debating between two laptops to get...

[thermite]

well, i am stuck between the decision of the ibm t41 and the sony vaio v505.

The things that i am looking for is ~1,800-1,900 price tag.

>=40 gig hd
12.1 or 14.1 inch screen, no larger no smaller. Everything else is either a PDA or not a laptop in my book. heh.
512meg of ram.
radeon 9000+. I want to play wolf ET and q3 :P.

t41
http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=-840&storeId=1&langId=-1&dualCurrId=73&categoryId=2072541

sony vaio v505
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=o7ImZXTk9PQmfzR-57Qsbjvp6CgQCbTLX1U=?CategoryName=cpu_VAIONotebook sComputers_V505BSeries&ProductSKU=PCGV505EX&Dept=cpu

i would probably install gentoo on them. I already checked and everything on them works in linux. :D

what do you guys think about em? which one would you pick? (i love the sony for its size and price, and i love the ibm for ibm laptops being solid, stable, and indestructable)

[XiaoKJ]

Get them to break windows and you can get a discount:D

Whats the use of windows on a laptop with GENTOO??

If you don't need wireless also get one without. Security too.

You haven't told us the speed of the processor you want...

[gehidore]

youlll shoot me for this, but look at this one.


all (http://www.newegg.com/notebook/?DEPA)

good (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=34-114-068&depa=3)

best (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=34-114-054&depa=3)

[bradfordgd]

Being that a laptop travels around and can take a lot of abuse, I'd go for solid, stable and indestructable...

[Icarus]

I'm really fond of the Dell Inspiron 600m (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_notebook4?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs) as it is small, light and inexpensive at $1300.

I'd recommend looking for a laptop that has the Intel Centrino chipsets as these are becoming VERY well supported. SpeedStep in the new 2.6.6 kernels are excellent (I get over 2 hours with mild use) and the IPW2100 drivers are aging very well (they should have monitor mode available by the end of next week! w00t!)

I'm able to play ET and Q3 with no problems using the latest ATi Radeon drivers. I'm going to try America's Army soon (just emerged it last night) but that might hurt some...

[thermite]

mahdi, do you own the dell 600?

I am thinking about the IBM since i am everywhere during the summer and a laptop would need to be able to take alot of abuse.

Is the radeo 9200 supported under xfree? I know the 9000 is.

[Icarus]

Yes, It's mine (only 15 more payments left! :D)
I have a page on it listed at www.linux-on-laptops.com (or the direct link is http://paradoxinc.net/inspiron.htm which is the new one as I just converted it all to CSS but left the old pages so nothing gets broken...until I make a redirect for it at least)

The 9200 will use the same drivers as the 9000, not much difference on the software level.

Want a laptop that is made for abuse? Get yourself a GoBook MAX (http://www.itronix.com/products/notebooks/gobookmax.asp), these "exceeds military specs for drop, water resistance, dust and vibration" :D

[thermite]

dear god! that laptop is insane!

hah.

I think i am going to go with the IBM, i am also a big fan of it supporting upto a 1400x1050 resolution. :D

Oh btw, just wondering, which is faster 9000 or 9200? i think it is the 9000 because that is the case in the desktop area if i recall correctly.

[Icarus]

Originally posted by thermite
dear god! that laptop is insane!

hah.

I think i am going to go with the IBM, i am also a big fan of it supporting upto a 1400x1050 resolution. :D

Oh btw, just wondering, which is faster 9000 or 9200? i think it is the 9000 because that is the case in the desktop area if i recall correctly. Heh, did you see the updated model?
http://www.itronix.com/products/notebooks/gobookii.asp

Priceing isn't too bad either...for people that buy $2,500 hammers :D

GoBook (http://www.mobileplanet.com/product.asp?dept_id=5473&pf_id=MP060400) $4,495.95 and up
And the GoBook II is currently not for sale (at least that I can find)

Isn't the 9200 faster? I'm too tired to look, but i think the CPU and memory maybe a tad bit faster

[hard candy]

I read Sager has a laptop with dual 7200 HD's set up in RAID. Here it is (http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=18065)

Here is the price (http://pctorque.com/8790.php)
Not really too bad for the features, but it would be a chore to lug this thing around all day. But a 17"" screen-oh the graphics, and a built in camera- you sure you couldn't tack on another few hundred dollars? :D

[techwise]

but I am biased. I ave the t40 w/ hi res screen.

i sue slackware on it and it is my daily user. I boot it 2-4 times per day and let it run 27/7 on the weekends.

I love this machine.

Mike

[andycrofts]

IMHO, pretty indestructible. Unless dropped onto concrete from a train doorway :mad:

Still my (now-deceased) T20 performed flawlessly with Suse 9.0 pro, sound, video fine, suspend works a treat.
One consideration: Changing the CD/floppy for an extra battery is a SEVERE plus-point!!! about 4 hours continuous use.

Just my experience!

-Andy

[thermite]

two hard drives on a laptop? ick....are you nuts? heh.

Not my idea of a laptop. I actually do not like 17inch screen really. 14.1 is as large as i am willing to go on a laptop.

techwise: you have a t40 eh? lol. Pretty much near identical to the t41's. Can you post a picture and maybe the pro/cons of it?

[techwise]

Yep, T40 1GBram 80GB HD High res screen 1.6GhzPM and CDRW/DVD

I dont heve a pic but I believe the only real difference between this and the 41 is that the 41 has that HD technology that locks the HD head before an impact. You get hals the HD space for the same money for that feature.

I just plan on not dropping it.

I didnt get the built in wireless card cause I allready had a pcmcia at home. no bluetooth either (but its an option).

The only thing this machiine lacks is firewire.

I love this thing, and with the High Res screen I can VNC into most any other box and have the remote fully inside my viewable area.

Its a fast machine too.

I can reccomend it 100%.

I hava buddy with a Dell x300 (ithink thats it) a real small lightweight notebok and its real nice too but the screen is only 1024x768. The screen is what sold me on the IBM.

Mike

[thermite]

just to let you guys know. I did go with the t41. Great laptop! I installed gentoo on it and it is working great. I even got the intel pro wireless working with the ipw2100 driver @ ipw2100.sf.net

i recomend this laptop to anyone looking for a leightweight, functional linux laptop.