• Registered: 2002-03-19
  • Posts: 10,008

Topic: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

I would much appreciate somebody to play the "smart friend" role for me right now!  Your reward: self satisfaction that you helped me (lol), and my love!  yikes

Im told I should go with Dell (even over NewEgg) so that is what I am going with atm, unless somebody tells me otherwise.

Shortcut in case you are as lazy as me:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

I have never bought or even owned a laptop before so this is somewhat new to me.  The other thing is that not only have I not kept up with anything resembling the newest video cards, but they all have different names for their laptop counterparts so I am that much more lost there.  Ive been browsing around the "build your own" laptop section on the www.dell.com site and came up with a laptop for about 1330, though atm I am not sure if that is too expensive for me yet, though I will say anything more than that is likely to be.  Ill update this OP later with more budget limit info.

So, here is what I NEED:

-  As you may have guessed, I cant afford to get the "OGM t3h l33Test" laptop, but I want it to be pretty respectable. 
-  Its primary purpose is to take it to school and write papers, do research, take notes, school crap like that on it.  So it will probably need a descent unplugged battery life in case I cant find an outlet.

This is what I WANT:

-  Its secondary purpose I would like to be a gaming laptop.  I am not expecting to run Crysis or anything like bleeding edge FPS graphics, but I want it to run games respectably.
-  I would also like to take this opportunity to get a legal Vista as if I get it from Dell it seems it ships with it "for free" (aka price included)  So that put together with my previous expectation, means I am probably looking at getting 2GB of DDR ram.  I will have to review a magazine I have that tells me about the various Vista versions most likely, but I would also like a non-gimp/noob version of Vista if possible.  If its too expensive to get extra though oh well.
-  If its not obvious, I want a decent sized wide screen monitor for it...what kind of nub plays games on a small ass screen?  Surely, not the pr0z.

This is what I DONT need:

-  Worthless accessories and software not related to what I want.
-  Software that although useful, I can pirate.  (other than windows since it ships with vista)  Ex.:  Antivirus, MS Word

This is what I DONT know:

-  Which base dell notebook to go with off their list.  I know absolutely nothing about these and when I put together that "prototype" laptop I was talking about earlier for around $1330, I basically chose one at random.
-  I know only a little more about laptop video cards.  (that being, if I recognize the series name, it is probably outdated)  What is a decent one to get?  The one I put together earlier had a 256MB ATI MOBILITY RADEON X1400 HyperMemory, and that was the only option.

PS: apparently for some reason that video card name breaks my forum signature. ooooook....anyway hopefully me adding this after it will space it out and bypass the bug.  EDIT2:  nope, now trying to take out a few special characters...EDIT3: presto, I think the R symbol breaks my signature lol

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  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

The nicest Dells are the XPS M1210, which is not an OMGZOR gamer laptop, but rather a nice portable, and the business line of Latitudes. For the most part, the Inspiron line is flimsy and feels cheap.
Other manufacturers you may want to look at include Apple and IBM.
Also, check the slickdeals.net forums for Dell coupons, and be sure to use student discounts for all three manufacturers.

Whatever you get, make sure you get Bluetooth. It's a cheap upgrade, and since you just got the SERO plan (I think it was you), you'll be able to have broadband-like internet anywhere by using your phone as a Bluetooth modem, assuming you got a Power Vision phone.

Also, for wireless cards, don't get the Dell adapter, get the Intel one. And don't buy extra RAM from the company, get it separately on Newegg and put it in yourself.

Oh, and the Sound Blaster SOFTWARE EDITION is actually just a set of drivers you can get online for free. They got sued over this, don't pay extra for it.

Personally, I'd get:

2 GHz Core 2 Duo
2 GB of RAM through Newegg
Largest 7200RPM HDD I could afford
Best optical drive
Worst video card available that isn't Intel
Integrated sound
Extended life battery
Intel wireless
Bluetooth module
None of the shitty warranty/extras
Smallest screen size with largest possible resolution

If you run out of cash, cut down in processor speed and hard drive size (not speed)

One more edit.

This is the build I would buy right now if restricted to Dell: http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/25/untitled1ti7.png

Note that I picked the "Open source notebook" category, since I truly think Vista is a piece of shit not worth paying for, and I have a wonderful bootleg copy of XP Pro that receives updates and functions perfectly.

Also shave 100 or so off the price for getting your own memory instead of what I picked.

This is the IBM I would go with if looking at them: http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/921/untitled1kc6.png

Only real difference is that it comes with XP Home and has a different (perhaps slightly better for gaming) video card. Again, drop 100 or so for the memory, and however much for the student discount.

As for Apple, a refresh is overdue, so I'd wait until their next conference before picking a Macbook or Macbook Pro.

If the choice was up to me, I'd go with Lenovo. This way, I wouldn't even have to pirate my OS, I'd get a slightly better video card, and I'd have a great reliable machine.

Both of the builds I linked to are around 1400, and would make ideal laptops. If you can't afford that, I would make every effort to scrimp until I could.

Feel free to drop me a line on AIM, Ihavenoidea10101, or GoogleTalk, marctheman. Seriously, do. I'm stupid bored at work.

  • Registered: 2002-03-19
  • Posts: 10,008

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Hey your away message is up big_smile

Thanks a ton for those pointers, though I have a couple "Why?"s to ask you.  Why the worst video card I could get?  Possibly with upgrading in mind later?  Also, with the RAM.  How hard is it to install?  I am pretty experianced with installing ram on my desktop, but never done it on a laptop, and they are a lot smaller, and look harder to disassemble.  My other question about RAM is why is it so much cheaper through NewEgg?  Does Dell try to screw you hardcore on it or something?

Also with the sound card, I was thinking of just getting the Audigy through them since they are pretty awesome for gaming performance I hear and its a relatively cheap upgrade.  For the optical drive, I probably dont need a DVD burner on my laptop because I plan to get a new desktop sometime in the next few months and I could just burn DVDs on that.

I totally agree on the HDD btw.  Anything below 7200RPM is horrible.  Also agreeing with you on saying screw the warrentys and extras...working at Best Buy I learned enough about them to know that the company is the one getting a great deal heh.

Oh, almost forgot.  <3! to you wink

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  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Legal_My_Deagle
Hey your away message is up big_smile

Thanks a ton for those pointers, though I have a couple "Why?"s to ask you.  Why the worst video card I could get?  Possibly with upgrading in mind later?  Also, with the RAM.  How hard is it to install?  I am pretty experianced with installing ram on my desktop, but never done it on a laptop, and they are a lot smaller, and look harder to disassemble.  My other question about RAM is why is it so much cheaper through NewEgg?  Does Dell try to screw you hardcore on it or something?

Also with the sound card, I was thinking of just getting the Audigy through them since they are pretty awesome for gaming performance I hear and its a relatively cheap upgrade.  For the optical drive, I probably dont need a DVD burner on my laptop because I plan to get a new desktop sometime in the next few months and I could just burn DVDs on that.

I totally agree on the HDD btw.  Anything below 7200RPM is horrible.  Also agreeing with you on saying screw the warrentys and extras...working at Best Buy I learned enough about them to know that the company is the one getting a great deal heh.

Oh, almost forgot.  <3! to you wink

Away message = I'm still here.

Ram questions: It's even easier than a desktop. Seriously. Theres a flap to open and then you shove it in. Unless you're a total tool you won't fuck anything up, and if you do, you don't deserve a laptop big_smile
The RAM is where they make their money. If you buy it yourself, you will save.

Here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145157 90 bucks for two gigs from a stellar brand. Memory prices are at all time low. The same would cost you 250 or so from Dell, plus you wouldn't get the one base stick to resell or throw at people, whatever it is you choose to do.

I have an Audigy 2 ZS card. I also have a decent set of 5.1 speakers. I used my onboard sound once. Can't tell the difference. Never again for me. Again, make sure if you do go with the Audigy it doesn't say SOFTWARE anywhere near it, or else it is just a driver.

If you're getting a new desktop, why even bother with a gaming video card at all? Personally, I'd just get the burner and say fuck it to the desktop unless you must play games.

5 Reply by Ashum

  • Registered: 2006-01-13
  • Posts: 258

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

i personally prefer cyberpower  http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/ over dell any day. i purchased a desktop from them about a year ago and i fucking love it. i did a good month of browsing for the most affordable prices, even went down to fry's electronics which is roughly 45 minutes from where i live to see if it would be cheaper to get the shit i wanted if i built it myself, and i found cyberpower to be the winner
i'd suggest browsing their site for notebooks, unless your already dead set on buying a dell. dell is a good company though and you'd probably be more than happy with whatever you decide to buy from them.

but here is a direct link to their notebooks for convenience http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/r05/ri05.asp in case you feel like shopping around first.

  • Registered: 2002-03-19
  • Posts: 10,008

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Pissing: I want to be able to play at least some light graphics games sometimes during my multi-hour long breaks at school, plus it would be nice to go easily LAN at a friends and play DOTA or possibly even SC2 when the time comes.  Oh, and CS.  And whatever else I can get to run on it big_smile

lol @ laptop RAM installation, that kicks ass.  I will definetly do that then, if I cant figure it out then I agree I probably dont deserve it lol

Ill check out that site Ashum.  Cant guarantee that even if I personally get sold on it though that I would be able to get it...see the only reason I can afford a laptop is because my parents decided I need one for school, and they want to help me get one...and my mom is convinced that Dell is the god of computers and there is about no reason to get anything else.  I cant complain though too much, I already feel spoiled even though I will use it for the intended purpose and it is going to help a LOT...just that not everybody is lucky enough to have parents that randomly decided it is essential to get a laptop for school.  I have a suspicion though that the reason they are doing this is because Ive already bought a lot of the stuff I am gonna need to move out myself...aka I have a mini fridge for a dorm already, and a desktop computer (although about 3 years old and only been upgraded like once in that time, and a couple parts of it are left over from the previous computer heh)...but thats all another story.

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  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Ashum
i personally prefer cyberpower  http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/ over dell any day. i purchased a desktop from them about a year ago and i fucking love it. i did a good month of browsing for the most affordable prices, even went down to fry's electronics which is roughly 45 minutes from where i live to see if it would be cheaper to get the shit i wanted if i built it myself, and i found cyberpower to be the winner
i'd suggest browsing their site for notebooks, unless your already dead set on buying a dell. dell is a good company though and you'd probably be more than happy with whatever you decide to buy from them.

but here is a direct link to their notebooks for convenience http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/r05/ri05.asp in case you feel like shopping around first.

While cyberpower is good for desktops, and I heartily recommend them for that, their laptops are just generic shells they hurriedly throw together. If it was a desktop, I'd direct him there, but since it isn't they aren't very good for laptops and I wouldn't bother.

8 Reply by Ashum

  • Registered: 2006-01-13
  • Posts: 258

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Pissingintowind

Originally posted by: Ashum
i personally prefer cyberpower  http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/ over dell any day. i purchased a desktop from them about a year ago and i fucking love it. i did a good month of browsing for the most affordable prices, even went down to fry's electronics which is roughly 45 minutes from where i live to see if it would be cheaper to get the shit i wanted if i built it myself, and i found cyberpower to be the winner
i'd suggest browsing their site for notebooks, unless your already dead set on buying a dell. dell is a good company though and you'd probably be more than happy with whatever you decide to buy from them.

but here is a direct link to their notebooks for convenience http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/r05/ri05.asp in case you feel like shopping around first.

While cyberpower is good for desktops, and I heartily recommend them for that, their laptops are just generic shells they hurriedly throw together. If it was a desktop, I'd direct him there, but since it isn't they aren't very good for laptops and I wouldn't bother.

fair enough... i dont have any experience with their notebook department but thought i'd assume that the same quality would apply towards their notebooks.

  • Registered: 2002-03-19
  • Posts: 10,008

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Had a question for you pissing: I was talking to somebody else who says if I try to do that newegg ram thing, then the act of installing it myself will break the warranty on it, even if it is the mandatory 1yr warrenty I have to get apparently.  That true?

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  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Legal_My_Deagle
Had a question for you pissing: I was talking to somebody else who says if I try to do that newegg ram thing, then the act of installing it myself will break the warranty on it, even if it is the mandatory 1yr warrenty I have to get apparently.  That true?

No.


Theres a slot for you to put it in yourself. Back in the day when you had to break the casing open, it would have voided your warranty. It hasn't been like this for at least 7 years.

11 Reply by Adam

  • Adam
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  • From: Dallas, TX
  • Registered: 2002-04-08
  • Posts: 8,704

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Man cyberpower desktop prices are pretty fracking good..

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12 Reply by Thayme

  • Registered: 2002-07-28
  • Posts: 6,311

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

moved to hardware!

  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Adam
Man cyberpower desktop prices are pretty fracking good..

Yeah, they're great. The reason being is its a bunch of guys that just throw them together for a small labor fee, it's all very common hardware, and you can get it without an OS. Tech support is almost nonexistent.

This is what makes them bad at laptops. It's harder to build a quality laptop, because often temperature issues arise with just throwing components in a generic shell. And since there's not much of a tech support crew, you're SOL if that happens.

  • Registered: 2002-03-19
  • Posts: 10,008

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Can anybody with experiance in the matter tell me about expected battery life of a 17 inch screen vs a 15 inch?

I was typing a decent post about this but I hit some bastard key that acted as the back button on my browser and lost my post -_-

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  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Legal_My_Deagle
Can anybody with experiance in the matter tell me about expected battery life of a 17 inch screen vs a 15 inch?

I was typing a decent post about this but I hit some bastard key that acted as the back button on my browser and lost my post -_-

Don't get a 17 inch laptop. The battery life will go down, but the major point is that its not a laptop anymore. It's a desktop replacement. If you get a 17 incher, you might as well just get a shuttle desktop and save yourself a lot of money.

  • Registered: 2002-03-19
  • Posts: 10,008

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Hey pissing - FYI this is the laptop I ended up ordering.  Found out ASUS was pretty much the best deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220163

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  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Legal_My_Deagle
Hey pissing - FYI this is the laptop I ended up ordering.  Found out ASUS was pretty much the best deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220163

Looks okay. Only thing to watch for with ASUS is they also use the generic shells and stuff them with laptop components, so keep an eye on temperatures and stuff.

Did you ever end up signing up for SERO?

If you did, you're going to love using your phone as a free unlimited mobile broadband modem.

  • Registered: 2002-03-19
  • Posts: 10,008

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

I havent yet, only because I am going to end up getting some cash I was looking forward to a little late, but in theory I should be getting in around the begining of July, which is finally almost upon us.  Perhaps after that I will be.

Only things I need to watch out for on that laptop imo is that at some point when I get money I am gonna want to order another gig of memory for it, and the HDD is only 5400rpm, which is lame but at least it is 160G and all of the rest of the laptop makes up for it...so all around I still thought it was the best deal.  I made a laptop on Dell's site for 1750 or so and although it had a 7200rpm HDD, it was only 100G and the rest of the computer was not nearly as good as this one.

BTW according to one of the customer reviews of the laptop I ordered, some guy said it cools pretty well for a laptop - he overclocked it and it still runs fine - again, according to him

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19 Reply by Lain

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  • Registered: 2002-07-13
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Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

i'm also thinking of getting a laptop too. i've been doing alot of searching trying to find the most bang for the buck and this is what i've come up with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834210009

just that i've never heard of zt element. not the most powerful, could really use an ram upgrade, but for the price it seems like a steal compared to all other similar priced laptops.

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  • From: NJ
  • Registered: 2002-08-01
  • Posts: 8,109

Re: WTB laptop and laptop buying advice!

Originally posted by: Lain
i'm also thinking of getting a laptop too. i've been doing alot of searching trying to find the most bang for the buck and this is what i've come up with:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834210009

just that i've never heard of zt element. not the most powerful, could really use an ram upgrade, but for the price it seems like a steal compared to all other similar priced laptops.

List of things you did wrong:

1) Bumped a 6 month old thread
2) Didn't take any of the advice in said thread
3) Picked a piece of shit (seriously, this is an awful, awful laptop)

Like I said, for laptops, go with Apple, IBM, or Dell. Since your budget appears to be 600 dollars, Dell is your only option.

Get a Vostro (from the small business line) and be on the lookout for coupons or codes from slickdeals or fatwallet. Even the base 14.1 inch model will be much better than what you chose. For $599, it has double the RAM, 40GB more HDD space, better build quality, newer C2D processor, better battery... etc.