Find Darur A Laptop, Win A Prize!

[Darur]

Not really, but that's ok!

So I've been searching for my laptop for the last month or so and I'm stuck, probably because I'm ridiculously picky. The price I'm not horribly picky about, but I would like to save as much as possible as I am hoping to invest in a new desktop as well.

Here is the minimum specs it needs for me:

- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz + (Preferably a 45nm 2.5GHz proc, but I have wiggle room)
- Nvidia 8600M GS + (Again, preferably an 8600M GT or better)
- 4 GB RAM
- Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit (If a "no operating system" option is available I might be interested in that)
- <17in screen (15.4in or 14in would be ideal)
- > 2 hours battery life (The bigger the battery, the better)
- 7200RPM drive (Size doesn't matter as much as speed for me, I have over half a terabyte left on my main rig and I'm planning to double that before long. That being said, I don't mind buying this hard drive aftermarket if the upgrade will cost more then $60)
- < $1,700

Anyone have any recommendations of brands or particular models? I've spent the last 3 years drooling over hardware for Desktops so I have no idea whats being offered where in terms of laptops. I've already picked through some of the Asus and Acer lines, HP and Dell's offerings, Alienware, Sager, some of Hypersonic and a few other brands.

Help me!

[Lady Matsu]

Did you call my brother yet?

[Darur]

I didn't even think about it!

I might call him, but at the same time I think I might know what I want, which is at complete odds with my last post?

Right now I'm torn between these set-ups:

Sager NP2092: $1,559 Total

15.4" WSXGA+ LCD with Super Glossy Surface (1680X1050)
45nm Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 / 6MB L2 Cache, 2.50GHz, 800MHz FSB
Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT Graphics with 512MB DDR2 Video Memory
MS Windows® VISTA ULTIMATE 32/64-Bit Edition
4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz - 2 X 2048MB
200GB 7200rpm SATA 300 Hard Drive
8X DVD±R/RW/4X +DL Super-Multi Drive & Software
Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
Internal Bluetooth Module
Smart Li-ION Battery Pack (9 Cells)
Sager 1 Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty with Three-Day Shipping Both Ways Paid
Additional Battery Pack: BAT-2092, NP2092 Smart Li-ION Battery Pack (9 Cell)



HP Dv2700t: 1,563.99

Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50GHz)
14.1" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Microphone + Webcam
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network w/Bluetooth
160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
Primary Battery One 6 Cell and One 12 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0


Dell XPS 1530: $1,886

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition SP1
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD(1440x900) & 2MP Camera
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Speed: 160GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Free Fall Sensor
Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Built-in Wireless USB capability
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate)
Special Offer, 30% off 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
High Definition Audio 2.0
Finger Print Reader XPS M1530


And I'm browsing on a few sites seeing if I find any other good options. Dell has confirmed they have a student discount and I'm fairly sure HP does as well. Not sure about Sager. Whats bothering me is the representative at Sager I spoke with told me battery life is about 1 - 1.5 hours on a 9 cell, which is unacceptable. The battery life on the HP is very good (supposedly around 7 hours between both batteries I have), but the graphics card is very very weak and I'll still have to pick up a new hard drive. The dell is offering the best of each world, although I still need to find its battery life because its should in theory be the same as the Sager's. If it turns out the Sager will run longer then the rep told me, by far that will be the best candidate for me I think.

[RahX]

Damn. They both sound pretty fantastic to me.