^there is it's called hackintosh

 

^ Yep, as mentioned earlier in the thread.... I shall try it, but I need to learn more about it...

But as I'm reading now about it, I can't dual boot? I can only install Leopard, and that's it.

 

Yeah, Hackintosh is out of the question, too many issues with WIFI and Audio compatibility

 

OK, this is the final countdown. This is thread has actually turned out to be very helpful in deciding between all of the (non-gaming) high end laptops as of October, 2008

It's SONY FW vs HP HDX16T

SONY FW
Intel® Core 2™ Duo Processor T9600 (2.8GHz/1066Mhz)
Vista 64 BIT
4GB DDR2 @ 800Mhz
250GB SATA 7200rpm
Blue-Ray Read/Write
ATI HD 3650 512MB
LCD 16.4" Xbrite-Full HD (while still having 15.4" body, 1920x1080p)
WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
Dolby Home Surround
1.3MP camera
PRICE: $2,149

VS

HP HDX16t
Intel® Core 2™ Duo Processor T9600 (2.8GHz/1066Mhz)
Vista 64 BIT
4GB DDR2 @ ??? Mhz <- no specs at all
250GB SATA 5400rpm <- slow
Blue-Ray Read Only <- downside for me
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT <- Better Video Card
16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
WLAN (802.11a/b/g/n) with integrated Bluetooth® technology
HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner <--- What I like the most, a media remote included
Sound Card <- they don't specify at all, a very secretive company...lol
1.3MP camera
PRICE: $2,000

These two are rated as the top two laptop (besides MPB)... Many comparisons are found online, the large deciding factor for most is the video card... HP is bulky and a heavy one, you can work out with it. The NVIDEO is using DDR2 RAM vs ATI DDR3, but the GT still rates 1,000 higher in the 3DMarks.

The $150 difference is meager... Plus with Sony remains the 12mo @ 0% APR, HP offers 90 days @ 0& APR. But if HP wins, I'll buy it straight out.

Be critical please!

 

i wouldn't worry about hard drive too much unless they give you more info..i bet both those drives are 1.5 Gb/s and there are plenty of 3.0 Gb/s drives out there that aren't expensive. I bought a drive outright and took out the one that came with my thinkpad because even though it was a 7200rpm drive, it was 1.5Gb/s not 3.0

 

Oh, and alienware laptops > *

 

So far as I've been reading on these two laptops since yesterday, Sony has a better screen.. ATI is better for photoshop, which is my thing, Nvidia is better for gaming, which in reality is not a big deal to me...
I never understood gaming laptops...if you can spend 4K on a laptop, you might as well built a retarded/insane desktop.
(P.S. I have a quad-core desktop @ home and xbox 360, and I doubt I'll ever play Crysis on a laptop while on a business trip)

I guess the main points of HP over Sony is the HP's Media Remote via IR port, Sony has only bluetooth, the new technology of bluetooth media remotes is mia.
I can always add an IR port to Sony via usb, and use my Logitech Harmony 1000 to control it. Or I can stick it out old school, and use a bluetooth mouse... I guess this is the laziness speaking out... it wants to connect the laptop to the TV, sit back, and click play, forward, back, volume, etc..without searching for the menus on the screen with a mouse Wow, I'm spoiled.

 

that would win without a doubt, too bad they are much pricier...

 

buy a mac

 

I get the point, lol

But I'm down to these choices... I feel with Mac I'm paying for the gorgeous aluminum case and OS X.... with IBM/PC I'm paying for specs and functionality...I have my own OS, XP PRO SP3 Corp., where I've removed all of bs services, so it runs super clean and fast...yes...yes...OS X will still wipe its ass with it...

 

IMHO, I would go with Sony, but Toshiba is just as good if not better depending on what you need.

 

You guys keep introducing different brands, I'll end up waiting for the larrabee GPU from intel (multi-core video cards) to hit the market...

Just for amusement I've checked Toshiba now... They are running ancients specs and still charging insane prices... $1700 for 15.4 laptop, that I can get from Dell Studio 15 for a grand.

 

go to bestbuy.com, they have a killer deal on one of their laptops

 

I know, been there Lower end processors with fancy colorful laptops...

If you are looking for a good performing laptop under $1000, you are right, you can't beat best buy... For high end, this is not the place.

 

you can get a 15" fully loaded macbookpro for $1650 with available rebates on Amazon.com or even a refurb for $1000 below it's price of days ago right from the apple site.

 

^ If MPB had an HDMI, I would of been done with thread

I really want to sit in my living room, plug in a laptop (instead of monster desktop), and enjoy browsing on my 52" XBR5 LCD. The idea of integrated HDMI 1.3 on a pc is the winner here.

 

That is every geeks wet dream!

 

^

Yep

 

You do know they make a DVI to HDMI adapter...

 

Yes, I do...but it's video only.
I would prefer receiving digital audio vs analog as I would be plugging this in via my receiver...so one cable for everything is easier.

I still haven't pulled the trigger... still deciding.

 

holy shmolly.. the cheapest Blue-Ray 25GB Blank disk I can find for is $11!!!

Why am I so concerned with Blue-Ray write? It's 100 bux more to get the write option, is it worth it?

I can only imagine if I burn like 3-5 coasters, I'll never burn again, lol..40 bux to waste right there.

 

^^^
Can you honestly see using it that much.
Hell, I hardly ever use the regular CD/DVD burner.

Just the occasional time a friend wants some music, or to transfer files

 

OK, so I've made my choice, it was a financial decision,
Only one thing I hate about my choice is having a glossy laptop...oh well, but I saved a grand, Sony came out over 3K with similar options

HP HDX16t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC

* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
* 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* HP Imprint Finish (Fluid) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
* FREE Upgrade to Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
* 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Free Shipping

FF047AV 1 ($2,273.99) with coupons $1,732.89

HP Officejet J6480 All-in-One Printer, Fax, Scanner, Copier This item ships free CB029A#ABA 1 ($199.99) with coupons only $99.99

2-year Accidental Damage Protection Extended Service Plan for Notebook PCs This item ships free UA046A 1 ($249.99) with coupon $212.49

Instant discounts you received: The rebates I found online were the deal makers
$408.60 Coupon SV3204
$200.00 Notebook instant rebate
$70.00 PC+Printer instant rebate
Total Discount: 678.60 w/free 2 day ship.

Order subtotal $2,045.37

Thank you guys for helping me out with this, I think I've made the right decision. Hopefully.

 

Perfect timing my man. The macbook pros are $$$$$$$ plus the new LED displays can't be beat

Why yes it is

For sound, all you need is one of these....


http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

They make one for the optical--->sound output jack if you need one too. That way you run a optical cable to your sound system for the sound and the HDMI---> DVI cable to your notebook....and you're DONE!!!!

monoprice.com is the way!!! That's what I'd do if I were looking @ a notebook right now. I've got some similar plans for my Mac Mini Monster I'm cooking up as we speak

 

^ Again, the result is analog audio, which completely defeats my goal of digital video/audio especially when playing a blue-ray on a TV via a receiver.

If apple had the hdmi 1.3, I would of never bothered with all the other choices, as my primary need for a laptop is minimal business and mostly leisure multimedia.