Buy ASUS N61JQ-XV1 or wait til Jan for SandyBridge for $900?

Here's the story:

* I would like to buy now, but could wait a couple of months
* Budget is $900
* Eye balling the ASUS for it's $850 price, i7, and ATI 5730

Questions:
1.) Do you guys think there will be laptops out with SandyBridges by the end of January or Feb? It says release is Jan 9th. Or is this just the release of the cores for the manufacturer's to start using?

2.) For a budget of $900, do you guys think anything out at that time for $900 would be a better then this ASUS?

 

HP already has a model with SandyBridge on the market, but I don't know when they are shipping. Personally I would just wait, and it will probably have next gen graphics as well. (6000 Series)

 

Since the SB is just around the corner, why not just wait for it? The new quad i7 will bring higher frequency, integrated IGP(means switchable graphics, good for battery saving), better Hertz efficiency, reduced power consumption and possibly USB3.0 support, I don't see why you shouldn't wait for it because it's so close.

 

The problem with waiting for SB is availability; yes, some HP notebooks have leaked out as have a few other models, however when those models will actually ship no one can predict.

I say get the notebook when you need it (so, now); for $900 that ASUS notebook sounds like a great deal. Do you have a link to it? Make sure the warranty is at least one year (not 90 days or something ridiculous like that).

 

If you can get that N61 for $850, you should grab it. That's the cheapest price I've seen and it's an awesome laptop. Who's selling it at that price? Amazon, correct? Just wondering.

 

Yep, it's on amazon for a cyber monday special.

it's still $950 at newegg. very tempting right?

my main thought is, even if i wait for sandybridge, it's probably going to be expensive and bang for the buck, that this is too good of a deal to pass up.

i don't have much experience with what the new stuff has compared to existing ones that are sale when you look at the value for the money...

so, for those are you who are good with estimating what sandybridge can bring us for $900, is it going to be worth it over this $850 ASUS?

 

With HP, Acer, Gateway and Lenovo already have unofficially released specs of their next Sandy Bridge laptops, you can be shure that they are ready to push them out moments after CES in early january. And all the other manufactorers will follow.
And about the price: I think they will be cheaper than the current CPU generation from Intel too. If you look at http://www.xoticpc.com/custom-gaming-laptops-notebooks-asus-laptops-ct-95_51_163.html, you can see that there are quite a few laptops from Asus that is around $850.

So why not wait 1-2 months for a significant better and smarter laptop?

 

If you need it that bad buy it. I don't expect you'll get to choose between a lot of SB laptop before at least february. SB in a nutshell : the usual performance boost (below average for dual cores, great for quad), better battery life due to IGP + switching + improved battery management + a very efficient chip overall according to early reviews.

I also tend to think Asus will kick the N61 out after christmas to leave some room for its newer cases (N53 / N73 etc.).

 

SB should improve battery times, be cooler running and improve performance all at the same time. For the same price.

Why would you be tempted with last years tech? How long do you intend to keep a new system?

Unless you're going to replace what you buy now in less than a few months anyway, I would wait (you obviously have a system to get on the net with. ).

 

If you absolutely need a notebook now, then go out and buy the ASUS now. But I honestly would wait until SB, because once SB comes out everything will start dropping and last generation technology devalues quicker than a supercar driven off the parking lot at the dealership.

 

ok you guys convinced me!!! I'll wait up a couple of months...i'm not in a huge urgency to buy it so i'll wait up...

thanks a lot...i really appreciate your tips and suggestions...

maybe i'll add a lil more money with the bonus money and get a beast!!

thanks again!!!

 

Glad you came to your senses!


The only thing preventing you from buying a new SB system is if the current systems are even less expensive (at that time).

That, will not be impatience, that will be an informed decision.

 

Informed decision? lol we pushed him over the edge. He caved in to forum peer pressure.

 

My complete post is above.

He didn't cave in to peer pressure: he balanced the pros and cons of jumping 'now' simply on price.

 

it was both...LOL

but mainly it was because I'm not in a urgent need to get it, and since you guys reminded me that that computers usually don't go up in price, but down, even with new technology...i already knew that but was mesmerized by the ASUS...

and i did weigh out the pros and cons of jumping the gun on the ASUS vs waiting a couple of months for the newest technology for the same price...

besides, I don't think all of you could have colluded to telling me to wait unless you all really did think it was the better thing to do

 

i would wait.. although this is a good deal , you could probably get a G51JX for a cheaper price.... this notebook has quite a few problems i've seen on the forum.. really not worth it... i'd wait till jan.. its a month.. come on