Desktop Replacement Notebook / Pro-Star Reviews?

asampino

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Sep 26, 2009
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Forum,

I am looking to build or buy a new laptop, as my current laptop has met with a glass of holiday Bailey's and is no longer functional. Here is what I have come up with so far, followed by what I have looked at. Any suggestions or other assistance would be greatly appreciated.

1_What is your budget?
<$1000

2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15-17" Screen--I would like something fairly portable, but it doesn't need to be too light.

3_What screen resolution do you want?
Standard or better. I don't know too much about screen resolution. I set it to whatever looks best.

4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
This will be my primary computer.

5_How much battery life do you need?
Not much, I plan to have it plugged in most of the time.

6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
I would like to be able to play a game along the lines of World of Warcraft on high settings.

7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing,watching movies, Etc.)
I like to watch a lot of movies, but I stream them from my NAS or the internet, so not much via the DVD player. I also use Word and Excel files, and browse the internet.

8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?
Just enough to run the OS and little extra. I keep everything on my NAS.

9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post the links to them.
Any will do.

10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?
3-5 Years or so.

11_What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
DVD/RW, nothing fancy.

12_Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
I have always had Dell computers before this. Up until recently I don't think I knew much about computers and I am finally looking to branch out a bit. I'm even willing to look into building my own laptop.

13_What country do you live in?
USA

14_Please tell us any additional information if needed.
I looked around a bit, and decided that the Dell XPS and Sony VAIO were over-priced for what I could get.

I also looked at Xotic PC at this computer:
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np2098-custom-laptop-built-compal-khlb2-p-2581.html?wconfigure=yes&change_view=rbm
Basic settings with upgrade to the Intel® T9600 45nm "Montevina" Core™2 Duo CPU.

As well as at Pro-Star at this computer for about $50 less:
http://www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainpage=serial-price&serial=KHLB2&promoteid=90000315&screenid=13112300&cpuid=30108311&hdid=40083426&cdromid=20074658&ramid=80104801&batteryid=10031872
Basic settings with upgrade to Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 CPU, 4GB, PC3-8500/1066Mhz DDR3 - 2 DIMM RAM, 250/7200rpm GB SATA-300 (SATA II 3GB/s) Hard Drive, along with integrated wireless LAN.

I did hear that Xotic PC was a good, reliable company, but have not heard much about Pro-Star. Would anyone have any experience with Pro-Star, or would anyone recommend another site or type of notebook?

Thanks!
 
Solution
According to Reseller Rattings;

Pro_star got 6.15 out of 10.

While XcoticPC got 9.82 out 10

The numbers speak for themselves :sol: .



Edit:
Dell managed a 1.87 :cry:

Acer 0.5 :na:


Newegg 9.7:p

..............................................................................
Some suggestions;

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+Blue/Black/9556072.p?id=1218124204092&skuId=9556072...

ibnsina

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2009
165
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18,660
According to Reseller Rattings;

Pro_star got 6.15 out of 10.

While XcoticPC got 9.82 out 10

The numbers speak for themselves :sol: .



Edit:
Dell managed a 1.87 :cry:

Acer 0.5 :na:


Newegg 9.7:p

..............................................................................
Some suggestions;

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+Blue/Black/9556072.p?id=1218124204092&skuId=9556072

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2034940032+50001259+1044949570+1292318470+1044514145+1040249591&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=32&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2034940032+50001315+1044949570+1292318470+1044514144+103980230+1039323203&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=32&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SYCTOProcess?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&LBomId=8198552921665961655&categoryId=8198552921644564889
 
Solution

originunkn0wn

Distinguished
Dec 22, 2009
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18,560
I am also interested in purchasing from pro-star.

I looked at the ratings and read the reviews you linked too, but noticed that the newest review is from 1/26/05. In a few weeks, this will be 5 year old information. Also noted, only 12 reviews.

on the flipside, XcoticPC has reviews as of 5 days ago, and also has 165 posted reviews which makes for a much better sample size.

As for Dell, a well deserved 1.87 imho. I was on dell chat with a sales rep yesterday and she assured me she could not tell me what SSD Dell would put in an M17x, and that i wouldnt know untill I had the product in my hands, but it would either be Samsung or SanDisk and thats the best she could do. ...... ..... great sales philosphy. (/end sarcasm)

If anyone knows more about pro-star it would be very helpful.