The United SpongeBob Forums

Off Topic => Computers & Video Games => Topic started by: Dragon Of Grief on March 03, 2006, 11:21:13 am

Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: Dragon Of Grief on March 03, 2006, 11:21:13 am: Hey, I was wondering if someone could help me... I am looking to buy a notebook computer for when I go off too college so I do not have to bring my big bulky desktop computer with me. But however I am looking for a notebook under $1500 that has a Wireless Internet Connection built into it, at least 256 MB of RAM, and as far a graphics and sound goes that doesn't matter too me. I am mainly looking for a computer I can use efficiently for internet, homework, etc, that doesn't cost a small fortune that may also be able to hold a few games. Your help is very much appreciated.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: Starr2k3 on March 03, 2006, 12:19:22 pm: Good Deal. (http://store.yahoo.com/saveateaglestore/avso32avnomo.html?ovchn=OTHER&ovcpn=Price+Watch&ovcrn=AV3250H&ovtac=CMP)
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: garyfan on March 03, 2006, 12:34:26 pm: ^That's not the deal he got, he is looking for it! Research it. I dunno.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: Snowthrower on March 03, 2006, 01:10:44 pm: Quote
^That's not the deal he got, he is looking for it! Research it. I dunno.
[snapback]275683[/snapback]

"Good deal." is a link

Anyways, http://cheap.typepad.com/ (http://cheap.typepad.com/) is an excellent link for finding good deals on laptops.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: Starr2k3 on March 03, 2006, 01:23:19 pm: Quote
^That's not the deal he got, he is looking for it! Research it. I dunno.
[snapback]275683[/snapback]

I'm not dumb. :)
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: IceFox on March 03, 2006, 03:09:14 pm: http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Inspiron_E170...31631866-2.html (http://reviews.cnet.com/Dell_Inspiron_E1705/4505-3121_7-31631866-2.html)

Is a good laptop. My Dad has one.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: cmonkey on March 03, 2006, 05:58:37 pm: If you want something that will last, I recommend either a Turion or a Core Duo notebook. Since it's replacing a desktop, go with at least a 15" screen.

In that price range, with those restrictions, there are dozens of possibilities. Some recommendations:
Lenovo (formerly IBM) T60. Lenovo offers some excellent student discounts if you call in to order. Also, the build quality and support is wonderful, and since they are business-class notebooks, they come standard with XP Pro. http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s...egoryId=2072541 (http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10000001&catalogId=-840&langId=-1&categoryId=2072541)

Dell Inspiron 6100. Another Core Duo. Decent specs, decent support. http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/f...s=04&l=en&s=bsd (http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/inspn_6400?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd)

Also, check out this Dell. There is a $250 rebate on it, so it's an amazing value. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/con...c=e1505s2&s=dhs (http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=e1505s2&s=dhs)

Acer Core Duo. Decent specs, but the hard drive is slow and the support is iffy. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16834115227 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16834115227)
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: VulturEMaN on March 04, 2006, 01:28:38 am: I'm gonna take a diff route since cmonkey already pwned the laptop end.

I see MANY kids that bought laptops for college, thinking that they're the coolest thing since sliced bread, and then they never take them ANYWHERE! If you're only going to be taking your computer home every now and then, I'd recommend getting a nice desktop computer for the dorm, then just use a USB drive to transfer stuff back home.

Myself, I built a nice desktop, and then bought a 100$ laptop off of ebay and just take that home to type on. Works great.

Would you consider the above, or are you deadset on a laptop?
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: No Username on March 04, 2006, 10:49:29 am: Well, if you do buy a desktop computer, DO NOT get a Compaq. They build their PC's really horribly, but then again, they may have improved since HP bought them out. I dunno.

One thign you may want to check out is if the college you go to has a wireless internet connection troughout campus or at least hotspots such as in a dorm or a library so you know if a laptop is your best choice.

Another thing to look at is inventory tax sales in your local electronics stores. I went to a local Best Buy and found a really nice deal on a Gateway laptop. It has...
15.4" widescreen
Windows XP Media Center Edition
1.8Ghz AMD 64-bit Turion Processor (enables me to get more done and im ready to upgrade to Windows Vista when it comes out later this year if I want to.)
80GB HDD
256MB DDR RAM
Wifi built-in
finger pad and scroll pad
multi-function buttons on keyboard
All for $999

It's wonderful. So yeah, go looking around local stores to see what they have on special and good deal such as the above that i got.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: Snowthrower on March 04, 2006, 10:53:58 am: Gateways are horrible. And if your going to get a Turion, ATLEAST get 512mb of memory, at minimum with 1GB recommended. Vista is going to be a memory hog.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: No Username on March 04, 2006, 10:58:16 am: drat. can i still upgrade the ram later? Flash MX 2004 has been lagging on me come to think of it.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: IceFox on March 04, 2006, 11:06:55 am: Quote
Gateways are horrible. And if your going to get a Turion, ATLEAST get 512mb of memory, at minimum with 1GB recommended. Vista is going to be a memory hog.
[snapback]275793[/snapback]
My sister has a Gateway. Good enough space for what it is used for (80 gigs), and really fast. Never crashes, has good performance, everything.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: No Username on March 04, 2006, 11:16:32 am: ^agreed, though can someone answer my question please.

and to make this post worth while, i did forget about mentioning this special software they give you to keep from crashing. like it downloads patches and stuff for you. It's saved me more than once already. :D
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: VulturEMaN on March 04, 2006, 05:17:21 pm: It's a pain to upgrade the ram later in laptops. usually voids warranty with these companies nowadays.

Any computer company can make a decent computer. I've seen excellent gateway builds, and junk ones.

That particular gateway sounds alright, but I see no need for a laptop to have Media Center on it. Most kids will only be using it for playing mp3s. Some colleges may also only support XP Pro (like my college).

That special software is to remind you that driver and product updates exist for your parts. It's nothing more special than what you could do on their website on your own.

btw, I just worked on a new compaq the other day, and I've never seen a big company actually tuck all of their cables away inside it and everything. Was excellent.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: carterhawk on March 04, 2006, 05:32:36 pm: IF you can, build your own desktop, so you can decide exactly what goes in it.

if a laptop is an absolute must, only get one with an nVidia or ATI graphics chip. if the video says S3 or Intel or something else like that, run for the hills, for thy gamage shall suck verily!
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: VulturEMaN on March 05, 2006, 04:03:49 am: Quote
IF you can, build your own desktop, so you can decide exactly what goes in it.

if a laptop is an absolute must, only get one with an nVidia or ATI graphics chip. if the video says S3 or Intel or something else like that, run for the hills, for thy gamage shall suck verily!
[snapback]275904[/snapback]

Indeed. I'm sure that me and cmonkey would gladly help you build a desktop if you're up for it.

I'd stick with the nVidia 6150 video for laptops....if you go that route....
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: No Username on March 08, 2006, 06:40:52 pm: Quote
It's a pain to upgrade the ram later in laptops. usually voids warranty with these companies nowadays.

Any computer company can make a decent computer. I've seen excellent gateway builds, and junk ones.

That particular gateway sounds alright, but I see no need for a laptop to have Media Center on it. Most kids will only be using it for playing mp3s. Some colleges may also only support XP Pro (like my college).

That special software is to remind you that driver and product updates exist for your parts. It's nothing more special than what you could do on their website on your own.

btw, I just worked on a new compaq the other day, and I've never seen a big company actually tuck all of their cables away inside it and everything. Was excellent.
[snapback]275900[/snapback]
Darn, oh well. Ill just wait for the warrranty to go out then in a year or so.

Agreed. Had a PC Gateway and it crashed after installing an HP PSC All-in-one onto it. That is why I was kinda scared anyway of gettign a gateay laptop in teh first place, but it works great so far. Imo, HP is the best USUALLy that you can buy, i only know that for sure for printers. I have seen crap jobs from gateway, such as their Pocket PC's.

How does that work? I'd think you could be running any windows and not be affected. please go mroe into detail on that. Plus, i think it is basically Windows Home Edition though except it has Media features on it you wouldnt find on a regular computer.

Oh, and i forgot to mention it has an S-video out for the media center for reg. TV's so that is the purpose of it halfway as well.
Title: I need a labtop... help pls.
Post by: VulturEMaN on March 08, 2006, 07:32:08 pm: Just look at any computer company that you feel comfortable buying from. If you have a gateway phobia, I'm not gonna force you into buying one.

It's basically like how windows update works, except it just downloads the updates for you. Simple enough.

Media Center Edition is made to share video and audio through your PC to other computers or a TV/Projector/etc. It is quite useless on a laptop unless it's a $4000 laptop.

Any good video card has an svideo out nowadays. better ones can record video too.