Buying a Laptop, Suggestions?
So I've decided this christmas should be the time I go mobile in my computing world. Long overdue, I've decided a computer to take class notes on, watch DVDs, very lightly game, and browse would be good to have.
What I need is the best bang for my buck. I'd love to keep it around the ~$800 range, up to ~$1100 max.
I've looked at Lenovo Thinkpads, ABS.com, newegg, tigerdirect, and the barebone acer.(?) Each site seems to hold its own adv/disadvantages over the next, of course, but I'm never really quite sure which are more useful in real-world applications.
What would you guys suggest in buying a new laptop? What do you like/dislike about yours, what would you keep your eyes on when buying again, etc.
I guess ultimately what I'm asking for is a rundown of what to stay away from, and what to start moving towards?
What I need is the best bang for my buck. I'd love to keep it around the ~$800 range, up to ~$1100 max.
I've looked at Lenovo Thinkpads, ABS.com, newegg, tigerdirect, and the barebone acer.(?) Each site seems to hold its own adv/disadvantages over the next, of course, but I'm never really quite sure which are more useful in real-world applications.
What would you guys suggest in buying a new laptop? What do you like/dislike about yours, what would you keep your eyes on when buying again, etc.
I guess ultimately what I'm asking for is a rundown of what to stay away from, and what to start moving towards?
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Pentium M vs. Sempron, Pentium M vs. AMD64
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256Megs vs. 512MBs RAM
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5400 40GB HD vs. 7200 40GB HD
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Intel Extreme Graphics 2 vs GMA 900 vs Mobility Radeons (x300, 700, 9700)
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SCREEN TYPE~! ...honestly, I'm confused to death on all the WXGA+, XGA, XGA+, resolution size...HELP!
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Comments
256vs512? I would say go with either 512mb to 1gb if possible. (DVD and Games will benefit)
5400vs7200 - Will notice a difference in load times around the board. If you are patient 5400 is cheaper
Graphics, I'm very biased, I love ATI. I would go with ATI and do research on 300, 700 and 9700 and see what best suites your needs.
Screen, xga, xga+ yadda yadda is just the interface. For gaming and dvd viewing you want a fast refresh rate(2ms-12ms) and a high contrast ratio if possible (500:1 - 700:1) I'm not sure if this applies to lap top screens though :|
I hope I was some help
Like Dell?
http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m140?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=specstab#tabtop
CDROM/writer went out
battery is dead
very poor heat dissipation
mediocre flat panel - terrible colors
two bad motherboards (on third motherboard now)
Fortunately this technical abomination is not mine, but issued me by my employer. I think I've used four different brands of laptops. In my limited experience, I'd say Dell is the best quality for the big brands.
edit: your probably goina want a machine thats about this
Pentium M 1.7ghz
512mb of ram
5400rpm hdd
Ati X600 or better
15.4" screen
This is assuming you don't want it pluged in all the time if you want it pluged in then get a faster hdd and a a64 cpu
Enjoy the shopping!!
Flint