches is about optimal. You will find that the battery life is negligible.

And between the acer and the toshiba I like the fact that the acer has the 9600m chipset for graphics, otherwise they're about the same.
 
Do you want it as a desktop replacement or are you going to moving it around a lot?

If its gonna be in one place most of the time then go for the bigger one. But if it is going to be mobile. Then Cerebus makes a good point about the size being to big.
 
It's going to be a replacement for a desktop pc, it won't move much...
 
Yea, I'm also with option 1 and option 3. It's stupid to pay R1800 more on Option 2 if option 1 has a better GFX Card en Battery...

But the question is: Is paying R3500 more from Option 1 to OPtion 3 worth it? I think it is, if you see what you get more?Faster RAM, much faster CPU, 7200rpm hdd and 18' screen.
 
FaNIX said:
Dude... I'm Emigrating in a new months, can't take a Desktop PC with... thats why Im getting a laptop.
Click to expand...

I emigrated and took my 35kg desktop with (and 2 laptops). Where are you going? Might be cheaper to get the laptop there.
 
I've just read some reviews, and the T9400 CPU isn't that much faster than the P8600. Also, DDR2 in most casses outperformes DDR3 due to the low latency of DDR2. So I guess that leaves me with: Do I really want a 18" Laptop with a Monster Graphics Card?Is this worth paying R4000 more? And besides, the NVidia 9600M GS has more than enough power for my gaming needs... I will probably only play Dota and maybe StarCraft II when it gets released.
 
Depends what you gonna use it for?

Desktop replacement or Travel?

18.4 is bulky and heavy nice specs for designing and mobile gaming

but personally I would go for the Toshiba to many bad experiences with Acer in the past and warranties.

I have used in the past HP,Acer and even a Dell and now have my trustworthy Toshiba Sat Pro U300-15D which was the best buy so far.

Just my 2c

Space
 
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