Laptop choices...

[Saru Inc]

Hey guys! Ok, so despite the fact I've been playing RuneScape since mid '01, I know literally nothing of computers. I know no computer languages, no good specs, no nothing.

 

So Anyways, this is my current laptop:

 

 

And my dad got it as a refurb for ~$400 (my graduation prez) so I'm not too sure what specs it has (there are many different versions of this one, and it actually didn't come with a list. Hah.)

 

 

Anyways, I love a lot about this laptop, except I have two HUGE issues:

 

One. THis keyboard is simply microscopic, the poor chaps in FSC have to deal with my rampant typos 24/7 because my hands are so big.

Two. No Graphics card. Whatsoever, simply a "graphics accelerator" which is non removable, so I have no way to upgrade it.

 

Anyways, my mom offered to buy my laptop, because hers from 2002 conked out finally L. Idk what she's offering, but here's what I am looking for:

 

A keyboard that has reasonably spaced keys (and hopefully a numpad.. If thats possible)

A GRAPHICS CARD. Or the ability to add one... Either one. I would say a *basic* one, but I'm not too sure what that entails. If it could play Directx on Rs without have a heart attack, thats all I need. However, one that will let me play Portal 2 when it comes out, and the tf2 game I play like once every half year... If that counts as basic, thats fine lol.

I actually would like to keep a widescreen monitor, because at 17" I can have RS +netflix instant play up at the same time, which is how I have such high levels in such horribly skills.

But I would also like it slim, this laptop is in a wedge shape, I imagine that is so it cools easily, but I'd rather buy a cooling platform, because this is really bulky (thickness wise)

Internal wireless card... NOt sure if this is standard at all lol, but I need one.

Built in webcame (definitely not necessary, but if it's on there... lol)

I'm not into brands, but I'd like it to carry windows, as I've never had mac and so I wouldn't really be sure how to use. Also I kinda spent like $70 on microsoft office (2007 that is) so... Yeah. However, if Mac is cheaper/a better fit I'll gladly take it.

Memory isn't that important, I mean I have like ~60 word docs, 3 days worth of itunes, (music), Portal, Tf2, and maybe 20 or movies I downloaded onto itunes. Like I said, not *that* memory intensive. Although I think it's RAM (might not) that lets you have more things going on at once? Maybe? If so I want that.

 

I honestly know nothing about Computer specs.

 

So if I sound like an idiot... forgive me. (serious.. It's kind of embarrassing how little I know)

 

And the almost most important part:Price

 

Under$800. Thats basically the limit, unless I can con my mom to paying me ~$300 for the laptop, then I might be able to go over $800, or if you know if it's very worth it. I prefer refurbished, other than new.

 

If anyone of you could point me to the right direction for a computer, and/or a site that sells refurbished laptops like that. Like I said, Windows, Mac, doesn't matter. (Infact, my sister has a macbook pro, albeit a $1900 one it's an awesome laptop.

 

Last but not least, are laptops seasonal? i.e. are they cheaper in like October (after school starts... but a while before Christmas...?) then to say May. Cause I can wait.

 

 

Thank you so much for the help guys!

 

edit: note the randomly capitalized letters? yea thats cuz my keyboard is so small...

Edited May 29, 2010 by Saruman44

[thetateman25]

There are many options for laptops although one thing that I find most important is keyboard comfort which you can't really tell just by looking at some specs so maybe go to best buy or something and try a few out to see what you like or are used to. Also if you are looking for the best deal and don't mind waiting I suggest waiting untill black friday (day after thanksgiving if you like in america idk if other countries have something like this) And get up early/stay up late to get a good deal. 2 years ago I got in line at 2am at an office depot to get my laptop which was totally worth it, got a $700 laptop for $350.

[Saru Inc]

Thanks... But I've tried the Black Friday route. Hah. Two years now. Does each company specialize in something? I.e. Dell makes good processors, gateway good something, HP good something else etc. To narrow down my search

[Sam]

Remember that you can always get an external keyboard anyway.

[Saru Inc]

That is true... However an external graphics cards are ridiculously expensive.

[Sbrideau]

I wouldn't get a Dell, they tend to break pretty fast nowadays.

 

I'm going to try to find something, but I need to know where you are from, are you from the United States?

[Saru Inc]

Yea. East coast. I found this:

 

 

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-inspiron-17/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-17&s=dhs&cs=19

 

(The 3rd one, featuring corei3, whatever that means.)

[Skull]

I'm not going to pretend to be all that knowledgeable either, but this looks pretty good to me. I think it'll probably do what you want it to do. My laptop is an older and not as nice Toshiba Satellite and I don't have any complaints about it from the year and a half I've had it. Plenty of complaints about vista, but none about the hardware.

 

Someone who knows what they're talking about want to give this a look over to see if it's actually any good?

[Darth Fatguy]

I would recommend that you don't get a Dell. Their keyboards tend to break fairly easy.

[Nadril]

Yeah I would recommend against a Dell. My younger sister has one (A laptop) and the touchpad is [bleep]ed up alongside of the CD Drive.

[Ember]

.

[Saru Inc]

So if not dell, then what?

 

 

And now I'm seriously considering buying a desktop this graphics card is annoying as...

[Laura]

I'm not sure what's up with all the hate for Dell, but I haven't handled anything recent from them either.

My Latitude C610 is still going strong, in spite of all the beating it's taken.

 

This is why:

 

http://forum.tip.it/topic/217499-dont-buy-a-dell-and-i-need-help/page__hl__Dell

:unsure: