The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Least expensive 13.3"/14" 9300M/9400M notebook...

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by iggiepop, Mar 9, 2009.

  1. iggiepop

    iggiepop Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hi all,

    I'm looking to pick up something under $1400CDN (as low as I can go) that is 13.3" or 14" with 9300M/9400M series graphics.

    Here is what I'm aware of:

    Asus N10J-X1 @ $700CDN
    Apple MacBook (Polycarbonate) @ $1150CDN
    Dell Studio XPS 13 @ $1300CDN
    Apple MacBook (Aluminum) @ $1400CDN

    In Canada, the LG P310 is available at $1700CDN but that's too expensive.

    Are there any other models available in Canada that I'm missing?
     
    iggiepop, Mar 9, 2009
    #1
  2. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    If you can afford it, and ultra-portability isn't a top priority (compared with the Asus N10J), then I'd go with the Dell XPS 13. However, also configure a Vostro 1310 as I've found them to be much cheaper (by a few hundred $$$ at least in the US).

    I recommend the XPS over the N10J because it has the Core 2 Duo CPU and 1280x800 display. I love my N10J, but at times it can drive me nuts wanting that little extra CPU oomph, or ability to run 1024x768 programs. But for $600 that I bought it for I can't complain really.
     
    HTWingNut, Mar 9, 2009
    #2
  3. Manic Penguins

    Manic Penguins [+[ ]=]

    Reputations:
    777
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I would probably get the N10J, just because it's cheapest by far, but you will have to accept the poor CPU.

    BTW, can you OC the Intel Atom?
     
    Manic Penguins, Mar 9, 2009
    #3
  4. Jayayess1190

    Jayayess1190 Waiting on Intel Cannonlake

    Reputations:
    4,009
    Messages:
    6,712
    Likes Received:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Yes you can, many netbooks (like MSI Wind and EEE's) have software for overclocking built in, but RM Clock and NHC don't work.
     
    Jayayess1190, Mar 9, 2009
    #4
  5. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

    Reputations:
    3,973
    Messages:
    13,930
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    455
    Dell Studio XPS 13 @ $1300CDN
     
    The_Moo™, Mar 9, 2009
    #5
  6. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Go here:

    www.n10user.com

    I'm a mod there, so stop in and say "Hi" and sign the petition to Asus for supporting 1024x768 like they do on the Eee.

    There is an overclocking program called SetFSBTray. For XP best to use N10Tray (earlier version by same developer). The developer has been working with the author of SetFSB, and he's actually making a GUI interface for SetFSB. I guess the N10J is the guinea pig.
     
    HTWingNut, Mar 9, 2009
    #6
  7. iggiepop

    iggiepop Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    People have been able to easily overclock their Atom to 2GHz in the N10J using SetFSB.

    Since this portable system is meant to compliment my desktop (C2D 3GHz, 4GB DDR2, 8800GTS), I can justify spending the $700 for the N10J but more of an issue spending double that...
     
    iggiepop, Mar 9, 2009
    #7
  8. Manic Penguins

    Manic Penguins [+[ ]=]

    Reputations:
    777
    Messages:
    1,493
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Manic Penguins, Mar 9, 2009
    #8
  9. Beatsiz

    Beatsiz Life Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    95
    Messages:
    1,411
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    MacBook all the freaking way!
    -INSANE Battery Life (I always get ~5 Hours)
    -LED Backlit 1280*800 Beauty Screen
    -DDR3 RAM!
    -2.4GHz C2D
    -Boot Camp WINDOWS ! ! ! (VMware for OS X & Windows at the SAME TIME)
    -iLife09 (FREE) (Thats like $250-500 in Microsoft Software)
    -Mac Build Quality
    -OS X Operating System is godliness
    -Increases Your Chances Of Getting Laid Off From Work


    But in terms of cheapest... obviously the NJ10... but its power is nothing against all the other notebooks

    What EXCACTLY do you plan to do with this notebook?
     
    Beatsiz, Mar 9, 2009
    #9
  10. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

    Reputations:
    21,580
    Messages:
    35,370
    Likes Received:
    9,878
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Blech - Mac. 'nuf said.
     
    HTWingNut, Mar 9, 2009
    #10
  11. Theros123

    Theros123 Web Designer & Developer

    Reputations:
    116
    Messages:
    1,589
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    heh, in terms of build quality on that list, the new metal based mac wins hands down. Though, the new Studio XPS looks like a great deal. So eh? I personally went up to a 14.1" and settled on the Dell Lattitude E6400, not as small as a 13.3", but its a good compromise with a 15.4".
     
    Theros123, Mar 9, 2009
    #11