I had a Dell XPS 16 Core i7 + 8Gb Ram + SSD (aftermarket) and returned it back to Dell after 4 months of use due to incredible heating and constant crashing. The laptop has a design flaw that the vents get covered by the screen as you open it. It's an awesome machine with super powers but intensive usage with open screen will kill it. I know 3 ppl that were in the same situation :(
Now I'm using an HP Envy 15" with about the same specs and it never crashed (after I've installed a fresh W7 as the factory installation is full of crapware that make the laptop behave like a 5 years old netbook). Battery is a low (1h only). - light and sexy - Great 15.6" screen at 1920x1400 resolution not too reflective - No modem, no cd-drive - 3x USB, eSata, Lan, Audio, SD - Webcam, wireless, Gb network, BT - No other ports Corneliu. On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 11:14 PM, Stephen Liedig <[email protected]> wrote: > Have a Dell XPS system and love it. They are more expensive but worth the > money imho. > > What about a ThinkPad? Heard they are pretty good as well. > > Steve > > On 14 June 2010 07:05, Ian Thomas <[email protected]> wrote: > >> I have another off-topic question, wrto a laptop for GIS (mapping) focus >> rather than coding - the main requirement is a good graphics card. >> >> I have been looking at Toshiba Tecra M11 models and the Tecra M11 >> (PTME3A-00J00R) with i5 processor looks good to me. Price incl GST is $1925. >> >> I’m not familiar with Dell laptops. International warranty is important >> (incl India). >> >> Important features in this Toshiba Tecra model: >> >> · 3-year warranty (limited) >> >> · 64-bit machine, Windows 7 Professional, adequate RAM >> >> · excellent graphics card for GIS (512Mb NVIDIA QUADRO NVS 2100M >> with CUDA technology) >> >> · 320Gb HDD (7200rpm) >> >> · Gigabit Ethernet, adequate wireless (802.11agn), Bluetooth >> >> · dialup modem (still useful in some areas / situations) >> >> · size, weight, 14” screen size OK, webcam, DVD R/W >> >> · enough USB ports, eSATA port, card slot for expansion >> >> Con >> >> · Battery life is a bit low at 4 hours (but can buy an additional >> 6-cell battery). >> >> · Supplied with 4Gb (expandable to 8Gb) >> >> Other stuff like inbuilt card reader for SD/CF/MSP etc are not important. >> >> Any recommendations? >> >> ________________________________ >> >> Ian Thomas >> >> Victoria Park, Western Australia >> > >
