Which model did you get Kimberly? I'll look into it!

Deleted by user.

Essami –

I also just started poking around the laptop market. I told myself a while back I would never buy a laptop again because (even though I love the portability aspect) the performance (along with the longevity) just couldn’t compare to a good old desktop. With SSD drives now available (instead of those junk 5400 rpm typical in laptops) along with mobile GPU options, my next rig might be a laptop.

I haven’t gotten far in my research but the first thing I did was to try and find a non-big-box brand. I found some little boutique computer shop back in the late 90s called ARM Computers and was astonished at how much bang-for-my-buck (granted it was 12 lbs!) I was getting compared to the dell/gateway line up.

I don’t think they are around any more but the lesson was learned – sometimes little guys have access to the same components in addition to BETTER components and will actually opt to use better components as they can afford to (less overhead then the big guys) and probably value their reputation more.

Here is one a stumbled across
http://www.mtechlaptops.com/specifications/future.htm

It is probably the ugliest looking website I have seen but they do have some good information on the site about buying laptops. Perhaps they are so busy making good computers they haven’t had time to update their website? I haven’t had much time to investigate so please be SURE to do your own research into the company because their website quite frankly makes it look sketchy (but never judge a book by its cover right?)

I did find the time to learn about a computer OEM called CLEVO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clevo

In a nuttshell it appears they make the chassis (shells) and sell them to system builders and resellers. This is described in more detail on the wiki link above.

Basically, my game plan is to review each of those companies listed as system builders /resellers and go from there.(or find some others that may not be listed on the wiki page)

Here is one I have been salivating over.
http://www.malibal.com/notebooks/nine-x7200/

Looks like true desktop killers have arrived eh? Now if I only had 7K to max trip that thing out!

**Again, I am not recommending malibal or m-tech or anyone (as I haven’t done enough research) just proposing you take a look outside of the big-box brands and see what you find. Good luck!

With all the different CPUs available, I use this site to compare speeds, comes in VERY handy:

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/CPU Benchmark[/link]

Essami:

I got this one from Dell:

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=fncwx38b&model_id=xps-15-l521x&c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19

I paid around $2,000 in July. A comparable Precision Mobile Workstation was between $2,900 and $3,500 depending on the extra goodies.

The deciding factor for me was that I didn't want to pay the extra $$$ for the same basic capability.

I looked at Malibal systems too. Their price point was great but I was too afraid to go with an unknown. When I go overseas I need a computer that works day in and day out and I've always had that with Dell. I hope that trend continues with my new computer : )

Hi,

I don't seem to be able to choose SSD as my main drive for the XPS 15. Seems I can't configure it over 16GB either, did you mean you got more then 16GB ram on your XPS Kimberly?

The M-tech seems pretty good spec wise but taking into account I'd have to pay customs and taxes to import it to Finland that is a no go for me.

But, I got a great quote on the Dell I told you about with the SSD main drive boosted to 256GB so looks like I'm going with that.

Have to say Dell's 3 year on site repair warranty is a big deciding factor for me as well.

Sami