NP5790 Bluetooth, Wireless N, TV Tuner questions

Hello,

I'm about to order an np5790. I am either going to go with RJTech or Eurocom I think, but while eurocom charges way too much for upgrades, their standard config is a step up from the lowest options, so it's perfect for me.

I can get the np5790 w/ the uxga screen, 7950gtx (eurocom actually charges MORE for the 8700gt, which is crazy, but fine by me), 100gb 7200rpm hdd (which I'm going to sell and buy a 160gb 5400rpm, 2gb 667 mem, and a 2.0ghz t7300

for only $1875

They charge $103 for the wireless N card, which I can get for 43 and install myself, so that's awesome savings right there.

Question 1: I think this wireless card will be easy to install...is it just a strip ribbon to plug in and a single screw?

Question 2: Bluetooth seems useless to me at this point as I'll use the logitech G5 and I don't have any bluetooth devices really...and I can just use my wireless connection for my printer. But eurocom doesn't come w/ a Bluetooth chip (which I didn't even know was possible with this barebones). They charge $71 for the module, but if I wanted one in the future, is it possible for me to add one? Also, could they just be trying to trick people and the bluetooth device is built onto the mobo, so they are just disabling it?

Question 3: They charge $133 for the TV Tuner. RJTech has 2 TV Tuners, one with a remote that goes in PCI slot and works w/ Vista/MCE (which I don't plan to use, but maybe Vista in a LONG time). I don't know which one Eurocom uses, and also, does anyone know the model this is, if and where I could buy it, and how hard it is to install? What other options do I have for pretty portable TV Tuners?

These are my only issues with Eurocom, as besides this it would be by far the cheapest way to go. By buying the barebones from RJTech and ebaying/newegging the right parts, I could probably make this setup for 2075.

I can get the same thing but without bluetooth from eurocom for around $1850 (after switching the hdds and installing my wireless card). And this setup has no bluetooth.

The question comes down to what I can do about the TV Tuner and Bluetooth.

Thanks for any help.
Ezra

 

I hope you understand that RJtech will pricematch systems and components... as long as the as its being sold by a reputable vendor.

XoticPC will also pricematch entire systems as well.

I strongly recommend to contact them to try and see if you can get the best deals... because most of these sellers have different discounts (military, student, cash, etc...)

As for your questions:
1) its extremely easy to install the wi-fi card, its even in the manual.

2) if you want bluetooth, I would recommend to order the barebones with it... the module is not standard.

3) if you want a TV Tuner, you can get one that is a mini-PCI type.... with MCE compatiblity if you want to use it with Vista or XP MCE2005

Lastly, I will give you some advice if you want to build your own notebook to save money:
- order the barebones with the proprietary/rare hardware (chassis w/ choice of LCD panel, videocard, and maybe bluetooth)
- the rest is stardardized (CPU, RAM, HDD, Optical Drive, Wifi, TV Tuner)

I built my notebook back in March 2006, I saved about $300-500 compared to the same config of a reputable vendor. It has been solid ever since.

My thread here on that (its pretty old though)

 

Would xotic or rjtech match the eurocom price and then add the additional components at their price? The deal with this is that Just the barebones with the screen and the 7950 from rjtech is 1624.

That means I am getting the cpu, 2gb ram, 100gb 7200rpm hdd, for something like 161 dollars. There's just absolutely no possible way I can beat that by buying my own components. Eurocom also said they give a corporate discount for businesses.

I am a student so I can take advantage of anything that way, and my mom is a business, so either way, I'll be able to work that one out.

I guess for now I'll see what the corp. discount is from Eurocom, then get RJTech to pricematch and see if I can add components at RJs price. Do you think they would consider this?

For instance, RJTech's barebones comes standard w/ Bluetooth and abg wireless, but then it has an option that specifically says..."4965 wireless N + Bluetooth" for $45. If I could get them to match eurocom's price (which will come to something less than $1785) and then add both for $45, that would be incredible.

I'd get everything but the tuner for something like 1800 bux. That's a solid 400 less than most places would charge.

Do you think they might do this? Like is this guaranteed price matching? Even at Widow PC?

 

Here are my only remaining questions:

1: Does anyone know what the feedback is like on the sound from this laptop? I have a Compal GL30 and with my nice IEM's (ultimate ears super.fi 5 pros) there is horrible feedback and it is unusable. I might end up getting a creative audigy 2zs mobile pci xpress card or something similar.

If I end up having to do this, will I be out of luck for a TV Tuner unless I get the built in one for over $125?

I will speak with RJTech but the price matching might require that all components are installed exactly the same.

 

the sound on this notebook is actually good, go read the reviews for them, after doing the Realtek Sound Manager Software configs.. its much better.