TravelMate 8104 or Aspire 1693?

Hello!

Looking for some help as I am stuck between a couple of notebook purchases. I was almost ready to purchase a travelMate 8104, until the Aspire 1693 (specs for both below below) came along and messed everything up. I'm looking for some input on my choices as this is my 1st notebook and I don't want to spend the money and regret it.
Notebook will be used for business apps/movies/browsing web etc/games (sometimes).

Below are a couple of questions, if you could help it would be great! (Also, hope my post isn't too much!)


Acer - Aspire 1693

Intel Pentium M 750 (1.86Ghz 2Mb Level 2 Cache 533Mhz FSB)
15.4 WXGA Widescreen CrystalBrite LCD (1280x800)
1Gb DDR2 Dual Channel RAM (2x 512Mb)
100Gb 4200RPM HDD
DVD Dual (+/-R/RW) Dual Layer 8x
4 in 1 Card Reader (SD MMC MS & MS Pro)
802.11b/g wireless with Acer SignalUp technology
ATI Mobility RADEON X700 128Mb PCI Express Video
Modem & Gigabit LAN
3 x USB 2.0 ports Firewire S-Video

Price $3,298.90AUD ($2,538.02USD)


***Or***


TravelMate 8104WLMi

Intel® Pentium® M Processor 760 (2 GHz, 2MB L2 cache, 533MHz FSB)
15.4” WSXGA+ TFT (1680 x 1050)
80 GB Ultra ATA/100 removable hard disk drive
MediaBay DVD Super-Multi Dual Layer
5-in-1 Card Reader
ATI® Mobility™ Radeon® X700
Intel® Wi-Fi LAN (CCX and Wi-Fi® certified) 802.11a/b/g
10/100/1000 LAN port

Price $4,098.11AUD ($3,150.97USD)



Will there be much of a difference between the panels/screens (apart from the resolution)? Will they both be made by the same manufacturer or different?

Also, refering to a review of the Aspire 1690, it was mentioned that:
- Flex on screen top, shows ripples
- Some flex on the keyboard

As both notebooks appear to be in the same casing, would this also be evident on the TravelMate 8104?

And one more question... Do you think I'm crazy to go for the TravelMate when the specs are fairly close, but I would be paying an extra $800AUD?

Ohh, and if anyone can find some more reasons for me to buy either, please feel free to the let me know!

Thanks

 

I'd get the Aspire 1693. It has almost equal specs and a much much lower price. TM's are more for business use, and have better keyboards, but I've always liked Acer keyboards, so you shouldn't have a problem with it.

That is really expensive for a TM8104 BTW, they are $1,900US over here in the states.

 

The 5400RPM hard drive will make a big difference perfromance wise, but you could upgrade the 1693 for less.

 

Thnx for the comments!

So would there be any difference in the case construction between the two (ie. strength), or has Acer based all its current line of notebooks on the one design?

And do you think the screen difference would be much? As the screen is important to me.

 

The TM might be a bit more durable, but not by much, don't worry about it. Acer is a well made computer.

I have not heard the best things about the screens on the 8100 series TM's. They are a bit dim, and could use a higher contrast ratio.

The one on the Aspire, the CrystalBrite, will improve colors and brightness a lot, so I'd say that is your best bet.

 

Well I think the Aspire will be the way to go.

Thnx again for the help

 

From these posts I assume that Acer does not have the same issues Toshiba does with quality in their consumer line of laptops?

 

One more...
Do you think there will be a significant difference between the HDD speeds? I'll have 1gb RAM, so will it really make much of a difference if it is 5400rpm or 4200rpm?

 

Definetly upgrade the hard drive. It is a big difference.

 

You can get a high capacity (like 80GB) 5400RPM hard drive for around 130US dollars. Cheap upgrade, big performance impact!

 

You can get it cheaper than that.

 

Spoke to Acer yesterday and they said they can't change the HDD that comes with the notebook. So I have to go buy a HDD from an accredited Acer repairer and they also have to install it, otherwise it will void warranty. Bit of a pain, but even if i buy a new HDD it will still be cheaper than the 8104.