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    Would you buy an Asus Z96j over the HP NC8430?

    Discussion in 'HP' started by josepidal, Aug 18, 2006.

  1. josepidal

    josepidal Notebook Guru

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    http://www.notebookreview.com/price...ilyID=820&display=priceDetail&productID=15991

    I saw that you can get the HP8430 for about $1,350, but the specs for memory and hard drive are lousy considering the other components. Thus, I was thinking of getting the Asus Z96j from a reseller. However, given the HP's casing, security measures, free OS (compared to a reseller), and 3-year warranty, would the 8430 be a better deal?

    Also, how is the after-sales support of HP compared to Asus?
     
  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    HP is crap compared to Asus.
     
  3. Luar

    Luar Notebook Evangelist

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    The HP nc8430 is a business class notebook and thus it uses components that are more stable and not bleeding edge. The specific model you are looking at is the lowest one in the series of which there are 4. Take a look at my specs and you will see there is a difference.

    I've had it for a week and am very impressed with it particularly with gaming. It is not crap but instead has different emphasis than the Z96J. PM me if you have any questions.
     
  4. pkd

    pkd Notebook Enthusiast

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    Never Underestimate the Predictability of Stupidity :(
    If you haven't got anything relevant to say, don't post in here.

    If you intend to do some serious gaming, the resolution 1680x1050 is more of a hindrance for x1600 mobility than help. On the other hand, you can always use non native resolution. All in all, HP and Asus are two of my favourite laptop makers in terms od pricing, reliability, lokks and spec. :)
     
  5. HomeSkillet

    HomeSkillet Notebook Evangelist

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    adinu, the HP business line has much better build quality then the 15.4" Asus machines (namely the S96J and Z96J). The NC8430 is nearly all maginseum, while those Asus are all plastic.

    Anyway, the warranty is a 3-year-standard warranty with HP support. The business service has been very nice every time I had a question.
     
  6. josepidal

    josepidal Notebook Guru

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    I'm a tad confused. What exactly are the differences? What I gather is that the HP has better build quality, casing, and support, while the Asus is built as a gaming machine?

    Also, I have a student discount for the IBM Thinkpad Z61M with special student 3-year accident warranty for $1,293. Is this an even better deal?

    Specs:
    Core due 1.83mhz processor.
    ATI X1400 128MB video card.
    15.4" WSXGA+ screen.
    1 GB RAM.
    80 GB 5400 rpm HDD.
    CD/DVD burner.
     
  7. HomeSkillet

    HomeSkillet Notebook Evangelist

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    You linked to the Z61p page, which has a ATI Mobility FireGL V5200, which is a good graphics-programming card but a pretty lousy gaming card. The Z61M has a X1400, which is about half as fast as the X1600.

    Depends on your graphics uses and price range. Are you a gamer? The model me and luar has has a T2500, 1gb ram, X1600, 80gb for 1,400-1,650 dollars.
     
  8. josepidal

    josepidal Notebook Guru

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    I think I listed the same model; the links are put in automatically.

    Like I said, the offer is for $1,293 inclusive of 3-year special accidental damage warranty. I guess with that warranty, especially, it's a better deal given the Thinkpad's really good build quality?
     
  9. HomeSkillet

    HomeSkillet Notebook Evangelist

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    Only if you have limited graphics uses. Gaming and graphics wise, the thinkpad will be inferior.
     
  10. josepidal

    josepidal Notebook Guru

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    Otherwise, you would suggest the HP, whose build quality is close to the IBM Thinkpad's?