Best Performing Laptop for Under or Near $2000.

I stumbled across this site as I was reviewing some laptops which I am considering for a purchase. The ASUS G73, Toshiba P500. I personally went to BB and looked first hand at the P500 and the screen on it seemed to be a bit flimsy and not very sturdy. They of course did not have a G73, but did have a G60 (which I could not find on the ASUS site) and the G72. Both of these ASUS models seem very sturdy, with the G60 being the strongest. I am also at the moment reviewing some of the Clevo comps. Know nothing of them, except that they build many computers for other companies, in which they then put their name on it. I'm not real tech savvy, so any help or suggestions on the following will be most helpful.

I am searching for a larger laptop (17"-up) that will perform fast, reliable and isn't flimsy junk. I'm not really a gamer, but they seem to be the ones with the things I am looking for. I prefer something I can configure myself instead of a preconfigured one that is loaded with all kinds of extra trial hardware to just clog up the system. Will need Windows 7 Pro or Ultimate so as I can run XP hardware for use at work. A blue ray player/burner would be nice, but I can live without the blue ray burner and settle for a just a BR player with a standard burner. I have yet to decide on which processor to go with, RAM will have to be between 4-6GB, 7200 RPM on the hard drive unless I find a solid state at a resonable price and can then add a second or third HD with 500GB @ 7200.
Once said and done this thing may just become a replacement for my junkie Dell desktop!

I can't stand Dell, and refuse to buy another one. Bought a new desktop (Dimension E510) from them back in '06 and it hasn't worked right since we hooked it up. I also have a very old Dell laptop that is nothing but trouble. Takes the ting 30 minutes sometimes from start up to opening the first IE window, very frustrating!

Thanks in advance for the help and suggestions

 

1) Customized or not, your computer is going to come with "bloatware", but even then bloatware causing major speed problems is highly exaggerated by computer enthusiast websites and magazines in order to get hits and sales. And on top of that "bloatware" is so easy to remove, a cave man can do it.

2)your slow starting dell might be more likely due to user maintenance; Do you defrag your hard drive atleast once a month, Do you use registry cleaners atleast once a week? Do you have a low foot print anti-malware to scan for viruses/spyware? Do you have use a start up manager to on which software startup on boot? All those things can help maintain the speed of your system. Or if your too lazy, you can do what many lazy people do and just reinstall windows.

And for the best performing notebook right now, it is the Asus G73 and can be had for around $1600-$1700. The Clevo W870CU can be had at $1900 w/OS, and although a bit faster, it will have less ram and less hdd space.

 

That computer is way slower than it should be. My Pentium II desktop can get a browser open a minute or two after booting. Get a copy of XP for it, if it has something older a new os will make it much faster.

Anyways, as far as something that doesn't have to be gamer oriented, but does have to be a solid 17", check out the Dell Precision M6500.

 

If you're into gaming -> AW M17X or Clevo X8100, don't even look at those single GPU configs. Both Clevo and Alienware have outstanding cooling and build quality. Better add 200-300$ for a second GPU and be set for a couple of years.

 

Go to RJTech they have 17" Clevos barebones that you can configure yourself.

 

Not gonna be much cheaper.

 

Still you can save some $$$ installing some hardware yourself.

 

Plus the DIY fun

 

That's what I'm talking about.
For some reason one of the first things I do when I get a new laptop is open it up.
This way you can get the exact hardware you want.

 

If you have not read it yet, you should read this > The Clevo Guide Take your time, it can be a bit of an information overload if you go too fast. I would suggest XoticPc or Power Notebooks as a good place to buy a new lappy since they sell them with no bloatware pre-installed or as suggested, RJ tech if you want to install stuff yourself.

 

Clevo W870CU barebones w/ 6300 wireless $1085
Intel i7 620M ES $265
4GB 1333 RAM $107
500GB 7200 RPM HDD$100

Total = $1557

 

As an update, I briefly looked at a Clevo X8100 this morning, and don't think I can swing it's cost. Just the laptop alone with only i7, Blue Ray RW disk drive, and windows 7 pro, it was right at 2K. Then that leaves me having to buy hard drives, RAM...... I'm sure I could figure out how to install the stuff, but to be honest I know just enough about computers to truely tear one up! In the mean time, I will keep looking. I did however last night find a couple of sites where I could buy the G73 and configure it to a point. If it feels anything like the G51, it ought to be pretty solid from what I can tell.

 

At Gentech or Xotic, you can get a Sager 8760 (17.3" 1920x1080 FHD LED, i7-820QM, 4 GB DDR3 1333, ATI HD5870, 500GB 7.2K HDD, Win 7 Pro, plus the usual accouterments, all assembled and ready to use, for $2,025. There are further options available if needed, but that's a lot of notebook for the price.

Sager NP8760 = Clevo W870CU.

 

OK, after reading the above post concerning the Clevo and Sager models, they are a bit more than the Asus G73 seems to be, but how well built are they? Once I receive one for the lower 2K price, how hard is it to gather the parts for upgrading to get it to where I would like it to be? By this I mean adding the Blue Ray burnner, second or even third hard drive.....
Also can one of you explain to me exactly what RAID is and is it something we would want?

Thanks again.

 

Forgot to include the 8x DVDRW Combo drive that comes standard with the NP8760. but can be upgraded to a 4x BR reader/8x Super Multi Combo ($115) or a 6x Blu-Ray Burner/Reader/8x Super Multi Combo ($295).

The quality is excellent and certainly at least equal to the G73. Access for upgrades is very good for a notebook. Memory and drives are very easy; the CPU and GPU are quite accessible but more complicated because of the cooling system. However, if there is something that you absolutely, positively have to have in your notebook, I would stretch to include it in the original configuration unless you are reasonably experienced in poking around in the innards of these things or want to learn. It is also generally cheaper.

You don't need and shouldn't want Raid in a consumer notebook (requires 2 disk drives to start). There has been repeated discussions of Raid, its uses and the available types and configurations in these forums and in technical journals accessible thru Google. If you decide later that you want it, get a second disk drive and go for it. Hardware-wise, it's an easy change.

 

OK on the RAID. I was under the impression that it was atleast two hard drives one needed. As far as poking around, I can do that! I have already had my old Inspiron 4100 apart, completely out of the plastic! If it is anything like installing the stuff into a desktop, then it'll be a breeze!

So, adding a second hard drive later down the road should not be an issue, as with adding software like MS Office Small Business Ed? Oh yeah one other question I have forgotten to ask, are these models able to be connected to 2 monitors at once, running different apps one each screen? I will most likely be going out tomorrow buying a new larger LCD monitor and thought of just shifting this smaller one to the side but keeping it in play.

 

Installing a second drive in the future will have no effect upon the OS, programs or data previously installed on your primary drive.

I'm pretty sure that you can attach 2 monitors to the 8760, but I've never done it, so I'll defer to those with experience with regard to the options and issues, if any.

 

Thanks for the help there Revelator. I noticed that you have a 8760 listed, how are the keys on it, anything like the G51 or G73; the rubbery feel?

I have just looked at all three models from Sager, the NP8120, NP9280, NP8760 and with the price being a factor it will have to be either the 8760 or my original beginning choice the ASUS G73. As long as I can still get the second hard drive for the 8760 within the next year, I can handle the 2500.00 range, but that is it!
With the G73, I have looked at both the A1 and A2 model and can not see the difference in them. I even did a print out on both and compared them side by side, still nothing!

 

BestBuy is coming out with a G73 for $1200.
Should be out first week of APRIL.
Just thought you would like to know

 

Heres a review from a forum member who has owned both the Asus G73 and the Clevo W870CU. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=465201

I think one includes a blu-ray player, the other doesn't.

 

Purlpo, thanks for the link and to the rest of you for the helpful advice. With everyone's help, y'all have help me decide on going with the 8760! Guess come monday I'll be making a few phone calls and placing an order. I'm almost certain that no one here in town will carry them!

 

what about a d900c sli with q9650?

 

Looks like Mission Control. Nice setup.

 

dang that is more than I will ever do! lol I did look on into the clevo D900F and it was just getting too pricey for me! I can stand to drop 2K for a new notebook that will most likely replace both my desktop and my old wore out laptop, both of which were not real good to begin with. I didn't even know I had a desktop till I returned to the states! My now ex-wife decided we need it and just bought the first piece of junk she came across!

 

What's that mini chording keyboard to the right of the D901C?

 

@ARGH
Respect!
A pity Clevo didn't go SLI/CF with D900F...

 

OK, I'm now searching around for prices and customer service. How is PRO STAR on their service? Reason I ask is I can almost move on up to the D900F with the same bare items as I have previously selected on different site for the 870/8760.

The SSD's, do they plug in the same as old drives did?

decisions, decisions, decisions!!!!!!!!!

 

If money is any kind of issue, buy SSDs later when the prices drop. But yes, if you want them now they would plug into the same SATA connection.

 

I think that's a Logitech G13.

 

Alright, I took the plunge and got my order in today on a new 8760. I hope it'll be what I want, and perform like I expect! Almost called back and changed my order to the NP9280, still not dead set just yet! Guess I got until the end of the month to change as the NP8760's are on back order.
Now, in search of a GOOD cooler.

Again thanks to those that replied back and helped school me on a few questions!

 

No cooler needed for that laptop, everything runs cool stock.

 

Good cooler. *LINK*

 

Welcome to the club, Sarge.

 

That is the best laptop cooler.
It does get a little loud on full blast but only when there's no other ambient noise.Best part about it it folds.
It lowered my temps about 5c even on full load.
I highly reccomend it.

 

The Cryo LX is nothing. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5901807&postcount=19

 

Do you have any pictures of the homemade cooler?

I'm wondering how big this is lol.

 

It was only an idea I had back then. A cheap binder rack from Office Depot, two Delta PFB's, and and a cheap Rosewill PSU will be smaller than the Cryo LX, but have more CFM output than a 4U server rack. It's also going to be around 60dB so have earmuffs ready. If anything else, just buy a small $10 box fan at Walgreens and it will out perform any notebook cooler on the market.

 

I was doing crazy stuff like that to keep my M1530 from crashing. It worked fairly well, but I'd have trouble fitting a box fan in my computer bag.

At home its a good idea though.

 

I'm sure it would look great in my office

 

Yep, and you can save money if you shop around...

 

Well, I went i to work this morning and ordered a Zalman NC2000 cooler. Then later as I check into the site here at home this evening, I see some post on the cooler issue talking about a Cryo LX! Go figure! I did do quite a bit of reading within the site on coolers and noticed a lot of good reports on the Zalman. Hopefully it'll be a winner. If so I may have to get a second one for my father's Dell Latitude business laptop.

I tried to talk him out of them things but he just wouldn't listen! I think he is beginning to realize this as he is not happy with its display getting bright and then dimming back out constantly. I don't know if it is related, but when it came in new, the computer guy he bought it from had to replace the display as the original one was showing a red line down the thing. Dell shipped him a new one to put on as a replacement. Pure junk IMO!