Best Way to Config IFL90 Within Budget

So I've settled on the Compal IFL90/SagerNP2090, but I'm unsure which is the best way to configure it at XoticPc for Under $1400 (give or take 15 dollars). I basically want the best performing system for the money.

So far I configured this for $1316.29

Screen:WSXGA+ Matte Highest Res Available
Processor: T7300 (2.0ghz)
RAM: 1 gig (1 SODIMM)...going to buy a 2gb stick once it ships so will have 3gb
1G Intel Robson Turbo Memory
Hard Drive: 100gb 7200rpm
Operating System: None

Everything else is standard

So basically, what's the best thing to add at this point and still remain under $1400? Is the T7500 much more powerful than the T7300? Or would it be better to get the 160GB 7200rpm Hard drive? Or would it be better to drop the Turbo memory for something else?

Heres the link if it helps: http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php/products_id/1876/change_view/ddm?wconfigure=yes

 

Drop the Turbo Memory and get the bigger hard drive. With 3 gigs of RAM, you will not notice any difference in performance with the Turbo Memory. Everything else is fine.

 

Well between hard drive space or the processor, I would choose processor just because hard drives are easily upgraded in the future. However in the case of the T7300 -> T7500, 200 MHz isn't worth the extra $135 that it costs, and there'll be no real difference that you'll be able to notice the extra power in games. I'd add more RAM if I were you, if you can, since RAM in XoticPC is about the same price you'd get it at Newegg, so it's best to just buy there, as 1GB of RAM isn't really good anymore, especially in Vista.

To save money, you can switch the hard drive to 5400 RPM rather than 7200, from what I hear, there's not much performance difference other than in game load times or if you were to transfer or copy files. Plus, you might be able to get more hard drive space in the same price that way.

For now, Turbo Memory isn't really a big issue, the jury's still out on how it really performs in gaming and real life situations, and from what I hear, all it does is speed up boot time, which in my opinion, isn't worth the $40. If you're on a tight budget and want to squeeze every cent for maximum performance, I'd drop Robson and upgrade something else more substantial, like RAM or the hard drive with that $40.

Keep in mind, are you buying an IFL-90 or the Sager NP2090? If warranty isn't a big issue for you, choose the Sager to have the option of having the cheaper 1 year parts and labor warranty rather than the IFL-90's standard 3 year parts and labor warranty, which adds to the cost.

 

the turbo memory has developed some mixed opinions. if you want it then keep it. Ive heard of it creating the bsod but who knows? I personally wouldnt get it if youre going to be running 3 gb.

The t7300 is fine. the .2ghz difference is minimal

if you want more space then get the 160gb but again this is personal preference.

 

I can get the extra RAM for free, that was why I was only ordering 1GB.

How does the WXGA screen compare to a WSXGA+? Is the reflection from the glossy screen and the lower resolution annoying?

 

wana tell everyone how u can get free ram haha

best way to find out about screens is to see for yourself at like a retail store.

 

Glossy or matte is a matter of taste i guess. I myself cant stand the odd reflections. I would personally drop the robson memory, ugprade to the matte screen, 2ghz processor, and 160Gb 5400RPM.
this comes out to ~$1,300 non-discounted +$30shipping and extra money to spend on accessories, extra ram, or whatever else you want to spend it on
an upgrade from the 160 gb/5400 to 160gb/7200 is $90 and just not worth it IMO. less unnecessary stuff means less heat and power consumption

 

Here's the best route to take.

Buy the chassis from Micro express for 599

Buy the processor off Ebay for <$200

Shop around for the rest of the parts. Total should come to barely of $1000

 

Don't follow this method unless you ABSOLUTELY know how to install everything.
Tim

 

Unless you've never used a screw driver or opened up a computer before, installation is a piece of cake.

By NO MEANS is absolute knowledge required to install the parts into a barebone laptop. It's designed for ease of installation.

 

Also, why do I keep seeing people recommend xoticpc?

The base price for just the barebone laptop is over $170 more expensive than the exact same unit at micro express.

 

Have you seen the IFL-90 d isassembly guide? Seems like a lot's needed just to access the CPU. I still say getting a whitebook and sacrificing warranty and such to save a couple of bucks at the risk of losing everything if you screw up isn't worth it.

 

I just glanced over your link, and it doesn't look any more difficult than the HGL30. I just put one (HGL30) together a few month back absolutely no experience and it was an absolute breeze.

The guide makes it look a lot harder than it actually is. All in all, It'll take you less than an hour with no prior experience.

 

Meh, I've made a lot of desktop computers with no problem, but I'd still be scared of disassembling a compact laptop.

I suppose it all depends on how much you're willing to go to save money and how comfortable you are assmebling/disassembling.

 

By the way, here's how I'd configure it.

Main body + DL DVD Burner + Wireless lan: Micro Express - $704

120 GB 5400 RPM WD Scorpio SATA 2.5'' HD: Zip Zoom Fly - $68.90 free shipping

T7300 Core 2 Duo processor: Ebay - $190 BUY IT NOW PRICE + $10 shipping = $200 MAX

RAM 1 gig Crucial pc5300: Frys - $25 after rebate

total: $997

 

Overall your configuration looks pretty good. I'd keep the processor as you selected, as it seems to be the the best price/performance/battery life configuration for the system. I'd also keep the Turbo memory. The CPU and Hard drive you can upgrade to something a bit more powerful at a later time. (Prices will drop for both a ways down the line, and you may find you don't need anything faster or larger depending what you use the system to do).

 

If you want to do a fair comparison, you need to compare machines spec'ed in the same way. The price you quote here is for a machine with lower specs than what the OP has asked about. One major difference is that the price you quote is for a WXGA not WSXGA+ like the OP wanted. The HD is also different. Mind you, that's just what I found after a cursory inspection. You also did not include shipping charges from MicroExpress. A store which, by the way, has atrocious feedback on resellerratings:

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Micro_Express

Another thing, you really want to buy a CPU from some guy on Ebay with 19 feedbacks??? Do you know what "Engineer Sample" means?

 

Fair enough. I just tried to save OP from some of the atrocious pricing from these resellers.

 

Atrocious reseller prices?

These fall under price of most major brands.

I would hardly call it atrocious.

What I would call atrocious is the effort to try and convince somebody to use non-guaranteed methods to save money.

Personally the idea of saving 300$ by going with different, not as good parts, and buying from areas with bad reviews and even a random fella off ebay just doesn't make sense.

If the same parts were to be added like lemur said, it would close the price gap even more.

And I severely doubt that without any experience it is a piece of cake to assemble a IFL90.

 

Well I for one had absolutely no experience prior to assembling my HGL30, so I'm speaking from personal experience.

Remember, I have absolutely nothing to gain if the op goes either way. While some of the others here may feel the need to justify their purchase...

Also, here's a price breakdown of the parts found on xoticPC, versus parts found in RETAIL stores that I found:

(keep in mind OEMs should sell CHEAPER than retail)

RAM- 1 gig PC5300 from xoticPC - $99
price I found from zipzoomfly yesterday - $25 after $25 rebate

HDD- Op asked for a 160gb 7200 RPM?
Here's the price on xotic- $189
Lowest on pricegrabber is around $160, since this is relatively new tech.

Proc- These pop up all the time for super cheap on ebay all the time.

My point is, being OEM sellers they are definitely charging more than their fair share for components.

Just my $.02