Laptops, Your opinions

Strygun · 2003-05-13, 07:58 PM

Hey all, my brother is going to college in a few months and needs a laptop. I'm the techy one in my family so I have the job of finding him one. He thinks he wants this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...cat=494&scat=0 . I have no prob with it, except it's too expensive and he can do better for less (however, money is not an issue, it's utimatly his choice)

I found him this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=...cat=494&scat=0 Which is very close to the alien ware one, but it doesn't say which radeon is in it, which makes me think it's not a great one.

He will be an on/off gamer while in college, so he doesn't want a mega mega gaming laptop, but he doesn't want a laptop that can't play games, get my drift?

If you guys can help, I'd really appreciate it.

These stats:

40-60gig HD, 512RAM or higher, good vid card, winxp, lan card

OmnipotentKiwi · 2003-05-13, 08:17 PM

I don't know too much, but general computer rules apply.

2GHz+ Processor
512MB+ RAM
64 MB Vid card (There is a few for laptops, maybe just one... I know there is a Nvidia Ti4200 equivalent for the laptop I believe)

I also think he can get a better video card then what that Alienware is offering. The processor seems overkill when the video card isn't top of the line.

Strygun · 2003-05-13, 08:46 PM

yeah, the 2.5+or-ghz is right, i left that out. both of those laptops I linked have 64mb vid ram

OneManArmy · 2003-05-13, 08:55 PM

you silly little kiwi

He will be an on/off gamer while in college, so he doesn't want a mega mega gaming laptop

the radeon mobility 9000 is a great card.
Just go to any review site and see for yourself (such as www.hardocp.com)

I take it you are not a laptop gamer? the same rules (and code names) dont apply for laptop cards as they do for desktop cards...

I say find him a laptop like that alienware one he picked out and he'll be happy.

Strygun · 2003-05-13, 08:59 PM

OMA.. can you compare the alienware link (the first) with the other one (2nd link)...

OmnipotentKiwi · 2003-05-13, 09:10 PM

No, I'm not a laptop gamer, it's too expensive. Anyhow, I was pretty sure there is a higher/better model Mobile Radeon isn't there? And that's all I was commenting on.

OneManArmy · 2003-05-13, 09:11 PM

well, I've never used an AMD laptop, but one thing you should note is

Alienware:
Video Memory 64MB DDR

Compaq:
Video Memory 64MB DDR SDRAM (shared)

I dont like compaq at alll second I would wonder why it says shared plus it doesnt say what kind of card it is (which leads me to believe its definatly not a 9000)

I'd say go with the alienware unless you can find something JUST like it.

Thats fine kiwi, infact there is a newer mobility card out, but its like buying a 9700 pro vs a 9500 pro, the 9500 pros gonna give you much more bang for your buck just like the 9000 will.

Strygun · 2003-05-13, 09:22 PM

can anyone direct me to a good website for laptops like this?

puhhleeeze

powdahound · 2003-05-13, 09:30 PM

I am getting this in a week: http://pctorque.com/builder.php?type=16

With a few things upgraded such as extra battery/gig of ram/60gb hd.

OmnipotentKiwi · 2003-05-13, 09:32 PM

That's a pretty nice price.

CDL Full Otto · 2003-05-13, 09:48 PM

I prefer Toshiba laptops (been using them for almost as many years as they have been around)

Awesome on stabilty, reliability etc. (typing this while using my T9100 via Wireless while laying in bed)

Just make sure it has the graphics card you want and the ports you need (USB, Firewire, DVD or CD burner) Check for memory, since you usually only get one slot so make sure you get what you want the first time.

Laptops are usually a bit slower but for college it would be ideal (make sure he secures it, they have legs bad!)

Otto

Daleon · 2003-05-14, 12:12 AM

OMG Powda, that laptop is the SHIZZ. Its obviously whats considered a 'desktop replacement' and not a highly portable laptop. It has a normal P4 chip instead of a M chip. Meaning it will suck juice like a horny pornstar. But as long as you keep it plugged to wall most of the time it will kick butt.

Alienware laptops defintely look very nice. Use very nice parts. I think you would be much better off going to their website though and customizing it yourself. If you go there, drop p4 down to 2.66 ghz, 1gig DDR, 128 Radeon 9000, WinXP home, etc. You can come out to around $2,561. And this would well outperform the one BestBuy has.

That AMD latptop from Best Buy, CRAP. Toshiba's are great laptops also. Check this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=38123

I like the 16.1" screen much more. Not sure if you want to buy off Ebay or not though. I generally trust ppl with enough feedback and its new stuff with warranty from manufacturer.

One thing on the video, the 9000 Radeon and GeForce42go's are last year's video tech. Both annouced newer stuff back in March to coincide with Intel's launch of the Centrino laptop chipset. Ati put out the 9200 and 9600 mobilities and NV chips based on FX tech. Neither have showed up in laptops yet, but it should not be long.