Hey tip.it, don't really post here much but have gotten tired of the lack of help on other forums I am more active on.

 

 

 

What I really want to know what would be the best choice for me. I am considering either building my own computer, buying an iMac, or getting a good laptop.

 

 

 

For building my computer: I have never built a computer it is something I would like to get into, so if you could provide sites that may help me in actually building the computer that would be great. I already know of all the sites that have the components.

 

 

 

iMac: My parents have one and it is pretty fast, so I ask - is it really worth the $1500 Mac is charging for it? And is it good for casual gaming or other? Also, is it easy to install non-Mac made mice on these? The mouse that comes with it is a piece of [cabbage] if you ask me...

 

 

 

Laptop: I've been looking at a lot of gaming laptop sites and have come to the realization that those damn things cost a lot. I don't really need a computer that can play Crysis (although it would be nice), but it should definitely be able to play RSHD very smoothly.

 

 

 

The main issue is that I will be shipping out for Air Force basic training over the summer and then I have tech school. So if anyone has experience with moving around a lot (or military experience) with a computer/laptop, please feel free to share how you dealt with it. I know I will be moving around a lot and I may need a laptop in school or whatever.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Chaise.

What games do you plan to play on it?

Honestly, I would get a laptop. You mentioned you are interested in light gaming so power won't be a big issue. However, even as a gamer speaking here, I find a laptop so much more convenient than a PC. Granted, you can ship it back and forth if you want to. However that slowly becomes expensive and, not only that, it becomes a real chore. Being able to just carry the laptop between places is a godsend, even if it is a "PC Replacement" laptop (like a 17").

 

 

 

 

 

So really, check out some of the laptops by ACER and the like. I actually use a Gateway FX model laptop currently. Got it on sale at best buy for $1,000, and the thing is a beast. 17" widescreen monitor 1920x1200 resolution, 9800M GTS 1GB, 4GB DDR3 memory, 2.2ghz Core2duo. Point is, laptops are getting to the point where they can run anything for a very reasonable price (I can run Crysis warhead on a mix of highs and custom settings @ 30-35fps) and would be a great fit for you.

 

 

 

 

 

Building a PC will give you more bang for your buck, yes, but I just don't think it's worth the hassle. Take it from someone who took his PC back and forth with him during Christmas and Summer breaks from college/home to say that you don't want to deal with that kind of [cabbage].

 

 

 

 

 

And an iMac is kind of a waste of money all around honestly. Especially not for the idea of "light gaming" (in which if you wanted to you would have to pay another $100 for a windows based OS, which would kind of negate the entire point of buying a mac to begin with.

*agrees with previous poster*

 

 

 

Pherhaps something like this would suit you?

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834115506

 

Very nice price for the hardware.

The one thing that I'm not too enthused about when it comes to gaming are the laptops, due to their tendency to run way hotter than a tower while gaming. But, since you're in the Air Force and all, it's pretty important that you get something that's movable.

 

 

 

[You sure that your CO won't let you have a tower?]

 

 

 

Anyway, the idea is to find a laptop that's decent for games, but able to withstand long periods of travel and can be moved easily. Rule lapcrushers/desktop replacements out, since carrying those around everywhere will prove to be a pain rather than pleasure. This is one that balances (some) power with a lesser price tag, and won't really crush your lap too much, but I'd read more into the battery life.

 

 

 

You did mention casual gaming, but tell us honestly - do you want to have a machine that can run a game at decent resolutions, a light work machine, or do you want one that's a genuine desktop replacement?

With a laptop cooler they don't run too bad actually. Playing WoW right now on my laptop, and am getting 62C GPU, 47C HD, 41C CPU.

@Nadril When you say PC Replacement I guess that is pretty much what I want. 17 screen is really the minimum I want and Im getting tired of being in the same spot for hours at a time on my old, old, old PC. Also, I was thinking of buying a decent laptop(250GB HDD, 4GB RAM, ~2.5Ghtz, etc) and then just take apart my old PC and put a bunch of newer parts in it during my freetime.

 

 

 

@Makoto You misunderstood what I said. I never said I was in the AF yet, but rather I said I will be going to BMT over the summer and then tech school. Deciding whether I want the portability of a laptop of the customization of a PC.

My brother being in the Canadian army with a desktop, I can say that it wasn't that much of a hassle when he had his car, but now that he had to park it for a year because of an issue with insurance, it becomes a bit of a job to move it around, and now he wishes he would've bought a laptop.

 

 

 

I say go for the laptop OldJoe posted.

My brother being in the Canadian army with a desktop, I can say that it wasn't that much of a hassle when he had his car, but now that he had to park it for a year because of an issue with insurance, it becomes a bit of a job to move it around, and now he wishes he would've bought a laptop.

 

 

 

I say go for the laptop OldJoe posted.

 

I'm all for efficiency and value for you money, but am I the only one that thinks that looks like a train wreck?

 

And that touch pad being where it is looks like it would give me carpal tunnel.

 

 

 

iMacs are expensive. But they are coming out with the new quad cores soon, if you were interested in one.

My brother being in the Canadian army with a desktop, I can say that it wasn't that much of a hassle when he had his car, but now that he had to park it for a year because of an issue with insurance, it becomes a bit of a job to move it around, and now he wishes he would've bought a laptop.

 

 

 

I say go for the laptop OldJoe posted.

 

I'm all for efficiency and value for you money, but am I the only one that thinks that looks like a train wreck?

 

And that touch pad being where it is looks like it would give me carpal tunnel.

 

 

 

iMacs are expensive. But they are coming out with the new quad cores soon, if you were interested in one.

 

 

 

Quad doesn't matter, the iMac still needs a better gpu if you wanna run games on it.

 

 

 

Looks like a train wreck? I think it looks like a normal laptop. For 800$ it's performance/price value is very good. I look for hardware that is price/performance when someone asks for it, and don't have a specific budget.

 

I guess some more options:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834152073

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834115546

Thanks OldJoe, looked at those you suggested.

 

 

 

And the mouse being in an "odd" spot won't be a problem with me since I will be using a Logitech MX Revolution mouse that I already have with it.

My brother being in the Canadian army with a desktop, I can say that it wasn't that much of a hassle when he had his car, but now that he had to park it for a year because of an issue with insurance, it becomes a bit of a job to move it around, and now he wishes he would've bought a laptop.

 

 

 

I say go for the laptop OldJoe posted.

 

I'm all for efficiency and value for you money, but am I the only one that thinks that looks like a train wreck?

 

And that touch pad being where it is looks like it would give me carpal tunnel.

 

 

 

iMacs are expensive. But they are coming out with the new quad cores soon, if you were interested in one.

 

 

 

Quad doesn't matter, the iMac still needs a better gpu if you wanna run games on it.

 

 

 

Looks like a train wreck? I think it looks like a normal laptop. For 800$ it's performance/price value is very good. I look for hardware that is price/performance when someone asks for it, and don't have a specific budget.

 

I guess some more options:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834152073

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834115546

 

I don't know, the hinge looked kind of, iffy. And the bottom looked rather odd and uncomfortable because of the lift to cool it.

 

 

 

And yeah, the whole line is getting a refresh.

 

Quad, new GPU, LED screen, etc. And, if all he's doing is RSHD a Mac would be fine. I just mentioned that because I didn't know if he was looking for a Mac specifically. Because they're a bit on the expensive side. Oh, and mice aren't usually OS dependent, as in, they are cross platform. So you can usually use your existing mouse with Linux, OS X, or Windows.

 

I don't know, the hinge looked kind of, iffy. And the bottom looked rather odd and uncomfortable because of the lift to cool it.

 

 

 

And yeah, the whole line is getting a refresh.

 

Quad, new GPU, LED screen, etc. And, if all he's doing is RSHD a Mac would be fine. I just mentioned that because I didn't know if he was looking for a Mac specifically. Because they're a bit on the expensive side. Oh, and mice aren't usually OS dependent, as in, they are cross platform. So you can usually use your existing mouse with Linux, OS X, or Windows.

 

 

 

 

 

I do agree those laptops do look a bit odd, and they are still a bit small compared to what I want (17").

 

 

 

Also Laura, nice post count. :P (1337)

My brother being in the Canadian army with a desktop, I can say that it wasn't that much of a hassle when he had his car, but now that he had to park it for a year because of an issue with insurance, it becomes a bit of a job to move it around, and now he wishes he would've bought a laptop.

 

 

 

I say go for the laptop OldJoe posted.

 

I'm all for efficiency and value for you money, but am I the only one that thinks that looks like a train wreck?

 

And that touch pad being where it is looks like it would give me carpal tunnel.

 

 

 

iMacs are expensive. But they are coming out with the new quad cores soon, if you were interested in one.

 

 

 

Quad doesn't matter, the iMac still needs a better gpu if you wanna run games on it.

 

 

 

Looks like a train wreck? I think it looks like a normal laptop. For 800$ it's performance/price value is very good. I look for hardware that is price/performance when someone asks for it, and don't have a specific budget.

 

I guess some more options:

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834152073

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834115546

 

 

 

The only thing preventing mac's from being "hardcore" gaming machines is that directX isn't supported on the OS plain and simple but with developers like EA and other big names like Blizzard are starting to release versions for both windows and mac as the mac user base has grown greatly within the past two years. If I personally was to get a windows based laptop I would go with a Sony Vaio for the quality.

Eh, not a huge fan of the vaio's. Honestly I would try and go with ASUS, great brand and quality.

 

 

 

Chaise, this may sound odd but try and keep an eye out for deals on laptops from best buy. Usually they're a waste of money (really marking up stuff like video cards) but when it comes to getting a laptop it's actually a really smart choice. The laptop I posted about earlier that I have I got for $1,000 at best buy, which would have cost me $1,500-$1,600 elsewhere. While they don't have deals on gaming laptops often, when they do it's usually a really nice one. :)

 

 

 

Plus that way you can actually go to the store and see it.

I like the Vaio's from personal experience with them in the past, and brands like gateway I have never seen a happy ending with their users. One friend went through 2 gateway laptops last year and switch to a mac this year cause she was tired of all of the problems she was having with it. Another friend also went through two gateways an he's had a lot of problems with his non the less. ASUS, I do like the brand but they've only been making computers for no longer then a year or two so they are still fairly new to the game when you look at whose else is out there. I'd check out HP and Dell also as they have a pretty good track record.

I like the Vaio's from personal experience with them in the past, and brands like gateway I have never seen a happy ending with their users. One friend went through 2 gateway laptops last year and switch to a mac this year cause she was tired of all of the problems she was having with it. Another friend also went through two gateways an he's had a lot of problems with his non the less. ASUS, I do like the brand but they've only been making computers for no longer then a year or two so they are still fairly new to the game when you look at whose else is out there. I'd check out HP and Dell also as they have a pretty good track record.

 

Don't buy a Dell. You'll regret it. Practically the support I got when I had mine.

 

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I like the Vaio's from personal experience with them in the past, and brands like gateway I have never seen a happy ending with their users. One friend went through 2 gateway laptops last year and switch to a mac this year cause she was tired of all of the problems she was having with it. Another friend also went through two gateways an he's had a lot of problems with his non the less. ASUS, I do like the brand but they've only been making computers for no longer then a year or two so they are still fairly new to the game when you look at whose else is out there. I'd check out HP and Dell also as they have a pretty good track record.

 

Never go for a Dell.

 

 

 

Asus may be new to the game, but I have one, and it owns! Very high quality for the price, and the one I have has almost all of it's outputs/inputs on new standards, I had a teacher thinking it was a $2000 laptop until I told him I payed $1100 for it. Brand new, never had any problems.

If I do end up going with a computer leaned more towards games, then I will probably go with ASUS, but if I don't HP is probably my next choice. Been checking them out and they look nice.

 

 

 

The only thing with ASUS is that they don't have 17" versions. It goes from 16.4" to 18", which is odd considering 17" is one of the most popular.

Weird, my Asus has a 17" screen :?

I like the Vaio's from personal experience with them in the past, and brands like gateway I have never seen a happy ending with their users. One friend went through 2 gateway laptops last year and switch to a mac this year cause she was tired of all of the problems she was having with it. Another friend also went through two gateways an he's had a lot of problems with his non the less. ASUS, I do like the brand but they've only been making computers for no longer then a year or two so they are still fairly new to the game when you look at whose else is out there. I'd check out HP and Dell also as they have a pretty good track record.

 

Never go for a Dell.

 

 

 

Asus may be new to the game, but I have one, and it owns! Very high quality for the price, and the one I have has almost all of it's outputs/inputs on new standards, I had a teacher thinking it was a $2000 laptop until I told him I payed $1100 for it. Brand new, never had any problems.

 

 

 

I'm confused, new standards? Are you talking about your ports, or your computer specs because I'd hope if you bought a new computer that it'd come with new components..

I have newer ports (except for the good old usb 2.0, wich is still standard) than most of the people in the class, as e-SATA directly on the motherboard or even HDMI(although a bit more people have that one).

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=Entertainment+powerhouse&series_name=dv7t_series

 

 

 

That look like a good choice? (or any alteration of it)

The one for 900$ will be able to play games without any problems!

 

I would do the following changes to it:

 

Change to 64bit Vista (costs nada).

 

Cpu from the Pentium duo to C2D T6400 (+50$).

 

Take 4gb of ram (+50$).

 

Which makes a total of 1000$.

 

 

 

If you don't want to spend 50$ on the C2D, it would still be pretty ok. But really, 4gb ram is usefull.

 

 

 

The one for 780$ will not run games.

Macs are always behind with the GPU they use. Kinda pointless to spend that much money on outdated tech if you're interested in gaming.