Potentially New Computer

[DudeMiester]

I'm trying to decide what to do here. On the one hand I could upgrade my desktop, in which case I've got this list:

Monarch Computer Systems:
Athlon 64 3700 San Deigo -- $334 US
2x512MB OCZ VC PC4000 -- $264 US
DFI LanParty SLI-DR -- $186 US
OCZ PowerStream 520W -- $129 US
Zip Zoom Fly:
2xHitachi SATAII 160GB -- $178 US
ASUS Geforce 6800GT -- $449 US
Bigfoot Computers:
Thermalright XP-120 -- $69 CDN
Aluminum 120mm 85cfm fan -- $19 CDN
Total+Tax: -- $2001 CDN

On the other hand I really would like a laptop, and really really really want some kind of touchscreen for taking notes in class. So I could go with this tablet PC:

Toshiba Portege -- $2925 CDN
Total+Tax -- $3364 CDN

However this only comes with an FX 5200 for a videocard, which is wholly unacceptable. Of course, through some searching I've conjured up the most incredibly laptop I've ever seen, and when combined with a Wacom tablet could solve my needs:

Wacom Cintiq 17SX -- $1799 US
Chembook 2371V (Maxed out) -- $1700 US
Total+Tax -- $4286 CDN

This Chembook is insane!
http://www.discountlaptops.com/index.php...tegory_theme=c1 (http://www.discountlaptops.com/index.php?section=specs&model_id=1141&category_id=1&category_theme=c1)
Pentium M 2Ghz, Geforce 6600 128MB, 1GB DDRII, WSXVGA (1680x1050), Gigabit Ethernet, 60GB HD, 6.5 hour battery life and 10hrs with the second battery!! And then the price, simply OMFG!

So there are my choices. I would like to both upgrade my PC and get a laptop, but I don't think I can afford it. Although, I could bother my parents, as my birthday is coming up in a few months (August 20), perhaps an early present? hehe. Anyways, these are the best deals I can find anywhere, if someone can find something better please post.

[TerminX]

Sort of off topic, but I just bought a new mouse (MX1000, and I'm definitely loving it) from Monarch.. funny little story that goes with it, too -- they must really care about their image, because as soon as they screwed up something in my order and I told them I was leaving them a bad review on resellerratings, they were on the phone within 30 minutes offering to overnight it to me for free.

Considering that the mouse was already $30 below MSRP and that I'd initially selected the free shipping, I don't think they really made any money on the sale. They did, however, make a good impression with how fast they fixed the problem (which was a simple mistake on their part anyhow) so I think I'll definitely purchase from them again.

[maximan]

I just purchased a new comp from monarch yesterday...we'll see how it plays out

[Kevin Wolff]

I really would like a laptop, and really really really want some kind of touchscreen for taking notes in class.



However this only comes with an FX 5200 for a videocard, which is wholly unacceptable.



I must be missing something.

[avatar_58]

Kevin Wolff said:

I really would like a laptop, and really really really want some kind of touchscreen for taking notes in class.



However this only comes with an FX 5200 for a videocard, which is wholly unacceptable.



I must be missing something.



Well we all know that we never "just use it for notes". http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[8IronBob]

avatar_58 said:

Kevin Wolff said:

I really would like a laptop, and really really really want some kind of touchscreen for taking notes in class.



However this only comes with an FX 5200 for a videocard, which is wholly unacceptable.



I must be missing something.



Well we all know that we never "just use it for notes". http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif



Well, the fact that it's a separate video card and not an integrated one, you should be able to swap that card with a better one right off the bat. I shoulda done that when I bought this desktop back around the holidays, but I didn't think about that around that time, tho. I mean, for that extra $200 - $300, you may be getting a better laptop than you think. Even for a desktop, that would not be that difficult to replace.

[DudeMiester]

Well I suppose I could inquire, but that other laptop I mention is just better in every way. Plus I changed my mind about the tablet, while it would be quite nice to have it as a screen also, I suppose I could survive without that feauture. Plus, I don't want to have to deal with an external power supply, the fragility, and it turns out the 17SX doesn't have a textured drawing surface. Instead I'm thinking of this:

Intuos3 9x12 -- $450 US
ChemBook Laptop -- $1700 US
Total+Tax -- $2890 CDN
PC Upgrade -- $2001 CDN
Total -- $4891 CDN

The Intuos 3 just runs off the USB power, and considering the laptop has a 6.5h battery life, I can spare some to power the tablet. Now my only concern is how natural it will be. So if anyone here owns a tablet, I'd like to know how natural they find it, drawing on the tablet but having to watch the screen to see what you're doing.

EDIT:

The reason I want the video card, is so I can do graphics programming on my desktop and laptop, with SM3.0 on both. Basically the laptop needs to be a portable development platform, which I can then copy the code to my desktop, and see how it runs with a beastly machine. I also want the tablet to draw stuff, because I really can't use a mouse to draw.

[Inanimate Carbon Rod]

Marty would be the person on the fourms to ask.

[Kev_Boy]

OCZ PowerStream 520W - 129USD



Any particular reason for picking the PowerStream?

I would consider the OCZ ModStream (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=100176) for my next power supply, it's got a much cleaner design. The only thing it has to cough up are the adjustable rails.

[DudeMiester]

Because the PowerStream is designed for giving large amounts of clean power (there is no 600W modstream), whereas the modstream is more for looks. Plus, it's cheaper for the same wattage. Origionally I wanted to get a PC Power & Cooling 510W, but at $230US it's too expensive.

[Kev_Boy]

While that's true, you don't need a 600W power supply today for a desktop computer. I think 420W would be sufficient.

[DudeMiester]

Well I have a 430W now, and I figure since this is an upgrade, I want more power too, lol. Plus with overclocking I'm sure I'll make good use of it.