Jason, there are 5 main laptop companies in the world. They are all in Asia. 
Three of them and Intel came up with the Intel warrenty program. If you get 
a laptop under this program, all major parts are interchangeable and 
replacable. Go to any authorized Intel dealer and ask them about this 
program. They can configure a laptop with all the goodies you want. This is 
the direction that laptops are going because of the problem of  getting 
replacement parts.  You will get the same or better laptop than any "Name 
Brand" because they all come from the same 3 manufacturers.
Good Luck to You!
Mike
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jason Hayes" <jason@jasonhayes.org>
To: "Main PLUG discussion list" <plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us>
Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:29 PM
Subject: OT: looking at laptops


> Has anyone out there been looking at laptops lately?
>
> I need to pick one up soon. My current system is nearing the end of its 
> life.
> So I have been looking around for systems that have these general specs.
>
> - 17"+ screen
> - separate video card/memory 128+
> - full keyboard with separate number pad
> - wireless (a/b/g/n)
> - DVD +/- RW / CD-RW (blue ray would be nice but isn't essential)
> - memory card reader (5- or 7-in-1)
> - IEEE 1394 port and at least 4 USB
> - the bigger the HD, the better
> - I'd be happy with either an Intel or AMD dual core 64 bit
> - 2+ G of memory
> - weight and battery life aren't real big deals, but it would be nice if 
> it
> could be under 8 lbs and can keep running on the battery for 2 hrs or 
> more.
>
> I use my laptop as my main system to do a lot of graphics and website 
> design,
> as well as database management. I also do the standard word processing,
> presentations, etc. I run VMWare to have Windows ready in the background. 
> So
> I generally have two OSs running, lots of windows open, database, 
> graphics,
> and web apps all running at the same time.
>
> Obviously I would want a system that runs Linux without any hitches.
>
> If anyone has seen anything like that around and can send a note or 
> comments
> on your experiences my way (like troubles with ATI vs. NVIDIA video cards,
> issues with wireless, etc.), it would be appreciated.
>
> So far, I have seen systems like
>
> Acer Aspire AS7720 at Best Buy
> http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8621707&type=product&id=1193234282708
>
> Something in the HP Pavilion dv9500t series
> http://www.shopping.hp.com/series/category/notebooks/dv9500t_series/3/computer_store?jumpid=in_r329_personalization/browse1/home_SDP
>
> Toshiba X205-SLi
> http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8553898&type=product&id=1190677997542&DCMP=KNC-TLC&ref=30&loc=KW-1153
>
> I'm open to others if you know of them or know where I can find sales or
> specials.
>
> Thanks!!
>
> -- 
> Jason Hayes
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