Help with Analysis Paralysis!

I am going to cross post this in both Asus and Sager section because I know I will get properly biased answers in both areas.

I am looking hard for the right 15.4 w/ dedicated graphics and I think I have narrowed down to between the Asus Z70Va and the Sager NP5320C. In general summary, I have narrowed to these because I like the ATI X700 w/ 15.4" widescreen and both have Bluetooth onboard as an easy option. They also both seem to have a modular optical drive bay which seems critical for longer battery or weight savings potential.

The Asus seems to win out in overall size and bulk (less of each), and looks a little nicer as far as case design goes.

The Sager seems to win by a small bit in pricing and by having a Serial port which if you can believe it, I will routinely use. However, I think I can get a good PCMCIA adapter to work. (Don't mention the USB ones because they are NOT 100% reliable for my appication)

I recently eliminated the Fujitsu N3520 due to no Bluetooth OR Serial...

Am I nuts over wanting Bluetooth?... it just seems like a step backwards without it and I don't want to plug in a dongle... but maybe I'll never use it anyway?!

Is there some real-world differences to these notebooks that I might be overlooking?

This decision is driving me nuts... Help!

 

The Z70va has better battery life than the 5320, and as you said, it's lighter and sleeker. The Sager has a problem with its headphone port where you'll hear clicking, from what I've read, and the Asus has had screen "ghosting" issues, but only on some units. Luckily for you, both notebooks are sold by some of the same dealers, so check out ISTNC, Power Notebooks, Discount Laptops, & Raw Power PC and ask them for their opinions.

 

Bluetooth can be useful but definitely isnt required for anything. Having bluetooth allows you to use a completely wireless bluetooth mouse/keyboard, bluetooth headphones, and sync with your pda or cell phone. However, bluetooth mice and keyboards are expensive (at least $60) and are often big and bulky. The same applies for bluetooth headphones. Bluetooth can be usefull for pda's and cell phones if you have one that can support it. Basically I wouldn't consider bluetooth the deal breaker, it is more like an extra feature that is nice to have but is in no way necessary.

 

If you're gonna be on the move, the fact that the Asus is a pound or so lighter will play a major role; every bit of weight counts when you're on the move!
The Sager is more of a mobile desktop replacement...
I'd still consider the Asus as more of a Conventional/Thin-N-Light.