Building my own, what do u think?

[trigger_sad]

Hey guys, i'm gonna part with my dual proc desktop because I don't use it at all i realized and i am gonna get a laptop which i'll put alot more use into. I did a bit of research and this is what i'm probably going to go with. What do you think about the setup, and or what should I change? Note that this is NOT a gaming laptop by any means, thats what my xbox360 and LCD TV are for.

Asus Z62F Barebook w/DVD-RW - $629.99
Intel Core Duo T2500 2.0GHz - $417.00
2x1GB Gigaram DDR2 667 - $193.54
Hitachi Travestar 100GB 7200rpm - $180.00
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Wireless Card - $37.00

Total is about 1450 + shipping for all the parts, and I'm lookin to spend about $1500 so that sounds pretty good. I know i probably could downgrade a bit on the CPU but I don't want to have to upgrade the system too soon, thanks.

[<<Spider>>]

Laptops I usually buy it prebuilt because of warrenty. Laptops are more likely to go bad because of the smaller components. I usually buy the extended warrenty with it.

[Layd Dly]

Laptops I usually buy it prebuilt because of warrenty. Laptops are more likely to go bad because of the smaller components. I usually buy the extended warrenty with it.


Makes a very good point, we have 4 gateway laptops at our house and every single one has had and still does have issues and problems (warrentys ran out). Extended warrenty is key, laptops go bad and break more often than most think...

[trigger_sad]

I'm not too worried about that, all parts (processor, hard drive, wireless card) have 3 year warranties and the ram has a lifetime warranty. All other components are just $599 all together so thats no biggie considering the cost of most extended laptop warranties. If my logicboard or screen go I'll just get another (same) barebook and replace the parts and have some spare parts (or sell the excess parts), either way it's not something i'm concerned about.

P.S. I work for a repair facility and 80% of our computers are notebooks, i'm aware they break quite often. But extended warranties on such caliber laptop would cost anywhere from 300-500 for 3 years depending on where you're buying.

[Lionsault_100]

Makes a very good point, we have 4 gateway laptops at our house and every single one has had and still does have issues and problems (warrentys ran out). Extended warrenty is key, laptops go bad and break more often than most think...

but those are gateway, they use crappy (cheap parts) - think about the thinkpad though, everyone knows someone thats still got a thinkpad 600, which still runs problem free (except maybe needing a cmos battery change)

[<<Spider>>]

But extended warranties on such caliber laptop would cost anywhere from 300-500 for 3 years depending on where you're buying.
Hmm... I don't remember warrenty costing that much. I remember bestbuy warenty being around $60 for a 5 year and $45 for 3 year.

If warenty cost that much, then definately buid it yourself.

[Lionsault_100]

if he's building his own, doesn't each individual part have a warranty? i know intel has 3 year , and most of these memory companies offer lifetime

[massraptor]

I purchased a ASUS z81 Laptop from here (http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/notebook.asp) .
I spec'd a P4 socket 775 3.4ghz ht
256mb os DDR2
40 gig hdd
256mb 6800go
the Laptop with free burner,wireless,etc. etc.
for $1700

It is a Desktop replacement.

The ASUS z71 is rated better in other notebook/laptop forums.
I looked at getting a Hypersonic, Dell,and Alienware.

I got jerked around by Alienware for almost a month before i canceled and got a full refund.

I have also seen isolated cases of technical issues with Hypersonic as well.

Bang for Buck z71

$0.02
MassRaptor

[trigger_sad]

Thanks for the recommendation but i'm looking for 14". 15.4" is a bit too big for my liking so a 17" is way out of question. Also battery consumption is extremely important and the core duo should fit my needs. Do you guys think i should save $100 and get the core duo T2400 or no?

[custom90gt]

I think it sounds like an awsome system. Asus laptops are some of the best in the business so you should be ok there. If you dont need a dual core I would get the z63a series from asus and get a ebay 725 for 85 bucks and the overclock it to 2.13ghz and have a heck of a system for 300-400 bucks less.
Either way you go, itll be a sweet setup.

[Eclypsyr]

Hmm... I don't remember warrenty costing that much. I remember bestbuy warenty being around $60 for a 5 year and $45 for 3 year.

If warenty cost that much, then definately buid it yourself.


Laptop warranties are generally a few hundred minimum, no way any company is gonna be willing to eat the cost of a laptop for $60 over the course of 5 years.

[custom90gt]

Laptop warranties are generally a few hundred minimum, no way any company is gonna be willing to eat the cost of a laptop for $60 over the course of 5 years.

my barebones msi laptop warrenty was 80bucks for 3 years, not 5 years, but definatly not a few hundred bucks.

[trigger_sad]

Well for a barebook yes the warranty is cheap and i'll get one from asus too. But i'm talking prebuilt machines (HP/Hell/etc.).

[Seven7Thirty30]

The Aopen kits have a clean sharp look too.