Should I buy or build?

I've narrowed it down to either the asus a8jm or the barebone s96j. I was wondering if I could get the same specs/performance/build quality as the a8jm if I bought and built the s96j. The specs I want:

-Intel Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz 2MB Cache, 667FSB
- 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 (2GB Max currently)
- NVidia GeForce Go7600 512MB VRAM (If its a different video card tell me how it compares to this one.
- 100GB Shock Mounted 5400RPM Hard Drive
- Dual Layer Multi Format DVD±RW Drive(<-- can just be dvd+-rw drive I don't need the dual layer multi format)
- Integrated Bluetooth V2.0 EDR PAN

Also I have never built a laptop/computer so are there easy to find instructions on how to build a barebone? And how are the speakers compared to the a8jm? I've completed the faq also.

General Questions

1) What is your budget? 1700

2) What size notebook would you prefer?


b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook? word processing, surfing the net, games,

4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk? Around my house and other people's houses

5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games? starcraft,cs,maybe bf2,

6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like? I prefer asus but I don't know much about other brands

7) How many hours of battery life do you need? 2-3

8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person? if there are reviews on the build quality

9) What country are you buying this in? US

Screen Specifics

10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen? Widescreen

11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Any of the widescreen options


12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen? doesn't matter

Build Quality and Design

13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you? Just the build quality...

14) How long do you want this laptop to last? a year or 2

Notebook Components

15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB? atleast 80gb

16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive? dvd-cd/rw

 

The build quality of the a8jm is better than the s96j, although the later is very solidily built itself.

The s96j doesn't have internal bluetooth (although it's theoretically possible to add it). The z96j, coming out later this month, has internal bluetooth.

Here is a page on how on how to assemble barebones laptops. It's easy:
http://www.laptoplogic.com/resources/detail.php?id=22&page=2

I suppose it depends on how much you want to spend.

 

the x1600 gets a higher score than the 7600 so how is it a step down.

 

The X1600 gets 4000 in 3dmark05 while the 7600 gets only 3700. The X1600 gets 8% better score, how is it a step down?

 

whoops, you guys are right.

 

In most of the tests I have seen the X1600 gets about 200pts higher. So it is NOT a step down, and I'm not sure where your getting this information from. I think it all comes down to portability. Do you want to carry 5lbs or do you want to carry over 6? And is it mainly going to be sitting at home or are you going to carry it with you more?

 

If im correct, the a8 costs less than your configuration. if you hold BT as a priority, then build it as is. If you think DVI will be more beneficial, then the a8 will benefit you more.