Solved! Looking for a new laptop with a specific set of features

[youngmrzee]

Hello everyone,

My motherboard just died on my Dell Inspiron 1520. I loved that computer but it's time to get a new one. I have a few must-haves in a laptop and after scouring newegg, tigerdirect, amazon, and powernotebooks I have found none that match completely:
■ Must be Full HD (1920x1080)
■ Must have a core i7 better than the 720
■ Must have a backlit keyboard
■ Must have a 2.0 MP webcam
■ Must be bigger than 15" and smaller than 17"
■ And I'd prefer a GPU with at least 1GB dedicated

I also really want an Asus. can you guys think of any brands and models?

Thanks for the help!

 

[youngmrzee]

I'd also really prefer at least 1 USB 3.0

Thanks!

 

[WR2]

What kind of budget are you working with? 15.6" LCD ok?

 

[youngmrzee]

We're talking like $1500 and a 15.6" is a great size and I don't think I care much between LED and LCD screens as long as it's 1900x1080 Full HD. Any suggestions?

 

[WR2]

I don't think I care much between LED and LCD screens as long as it's 1900x1080 Full HD.

LED is the newer type of back lighting in an LCD panel which is replacing the old CCFL back lighting. Uses less energy, saves weight, allows thinner screens and gives a brigher display. And it's more durable.


@ $1430 ASUS G73JW-XN1Core i7 740QM(1.73GHz) 17.3" LED LCE & GeForce GTX 460M 8GB RAM 500GB HDD 7200rpm
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220834

@ 1450 ASUS G53JW-A1 Core i7 740QM15.6" 1920x1080 & GeForce GTX 460M 6GB RAM 750GB HDD 7200rpm
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220861

@ $1499 (after rebate) MSI GX660R-060US Core i7 740QM 15.6" 1920x1080 & Mobility Radeon HD 5870 6GB Memory 640GB HDD 7200rpm BluRay Combo drive
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152211


Just out of your budget range:
HP ENVY 17 3D but maybe worth looking at (and there is the standard HP Envy 17 which is worth a look too):
http/www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/series_can.do?storeName=computer_store&landing=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=ENVY

With your budget you might want to wait a few weeks and grab one of the new generation SandyBridge equipped laptops.
A more powerful/faster CPU and a next generation GPU as well. AMD has it's new 6000series mobility chips and Nvidia is pushing it's new 500 series with the new SandyBridge laptops.
AMD launches Radeon HD 6000M Series Laptop GPUs
Nvidia launch GeForce GT 500M series and GTX 485M GPU
Intel Core i7-2720QM Sandy Bridge
Intel’s Sandy Bridge: Upheaval in the Mobile Landscape

 

[youngmrzee]

Wow, thanks for the suggestions! The ASUS G53JW-A1 looks great! It as everything I want and on xoticpc you can customize it however you want. On xoticpc there's the ASUS G53JW-A1 and the ASUS G53JW-A3. What's the difference? Asus's site kind of really sucks when it comes to finding out info about certain product lines. Also, does anyone have one of these? They look pretty sweet and CNET says it's basically the perfect laptop.

Now for the dilemma: do I wait for Sandy Bridge? When will they be out? Will they be more affordable? I obviously should wait for it but I can't survive without a lappy any longer! It doesn't look like the Intel Core i7 2720QM is coming down the pipeline in a very timely manner, though..

 

[WR2]

I obviously should wait for it but I can't survive without a lappy any longer!

You basically answered your own question.

You might want to look over the ASUS G53JW-A3 configurations over @ ExoticPC. Gives you more control over the options.

Link for the ASUS G53JW-A1

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Asus and Clevo are gonna be ya bast shots. Spec out a custom build here:

http/www.pro-star.com/index.cfm?mainpage=product&filter=7

xoticpc.com is another source for proce comparisons....can find other dealers here:

http/forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo/91510-clevo-guide-v2-0-faq-reseller-info.html

 

[youngmrzee]

Man, I see that the G73 will be Sandy Bridge equipped soon but what about the G53? Anyone know of when a 15" Asus will get a Sandy Bridge processor?

Thanks for the replies, guys!