Anyone think a 12.1" is coming from Sony?

D430 if that is the one with Santa Rosa.

 

I think it's the perfect resolution. My current ultraportable has a 12.1" screen with 1280x800 resolution.

 

The NX100 already has the option of ULV Core Duo CPUs, in both U2400 and U2500 flavors. Personally, I would rather have the Asus S6Fm because the LV Core 2 Duos are so much more powerful, and it has an integrated DVD drive, but if I needed the smallest possible computer I could get, look at the Asus U1F, with the Core Duo U2400. If the 11" form factor scares you too much, I would go with the HP nc2400, or if you absolutely need a touchpad, the Gateway NX100. Both have dual core procs (U2500) and real hard drives (2.5"), in a 3.2lb formfactor with a 12" wxga screen.

And yes, Sony definitely needs to get the ULV core duo/C2D chips into the TX and G, pronto. The LV CPUs in the SZ would be a nice option as well, but thats too much to hope for.

 

Its a real shame the LV and ULV chips are not upgradable/removable.

Anyways, I'm going to get an ultraportable early next month, wondering if something new and interesting will come out, I'm looking at the Averatec because of its budget price but if there's anything really interesting, I'll spend more.

 

What do you have again?

 

Okay, then maybe someone else will build it.

Hmmm, maybe Asus will build it and Dell will sell it. Who knows?

 

I have the Gateway NX100. I made a mistake when I said it was sonoma platform. My laptop actually has the current Napa platform. It has a Core Solo processor, which is more than sufficient for using Office 2007 and IE. I only use the laptop for school and when I get home, I use my desktop.

The nice thing about the NX100 is that it has a 9 cell battery option, but I only have the 6 cell. The 6 cell provides about 4 hours of battery life base on the applications that I use. Again, I only use Office, IE, and ocassionally MSN. I might buy a 9 cell before the start of next school year and I should probably get closer to 6 hours of battery life.

 

I agree, I think Sony is in a difficult position. I think the G series laptop is close to being "perfect". I would seriously consider buying it when and if Sony decides to implement a 12.1" widescreen instead of a square screen (4:3).

 

Bingo. If it were a 12.1" widescreen with 1280x800 resolution, it would be the perfect laptop.

 

Actually, widescreen isn't my issue. Now that they've got SSD in there, the only thing holding it back is the Core Duo ULV. No widescreen is fine if the guts are there. For someone like me who is on the road, a fairly powerful ultraportable with DVD drive at 2.1 pounds is insane

 

FYI

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/laptops/...ve-that-doesnt-come-from-cupertino-250960.php

 

I think your wish my come true once the G gets the Santa Rosa upgrade.

 

This is why I'm holding off just a tad longer. I've ,made a few ultrportable mistakes over the years and know what I want as well as the limitations of an ultraportable. I know which ones I can accept, and ones I can't.

I also am hoping the availability of the 64GB SSD drives is good by the time the true refreshes happen.

 

Yeah, thanks VGN, we had been discussing the G.

I wish it were available in a U.S. store... I'd really like to see it. But to be honest, I would have preferred a 12.1" widescreen with 1280x800 resolution. Except for the above mentioned concern, the TX still looks more attractive to me than the G.

 

What do you guys make of this?:

http://www.digitimes.com/systems/a20070417PR210.html

 

Doesn't look like anything special ... pretty standard stuff (Wifi, some sort of broadband network i.e. HSDPA/EDGE/UMTS). No weight given.

Better pics here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=114148

Supposedly the GPU is meh.

 

I just found out that the Dell D420 only weighs 3.17 lbs with the 6 cell battery. For some reason I thought it was heavier than that.

I'll tell ya, the D420 is tempting... v e r y tempting...

 

Let me know how that build quality works on the D420 ... I destroyed the one Dell I had when it was on the road constantly.

 

I assume that you're pretty aware that the D420 uses 1.8" hard drive.

 

I am. But I played with a TX (with XP) the other day, and guess what? The speed with XP wasn't bad at all. And that was with Core Solo... the D420 is available with Core Duo. To be honest, if the TX had a 12.1" screen with 1280x800 resolution, I'd buy it. No question.

I'm still in no rush, so I might wait to see what's on the Santa Rosa horizon... but I'm tempted to get the D420 none-the-less!

 

Finally ... a Santa Rosa ultraportable that uses a SATA drive, too!

http://www.necdirect.jp/psp/PA121/D...CUS_0704_LGJ&catalogid=N1K_Z_NPC_CUS_0704_LGJ

Too bad no one imports this ...

 

Looks like it's a Napa platform, considering it comes equipped with a U7500 CPU.

 

Sorry, it's Santa Rosa. U7500/7600 is the evolution of the current U2400/2500.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128833-page,2-c,cpuarchitecture/article.html

 

Oh, sorry. I had assumed they simply used the U7500 CPU on the Napa platform, since it's compatible and there's no mention of Santa Rosa's features in its description.

 

No worries. It's just a sign that Sony hopefully won't be far behind. I know Gateway will start selling the E-100M(NX100) with the new U chips in May.

It's inevitable that Sony will have 'em in their laptops, the question is when. Hopefully sooner rather than later since my SZ needs to go in for repairs (normal wear and tear stuff) and I don't want to be sans laptop.

 

Well, guys, I finally pulled the trigger on a laptop.

I went with a refurb Dell D420 that I found in the Outlet today for $1199.

I decided that the Core Duo processor is good enough for this laptop, and even the 4200 RPM hard drive will suffice (the D420 will be my spare/travel notebook used mostly for Internet browsing, email, etc). Here's what I'm getting:

Latitude D420 Notebook
Intel Core Duo Processor ULV U2500 (1.20GHz, 533Mhz)
Genuine Windows XP Pro
1.5 GB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz (2 DIMMs)
80 GB Hard Drive 8MM (4200 RPM)
3945 802.11a/g Wireless Mini Card
Bluetooth Wireless Card
24X CD RW/DVD Combo Drive
Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950
12.1 inch WXGA Notebook Screen
4 Cell Primary Battery
90W AC Adapter
90W Additional AC Adapter

I'll have to get a 6 cell battery instead of the 4 cell, but otherwise I should be pretty much set.

 

Congrats - definitely the right price.

Let us know how it works out.

 

Thanks! Yeah, that's what I thought too. I've been checking the Outlet every now and then, but hadn't seen a decent configuation at a decent price -- until today. I figured I'd jump on it.

I almost held out for the Santa Rosa models, but (A) I don't really wanna wait and (B) I don't really need more than this for my spare laptop.

 

If you went with the Gateway NX series then you could have had the option of using a 2.5" hard drive. The NX also come in all black. Though you probably would have spent a bit more on the Gateway.

 

Congrats on making the decision! I also now have to soon decide what to buy as well.

For those uses, Santa Rosa would not make a inch of difference, and I'll mostly be doing the same things too so why am I waiting for Santa Rosa?

 

I doubt Santa Rosa will enhance the basics. Office 2007 and IE7 works perfectly fine on my laptop, but Santa Rosa will give me horse power and allow me to watch high definition content which is something that is not possible on mine.

 

I'm not a big fan of Gateway, so this was not an option for me.

 

Thanks!

Good question!

 

Whew, I know how EXCRUCIATING it is for some of us to pick a laptop.
So I really can empathize that its awesome you got to choose one and I hope you will be happy with it.
Man, some of us take so long to pick a laptop because it means so much to us!
Anyways, glad to see there's no more torment for you and so enjoy it when it comes!

 

Anyone read this thread at another site?
http://www.micropctalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1803&highlight=64gb

Some interesting tidbits in there on p2 (but good stuff if you're into the UX line)

That config sounds like one that would sell in the USA ... even though the G is EU and Japan only now.

 

Thanks. I forgot to mention another reason why I went with the Dell: I really want the ability to have a built-in Cingular 3G Broadband card (not Sprint). The D420 has this, most of the others don't.

 

Congrats SoundsGood on the purchase. The D420 looks like it will suit your needs very well. The optical drive is on a separate modular thing that attaches to the bottom of the D420, right? I'll be real interested in your thoughts on the D420 once you have had a chance to play around with it. Specially the internal 3G modem!

 

Thanks! Yeah, I think it will be perfect for my particular needs.

Well, it's separate, but I'm not sure where it attaches. I'll let you know.

I'll absolutely share my thoughts.

I won't be getting the 3G card right away... but once I'm able to take a laptop wherever I go, I'm sure I'll be itchin' for a broadband card.

 

Congrats on your new laptop, SoundsGood. I hope you notice a very significant difference when carrying it around. May not be snazziest laptop, but it seem to suit your needs very well, except perhaps an integrated optical drive.

 

That's for sure... but I honestly don't care about that.

I realized that I don't need a built-in optical drive. I almost never use the one I have on my current laptop. In fact the only time I'll need a drive for the D420 is for initial installation of a few programs (one time only) and for very occasional movie watching. For that I'll use AnyDVD to copy the DVD to the hard drive. I've already downloaded and tested it, and it works like a charm!

 

I have Cingular's OptionMax GT card (flimsy antenna, good card) and I get 3G coverage in most places I've been. I'd love to have it more internal so it's one less thing to schlep. 3G for most normal tasks is pretty darn close to real broadband when you have a decent signal. Beats paying $5 - $15 a day in hotels (some still charge) or $10/day in some airports.

 

Congratulations Soundsgood.

You made a nice choice. I'm still waiting in the corner for a refresh of TX or G series. Dell D420 is a nice compromize between power and mobility and if it had integrated optical drive( i watch a lot of movies) i would consider it seriously.

 

Yep, it's the only way to go. Easier, safer, and even faster from what I understand.

I thought about waiting, but I didn't really want to. Plus it will probably cost close to $3,000 when they do eventually come out. Instead I paid $1199 and got exactly what I need -- now.

If you really mean that, you should still consider the D420. It's super simple to copy the DVDs and keep a bunch of movies on the hard drive. Then watching a movie is as easy as double-clicking a file. Very easy, very convenient... and you don't have to take the DVDs along with you.

And if you tend to watch the DVDs in one particular location, just get a MediaBase for the D420. The MediaBase has an integrated optical drive, plus it's pretty cheap on eBay. Then you can have the best of both worlds. Hmmm, come to think of it, I think I might get one myself!

 

Did you guys see this?:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=119218

 

Well, it's inevitable Sony's going to go Dual Core ... Panasonic just announced their update to the R/T/W line that has the new Core Duo chips.

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2007/0425/pana.htm

Since Fujitsu already joined the fray, I don't see Sony only continuing to support the Core Solo much longer as a mainstay.

 

I wish there was a way to upgrade these ULV processors, its a shame to spend over $2000 on a TX now and for instance it to be refreshed with core duo/core 2 duo ULV chips very soon or a whole new model comes out.

 

Well guys, the D420 is here. It arrived today. As promised, here are my thoughts:

Bottom line... I LOVE IT.

It's a refurb, so I expected it to look a little used. Guess what? It looks brand new. Not a scratch, not a mark, nothing. I would never have known it was a refurb if I didn't order it myself.

The keyboard is great. VERY easy to type on. Much better than the TX's keyboard, in my opinion. A very pleasant surprise.

The screen produced slightly fuzzy text at first, but then I remembered to tweak the ClearType settings using that XP PowerToy tool. Now the text looks great. And I now truly believe that a 12.1" screen with 1280x800 resolution is perfect for an ultra-portable.

The size of the laptop is fantastic. Very compact, very easy to carry, very small footprint. And the weight is awesome. This thing feels light as a feather. Truly amazing compared to my 15.4" brick.

I've only done web surfing so far, but the speed has been great. In fact I forgot that it's "only" a dual core with a 4200 RPM hard drive. It's quite peppy and responsive so far.

I can't install any software yet, since the CD/DVD drive was missing from the box. But Dell is overnighting me a new one, so I'll have it tomorrow. How's THAT for service!

As you can tell, I am very, very happy with the D420. More-so than I thought I'd be, to be honest.

I was planning on using the D420 as my spare/travel laptop, but I really like it. I'm now thinking about using it as my MAIN laptop.

Well... there ya go.

 

Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and LG(I think) are the ones that have yet to announce any dual core ULV notebooks. Either Samsung or Sony may pull the release trigger sometime this May.