Media: No problems.

 

Games: Older ones (pre 2006), no problems. Any newer, well... On low details and small resolution (like 800x640) i suppose it could work. But that gpu isn't intended for gaming. You need atleast something like hd3650/4650 or 9600gt or greater for new games in ok resolution with some eye candy.

Ehh... I only really want to play RS in HD, not any computer games, I got my 360/PS3 for that :D

Ah rs, won't be a problem.

 

You said in your first "gaming" so i assumed more than rs =P Just stay away from Intel on the gpu front (for now).

 

That laptop will work very nicely.

That laptop will run RSHD fine but you may not be content with the resolution. But then again, I am a videophile.

That laptop will run RSHD fine but you may not be content with the resolution. But then again, I am a videophile.

 

It's 1440x900, not enough? Or what do you mean?

 

My resolution on my screen is that, and it does fine.

Awesome, you both have been a great help...

 

 

 

Do you know if it'd come down in price over father's day?

 

 

 

Time to pitch it to my parents :P

That laptop will run RSHD fine but you may not be content with the resolution. But then again, I am a videophile.

 

It's 1440x900, not enough? Or what do you mean?

 

My resolution on my screen is that, and it does fine.

It's a cheap panel. My 13" laptop nearly approaches the same resolution versus a screen 4" larger. Since laptops tend to be closer to you, the higher resolution comes in handy. Color accuracy and contrast also need to be taken into account. This is coming from someone about to throw out a 1080p 21.5" (crappy TN panel, even at $180) monitor in favor of a S-IPS or H-IPS panel for better viewing angles, contrast, brightness, and color accuracy. Unfortunately these are somewhat hard to come by at a decent price, especially those with LED backlighting so at best I'll be spending $750 for a monitor at the same resolution and size as the one I currently have. I've looked at VA panels, but the refresh rate vs. color accuracy is too much; I'd rather take the refresh rate and save some cash.

 

 

 

I doubt it'll drop on Father's Day, as it isn't a holiday taken advantage by major electronics stores.

 

 

 

I'll compile a list of different laptops from Best Buy nearing your budget.

 

This Toshiba is $50 more than the one you prospected with a better GPU, a better CPU, it's more portable and weighs less.

 

 

 

This Asus has a better resolution for its screen size, it's got a better CPU with a comparable GPU, it's lighter and more portable as well as cheaper. It has less HDD space.

1440x900 is quite high def on a 17" screen, that's what I have.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8040476937

 

 

 

Good pick Laura...

1440x900 is quite high def on a 17" screen, that's what I have.

No, it's considered average by consumers and is of low grade because the panels are easy and cheap to make thus raising the profit margin; companies prey on the ignorance of consumers. While you can get 1080p on 17" laptops, this one is not of high definition in any sense.

Well, I still find it a high definition since everything is very clear.

I take it the aforementioned Toshiba is the best for my price range $600-$700?

I take it the aforementioned Toshiba is the best for my price range $600-$700?

It's really up to you. They're both comparable and will run RSHD with no problem. The Asus packs in more portability with an equal resolution meaning that screen size is near irrelevant.

Which one?

 

 

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8040476937

 

 

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8044029168

I'd go for the Asus one. It sure is quality and you won't have trouble with it. My friend bought that Toshiba one, and it was quite slow for the specs. took like 5 minutes to load and wasn't very performant. He then returned it because of the broken power adapter and boght an Hp one that works much better, shame that we don't have any stores that sell Asus laptops around here.

Asus is high quality?

 

 

 

I'm kinda askew, my uncle is macfanboy and my stepdad a sonyfanboy.

 

 

 

My dad just bases everything off of if he hears it.

 

 

 

And I live in richkidville, texas and i'm not rich, but everyone else has had like macbook pros from birth, then got a macbook air for their 6th birthday. [/rant]

 

 

 

What about this one...

 

 

 

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8044029604

 

 

 

it's cheaper but i don't see much difference in the specs from one to the other

For the specs:price, the Toshiba wins. $150 cheaper with only minor performance losses, things you wouldn't use anyway and it is also lighter by nearly two pounds. The Toshiba is more than enough for your demands. Both laptops get a pretty bad battery life. Here's a video review on the Toshiba. I cannot comment on quality but remember that you do get what you pay for.

That laptop will run RSHD fine but you may not be content with the resolution. But then again, I am a videophile.

 

It's 1440x900, not enough? Or what do you mean?

 

My resolution on my screen is that, and it does fine.

It's a cheap panel. My 13" laptop nearly approaches the same resolution versus a screen 4" larger. Since laptops tend to be closer to you, the higher resolution comes in handy. Color accuracy and contrast also need to be taken into account. This is coming from someone about to throw out a 1080p 21.5" (crappy TN panel, even at $180) monitor in favor of a S-IPS or H-IPS panel for better viewing angles, contrast, brightness, and color accuracy. Unfortunately these are somewhat hard to come by at a decent price, especially those with LED backlighting so at best I'll be spending $750 for a monitor at the same resolution and size as the one I currently have. I've looked at VA panels, but the refresh rate vs. color accuracy is too much; I'd rather take the refresh rate and save some cash.

TN panels are quite fine for the average user. Sure, they have that annoying dithered effect and they can look washed-out, but yeah. You get what you pay for.

 

 

 

I would love an IPS panel though. Maybe I'll see if I can get one when I have enough money to spare.

 

 

 

Now: I would go with that Toshiba personally. A couple of my buddies have Toshibas and I have to say, I would definitely like one to replace my old eMachines one that's nearing the end of its lifespan.