59 replies to this topic

[aetherguy881]

Ok, maybe I exaggerated a little, even so, it'll still be function able after that long. I'm not saying that it will take everything that's new and run it like a charm, but it'll still run. No matter how old his system gets, as long as he takes care of it, he'll be able to play C&C as long as he wants.

Yes, x64 OS's actually use the whole x64 processor, whereas the x32's will only use half of an x64. However they will run almost anything that's out there.

Like I already said x64 is taking over. I've already prepared for that.

[Rambo]

Get one of those XPS ones. My dad has one and it never is slow. I am talking click and you're there. Quick as hell (assuming hell works very fast). Downloads are like *snaps fingers* that. Great graphics card. Only problem is that it takes goddamn forever to charge. Plus its customizable.

Well a download's speed really has nothing to do with the computer's specs. It has to do with the size and the speed the server can upload at.

Again, though, XPS laptops are out of the OP's price range, I don't know why people keep suggesting them...

[jackster57]

I would get a used macbook G4 and upgrade it to Leopord. Right now I am running an upgraded G4 on a dual monitor system with a the 24" 500 GB of hard drive IMac. It is a great set up. But if you are just looking for a laptop and are on a tight budget just get the G4 and buy leopard.

[Llama Boy]

Ill go ahead and say, never get an alienware! Its just a fancy dressed up Dell. And believe me Dells are not what you want for durability.My friend has one of these. will be a great choice. My friend dropped his on concrete and it diddnt break.

[Swords]

I would advise not to go with x64. There are many things that won't work on it. My friend got one and his virus protection software wouldn't work. Really, there are very few times that you're going to need it. Plus it's going to be a monster of a price in a laptop.

I would recommend going with an IBM Lenovo. Those are very light, and they are pretty cheap. Of course, the outer shell has been compromised so it doesn't look that good on the outside. But these are durable. Link

Edited by Swords, 08 November 2008 - 10:06 AM.

[adama]

The Toshiba satellite series are very solid and are have wide range of abilities depending on how much your willing to spend. Toshiba are tough as hell. They do have abysmal battery life though. My Toshiba Tecra has been beat all to hell and still works fine although Ive never got the battery to last more than 2.5 hours of even light continuous use.

[Rambo]

I would advise not to go with x64. There are many things that won't work on it. My friend got one and his virus protection software wouldn't work. Really, there are very few times that you're going to need it. Plus it's going to be a monster of a price in a laptop.

Would it be fair to assume you're referring to a 64 bit operating system, not a 64 bit processor? You shouldn't have any problems running specific software on a 64 bit processor and I don't think anyone had suggested a 64 bit OS, since the only reason to get one, that I'm aware of, is to support more than 3.25gb of RAM. I also doubt most builders offer a 64 bit OS.

I run XP 64 bit and I haven't really had any problems other than finding drivers. I've had a couple blue screens, but I think that's from overloading my GPU, but all the programs I run are fine ( except for a TI-83 simulator... ).

Edited by Rambo, 08 November 2008 - 05:26 PM.

[bogboogalars]

Ok, I took graphics completely out of the equation, so I am going to pick this up friday. I plan on removing the bloatware, installing another gig of ram and perhaps an external hard drive. Tell me your thoughts on it.

[Rambo]

Installing another gig of ram will only allow you to use a quarter-gig more unless you also upgrade to a 64 bit operating system since the system comes with Vista Home Premium ( which, to the best of my knowledge is 32 bit unless otherwise noted ). Other than that, it looks like a great deal, although if you're getting an external HDD, you probably don't need 250 gigs on board, but downgrading wouldn't make a worthy price difference.

Edit: I noticed that it doesn't support 802.11n which is not essential, but would certainly benefit you within the next year or two. You will be able to buy an external adapter to use n networks when they're more prevalent, but it's not as nice as having it built in.

Edited by Rambo, 17 November 2008 - 11:35 PM.

[bogboogalars]

Well now it seems I've found another laptop that might be alright...Here

[Lynx]

Here is what I use:

HP Pavilion with an upgraded nVidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card. I also have a centrino dual core 1.77 GHz processor.

It works and will work until I graduate in 2.5-3 years.

[Rambo]

Well now it seems I've found another laptop that might be alright...Here

That sounds like a very good deal... considering how much more you're getting for the same cost compared to the other one - an n-supported wireless card, an extra gig of ram and a dvd burner. I'd go with it.

[bogboogalars]

Do you think that laptop and all of it's extras are worth the printer and mouse? Note: I already have a printer and can get a mouse for little to nothing.

[Rambo]

I believe an extra gig of ram, an n wireless card, a dvd burner and a 64 bit OS are more worthwhile than a printer and a mouse. Then again, I'm a touchpad person and I print everything at school.

Edited by Rambo, 18 November 2008 - 11:03 PM.

[CaptainSlug]

Here's a really really good deal

AMD Athlon X2 QL-60(1.9GHz)
14.1" WXGA
2GB DDR2
Hard Disk 160GB
DVD Super Multi
NVIDIA GeForce 9100M G

$450

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16834115500

[bogboogalars]

Well, I would love something like that from newegg or somewhere else like that but my mother doesn't believe in shopping in a place where she can't actually touch the computer/other item before she buys it. And seeing as she is going in half on this purchase I don't have any arguing power here. I believe I am going with one of these:
this one
this one
this one
or this one

[CaptainSlug]

my mother doesn't believe in shopping in a place where she can't actually touch the computer/other item before she buys it.

That's ridiculous. Especially considering that
1. No brick and mortar store is going to be even remotely price competitive. They also will not have much selection in the way of brands.
2. Being able to touch a laptop provides nothing in determining it's quality.
3. NewEgg has THE BEST return policy and reputation of ANY computer retailer in the world. It's easier to return things through them than it is through any other store that sells computer hardware of any kind.

Just show her this: http://www.resellerr...om/store/Newegg

Edited by CaptainSlug, 19 November 2008 - 11:13 PM.

[bogboogalars]

Ok, she might, so I was browsing aaand...------>Click here<------

[Rambo]

Looks good... why are you opting to go with something other than the 4gb system that was the same price though?

[bogboogalars]

Better processor, cache, and GPU...need I say more

[Rambo]

I hadn't even been looking at GPUs... but I suppose the processor is better. Also consider the fact that you're getting Vista, though...

[bogboogalars]

Yes, that is why I got the better processor and gpu, I think for my use (ex: not photoshop/pic editing or movie editing) I will only be needing the 3gb of ram...

[CaptainSlug]

Cache size is pretty important for processing video.

I hadn't even been looking at GPUs...

Which are pretty important if you want to do any kind of gaming at all. None of the Intel Graphics options can even run recent titles.

[Foamfoot]

Cache size is pretty important for processing video.

I hadn't even been looking at GPUs...

Which are pretty important if you want to do any kind of gaming at all. None of the Intel Graphics options can even run recent titles.

I'll second that, I have a recent intel graphics card, and I popped "The God Father, The Game" in and everything was completely white. I could not believe it, all it was able to run were the black outlines on everything. (I was very impressed with the Wii version's graphics, though)

Bottom line, I played a game for 3 weeks with nothing but black outlines, it sucked, get a decent card if you want to play any game past 03'. Shoot, Halo 1 barely even works on this thing.


Oh, and as a side note, if you plan to do drawing or any kind of art with your computer (which I know you aren't), you need a USB touchpad.
Or a Mac :D

Edited by Foamfoot, 21 November 2008 - 12:03 PM.

[CaptainSlug]

Oh, and as a side note, if you plan to do drawing or any kind of art with your computer (which I know you aren't), you need a USB touchpad.
Or a Mac

I think you mean graphics tablet. Which is essential if you want to do digital illustration or painting.
They do take practice, and it helps to be cursorily familiar with freehand illustration or painting before using one.

Wacom Bamboo is only $70