<p>How about the new Samsung M40? It seems to get good reviews, and most importantly, even though it has a 17-inch screen, it's very thin compared to other 17 inch notebooks, veryyy sleek, and light. The only problem is that they're not selling it in the U.S. So i'm planning to buy it when i go back to korea during the summer. However, I don't think the warranty would be any problem b/c there're a plenty of samsung service centers in the U.S. and (hopefully) they'll be able to fix my comp if any problems occur.</p>
<p>17inch is really big...once its that big, it doesnt matter how thin it is. If you plan to carry it around, it will be gigantic</p>
<p>Yes, ottothecow. i understand that. But i'm not planning to use the notebook in classes. I'm just gonna use it in substitute for the desktop in my dorm room and in the library from time to time. And when i visited the college I'm gonna go to, I saw some ppl using 17-inch HP notebooks in their rooms. This is just a tentative decision. As of now, I'm also considering HP vd4000, IBM T43 (42?), Toshiba, and powerbook. And M40 and T43 are on top of my list.</p>
<p>I don't think Samsung offers warranty service for their computers in the United States. That is because they don't offer those products here and therefore they probably do not have the service network here to repair them.</p>
<p>Remember, a computer really doesn't share any parts with any of the products that Samsung does have here in this country. Personally, I would stick with a brand of computer that is sold in the US. You are bound to have problems with your computer when you least expect it.</p>
<p>well if its going to be on your desk...why not a desktop and LCD? its not as hard as you might think to travel with if thats an issue and it would be cheaper/more powerfull (spend the savings on a lease return thinkpad for 4-500 and bring that to the library).</p>
<p>Of your choices I would definately suggest the IBM followed by the samsung (and the "you cant even get one of these" factor)</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice. I'll have to reconsider what i have been thinking about samsung computers. :( I really wanted that wide screen though !! haha. Oh well..</p>
<p>Djlethal: The Samsung M40 isn't sold in the US. In fact, no Samsung notebook computers are sold in the US. This may be due to the fact that LG/Samsung produces notebooks for US branded computer companies and may be contractually prohibited from competing in the US.</p>
<p>Even if you bought the M40 in S. Korea, it would run on 220 Volt/60 cycle electricity. The electrical adaptor would not work in the US. You'd have to buy a voltage converter in Korea to step up the voltage from 120 to 220 in order to charge your M40 battery. And since Samsung does not sell any laptops in the US, no Samsung service depot would have any parts in stock. You'd have to ship your laptop back to S. Korea for service and hope Samsung will honor the warranty.</p>
<p>Think about buying a laptop locally...</p>
<p>I guess a self-made laptop is much better than any laptop sold by a lot of retailers throughout the world. </p>
<p>I bought an alienware Area-51 7700m (just for the casing and the screen without any additional parts and the lowest configuration possible (around 1,457 USD shipment), i completely tweaked it with cheap stuff from taiwan, malaysia and china - cost me around 1,800USD) .</p>
<p>Total 3,750USD including shipment - for a 3 GB DDR3 memory, 512MB graphics card, WiFi(g), DVD Combo, HD 120(got 800GB external) n usual 6USB 2.0 + three sets of batteries.</p>
<p>All bought through the Internet</p>
<p>That'll be a very serious problem if i'd have to do that. I've changed my mind during this one hour of conversation on this board. Yeah, i'll most definitely buy one locally.</p>
<p>I think the problem w/ self-made laptops is that you'll get no warranty service whatsoever if you break them. I dunno much about alienware though. How's their product quality compared to IBM? Are they as stable/reliable? how about their warranty service?</p>
<p>Alienware is IBM to the power of 5. and well for the warranty, u do get them on individual parts... but dat depends on u, if u need help just PM/mail me, ill try to help</p>
<p>Alienware computers are almost all made by Clevo and then given a nice paint job. It is true that Alienware has a more powerful graphics card, but if you wanted that, you could have bought the Dell XPS2.</p>
<p>Overall, the business line of notebooks from Dell, HP, and Lenovo would definitely beat the overall build quality of an Alienware.</p>
<p>alienware is just way overpriced.</p>
<p>djlethal , if you are looking at the T43/42 series I suggest you stick with the 42s. You can get one with the same specs as a 43 but it will cost a few hundred less because it has a 2 instead of a 3 printed on it. The T43s vid cards aren't all that great so if you do want one, wait for a few weeks until they announce the new card they are going to be using. Other then that Ibm/Lenovo is solid as far as customer service, and quality.</p>
<p>alienware is far inferiour to IBM. Sure they make powerful systems but they charge way too much and they dont work well as laptops (heat, weight, and battery issues becuase they use desktop components and stuff). They just dont make good systems period. Their desktops are far overpriced for somethign you can build yourself and their laptops are just..kinda cr appy.</p>
<p>IBM on the other hand has the best build quality of any PC laptop manufacturer (titanium composite cases rather than plastic, good components, sturdy rather than flashy design). Their service is infinately better than alienwares--where can you get an alienware service representative (you cant) vs where can you get the same from IBM (anywhere in the world).</p>
<p>TOSHIBA power!!!!</p>