CNET has two great little reviews here and here of my unpurchased-iPod replacement, the Archos 605 WiFi. InfoSync also has a snazzy little video review.
Stuff that makes me drool…
- WiFi + Browser + Flash support + GMail = Me quivering with geek delight
- PDF viewing (Hello eBooks!)
- Touch screen
- Customizable wallpaper (look the little things count like being able to put your kid’s face on your gear…)
- Treated as a removable hard drive
- Supports folder based sorting (this is how I like to organize and listen to music)
Now to get Management to authorize the necessary funds…business cases anyone?
Oh yeah, and it fits in your pocket too…
See, I bounced back quickly from that little Apple induced psychotic break.
How cool is it that they included a screwdriver?
Quick thoughts: the company rules as their personalized service and quirky sense of humor (screwdriver to encourage you to work on your pc!) really make you feel more like a valued individual than just a customer; and this laptop is plain awesome as its super bright screen, quiet keyboard, and thin design is just begging me to stay up late playing. What a damn good day!
One of the things that I really like about ZaReason is the personal touch that the company offers, from visiting to make comments here to upgrading shipping so I can get my laptop before the weekend–last night Cathy sent me an email letting me know that my laptop was sent out the door and that they bumped up the shipping so I would have the chance to play with it over the weekend. As a customer it makes you feel good about doing business with them. I will definitely be going to them for our next laptop and for one of their MediaBoxes if I can convince Management that we really do need to be able to watch YouTube, check email, and watch the satellite while in bed.
So here I sit hitting F5 on the keyboard…
Laptop has been purchased! I’ll be posting pictures and my thoughts about it when it arrives (hopefully early next week). Kudos to ZaReason for making the whole spec and checkout process smooth and easy!
I’ve been busily slaving away weighing the pros and cons of System76 and Dell when I stumbled onto ZaReason and they are offering a laptop that seems to good to be true.
- Display–17″ WXGA LCD display @ 1440×900 pixels
- Graphics–Intel GMA 950
- Processor–Core 2 Duo T7200
- Memory–2 GB (DDR2-667)
- Hard Drive–100 GB (7200 RPM SATA)
- Optical Drive–CD-RW / DVD-RW (included)
- Expansion
- 4 USB ports total (2 USB ports on each side)
- Networking–WiFi + Ethernet (both included)
- OS–Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn (Gnome)
- AC Adapters–2
- Warranty–1 year (included)
Subtotal–$1465.00
UPS Ground–$18.16
CA Sales Tax–$128.19 (no charge if ordering outside CA!)
Total–$1611.35 $1483.16
A quick note with a wicked fast and friendly response assured me that no sales tax would be applied so this laptop really smacks of value to me. For one, a 17″ screen which will make it much more comfortable to work longer hours and the 100GB 7200 RPM SATA will make life easier sorting and storing my growing library of Gabi pictures. Now, the graphics is a bit of a downer but seeing as I don’t play games they will likely be more than adequate especially with 2GB of RAM.
Yet again, I find another reason to continue dithering, though I’m really leaning towards this unit.
So here’s my dilemma: I need a new laptop and I have been drooling over the System76 series laptops for a better part of a year now as they were the first Ubuntu OEM and not to mention an independent retailer which goes a long way to tickle my heartstrings. Recently, Dell entered the market and with their clout are able to offer a whole lot of bang for the buck and while their base product selection is limited the options are excellent so here I find myself torn with regards to the value proposition of the purchase.
Below are the specs from each company for the laptop I am looking to buy:
- Inspiron E1505–$1,578.00 ($1,672.67 S&H and Tax)
- Processor–Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
- OS–Ubuntu Edition version 7.04
- LCD Panel–15.4 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen SXGA+ Display with TrueLife™ (1400×1050)
- Memory–2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM
- Video Card–256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7300 TurboCache™
- Hard Drive–100GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- CD/DVD–8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
- Sound–Integrated Audio
- Wireless–IntelPRO/Wireless 3945a/g
- Battery–85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
- Warranty–1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
- Extra Power–90 Watt Spare AC Adapter
- Bluetooth–No
- Serval–$1,859.00 (includes S&H)
- Processor–Intel® Core™ 2 Duo processor T7200 (4MB Cache/2.00GHz/667MHz FSB)
- OS–Ubuntu Edition version 7.04
- LCD Panel–15.4 inch WXGA (1280×800)
- Memory–2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM
- Video Card–256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7600 VRAM
- Hard Drive–100GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
- CD/DVD–8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
- Sound–Integrated Audio
- Wireless–Intel 802.11 abg
- Battery–6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
- Warranty–1Yr Ltd Warranty and Mail-In Service
- Extra Power–90 Watt Spare AC Adapter
- Bluetooth–Yes
The difference is about $186 in Dell’s favor but with that savings comes a better screen and faster hard drive furthering the technical gap. In System76’s favor is a wealth of positive reviews about their service and support, largely due to the fact that they are a small company which makes every customer count, the inclusion of a Bluetooth adapter as well as a built in webcam. I find myself torn between personal politics and maximizing the value of my purchase.
Here are the things I am keen on:
- Big bright screen
- Large and fast SATA hard drive
- Plenty of fast RAM
- 100% compatibility
System76 is guaranteed 100% compatibility and supplies many of the drivers themselves to ensure it. Dell on the other hand, I’m not too sure about. Yes, they are selling Ubuntu laptops but are they 100% compatible? I’ve read some articles about early screw ups with grub which doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies about either their commitment or capabilities but they seem to be making some sort of an effort with their wiki.
Like the camera I’m giving myself 30 days to sort it out and weigh the pros and cons but I want to know what would you buy and why?
