I hv a chance to buy a non-refurb X505ZP w/ 1 year warranty for just about $2K out the door. I’m so in love w/ the X505’s design (even tho this one won’t be the full CF case, just the carbon-nickle).

except my TR3A is only about 6 months old and the gf’s FREAKIN about my possible upgrade… So far, TR3A is the hands-down best laptop i’ve ever owned, even fell for the CompUSA 2 year LCD/Battery warranty since I figured i’d never sell this… wifi, DVD/CDR, insane battery life in 3 lb package. pretty much everything i’ve ever wanted.

But after seeing the X505 at the store… w/ the eraser-stick and the 1.8 lb package… i dunno man.. my usage: i’m a traveling sales guy. not a road warrior, but i do need the laptop for work, wifi, some presentations, etc. gaming/music is not an issue w/ the laptop… hence X505’s lack of CDR/ doesn’t bother me.

thoughts??

If you don’t need/use the optical drive, i’d go for it. It’s just about half the weight and way too thin. Only thing I must warn in case you missed it, for VGA out, you need a dongle (included).

Erik

it’s my understanding the cat5 jack is right next to the VGA out? kinda confuses me…

do you think $2k (including the ext warranty + tax) is a good deal?

Yes, Ethernet is also included in the VGA dongle. As for the price, yes it is a decent one, however you may find some mint X505ZP on Ebay for less.
X505 is freaking light and thin, sometimes I have to get my VAIO GRX monster to remind me of how a regular notebook feels like. 

the X505s i’ve searched on ebay all went for $1800+shipping. some of the Buy-It-Nows went up for $2600.. geezus..  :shock:

maybe i should buy 2… since they actually hv 3 in stock? 

Where are you wanting to get yours?

I can’t tell u, else I’d hv to kill you. I’m NOT sharing til I get my filthy hands on these babies myself..  :wink:

Yes the 10/100 and VGA is the same dongle, but it’s still a dongle. Just wanted to make sure you knew since you said you do presentations.

Worth every penny of $3K, $2K it’s a steal IMO.

Erik

Does that mean you would sell your TR -if so how much?

i’m not really sure yet… I think I’d need a few wks to deal w/ the X505’s funky keyboard, etc. Then evaluate which one to keep…

My TR3A actually has the (stupid?) 3 yr LCD/Battery warranty from CompUSA so it wouldn’t be the cheapest TR3A you can buy since I’d sell the the warranty as well…

go with the X505. i use mine fairly often. haven’t regretted shelling out the big bucks for it. i also don’t miss the optical drive at all.

i’ve already done a rough mental comparison of the strength/weaknesses of each..

TR3A positives:
built in wifi
4200mha battery.
built in wifi + 4200mha battery = 4 hr browsing time
widescreen Xbrite LCD
dvd/cdrw, upgradeable to DVDR/CDRW
easily upgradeable mem/HDD
zero dongles.

X505
functional art
1.81 lbs
panty-dropper at the airport when sitting next to geeky pharm sales chicas.
overall badass.

functionality wise, i doubt there will be another laptop that can top the TR3A, ever. but X505 is so damned cool with that geek factor. dunno. still a toss up. i’m gonna go play w/ the X505ZP 1 more time this wknd (already drooled over it 2x at the store).