New vpr Matrix Laptop - 175B4

[TroyG]

Just discovered one of the "new" vpr laptops that Best Buy will be carrying (as reported in another post). The details just got posted to BestBuy.com

http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11213417&m=488&cat=494&scat=495

Basic stats are...

Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 processor - M 1.7GHz
14.1" XGA (1024 x 768) TFT
256MB RAM
30.0GB HD
8x max. DVD-ROM; 8x8x24 CD-RW
ATI Mobility RADEON 7500 graphics 16MB
2 USB Ports
1 IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports
Touchpad with multidirectional scrolling rocker button
1.16" High
12.6" Wide
10.4" Deep
5.4 lbs.

A few points...

No word on USB1 or 2 (assuming 1)
No built-in wireless
16MB of RAM for the graphics card
1 lb lighter than the 185's

But now for the nice part...

$1099 before rebates!

Currently, there are no rebates offered, and it's listed as "on order". I'm assuming, though, that as soon as it's available, the typical $100 off any notebook will apply. USB2 I can live without. Wireless, well, I can pop in a card. 16MB for the graphics card, though... Hmmm..... I do like the size - I just got the 185, and my biggest concern is that it'll be "too big", but I guess we'll wait and see...

Troy

[Ioman]

Thanks for the update Troy. This new laptop certainly looks thinner than its predecessor. I checked on the VPR Matrix website and they are still showing the old models with no mention of the new ones. Since I just bought the 200A5 I am curious to see what the new model is going to look like and feature.

[TroyG]

I agree. It could get interesting. I still can't find anyone out there that is competing w/ price/performance to vpr. I just wish they were a little more up-to-date with their drivers. ;-)

One thing to note - if you look at the top portion of the case, you'll see the 14" screen is MUCH smaller than the case around it. I'm guessing that we'll see another model very soon w/ a beef'd up process (2GHz?), a better graphics card, and a 15" screen, but in the exact same case.

I'll take another wild guess and say that they'll try to hit that $1500 price point (before rebates).

I REALLY like the form-factor of this new case design, though. While our widescreens are just cool, the new cases seem a bit more functional (and less wow). Note that this new case is even thinner than the widescreens...

Time will tell...

Troy

P.S. Does it annoy anyone else with how far back the keyboard is for the widescreen? Hmmm, maybe it'll promote better posure. <<SHRUG>>

[Ioman]

I would not be surprised to see the new replacement for the 200A5 using the new Intel Centrino chip, that could be why the replacement will be introduced after the 175B4 as I heard that laptops based on the Centrino core are supposed to come out towards the end of March I believe.

[Yuniverse]

Originally posted by TroyG
I agree. It could get interesting. I still can't find anyone out there that is competing w/ price/performance to vpr. I just wish they were a little more up-to-date with their drivers. ;-)

One thing to note - if you look at the top portion of the case, you'll see the 14" screen is MUCH smaller than the case around it. I'm guessing that we'll see another model very soon w/ a beef'd up process (2GHz?), a better graphics card, and a 15" screen, but in the exact same case.

I'll take another wild guess and say that they'll try to hit that $1500 price point (before rebates).

I REALLY like the form-factor of this new case design, though. While our widescreens are just cool, the new cases seem a bit more functional (and less wow). Note that this new case is even thinner than the widescreens...

Time will tell...

Troy

P.S. Does it annoy anyone else with how far back the keyboard is for the widescreen? Hmmm, maybe it'll promote better posure. <<SHRUG>>

Actually, this isn't a new case design. Their previous models, one of which i'm typing on now(180B5), has the exact same looks and dimensions. 180B5 and 170B4.

I do like this design better than 200A5 because of it's functionality.

It looks to me the only difference that i can tell is the 30GB HD from it's previous model 170B4. But who knows what else has changed. 180B5 comes with orinoco miniPCI wireless, but 170B4 and this model doesn't.

[strife]

Yuniverse is correct. It is almost nearly identical to the old model 170B4. http://www.vprmatrix.com/products_notebook_170B4.asp
While the price is certainly nice it doesn't even compare to the 180B5 at $1000. If they didn't redesign their lower line of desktops, though, I wonder if they are even going to redesign their 185A5 and 200A5 models.

[Ioman]

With the name and royalty fees they paid to Porsche design, they might have that same style for a while lol.

[strife]

you have a good point. lol, though I can't say I would mind too much. they have a good design now, and I suppose they could always do worse(take a look at their old PC models, painfully bland).

[seanpj]

To TroyG:

your quote:
I just got the 185, and my....

Hi,
I found the 185A5 at the BB website for some $1299.-. I would like to buy it, but my concern is the fan location. I can't see it on the pictures. IS IT ON THE BOTTOM? My last notebook would overheat on any soft surface because the fan and exhaust holes were located just there. Thenks for help. Sean