After so much research, i still can't decide :p

OK, you guys get to make an executive decision for me, because i am bad at discision making

So, initially, i wanted a powerful and portable notebook, and got the n80-x1
that came defective, and now i have to decide. (see poll)

1. n80vn-A1 -same thing, but seeing the price, i'm longer for better things xD
2. n80vn-x5 - same size, little more power, me likey.
3. Asus g50vt-x1 - Bigger, But more power, power is good, but bigger, no so much



So, esentually i will be doing Photoshop (which neither of these have a good resolution for :/) and some gaming. All of them "should" run, but its a matter of resolution and setting i suppose.
Idk, i really have issues with making decisions, so you guys get to do it for me


also, one thing to add into the mix, if i get the g50, i can get the bestbuy warranty, and if it breaks, i just get store credit and can get something else...

EDIT: i put the prices in the poll, but frankly, an extra $100 isn't killing me either way

 

I'm in the exact same boat you're in. The local Best Buy has the X83Vm-X1 for $814 but I'm worried about the 9600 GS's ability to handle some of the newer games.

I'm guessing by your decision to upgrade the T5800 processor was an issue?

 

well, upgrading the T5800 involves $170 for a p8400 and voiding a warranty.
I really don't even know why i bothered putting the A1 up there, maybe because the back of my mind is telling me to save $, but the front is saying "POWER!, but portability and battery would be good too"

 

What are you going to do with it?

I would save some $$ for accessories.

 

I plan do to photoshop, and some gaming... I already am ascessoried out from previous laptops.
Frankly, i want the g50t-x1, but i can't pull my self to it, because the size, weight, crappy screen, battery life, and childish looks... where as the n80 has good battery life, small, light, good screen, and looks very nice

why can't the n80 have a 98xx :/

EDIT: oh yea, and i don't want to get a g50 and then have that lag issue that alot of people are still having, after updating everything...

idk!

 

Check out the real life gaming performance of the 9650 w/ 1GB compared to the 9800 GS w/ 512MB, I think you'll find they are closer than you may think.

Plus do the math. The BB G50 has 1366 x 768 pixels = 1,049,088 while the N80 has 1200 x 800 = 960,000 which means the G50's card has to fill approximately 10% more pixels every screen write which of course impacts overall performance.

Not to knock the G50, but video performance I think would be the least of the differences.

 

aan310, I'm in crossroads very similar to yours
I'm a heavy photoshop and illustrator user, and also a gamer. about a week ago I was sure i'm gonna buy an n80-a1 but then i began reading about the n81 which suppose to have a much better graphics card

 

Many questions about this: ASUS announced the N81Vp would have the "4600" series, but will that be 4650, 4660, or 4670 (assuming they bring all those to market)? It can make a big difference in performance. Also how long will you have to wait to actually buy the machine? Will the cards be clean with good drivers on launch or buggy with immature drivers?

I'm not saying don't wait, but am questioning whether it'll prove to be worth waiting for in the end because right now who knows? There's ALWAYS something newer faster better coming out Real Soon Now and if you start playing the waiting game you could wait forever.

 

yea, im also reading that it will possibly have a 4650, which means it will be possibly slower than the n80, and i dont want to wait a month :/

interestingly enough, the 9800GS beats the 9650GT in 3dmark by about 3,000, AND, the 9800gs in the g50 is actually an underclocked 9800GT (and in GPU-z and device manager is listed as the GT).

9650GT: 52xx
9800GS: 82xx
9800GT: 94xx

well, i have found that the n81 will have the 4650, which is actually slower than the 9650GT... and frankly, i have always disliked ATI cards...





Also: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=322961

 

The 9800 has double the stream processors and memory bus width of the 9650, hence creating a significant difference in graphics performance.

 

I got my N80 just a few days ago but I'm surprised at how much I'm liking it, more & more every day.

Performance-wise on WoW it EATS my late '08 high-end MacBook Pro: I'm getting much higher frame rates at higher settings and no throttle downs which the MBP does often as it overheats during gaming unless I have it on an active laptop cooler. The Pro's screen is better and higher resolution (but not all that much), the keyboard is much better (and backlit), it's got a faster CPU but no HDMI or eSATA output and it costs $2500 compared to my N80's sticker of $899 after rebate.

If I was going to be stuck on a desert island (with broadband, of course) I'd still take the MBP for the advantages of OS X over Vista, but for the money the N80 kicks the Mac's a**; there's just no comparison on a value basis.

 

I'd say go with the N80Vn-X5. I went and looked at the G50 at Best Buy and didn't really fall in love with it. It just seemed like it was trying too hard, you know? Really gimicky, and not exactly 'light'. The screen didn't seem as big as the others around it, probably due to the thicker border on the G50.

I paid $1019 for my N80Vn-X5, the day after Newegg dropped the price. Meh. Well, it should still be worth it.

 

Thinking about the same couple myself. I think I've decided the g50 is too big for my tastes (the screen has a fairly large border around it, so it's much larger than 15.6" might lead you to believe). One thing I will say about it is that despite what Best Buy claims, the one I saw did have a 9800 GT not GS, though YMMV.

But so between the A1 and x5, the main difference seems to be a faster hard drive, 5400 vs 7200, and a better processor, T5800 vs P8600. Is this worth $200? How is the battery life on them, is one better than the other? Finally, does anyone know if the 9650 GT is running DDR2 or DDR3? Sent newegg an email, haven't heard back.

For the previous poster: you mention liking your N80, is that the A1 or x5?

 

It's not even $200 now, it's more like $140. I think the faster CPU and Hard Disk are worth it.

The 9650 is, unfortunately, DDR2.

However it still gets better 3DMark scores than my current desktop, so...

 

OK, no one vote for the A1, because its not worth it for me, i'd rather get the x5 over the a1

xD

 

Not sure where you're getting your prices from, but newegg has the A1 for 800 after rebate versus 990 for the x5. Where are you looking?

[Edit: found I could get %2.75 cashback via livesearch as well, prices are now down to 775 vs 960, so $185 different.]

Speaking of cheap stores, does anyone know anything about Digitalsetc.? They're listing several laptops significantly lower than anywhere else, for instance the MSI GX630 for $600 versus $800 anywhere else. Comparing specs, I don't see anything that would justify the price difference, but their website kind of scares me, no pictures of it, incorrect product description. They just look like a junk organization, maybe even a scam.

 

im not taking the rebate into consideration, because i can't get it because i don't have a receipt saying i purchased a A1
also, i would rather spend $185 more to get the p8600, because i need photoshop and a better proc is better for PS

 

That website looks VERY fishy to me. While the company contact on the website says it's in Wisconsin and has been in business since 2005, the website is registered as a Californian company that was created just last week. There is only a PO Box address and the phone number (510-595-2002) listed says it all here.

Keep in mind that PS, although still pretty CPU dominant, can now take advantage of hardware acceleration and utilize the GPU as well

 

Why wait? just get what you like, not what people like.

 

yea, thats in CS4, and i HATE cs4... HATE!

 

A1; I wish I'd known about the X5 but I didn't. Nonetheless the performance of this machine under Vista 32 leaves me with no real complaints, and whether the extra performance is worth the $$$ is really a personal choice: if you're going to do stuff (video encoding or heavy 3D gaming for example) which will stress the machine get all the horsepower you can, otherwise save your money, the A1 is plenty zippy.

 

It's not that bad I'm currently using CS4 myself (came from CS2)

 

i tried it, and never got used to it/liked it...

non the less, because of the want/need for extra cpu power, the a1 is not being considered any more

 

I havent used the N80, but I love my G50vt. I came from a G1, and although it is a bit bigger, it is very comfortable to use. I am kind of a big guy, and my hands fit a lot better on the G50 compared to a few other laptops I've had (Xps 1530, G1, Sager NP2096, EEE). As far as photoshop goes, if you can afford it, look into the higher end G50s with better screens. If not, the X1 works fine but I sometimes feel like there isn't enough space to work with. Speedwise in photoshop it is a big upgrade from my G1, but still leaves a little bit to be desired when compared to a Desktop PS solution (obviously).

Hope that helps a bit.

 

get the g50

 

i have just placed an order for the X5 from newegg and hopefully it should be in my hands by the end of this week

ps: i couldnt wait anymore.. ...else i would have gone crazy with the laptop searching ...so i placed my order

 

Congratz! I hope you're happy with your new lappy! Just pulling the trigger and moving on was the right thing to do, I think: there is ALWAYS going to be something newer faster better coming out Real Soon Now and if you start waiting for it you'll end up waiting forever.

 

wow, they raised the price on the A1 by $100 xD
maybe newegg will give me the x5 then (if i ask) because the price diff is now about $30 or w/e

 

newegg sure did raise the price of A1 but they also fixed the screen resolution. The A1 is now WXGA.....so I think the emails sent by members from here must have finally made them correct the spec.

 

well, this will be interesting, im still wondering why the heck they raised the price $100

 

I didn't see your budget but then again thats not saying you didn't mention it.


Might I throw another hat or two into the ring....
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-GT627-216US-15-4-Inch-Processor-Graphics/dp/B001P5GKD0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233628432&sr=8-2

or the slightly beef'd up version
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P5GKCQ/sr=8-2/qid=1233628432/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233628432&sr=8-2

Much more "grown-up" and "smart" design with still all the power you need for gaming on the go in the base model. Stepping up a few bucks (relative to the length of time you are going to own this puppy) you get a slightly better CPU, better res Screen, Blu-Ray!! I believe this also comes with a carrying backpack so you can save a buck there as well. I would say build quality is as good if not better either.

 

I voted my own decision... I'm expecting to receive my X5 tomorrow.

 

wow, im a total idiot for forgetting to look at MSI... dude, i think you made my week!

EDIT: nvm, the 1st one (my MAX price) has a low resolution for that price :/
i want the $1,300 one :/

 

Yep, 1280 by 800 on a 15 inch just doesn't make it; it's going to start looking jaggy. And neither machine is released yet, according to Amazon. But the higher end one sure does look like a sweet gaming rig; Warhammer do you have any hands on experience with MSI? Build quality, customer and warranty service, any of that? I'd be very interested to hear how they compare to ASUS who on paper at least have about the best warranty package in the business today.

 

MSI quality wise is decent... (par with asus).
Not sure about warranty.

Yea, the cheaper one is not my cup of tea (resolution for screen size) (and yes, i realized that the g50 is the same resolution (kind of) the 16:9 messed me up...

I really like that more expensive one, but the blue-ray is an unneeded cost on that computer for me.
If they make that, minus the blue ray, and about $1200 id get it... most likley...

 

I agree 100%. I have all of ONE blue-ray movie (Spidey 3) and while it does look amazing on a true HD screen the difference in cost of the drive plus the media just isn't worth it to me. If blue-ray flicks got down to $9.95, now, that'd be a different story... but I'm not holding my breath.

 

u don't watch dvd's often, so frankly, it does not matter one way or another if it has it

 

IN advance, i want to thank everyone for helping, while all your help may go to waste (i need to see what newegg does ) thanks a million!