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Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Viper_Fujax on September 02, 2008, 07:16:40 PM

Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Viper_Fujax on September 02, 2008, 07:16:40 PM
with my regular computer constantly freezing, and now going into the brunt of my major that deals with computers, i think it makes sense to go ahead and get a laptop.

Im not totally sure what to be looking for, since up till this point i thought i\'d make it through school without getting a laptop. I\'d like to get one that\'s as good as my normal pc, but if that\'s more than 800 bucks ill break down and get an average one (my normal pc is above average). I dont really want a top laptop, since i\'d just get a new pc if i was busting out $1500+

here are my specs of my pc:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ dual-core
Biostar Mobo 6100
Geforce 7900
2 GB of RAM
500 GB hard drive

any suggestions on brands? and am i underestimating how expensive they are?
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: videoholic on September 02, 2008, 07:46:33 PM
Mac Book Pros are updating supposedly in October.
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: JBean on September 02, 2008, 07:48:17 PM
The cheapest Dell with a 17" screen and at least a Core 2 Duo is $899.  The video card is an ati  3650, 320gb hd and 3gigs of memory.  If you drop back to a 15.4 monitor you can get one with similar/same specs for around $800.

You can\'t really go wrong with a dell... and i\'m not sure beyond them who is best to go with.  I have a Dell Vostro with a 17" screen & Core 2 Duo and it\'s very fast and could easily be a desktop replacement.  

The added bulk of a 17" monitor is a trade off you may need to consider... it sucks a little more carrying it around and such, but when working on it it\'s nice not feeling cramped with the 15.4.. it dosen\'t sound like much, but it\'s a huge difference.
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Viper_Fujax on September 02, 2008, 08:52:03 PM
dell seems pretty good. Vostro 1700 doesnt seem bad, but i havent done enough looking into to get it really soon

http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/hot_offers_nb?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

Mac..not totally sure about. My stats teacher said the program that they use for the class just now became compatible with mac and other programs like those from other classes have problems with them too.
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Phil on September 02, 2008, 09:04:24 PM
You could get a refurb macbook pro for a decent price, especialy when the new models come out.  You\'re not going to find a new macBook Pro for under 2100 unless you\'ve got a deal with your school and even then its only going to be 15% off.I love macs but you pay a premium for the design and the name.

Or just go with a dell if you don\'t want to take a chance on a refurb.
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Viper_Fujax on September 05, 2008, 03:07:49 PM
I guess another option is to get a new computer, and i found this one for pretty cheap.

http://www.officemax.com/omax/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=21670737&cm_mmc=Shopzilla-_-Technology-_-Computers-_-Desktop_Computers&srccode=cii_10043468&cpncode=07-71183751-2

The only spec i dont see is what video card it has. But if its worse than my 7900, then i guess i could put it in. The case is kind of small and the card is large so im not totally sure that\'d work out. The rest of the specs seem just as good as my current computer
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: shockwaves on September 05, 2008, 06:40:45 PM
I got a Dell XPS (the 15" size) a few months back.  Love the thing.
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Paul2 on September 05, 2008, 06:53:12 PM
Dell has a reputation for making good, and reliable products and very reasonably price too.  My brother\'s friend owns a HP computer that is probably 5 years old, and the dvd reader wasn\'t that good.  Not sure about current HP products, but Dell has been really consistent with their computer products performance and quality.
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Living-In-Clip on September 16, 2008, 08:30:05 AM
I\'ll be ordering this one come middle of next month.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8892825&type=product&id=1211587727985

(https://psx5central.com/community/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.bestbuy.com%2FBestBuy_US%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2F8892%2F8892825_ra.jpg&hash=3e89c3732bbf8815e4add8b3a63cfefcdd701a8d)
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Jar O Pickles on September 16, 2008, 08:50:42 AM
I think it was wired magazine a few months back did a study on laptop reliability between the major manufactures. Dell came in first and apple came in last but the difference was so minuscule that they admitted that the study should not effect on what brand you go with. buy a mac if you want apple OS, buy who ever is on sale if you want to go with windows.
My recommendations would be that  however much ram you think you need add a gig to that, splurge for the 7200rpm hard drive, get an nvidia or ati graphics card(intel onboard graphics are a joke) and stick with the 15.4" monitor (it\'ll save cash for the other stuff i mentioned and the 17" is just too bulky )
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Living-In-Clip on September 16, 2008, 09:02:18 AM
Also depends on what you want to do in this laptop.

I have a main system for gaming / movie editing.

I have a laptop for surfing the \'net.

I have an iMac for playing with stuff.

The next laptop will be a gaming / desktop replacement for on the go!
Title: Thinking of getting a laptop
Post by: Viper_Fujax on September 16, 2008, 09:40:27 AM
right now it\'d be for simple school programs like packet tracer and visual basic, and maybe games but i play more console than pc games right now..only pc game i want to play in the near future is the new stalker.

But i cant decide on getting it. It\'s tough to spend that much money when u dont have a job to pay it all back..i have it saved from my last job but im a cheap ass.

what sucks is i dont really NEED it except for 5 days when im in Texas..im going to get way behind in a few projects