Best laptop with RAID? (in Off-topic)

I'd like my next laptop to have at least 2 7200 RPM disks. I'd also like a 17" screen with at least 1680x1050 resolution. Finally, I want it from a well-known vendor, not Joe's Laptop Shack.

So far the only one I have found is the Alienware Aurora m9700. I'm hoping there are other options because I just don't find the Alienware styling attractive. :)

Looks like the Falcon Fragbook would also qualify, but would be at least $1000 more than the Aurora, assuming I could find a way to configure it with dual hdd but not dual gpus.

Try:

www.sagernotebook.com

Check out HP Pavilion dv9500t

For $2,162.99 I put together a system with 2.2 ghz core 2 duo, 17" 1680x1050 resolution, 512 mb geforce 8600m, and 100GB x2 7200rpm hdd.

It may not be quite as nice as those other two systems, but it seems like it would get the job done.

Snob. Joe knows what he's doing. :P

Wow, the HP is a lot less money for what I'm looking for. As long as I can run Starcraft 2 I don't need the latest video card etc. I can get what I want for $1600 + $99 for Express Repair (hey, it's an HP) vs $2400 for the Aurora. Thanks Miandrital.

Ranger, I got a Sager about 6 years ago, it overheated constantly and oozed poor build quality. Maybe they've improved a lot since, but my experience was definitely negative.

Thinkpads are the only laptops I would consider (besides Macbookpros), but I'm afraid that 15.4" is the largest screen they offer. A second hard disk is possible in many models, by using a $50 adapter that allows you to put any laptop harddisk into the Ultrabay slot.

i got an hp laptop with an AMD turion 64x2, DONT GET ONE IN YOURS. it gets so hot it burns.

I've always been a fan of HP computers (though now I prefer my iMac). At low end specs they don't compete well with other brands for price, but once you start getting higher-end specs they tend to be cheaper than any other brand. I've never had any problems with them after 8 years of using them when I buy a PC.

Too bad MacBook Pros don't allow for a second drive -- that would be seriously nice for running Windows.

I also get a giggle out of a Mozy man needing RAID. *smile* Doesn't Mozy have real-time backup/replication working yet? *smile*

I just hope you don't drop the thing and lose both drives at once -- sort of would defeat the whole purpose!

I did what Mian is suggesting not too long ago. The RAID works wonderfully, and supports 0 or 1.

I want RAID [0] to improve performance, not as a backup. :)

You'll want RAM [lots] to improve performance ;)

NS, you got the dv9500t, and it does support RAID? I can't find any confirmation on HP's site that it's actually RAID and not JBOD ("just a bunch of disks").

sure bartjan, but sometimes you gotta hit disk. :)

http://www.hyperossystems.co.uk/07042003/hardware.htm

if you want performance... :)

actually texas memory systems has a better one it seems, but i dunno if they can be in laptops or not.

Pit, What happens if you have a power failure though? It would get quite annoying to reinstall your OS, even if it only takes 7 minutes as they claim. I'm sure you could probably connect a battery pack to that, but what happens if you go on vacation?

mian, they have built in battery packs that last for 6 hours or something and they back up to normal non-volatile hard drives in case of a power failure.

And how would you fit a 5.25" device into a laptop?

hence the "i don't know if they can be in laptops yet or not" bart ;)

Jon, no, I was speaking more generally about his idea. I got my raid laptop from Toshiba. It's a custom Qosimo built as a business presentation tool. This is a newer model, but you get the idea.. you can customize them nicely to your liking:

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/toshibadirect.to?page=ces06_hddvd

You could try this one out: Acer 9810
Beyond that, I think Sony VAIO might have a few high-end laptops that offer raid.