Which notebook?

[yester64]

Hi,
i am planing to buy a notebook but i am not sure what kind i need or want.
Currently i have a pc with 3.16Ghz E8500, 4GB Ram and lots of storage.
My problem is, i do not know how notebooks work and if just translate my specs to the notebook.
I want to do some graphics, video editing and perhaps some gaming. I used the online builder on the website and if max it out i will spend about $1800 Dollar.

One thing i know for sure, i would like to have a little larger screen. 13" is a little small.
Does anyone have some suggestions? I more or less a first time notebook buyer who likes to get rid of the big pc. :)

[Aemaeth]

just a few thoughts:

# Most laptops are cut down in processing power to avoid battery depletion problems, also heavy duty laptops suffer from short battery life

# Hauling around a bulky laptop, weight, powersupply, and possible damage to that large target of an LCD, (shock, edge crush, etc)

# I might be a little bit of a minimalist but I prefer a system that has a long battery life and can also handle fullscreen video and html - coding capabilities...(i do some programming)

Here is what I would suggest, take it for what its worth

A system i just built has the following:

- Intel Essentials D945GCLF2D
- 2GB ram
- 500GB sata drive
- dvd - Burner
- ARK Mini - ITX case
Total: ~ 230.00 with shipping
Parts available at www.geeks.com (im using it right now!)

and as for a laptop I use a ASUS eeepc 1000HE
- 10"LCD ( i know you were looking for more display but i use the VGA plug if i need it at a desk and use my 19" lcd with a keyboard and mouse...)

- 160GB hdd
- intel atom 1.6 ghz processor
- a keyboard you can actually type on...
total: $260.00 with shipping ( got it on sale from www.mwave.com)

In short Im not a big fan of the high power laptops since they have more issues associated with them then desktops do... Also im not a huge gamer (although I have demo'd world of warcraft and open-arena on this computer without any problems...)

for what its worth...

[guitar player]

I am not a hundred percent sure what to suggest to you but a good place to get some information is http://www.notebookreview.com/ If you don't already know about this website.

[registering]

Also, note that there is speculation System76 might be adding a higher-end notebook in the near future (they used to have something called a "Bonobo" which was recently removed), and might be refreshing their Serval line. So if you wait a little longer you may get some more high-end options.

[thomasaaron]

yester64, if the 13" is too small, you might want to consider the Pangolin. If you can live with the 1.5 to 1.75 hour battery life, it's an awesome combination of power and price. You can definitely spec it up to do whatever you want.

[Lee_Machine]

I can vouch, and say that the Pangolin is a solid laptop. I have had mine a little over a year now, and it still runs great. The screen is not too small, or too big. For under a grand it's well balanced between power, portability, and price.

For gaming it gets the job done for me. Newish games like Bioshock, Elder Scrolls 4, and Half-life 2 ep 2 run at almost max settings.

The current Pangolins have a more powerful GPU now, so said games should run at max by now.

As mentioned battery life is a con, so if you’re looking for something that will last many hours unplugged, then the pangolin is not it.

With laptops it's take, and give. If you want long battery life you have to sacrifice power, and vice versa. This applies with every aspect of laptops. your not going to see a laptop with high end specs, and long battery life unless you want to spend over $2k

[yester64]

@ thomasaaron (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=164273) & @ Lee_Machine (http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=143300)

well, it might sounds crazy but i want to replace with the notebook my pc. I just don't want a big machine sitting somewhere around.
So if a notebook does the job (daily task, video maybe a little gaming) then it will do.
I do like a little bigger screen, but its also a money thing.
The problem i have is what for a cpu should i choose or graphicscard. I got the impression that i can not translate what i have no on a notebook.
So if you can tell me what might be a good spec for a notebook, that would help me a lot.
As far as gaming, if it can handle Bioshock that would be already nice. Not that i play a lot on the computer really, but i like to have the option.
Batterylife is probably also a consideration. so i have to compromise.

Can you eventually run it in a less consuming mode to save batterylife if you on the road?

Thanks for the input :)

[Lee_Machine]

The hardware spec numbers for a Desktop, mean the same thing on a laptop.

On the Pangolin you can turn put it on battery save mode, and you will get around 2 hours max. Its got some powerful hardware, and not the most efficient battery. As in size to charge ratio.

There is a car charger for the Pangolin.

For long runs without a wall outlet you will need something like a netbook that has a very long battery life. But enough hardware to surf the web, check email, and watch videos.

Like I said its give and take unless you wanna spend a lot more for Cupertino products. Even then you wont be able to get the high end mobile GPUs System76 offers.

[thomasaaron]

If you were to get the P8700 CPU and about 4GB of RAM, it will take just about anything you can throw at it.

[HotShotDJ]

If you were to get the P8700 CPU and about 4GB of RAM, it will take just about anything you can throw at it.These are the specs for my Pangolin 5 and I can tell you that Tom isn't blowing sunshine up your ***. These specs are 1) cost effective and 2) pretty powerful for a laptop. I've thrown video editing/rendering and kernel compiling at it -- usually multi-tasking. I also run Windows XP in VirtualBox for some work-related stuff. The PanP5 handles it all (often at the same time) without so much as a hiccup. I use it dual-headed at home, and then throw it into a laptop bag (well, gingerly place it in a laptop bag so as not to scuff it -- it is still brand new!) and it is light enough for me to run around campus with.

Bottom Line: the PanP* is an almost perfect compromise between a full desktop-replacement system and a light, mobile notebook. Based on your stated needs, I don't think the PanP6 will disappoint you.

EDIT: Regarding battery life... there are a number of tweaks that you can use to improve battery run time -- but not by much. You can force the graphics card into low-power mode when running on battery. There are also some kernel tweaks that you can use (not for the faint-of-heart as it requires a custom compilation) -- but even with these tweaks, you don't get more than 5 or 10 more minutes out of it. Contrary to popular belief, setting your CPU to "power-saving" or "conservative" mode doesn't help... in fact, in many cases, it shortens battery life.

As Lee_Machine said, Battery Life vs Power is always a compromise.

[yester64]

Sounds promising.
But if i see it right the Serval has a more powerful gfx card which i like. That will defeat the battery really.
But i do like to replace my desktop and just have the notebook.
And i do video encoding via handbrake where the gfx card might be really a benefit. I am not decided now, but i consider it.
But as for the cpu, if i compare it to my current one, its small. But i really think that notebook and desktops are different.
If i go for several with the better gfx but same cpu its not to expensive really.

[jml]

I have to agree with Tom's last post. The Pangolin outfitted with the Core 2 Duo P8700, 4 gig of ram, 500gb 7200rpm HD would be a very powerful configuration. If the under two hour battery life is an issue, I would add a second battery. Total cost a bit over $1,200.00 US. If high end graphics and DD3 ram is a priority, then the Serval may be worth the added cost.

A 15 inch screen is also a good choice if this will be your only computer and you want to keep things simple (ie, no external monitor, key board or mouse.) Big enough to watch movies/streaming videos, but still compact enough to carry around.

When I want to travel light, and get better battery life, I carry my netbook, (a Starling.) It does a great job for what it was designed for, but I personally would not want it as my only computer. There are times I need a bit more power than the Staring can deliver.

Joe

[yester64]

so my guess is, that what i was looking in is more or less overkill.
I just want to make sure that it can handle video conversions and some gaming.

I'll thank everyone already for the insight.
thx

[jml]

Overkill may be too harsh a word. If your graphics needs are demanding enough, (video editing, working with large digital images, trans coding either large audio or video files,) or simply running several resource hungry applications simultaneously, then the Serval may not be overkill. But, if you are not planning to tax your system with the examples I listed, then the Pangolin configured as both Tom and I posted would be more than adequate for your needs. Compared to the cost of the Serval, you would save enough money to buy a Starling as well. ;-)

Joe

[yester64]

):P
sounds not to bad. I see your point.
But can you tell me from experience, which cpu is good to have? I've got the impression that the P8700 is good to have (which is the basic cpu). Or in other words, any other cpu is just the icing on the cake.
Like i explained, if i can play also some games on it its perfect. And i tend towards the serval for the better gfx chip.
But i like the point to have this notebook as the mainbase and use a netbook for travel.
Thats said, i think i am satisfied. I have to just make up my mind and do it.

Thanks again, i do appreciate it since this is my first notebook.
(thats why i am so hesitant i'll guess);)

[thomasaaron]

The P8700 is a great CPU. It's kind of a workhorse model. I've not had any complaints at all about it.

[yester64]

I thank you for the insight.
You know the thing is that i do not know these notebook cpu's. Thats my blindspot.
At least i don't have to invest to much in the cpu. :)

[JohnAStebbins]

And i do video encoding via handbrake where the gfx card might be really a benefit.
None of the video encoders used by handbrake currently employ the gpu to accelerate encoding. The x264 developers have looked closely into this and have so far not found a way to increase speed by using gpu acceleration while also maintaining the level of quality that x264 currently has. So for the near to middle term, you are much better off allocating your dollars toward a beefier cpu. Core i7's give x264 a nice boost.

[Lee_Machine]

This might help you out.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html


Also you're looking for a Desktop replacement, right? Well then if it was me I would get the Serval with the Core 2 Quad Q9000 CPU. If you look at it the Core2 Quad out performs the more expensive Core2 Duos.

Dont worry about battery life with a Desktop replacement. For that get a netbook, or subnotebook that has 8+ hours of battery life.

I have my Pangolin for mobile power, and a Dell Inspiron for the long battery life.


I plan on replacing my Pangolin in the next few months and I'm probably going to get the Serval with that CPU, but I'm waiting till the 35W Core i7 comes out.

Don't delay too much or you will get suck in the "I'm waiting for such and such to come out game" :p

[yester64]

None of the video encoders used by handbrake currently employ the gpu to accelerate encoding. The x264 developers have looked closely into this and have so far not found a way to increase speed by using gpu acceleration while also maintaining the level of quality that x264 currently has. So for the near to middle term, you are much better off allocating your dollars toward a beefier cpu. Core i7's give x264 a nice boost.

thats a bummer.
from your reply i assume you do the same, encoding.
What would your recommendation be as far as cpu and gpu goes (for a notebook)?
The i7 is fairly new to me, so i have no back information on that.
the only thing know a little from reading is, that if you play games, the m260 would benefit you compared to the m105. Sadly i hear that it does not benefit video encoding (which i hoped it would).
So in the end, i have to make up my mind if i want to play hardcore games which would benefit me or go slower but with a faster cpu, which benefit me otherwise (performance).
My choice was so far
1) Pagolin with P8700, 4GB ram, faster HD which is about $1100
2) Serval with P8700, 4GB ram, faster HD that totals for about $1400

To be honest, i might choose the second option since it has a gfx chip which will be good in the future. And i know i might run eventually a game once in a while.

[yester64]

This might help you out.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html


Also you're looking for a Desktop replacement, right? Well then if it was me I would get the Serval with the Core 2 Quad Q9000 CPU. If you look at it the Core2 Quad out performs the more expensive Core2 Duos.

Dont worry about battery life with a Desktop replacement. For that get a netbook, or subnotebook that has 8+ hours of battery life.

I have my Pangolin for mobile power, and a Dell Inspiron for the long battery life.


I plan on replacing my Pangolin in the next few months and I'm probably going to get the Serval with that CPU, but I'm waiting till the 35W Core i7 comes out.

Don't delay too much or you will get suck in the "I'm waiting for such and such to come out game" :p

Yes, that how i feel.
I plan to buy around christmas (best time) and i am not so concerned with the i7. If its available i might consider it. But you are right when you say to not delay.
Because there is always a reason to wait and you never buy. ;)

[JohnAStebbins]

I just bought a Toshiba Qosmio for $1400. It has a fast cpu and a very good gpu.

Core i7 cpu
4GB Ram
320GB HD
Nvidia GTS 250M gpu

There are quite a few similar notebooks available now.
I do a lot of shopping at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2034940032+1039349576&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&Subcategory=32&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=).

[jbelmonte]

Personally, I don't like Newegg's warranty/return policies especially for expensive hardware. Also, the Toshiba comes with Window 7 so there is no way to know if all the hardware works with Unbuntu. Are you going to guarantee that all the hardware works with Unbuntu? Are you going to provide support for it because when you buy from Newegg, you are on your own. System76 stands behind their hardware. They also provide an extremely high level of support both here and directly via email. Their computers come preinstalled with Unbuntu, and they have their System76 driver to make sure things work. I own a System76 Wild Dog and I will purchase my next computer from System76.

[JohnAStebbins]

Wow. Somebody really dislikes newegg. I wasn't pushing newegg. I was only pointing out how many core i7 laptops are available. That link is to a list of them.

As far as Ubuntu compatibility goes. The Toshiba works well with 9.10, but neither the wireless or bluetooth are recognized. Not an issue for me as I use it as a transportable desktop and always have a wire to plug into. Also, ubuntu 9.04 utterly fails.