Wednesday, May 26, 2004
Laptop options
I checked out the various laptop options that will be available for purchase from IBM through HBS. The discount works out to around 30% off of published prices, which seems like a pretty good deal. I am debating between the top end model and the mid-range one. There are four big differences:
1.7 GHz processor vs. 1.6 GHz
Bluetooth vs. No bluetooth
ATI Mobility Fire GLT2 128 Mb graphics board vs. ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 32Mb board
$1800+ vs. $1500+
Add in another 512Mb of RAM and the onsite warranty and I am looking at around $2250 for the top end model or $1850 for the mid-range. Now, I am completely indifferent to the variation in processing speeds, and I don't foresee getting much use at all out of bluetooth, so it really comes down to the graphics processors. I am not a big gamer, and I don't anticipate spending a lot of time playing games over the next two years, so I imagine I can do fine without the fancy graphics board. With the cheaper laptop I could probably go with a good personal laser printer and a port replicator, but those frills may not be possible with the more expensive model.
Anyway, let me know what you think...
1.7 GHz processor vs. 1.6 GHz
Bluetooth vs. No bluetooth
ATI Mobility Fire GLT2 128 Mb graphics board vs. ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 32Mb board
$1800+ vs. $1500+
Add in another 512Mb of RAM and the onsite warranty and I am looking at around $2250 for the top end model or $1850 for the mid-range. Now, I am completely indifferent to the variation in processing speeds, and I don't foresee getting much use at all out of bluetooth, so it really comes down to the graphics processors. I am not a big gamer, and I don't anticipate spending a lot of time playing games over the next two years, so I imagine I can do fine without the fancy graphics board. With the cheaper laptop I could probably go with a good personal laser printer and a port replicator, but those frills may not be possible with the more expensive model.
Anyway, let me know what you think...
