Debating on new Barebones

I realized I have all the spare components to build a laptop: CPU (dual core i5-3360m or i7-3610QM depending on which stays in my W110ER), RAM (2x4GB DDR3 1600), SSD (Intel X25-M 120GB), Wi-Fi (Atheros N), DVDRW

It comes down to either a Sager NP6165 or Compal QAL51 barebones. Price difference is about $60, Sager being more expensive. NP6165 = 650m with 1080p screen or QAL51 = 640m with 768p screen.

I really only want/need something with basic specs, but it would be nice for it to have a little extra GPU performance. My other option is the Clevo W24AEU which is ~ $200 cheaper than the NP6165 but it's 14" 768p with no dedicated GPU, and apparently the screen has some pretty horrible viewing angles. Although for what it will be used for may be adequate. Or the 15" version NP2252 / W250EUQ for not much more.

Maybe it's just the geek in me, but I feel like I'd rather have the 640m or 650m even though I don't really *need* it, and for the $200 over the cheapest alternative (Clevo 14" W24AEU) I get a 650m + 1080p screen with the Clevo W150ERQ / Sager NP6165.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

Can't speak for the Compal or W24AEU because I have 0 experience with them, but the 6165 is a decent laptop. Build quality and materials are nowhere near the 9150 though. May I ask why you're wanting another midrange laptop, since you already have the little guy with the 650m?

 

Well, I really only need a basic laptop in my exercise room to use while on the treadmill, because I'm not comfortable using my other more expensive laptops there. And also for when my nieces come over instead of them commandeering my laptops which doesn't make me comfortable either. They're careful but still kids. That's why I'm considering just the basic 14" or 15". But for not much more I can get one with a dedicated GPU.

 

You could get my setup (in signature) from Xoticpc.com for one dollar more than the Qal51-barebones, my setup comes out to $888 and its a great machine

 

While I like the design of the Compal, that is a very sexy laptop, I always go with resolution, that's always the initial deciding point for me. It has to be 1080p minimum or have available upgrade for it. So I guess, I'd have to go with that Sager. Though in that case, why do you want to get that over the W11?

 

QAL51 barebones is only $409 at rjtech.com (if you remove the DVD drive)

 

Waaaaa? Wow, never looked anywhere but Xoticpc.com, my mistake I guess, but for me, a 1080p screen was mandatory

 

60 dollars for a faster GPU and 1080p screen would sell it to me.

 

Well barebones means only chassis (case), motherboard, LCD, battery, and power supply. You have to add the CPU, GPU (in removable GPU machines), hard drive/ssd, RAM, wi-fi card, optical drive.

 

I see, in that case I would look at the MSi 16GA Barebones.

 

I don't know of any place that sells the MSI 16GA barebones. All the places I've looked have it with CPU, GPU, RAM, HDD, etc. I don't need those.

 

Did you try the whitebooks Site?