CyberMagic's Store

Laptop/Notebook Reviews
3rd quarter 2007
The Intel 7000 series processors are the latest and greatest for notebook computers. The ones I am looking into include Toshiba Qosimio G45 (US model), Dell, Sony, AlienWare, and HP Compaq. My standards are high and so I only review a few select systems here.

Intel T7700 at 2.4 GHz is the fastest mainstream processor for notebooks, yet there is an extreme version called x7800 at 2.6GHz with the ability to overclock it, and it is only available so far in the (1680 x 1050 max res) and 15 pound HP Pavilion HDX9010NR 20" Entertainment Notebook PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500, 2 GB RAM, 240 GB Hard Drive, HD DVD Drive, Vista Ultimate).

8/22/07: Intel announced a new processor for notebooks called the x7900, and Apple was the first to get it.
http://www.macrumors.com/2007/08/23/intel-launches-mobile-extreme-cpu-already-in-imac
http://www.entransys.com/2007/intel-announces-x7900-28ghz-processor
http://techztalk.com/techwebsite/node/152

Intel x7900 site: http://processorfinder.intel.com/Details.aspx?sSpec=SLAF4

HP Compaq 8710w (with blu-ray disc) - This is the best PC based notebook out there based on my research. It beats a similarly configured Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, and others. It is only 1.3" thick, which comes close to the Apple MacBook Pro at 1.0" and beats most other PC notebooks. It has all the basic specs that the Apple has, short of the Apple unique features (multi-touch touchpad, and overall look and feel, not to mention the Apple hardware is always top notch). The Apple does not yet have blu-ray.

Apple MacBook Pro, at 1" thick, does not have blu-ray disc (yet) and is about 3100.00 when configured with the best screen (1920x1200)...

I will wait till next year for Intel's next CPU @ 45 nanometers to see if the MacBook Pro gets updated (it will, don't worry).

Both Compaq and MacBook Pro can be configured with the highest res screens available for a notebook: 1920x1200, which allows for Hi-Def playback. Neither screen uses the LED backlighting (none do yet at 17").

Toshiba

The new Qosmio G45 - HD DVD-R included! Note that Blu-Ray and HD DVD are not compatible with each other. HD DVD hold 15GB per side (total 30GB), while Blu-Ray holds 25GB per side (total 50GB).