M6a vs. W3a

I cant get both the M6a and W3a for $1330, both are configured as followes:
1.7 Intel pentium M
512mb (512mbx1)
60gb Hitachi 5400rpm
Intel mini-Pci Internal WiFi a/b/g
Windows xp Home
DVD/RW
1 yr warranty

I am wondering witch would be better. One thing stopping me from buying the M6a (z70a) is that it is less portable. It is about 6 lbs so I am thinking it wouldent be too hard to carry it when I have to. I dont think that i would be traveling with it that much, and 6 lbs is pretty good for a 15.4 in screen. The W3a (Z63a) is about 5 lbs so what I was wondering is will the 6lbs really feel that much more heavy than a w3a? Also another thing stoping me from buying the M6a is that It is more of a desktop replacement that is somewhat portable. but at this time I dont really need everything that comes with a desktop replacement. so If i got a w3a that would act as my main computer until I needed a desktop replacement. then i could buy the latest in tecnology that would be mainstream at that point and use the w3a as more of a portable. do you think that would be a better option?

 

Well the Z70A isn't all that bad, but it doesn't have the much praised screen like the Z70V. Yes the Z70A is a tad bigger in size, but with weight- I think the difference is only a half a pound. So I would say the deciding factor is probably just it's overall size for you. Are the build materials a factor also?

 

When you have the optical drive and battery in both of the units, you're looking at 5.5 pounds for the W3a and about 6.25 for the M6a......

The M6a is going to allow you to have a portbar if you needed it and it'll have a larger matte type display..... where as the W3a has a glaretype. Both are WXGA, so the W3a is going to be sharper for you.

 

I've been using the W3A for the past four months and find it to be a very convenient size. It is quite portable, has a very good battery life (with the 8 cell battery) and is well built. The display is very good. What features of a desktop do you need that the W3 doesn't have?

John

 

"desktop replacement" is a bad term... people think of them as 8-10 pound systems.... but really... I think most people who are replacing a desktop can find atleast 90-95% of a "replacement" in even an S5a......... it's not like a few years ago when you'd suffer like 1/4 or 1/2 of the performance of a desktop in any laptop you'd buy.......

 

I just want to say that I could not agree more with this statement.

I know I thought that any laptop would feel really slow, but let me tell you, 1 1.7+ghz Centrino with a good amount of Ram is blazing fast.

The only thing that might limit your speed is the HD, which will be a slower 5400 or 4200RPM drive unless you pay more for a 7200RPM.

 

Im not saying the w3 is not and adiquate "desktop replacement" but at this point i really dont think i need somthing that would act as a desktop replacement. At this point all i really do is web surfing, genral productivity and dvd watching. so I was thinking if i got a w3 it would act as a DR for the time being until i needed a full blown desktop replacement (at that time tecnology would have advanced with all the upcoming things that i have no need for now). and then the w3 would still make a very good portable to do simple things on. so basicly my main question was is the m6 noticibly heavier or to big to carry around?

 

Right... I mean you can get super high performance graphics cards for $600+ and 10,000rpm desktop hard drives up to what.... a terrabyte or more now? But realistically, for 99% of people, something like the new W2 would be more than they'll ever need.....

For LAX, for what you're doing.... pick what you want.... I'd do with an Z33 if you wanted tiny... and basic specs are going to be MORE than you need for internet, email, word and dvd playing...... that's if a 12" screen is enough for you.... Other than that... you don't need dedicated graphics to do what you want.... so.. Z61a / Z63a / Z70a are all options you could go with easily.