Which one to get?

Hi, I'm very new to the laptop world and have been doing as much research as I can on which notebook would fit my needs best. I have come to the conclusion that I really would like to try an Asus. (Aside from the fact that Asus buyers seem VERY pleased with their investment). Anyway, any suggestions as to which one would be my best fit would be greatly appreciated. Here is what I am looking for:

-under 17" screen
-I would like to play the newer games (half life 2, Star wars Galaxies, WOW2, etc.) So GREAT graphics is a must![ ]
-I am also going to use it for work[ )] (CAD, 3D rendering)
-DVD watching (during travel), music
-Under $2000 budget
-60GB 7200RPM drive

-Does this notebook exist? and is there anything else I need to mention?
I have been on the ProPortable sight LOTS of times and all of their notebooks look sooo impressive, the cost is very, very reasonable and they seem like friendly people to deal with. I'm just not sure which one is my best fit as I plan on having this notebook for as long as I can. Please, any advice you can give me would be very appreciated. I can't wait to figure it out and make my very first laptop purchase.[^][^] Thanks for taking the time out to read this.

 

The Z71v might be a good choice was you if you want to go with the newest technology...... as long as you can wait a few more weeks.. it'd be a good choice.

Then again, an M6 is also a great options.... I have used my M6 for 3d studio max many many.... many times...

Let me know if you need and help from me.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Hmm... I think the M6BNe/M6Ne or the Z71V would be your best bets. The ASUS V6V is a great machine, but you'd have to upgrade the hard drive and it is over your budget.
I'm sure whichever ASUS notebook you choose, you'll be very happy [ ]

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Disregard the V6V question. I just went to the site and saw it on there. Not too much more for the V6V... hmmm... Maybe with a few days of overtime at work.... hmmmm....

 

The V6V is a beautiful machine... very light and very sleek. Definitely one of ASUS's better looking designs
But like I said... the hard drive would probably need to be upgraded to 7200 RPM, so that'd cost you extra

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Thanks Justin and Aurora! Justin, you will definitely be hearing from me when that Z71V comes out... (as long as you can forgive my ignorance when I ask obvious questions![ ]) I think I'll research the M6BNe/M6Ne on the ProPortable site also.... your site is on my favorites...

Real quick, how much more over will the V6V cost me?

Thanks Again!

 

Well if you need anything to help your research, please feel free to drop me a line.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

If I did get the V6V, is upgrading to a 7200 RPM something that is easy enough for someone like me to do or should I just order the part from Pro and get someone else to do it?

Also, is this card: ATI Mobility Radeon x600 PCI-Express Graphics w/ 64MB VRAM just as good as this one: Dedicated Nvidia 6600go w/ 128mb VRAM?

I mean, I can see that one is 64MB and the other is 128MB, but they're also 2 different types (ATI vs Nvidia). Or is it a matter of preference?

Thank you...

 

the ATI x600 is equivalent to the ATI 9700... the nVidia Geforce 6600 is a little bit better than the x600, but both are quite capable of playing the games you have listed.

Replacing notebook hard drives are quite simple, but that's probably something Justin should answer...

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Well, it depends... both cards will be able to play the games that you want, however, since the 6600 is better than the X600, you should be able to play games with slightly higher details. However, the 6600 isn't THAT much better than the X600 - better, yes, but both should be able to do what you want them to do.

Besides, in return, you'd be getting a VERY light 15" laptop that looks very sleek and has great quality.

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

You mentioned the nVidia Geforce 6600 is a little bit better than the x600. Is it a noticeable difference? Thanks for all your help Aurora. I'll ask Justin about replacing the hard drive.

 

You're probably looking at about 5% increase in performance between a 64mb x600 and a 128mb 6600..... So the Z71v will give you more bang for your buck.... but you have to put a price on size and materials... The Z71v is a notebook that everyone can say.... man, thats a good price for what you're getting. At the same time, I haven't talked to anyone yet who hasn't said the V6v isn't a sexy little thing....

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

The Z71V is undoubtedly a great deal... but it's less attractive and heavier than the V6V.
In the end, it all depends on what you want...style/weight, or price/performance.

ASUS M6800Ne, P-M 1.5 Dothan, 512MB Ram, Toshiba Combo drive, Samsung Spinpoint M 40G HDD with 8M cache, Mobility Radeon 9700

 

Right - for people who can understand and appreciate that, it'll make perfect sense... If you can't, the better "value" would be best for you.

The way I look at it, I use a computer in much of my life.... what is it that I want that computer to say about me (slim, sexy, professional, and enough power to balance everything out) ... Hahaha... I've said it before and I'll say it again, a computer is no different than a car..... no one will ever tell you it's a great investment, but whether you like it or not, most people spent a lot of time using both and you want to be happy with both.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

oooooohhhh... slim and sexy... that's me! that's me!! [ ][ ][ ]

All kidding aside, I appreciate all of the help you two have given me. I think I know what to shoot for. Justin, expect to hear from me very soon (next few weeks). I can't wait to show off my first laptop. In the mean time, I'll keep ProPortable on my favorites and keep drooling at what's to come. I think I'll work a little overtime and it'll all be worth it. I'm sure I'll have a few more questions, though. But slim, sexy, professional, and great performance seems to be what I like.

One more thing, is the video card something that can be upgraded say in 3 years or is it basically "built in"? So, what you get is what you get.

 

The hard drive is easy as pie... really.. so whether you want to do that now or later, it's easy. With all of the new hard drives that will coming out in the next 6 months... I'd almost suggest waiting.... 100gb /7200rpm is just around the corner.

As far as the video goes, don't count on upgrading. I'm going to give you a maybe. The idea of PCI-express.. aside from the faster bandwidth, was to develop a "standard form-factor" which would allow for easy upgrades and easier development....... Like having 3 video options in 3 different computers... all being swappable. Well, here's the thing. Nvidia has 3 form-factors (at least), ATI has 3 also... Alllllll different. Basically, between brands, they have 3 different sizes for different sized notebooks..... So right now you can't put an x800 into the V6 which has the x600... the x800 is too big (not to mention the much bigger battery drain). So.. right now it's up to Asus to create an upgrade. Say, if the V6 gets updated over the next couple years.... just like the M2/M3 and most of the current lineup.... the chassis' will be the same, so it's possible that by the next update, a new video card can be put into the smaller form-factor.

So..... it's really all on Asus. But, you can't fault them if the form-factor evolves in the next couple years and/or if they do away with the V6 platform..... No one can really tell with computer technology..

I hope that doesn't scare you... but it's the truth. The best you can do is hope.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]

 

Oh, Justin, earlier I asked about upgrading the hard drive on the V6v (to 60GB 7200RPM drive). Is that something that would be easy enough for me to do myself or could/should I get you guys to do it?

 

Thanks Justin. You are truly the best!!![ ]

 

you're welcome.

Thanks,
Justin
PROPortable
www.proportable.com
[email protected]