Laptop or Desktop question

[punk4ever]

Hi all, I just have a couple of quick questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firstly, I'm contemplating buying a laptop or desktop. I have been shopping around but haven't found anything that really catches my eye. I'll be going into college soon so I'd prefer a laptop since it's portable and more diverse, and just because I already have a decent desktop. My question is, are there any recommendations for a nice laptop?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Max price 3,000 USD (and that's pushing it).

 

 

 

*Should have a good battery life.

 

 

 

*Decent GB / RAM.

 

 

 

*I'll be using this for school work 80% of the time.

 

 

 

*Should be able to run games whenever I am bored :P (a good graphics card perhaps).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Edit]

 

 

 

*I just want to note that this laptop should last me a good long time since I will be schooling 4+ more years (for sure).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My final question is whether I should get a laptop or desktop. I like those new dual core desktops (Pentium D) which would really be neat, but why would I need another desktop? Wouldn't a laptop be a better decision in this case?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would appreciate some comments on this matter.

[Spark_Fx1]

Dell Invision (something like that) 600M or 700M, I bought one of those 2 days ago. They're great. And the 600M is really small.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

600M has a 14-15" screen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

700M has a 17" screen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its got decent memory and it will play games like RS fine. But those big games you may need a new graphic card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There around the $1,100 area. But after you soup it up.....may be $2,000 =P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out dell.com see if you can find em

[Hannibal]

I'm looking at the same problem myself, minus the having a decent desktop, so I think I'll have a desktop in the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem is, if you want a high-end laptop, it will generally heat up unbelievably (small case, lots of hot equipment, fast processor, good GPU, etc. etc.). So you'll have to make a choice, I guess. Search around on this board, there have been previous discussions of the merits and objections of/to gaming laptops.

[Tempter]

Hey Punk4Ever,

 

 

 

I have a great solution to your problem, as I was in the same situation last year. I went with a laptop, because it really does make a difference when you are in college, you will sometimes want to take it to your classes or the library, etc. All around better machine to have in a college atmosphere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As to which one you should get, I would go with the Dell XPS Gen 2 : http://www1.us.dell.com/content/product ... l=en&s=dhs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has dual ddr2 memory, great battery life, excellent video card and a good processor. I highly recommend this laptop to anyone, I bouhgt gen 1 last year, and it hasnt put me down yet.

[punk4ever]

I'm looking at the same problem myself, minus the having a decent desktop, so I think I'll have a desktop in the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The problem is, if you want a high-end laptop, it will generally heat up unbelievably (small case, lots of hot equipment, fast processor, good GPU, etc. etc.). So you'll have to make a choice, I guess. Search around on this board, there have been previous discussions of the merits and objections of/to gaming laptops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ya I was looking around actually, not only on the boards but online as well. It's been difficult because I can't really decide what to get, kinda my dilemma here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the imput Tempter :) (I remember you, mining maniac :wink:!). The Dell looks great and seems to have all the qualities I want. If it has served you that well, I can only hope it does me good :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great job Spark. I may look into that as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just want to note that I will be using this laptop or desktop for 4+ years (for my undergrad and then further schooling). Thanks for the comments so far.

[kingjoe2002]

Do get a laptop, even a big one you can still carry it around

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lol spark the 600M has a 14.1in screen and the 700m has a 12.1in widescreen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would check out the Dell Inspiron 6000 or 9300 since you want it to run games. Preferablly the inspiron 9300. I can give you a coupon that saves 30% off a Inspiron that costs $2800 or more. Its around 1000 bucks off so its a good deal :) Came with a catalogue and i dont need a new laptop this year (will buy 2 next year for college) so its kinda useless. PM me if u want it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a 9300 u can get like

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17 widescreen UXGA

 

 

 

like 2 gig of ram

 

 

 

Nvidia 6800 Go 256mb graphics card

 

 

 

100gig HD

 

 

 

DVD burner

 

 

 

9 cell battery, runs 5 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go with dell cuz they got lots of coupons and stuff that saves u a bundle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OR you can just get the XPS but i think its way too bulky, heavy and the extra juice isnt really needed.

[punk4ever]

Sounds good Joe, PM me the coupon if you can :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was just looking over this laptop by HP (even though I vowed never to buy from HP again it seems to be fine):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1706540,00.asp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Type: Gaming, Media

 

 

 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

 

 

 

Processor Speed: 3.4 GHz

 

 

 

RAM: 1024 MB

 

 

 

Hard Drive Capacity: 80 GB

 

 

 

Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon X600

 

 

 

Primary Optical Drive: DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus)

 

 

 

Wireless: 802.11g

 

 

 

Screen Size: 17 inches

 

 

 

Screen Size Type: widescreen

 

 

 

System Weight: 9.5 lbs

 

 

 

3-D BENCHMARK TESTS - 3DMark03 - 1,024 x 768 - 0X/0X: 3140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The con is just that it seems bulky and it's MAINLY gaming, which I really don't prefer. I only put down that I would do a bit of gaming. I really would just like a laptop that will play games decently and I'd put battery life over most other things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Edit]

 

 

 

My friend has it and says its really bulky, it runs hot, and has really awful batter life. So long with HP :P

[kingjoe2002]

I sent it already

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now its 40% on $2499, even better lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You enter the code on checkout. Should save u a pretty penny :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get the 9300, the HP runs REALLY hot with a Pentium 4 desktop processor. 9300 runs on a Pentium M which isnt that much slower and alot cooler. Trust me its not fun to have type on a laptop that can fry an egg :) Get all the upgrades you can and put in the coupon lol. Have fun.

[PDJ]

 

 

 

My final question is whether I should get a laptop or desktop. I like those new dual core desktops (Pentium D) which would really be neat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i just bought a new HP pc with the Intel Pentium D 830 procesor, i love it sooooo much its awesome lol :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

but i don't think they are putting them in laptops, i imagine they probably run very hot.. if you got a desktop i'd definately recommend pentium d tho :)

[kingjoe2002]

Actually they will run cooler since they dont have to squeeze so many transistors onto 1 core. They are coming out later next year.

[punk4ever]

Actually they will run cooler since they dont have to squeeze so many transistors onto 1 core. They are coming out later next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That sounds pretty good :) My friend has the Pentium D and it runs very well. I may just hold out until the laptop version comes out since I'm in no rush now. I'll still look into buying the Inspiron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks King :D

[kaibani]

Basic specs for Compaq Presario X1000

 

 

 

Processor-- Intel Pentium M (1.6 GHz)

 

 

 

RAM installed-- 512 MB DDR SDRAM

 

 

 

Hard drive-- 80 GB IDE

 

 

 

CD / DVD type-- CD-RW / DVD-ROM combo

 

 

 

Removable storage type-- None

 

 

 

Input device-- Keyboard, Touchpad

 

 

 

Weight-- 6.5 lbs

 

 

 

Dimensions (W x D x H)-- 14.1 in x 10 in x 1.3 in

 

 

 

Display-- 15.4 in TFT active matrix

 

 

 

Max resolution-- 1280 x 800

 

 

 

Video RAM installed-- 32 MB

 

 

 

Audio output-- Sound card

 

 

 

Networking type-- Network adapter

 

 

 

Modem-- 56 Kbps Fax / modem

 

 

 

Battery installed-- 1 Lithium ion

 

 

 

OS provided-- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

 

 

 

Service & support type-- 1 year warranty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've been using it for almost a year and it's satisified my uses so far, and it's not gaming based. Although, it still works with games that use heavy 3D graphics, when your bored. I think it was around 2000 USD. Ya, a good labtop for me, and it's thin and light. I hate bulky big labtops...

[PhrstBrn]

I personally would get a smaller laptop if you plan on carrying it around (around 6 lbs). The Dell Inspiron 9xxx are just too big to lug around all the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you plan on leaving your laptop in the dorm most of the time, the bigger laptops might be the best way to go (if you don't want to bring your desktop). If you plan on bringing your laptop around campus, you're not going to want a large one, and the battery life is going to be a lot less than a smaller model.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, the smaller models lack a good video card for gaming. :roll:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would find a balance that suits you best. You might want to consider bringing your desktop with you to play games (and possibly upgrade it), and buy a cheap and light laptop to carry around and do your schoolwork.

[kingjoe2002]

 

Actually they will run cooler since they dont have to squeeze so many transistors onto 1 core. They are coming out later next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That sounds pretty good :) My friend has the Pentium D and it runs very well. I may just hold out until the laptop version comes out since I'm in no rush now. I'll still look into buying the Inspiron.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks King :D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Either buy it now or wait a whole year lol. Cuz august usually are when Dell gives u the best deals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the 9300 being too big that is perfectly true. You wont be taking it to class everyday for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Im going to buy a Inspiron 9300 (or whatever model number next year ) and a Toshiba Protege R200. Wont come cheap (good $5000 bucks for both) but its the best solution for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or u can buy a Dell Axim.