New laptop

[Scott]

After only a year my second laptop gave way.. I opened the case and the case around the monitor snapped in half.. can't get warrenty to fix it and no one around here has the spare parts.. so I got a new one. I think it was time for an upgrade anyways.

I went a completly different route this time, I went with an Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 and nVidia GeForce 8600M GS. AMD does not have a mobile cpu to compete with the core 2 and there is a lack of 15.4" laptops with a decent ATi chipset.. . I don't like Dell, Compaq, HP or Gateway.. So my options were very limited.. I'm to picky.

I found the PERFECT laptop for my needs, an Asus F3SV-B1 from GenTec:
http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant...t_Code=F3SV-B1

Specs:
15.4" WSXGA+ 1680X1050 Color Shine (Wish they had the matte screen!!)
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2 GHz 4MB 800 FSB (Santa Rosa)
GeForce G8600M GS 256MB up to 1G/DX10
4GB DDRII 667 Kingston Ram (2x 2GB)
Seagate Momentus 7200.2 160GB 7200rpm SATAII
1GB Intel Turbo Memory Card
1.3MP Webcam
8 x DVD-RW Dual Layer Super Multi DVD/Burner
Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/b/g/n
Air Plane/Car Adapter
7 in 1 Card Reader
Bluetooth
Fingerprint Reader



Finally a keyboard that has the large left shift key and the CTRL key on the far bottom left! I cannot believe how much thoes annoyed me on my other laptop. It was impossible to program with.

[Chrispy]

Looks cool. I wish I had this laptop though:
http://www.bondandbond.co.nz/shop.do?cID=233&pID=4381

* Intel® Core 2 Duo processor T5300 (1.73GHz)
* 120GB 5400RPM
* 1024MB DDR2 (2 Dimms)
* LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD±RW with Double Layer Support
* 15.4" WXGA High Definition BrightView Widescreen Display
* Windows® Vista Ultimate
* NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7400 with up to 256MB memory
* Intel PRO/Wireless 802.11a/b/g;Bluetooth, Integrated 10/100 LAN
* ExpressCard/54 slot
* 5-in-1 digital memory reader slot

Chris

[DevilDog#1]

Yeah Asus has nice machines. I think Sam's Club also sells them.

[VooDoo-]

it's a laptop and it beats the ever living **** out of my pc .. amazing how obsolete technology is..

and to think i spent 2 grand building this setup in the day ..

[tail_gunner]

this just kinda makes me sad i look over at my piece-o-crap and it just makes me want to throw the mother f'er out the window lol just build mine 2 years ago too

[SilentTrigger]

Nice labtop!

[ShArP]

nice laptop...

so whos gonna by me one??

[Scott]

Just recieved this this Friday. This thing is awesome! (Except nvidia drivers suck)

I initially tried to install Windows XP on this. Everything went flawless except the nvidia drivers. After messing around for 6 hours downloading driver after driver I finally gave up and installed Vista Ultimate, since I got the retail DVD along with my purchase.

All I gotta say, is that after I gave Vista an honest shot (I really had no choise thanks to nvidia), I really like it. It boots faster, programs are more responsive and it looks better. Most of the tweaks I use on Windows XP also worked with Vista, so my interface didn't really change.

The only program conflicts I had were Nero 6 and nvidia again. I installed Nero 7 (uhg, such bulky software...) and finally got some nvidia drivers to work (what a process!) and everything is smooooooth. Vista KICKS ASS. All my games work too.

The laptop screams!! The core2duo isn't quite as fast as my AMD 6000+, but it's close, and for a laptop that's pretty good. The 4GB of ram and 1GB "intergrated ReadyDrive card" help alot also. The 160GB was a big upgrade from my old 100GB hard drive, it is dead silent and runs very cool.

The wireless is also tons better. I see many more avaliable connections around then with my other laptop.

Awesome!!!

[SilentTrigger]

Thank you for the review!

Will consider it if I ever buy a labtop!

But if I ever get a Labtop I need to go with XP as the software I use only work with XP