LG P300 'refresh' is here!

If you can call it one Slight changes, all listed in bold. The base price of $1999 has been dropped to $1799, currently on sale for $1699 at Future Shop.


(P300-U.APB2A9 ) - Black Rose
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...angid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10101471&catid=25313
(P300-U.APW2A9) - Red Wine
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pr...angid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10101472&catid=25313


Base Features
Approximate Battery Life Up To 4 Hours
Hard Drive Speed/Capacity 320GB 5400RPM Up from 250gb
Optical Drive Ext. Super Multi DL DVD+-R/RW/RAM
Processor Speed 2.1GHz
Processor Type Intel Core2 Duo T8100 Down from a T8300
RAM 3GB DDR2 Up from 2gb
Screen Size 13.3"
Graphics
Discrete Video Memory Yes
Expandable Video Memory No
Graphics Chipset NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
Integrated Video Memory No
Native Screen Resolution 1280 x 800
Upgradable Video System No
Video Memory 256MB
Audio
Audio Chipset 24Bit HD Audio
Audio Output Multichannel
Digital Input No
Digital Output No
Hardware Volume Control Yes
Integrated Amplifier Yes
Integrated Microphone Yes
Microphone Input Yes
Speaker Wattage 2W
Speakers Yes
Inputs/Outputs
Card Reader Yes
Card Reader - Compatible Memory Types SD, XD, MMC, MS, MS Pro
Composite Output No
ExpressCard/34 Input Yes
ExpressCard/54 Input No
HDCP Compliant Yes
HDMI Port Yes
IEEE 1394 Input/Output No
IR Receiver No
Number of Touchpad Buttons 2
PC Card Input ExpressCard/34
S-Video Output No
Type of Keyboard 86Keys
Type of Modem No Modem
Type of Pointing Device Touchpad w/ scroll Function
USB 2.0 3
VGA Output 1
Webcam Yes
Networking
Ethernet Port 10/100/1000MB
Integrated Bluetooth V2.0+EDR
Integrated WiFi 802.11a/g/n
Power
Battery - Capacity 5200mAh
Battery - Number of Cells 6
Battery Type Lithium Ion
Computing Features
Processor Cache 3MB
Removable Storage No
System Bus 800MHz
Software
English/French Software Bilingual
Loaded Software 1 On Screen Display, Lg Magnifier
Loaded Software 2 LG Smart Cam, LG Intelligent Update
Loaded Software 3 LG Smart Indicator, LG Smart Partition
Loaded Software 4 LG Smart Link
Pre-loaded Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Accessories
Headphones No
Remote No
Product Features
Notebook Depth 31.5cm
Notebook Thickness (closed) 2.6cm
Notebook Weight (including Battery) 1.65kg
Notebook Width 23.7cm
Warranty Labour 1 Year Limited
Warranty Parts 1 Year Limited

 

aww.. it's still the same 8600m GS? why didn't they opt for the 9xxx series?
Anyhow, the notebook is still the king of 13" notebooks!!

 

The real 9 series isn't out yet. The current 9 series are just rebadged 8 series.

 

Is the lid still pink?

Edit: What is the difference between the "Black Rose" and "Red Wine" models? Their prices are identical.

 

Black Rose has a black lid with red 'zebra markings', while the Red Wine has a black lid with pink 'zebra markings' I believe.

 

I have a few question regarding this laptop:

1. Does the GPU have DDR3 memory with DX10 support?
2. Is the difference between T8300 and T8100 noticable, basically how different would the laptop be from last config as in now that it has slower processor but more ram?
3. Does it have 1Gb Turbo and 2Gb DDR2 memory like previous config?
4. And in you opinion is it still the best 13" gaming laptop out there for the price that futureshop is giving it for?

I'd really appreciate your help.

 

No idea if they b0rked the 8600GS but the previous ones were DDR3 and IMO it's unlikely that's changed. LG still list the config with the T8300 but that may not mean much.

LG is notorious for keeping old outdated notebooks/configs on their website. The T1 was around for months after it was officially discontinued. It's likely they just did a cost-reduced version of the notebook using the T8100 for Canada. The German market still has the T8300. Their config originally came with 3GB RAM but only has a 250gb hdd. In the case of the R200 where Canada's best processor is the T7250, Germany has the T7700 available.

 

1. No, the GPU uses GDDR3 and has DX10 support.
2. No, the difference is not noticeable.
3. No, as specified above, it has 3GB DDR2 memory. I don't know about Turbo Memory but from my own experience I hope they don't have it. There are many threads discussing the issues surrounding Turbo Memory.
4. Yes, this and the Asus W7Sg have equivalent GPUs (9500M GS), making them the best gaming laptops. However, the Asus is difficult to find. Future Shop's price is reasonable for the configuration you get IMHO.

 

I would have preferred if they kept the T8300 and left the HDD and Ram alone. I would gladly upgrade those myself, oh well no biggie. The price drop is worthy and yes this is an awesome 13" notebook. Still hate the lid design though

 

Thanks for the help guys...I might take the plunge and get this laptop from futureshop soon now that I dont know if they are going to get the t8300 config laptops anymore.

My question earlier probably should have been: Is there a noticable difference in gaming (fps or graphics) with slower processor but more ram?

 

Not really, for gaming, it's 90% about the graphics card, and the rest is RAM/HD/Processor.

 

Can the CPU be upgraded? I'd like to put in a T9300 like the Swedish P300s have.

 

Sure, but there goes your warranty!

 

Yeah, the lid isn't so hot.

 

Eh, it's only a one year warranty anyway. Is there a service manual around anywhere for these?

 

Found this laptop some days ago. Great spec for a 13,3"!
Anybody know what hdmi v. it is? (1.3?)
Looks like there is no digital sound output? What do u need to get that working on this laptop? An express card, or?

 

Never seen a service manual for any LG but I haven't needed one. They're built well and built logically. So long as you're careful, they come apart quite easily. I've torn down every one I've had, except for the LCD/lid. On the A1 I replaced the HDD with a 32gb SSD. On the R200 I replaced the keyboard, swapped the HDD to a 7K200 and replaced the ODD with a Blu-Ray drive (which is fantastic even on that small a screen!) I swapped the HDD on the P300 for a 7K200, have replaced the keyboard and went inside for a poke-round. It's a very very well built machine.

 

This refreshed version from Futureshop, is it possible to upgrade teh cpu & gpu later on?

 

The CPU is likely upgradeable, but you have to justify whether it's worth it as a better CPU as this will cost you an extra few hundred dollars while also voiding the warranty. The GPU is unupgradeable.