Advice needed for new purchase..

tones_ie

Price range: Up to a max of 3,000..obviously if i can get what im after for half that all the better.

Intended use: Basically looking for a desktop replacement. Min 1Gig Ram..Above 60 Gig Hard drive...Decent Graphics Card...17" Display...DVD Re-writer ( duel layer )...(wireless not a big issue but would be nice)...Win XP Pro preferred.

Mobility: Not an issue..nor is weight.

If possible, also include the following:
Links: Do a bit of research before posting. Check out a few websites such as Dell, and post a link of a laptop you are considering.

I was leaning towrads a Sony Vaio...
A series VGN-A517M http://vaio.sony-europe.com/view/ShowProduct.action?product=VGN-A517S&site=ite_en_GB&category=VN+A+Series

or VGN-A517S ( Dunno if im into the Docking station thingy )
http://vaio.sony-europe.com/view/ShowProduct.action?product=VGN-A517M&site=ite_en_GB&category=VN+A+Series

I actually went out and searched most of dublin today looking for the VGN-A517M but no look...and have to say the so called sony stores really have a dismal selection to choose from...they (sony stores) and other outlets Currys/Dixons all had the VGN-FS series http://vaio.sony-europe.com/view/ShowProduct.action?product=VGN-FS315Z&site=ite_en_GB&category=VN+FS+Series for sale..even had a few NON display models too !!

Tv-out: Not Very important but be nice to have just in case...

As for buying overseas...id consider...some Sony models i know are only available in US...but id be a lil apprehensive with shipping and such.

Now...as you can see im leaning towards a SONY..dunno why really..good name..looks snazzy...But im open to any and all suggestions. Im just getting tired running around Dublin..lol

Running a MEDION M795 / Intel Pentium 4, 2600 MHz (26 x 100) / 512 MB (DDR SDRAM) / GeForce4 488 Go (64 MB) / XP Home
This is my first laptop and has really been out standing for me but its just time to upgrade.

Thanks in advance for any tips and pointers...:)

Karoma

The A5 series are pretty decent desktop replacements. But, please keep in mind that it will be stationery (The battery life is,uh,"poor") ..in which case, why not just stick to/upgrade your PC for a fraction of the cost?

The Sony Centres are a joke fullstop
You can purchase units from www.sony-europe.com (Note the usual difference between buying in £ and € )
Do NOT buy from the US. Apart from shipping/hassle,etc. whatever money you save now, you stand losing (+more) for repairs in future as the warranties supplied are Limited.

You could also have a look at Dabs.com
Ex: http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=3V3L&CategorySelectedId=11012&PageMode=1

For that money, you could go Ferarri:)

Charlie

I know it may be the obvious thing to say, but have you checked out dell. You could get the 9300 at a very high spec for around €2000, or if you really wanted to drop that €3000 you could get the top level version of the xps. If you're looking to save a few bob you could still get a very decent 9300 for under €1500 or the entry level xps for around €1900. Both the 9300 and xps both fill the criteria for the spec you're looking for, and they're customizable.

tones_ie

Thanks for the replies gents..

@ Karoma

The A5 series are pretty decent desktop replacements. But, please keep in mind that it will be stationery (The battery life is,uh,"poor") ..in which case, why not just stick to/upgrade your PC for a fraction of the cost?

Yes..as silly as this sounds..not really into getting a Desktop...just got so used to the laptop i have now and the comfort of sitting down with it where ever i want in the house, albeit with the power lead attached....
Ill check out that link u sent and see if i find anything..

@charlie mchugh
Actually havent looked at Dell...and only cos im prolly sterotyped into thinking there crap cos "one" guy i know had a lemon...You mention the "9300"...havent seen this one so ill deffo take a peek at it...

Have either of you guys had any dealings with Alienware? was looking at their goodies but the seem to be expensive for the specs comapred to others..although they look great!

Again thanks for the advice guys...

Karoma

Have either of you guys had any dealings with Alienware? was looking at their goodies but the seem to be expensive for the specs comapred to others..although they look great!

No dealings - as you said: too much money for too little spec. (Even if they do look cool)

tones_ie

Ok..i seem to have settled on the XPS M170

Couple questions...Ive kinda settled on one of 2 spec setups... Theres a diff of 400 between the 2 as they stand without upgrading.

Intel® Pentium® M 780 ( 2.26GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB) AND
Intel® Pentium® M 770 ( 2.13GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)
Diff in price for the higer end to UPGRADE is € 350.90..Is there really that much of a diff?

Hard DRive
100GB (5,400rpm) OR (7,200rpm xtra €145.20) IDE Hard Drive
Is there really any diff? If so. where will i see it..?

Graphics Card
NVIDIA® Geforce™ Go 6800 ULTRA with 256MB OR
256MB DDR 3, NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 GTX, PCI-Express x16 [add € 181.50]
Again...is that card worth the xtra?


Thanks again guys for any tips / pointers...

Obelisk29

Friend of mine bought an XPS M170 before Christmas and he's as happy as a pig in the proverbials - did a lot of research before deciding but there was a review on www.theregister.co.uk that swung it for him.

Don't know about the performance differentials between the different processor / hard drive options but would have thought the base options would be pretty decent.

If you're in to serious games then it might be worthwhile going for the 7800GTX.

Point to anybody buying a top-end Dell - spec it up on the web and then ring their sales line. Any of the sales reps would be extremely happy to get the order and no doubt you'll be able to negotiate an extra few bob off.