What's up guys and gals? I've got a bit of money 'laying around' and figured now is as good a time as any to pick up a laptop. Main use will be running photoshop and other like programs so I don't necessarily need an uber gaming machine. I'd like to spend under $1500. Currently I'm liking the specs of the ASUS M50Vm-B1, the only thing I dislike about it is the 320GB HD (which can be remedied with an external drive) and its 5400rpm speed, as opposed to 7200, along side the weight (6.7lbs). I was also looking at the ASUS G50VT-X6 which is slightly lighter, quicker (7200rpm HDD), has higher res screen (1680 x 1050>1440 x 900) and is ugly--why orange+high gloss case...honestly? They both cost around $1200. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Matt
Go dell dell precision workstation M4400 can be bought with a 15.4in screen sporting a res of 1920x1200, if you keep everything else on the cheap it comes in at $1433. At which point after purchase i would upgrade the ram and HDD, for cheaper than Dell offer. http://www.dell.com/content/product...d=us~en~4~workstation_precision_m4400_anav1~~ oh and at the moment it comes with a free 19in screen! sell that and make some money back!
I have no idea about prices in the US, but I would look into Lenovo W700. It have a supposedly good screen, built in calibration equipment and a small wacom board. The drawback is physical size. It may be a bit big if you want to carry it around in a backpack. I have a suspicion that it will be a bit over your budget, though.
I probably should have specified but I'm looking for a 15", nothing larger nothing smaller. Smilodon, that Lenovo would be nice if I wanted to keep it home (17"+8.4lbs!) and if I had the additional $1200 to spend on one--not to mention that price only includes 2GB of RAM and a 160GB HDD. Great laptop, just not at all in the same ballpark. Burnout, while Dell has some nice laptops they are overpriced IMO. If I were to match either of the above Asus' spec for spec I'd be spending a considerable amount more. Upgrading the processor alone brings the Dell to $1237 and that's not including the $122 for the screen upgrade ontop of additional costs (RAM, HDD, OS etc etc). When all is said and done I'd be looking at a +2K laptop rather than $1200-1500 with the same specs.
personally i would cough up the extra and go for the dell, good build quality, and a decent high res screen! Cheesecake!