Time for a Laptop

Uranus · 09-14-2006, 12:32 PM

Hey everyone,

I need a laptop, but I don't know anything about them. I need it to be fast, I like to play video games, edit movies, and desgin web sites. Whats with this Dual core stuff. Point me in the right direction please!

Thanks Chris

Kindred · 09-14-2006, 12:46 PM

"Dual Core" is essentially two processors cramed into one "body"
Current software doesnt take full advantage of it yet, but you'll still get a huge perfomance jump just from the hardware itself.

I speced out our new laptops here with a DualCore processor, and SATA hard drives. The combination is pretty much screaming.

Depending on what type of games you're going to be playing, you've really already set your own minimum specs. In my opinion I wouldnt go any less than:

a) Dual core processor
b) SATA hard drive (newer connection standard, much faster data through-put)
c) 2 Gig of ram
d) upgraded video card

Welcome to the $1,800 - $2,000 neighborhood.

BE_Rogue · 09-14-2006, 01:23 PM

check this out http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs
not that I know jack about laptops but It looks cool.

Kindred · 09-14-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BE_Rogue

check this out http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs
not that I know jack about laptops but It looks cool.

Looks cool....not really a laptop though.
Pretty pricey too!

Dell makes adequate laptops for the home/casual user....I'd stay away from them for "serious" laptop use though. They're just not as rugged of well made as some of the competitors out there. I'm one of the last people at work using a dell laptop.....it's fine as my 4th computer here....but I really wouldnt want it as my primary.

Just my opinion though, keep in mind that my viewpoint is more as a corporate-IT-guy than as a 'user'.

Azzy · 09-14-2006, 02:02 PM

If you buy Dell, buy Dell Small biz, not from the home account area.

Tech support is 10x better from the SB side.

I will recomend HP laptops, I have one, works well, and the service online is top notch. Had a scratched screen and they replaced it in 3 days.

Uranus · 09-14-2006, 03:22 PM

Well the laptop won't be my primary, but I want to have the power for whe I'm not at home.

eric · 09-14-2006, 03:39 PM

my alienware laptop beats everything hands down

ive got an aurora m7700

its a shame i dont use it that much and stick to the desktop (i got a new alienware one to go with the laptop hehe and its handsdown the nicest ive had)

Firestorm · 09-14-2006, 03:59 PM

Alienware cost to much,
Dell.... don't get a dell, also overpriced IMO and nothing special about them.

Core Duo is a faster prossesor then AMD's duel core right now. However 2 gigs of ram in a laptop, that may be a bit much (If its not in your price range). I am running 2 gigs in my desktop. Then again games are needing more and more.

bravo647 · 09-15-2006, 12:09 AM

Falcon Northwest makes the best gaming laptops...but they cost an arm and a fricking leg. They had dual core laptops before dual core was cool in desktops.
Alienware I thought just got bought by dell recently but they could be worth checking out.
Dell is a safe bet and you can typically choose what you need.
Apple's are also worth checking out, in my opinion, they are the most bang for your buck and having a desktop pc and an apple laptop is a deadly computer combination. Just make sure you buy mac office with it or you'll have a bitch of a time converting word documents because office hasn't yet switched to the new format.
Just checked falcon's site and its looking like alien is a generation ahead of falcon at the moment so alien might be a better bet. Apple's are amazing laptops that are rediculously stable and the mac osx is better than xp in a lot of ways good for school or work not good for gaming.

mike31c · 09-16-2006, 06:54 PM

If you are going to be playing games, take the time to check video specs on the laptops you are looking at when you are shopping... Many of the low priced laptops have that Intel GMA (Graphics Media Accelerator) that lacks the punch for a lot of 3-d games.

My current (2006) Mid priced Toshiba has an ATI video card but it lacks dedicated memory for the Video... So even when I play an Older Game such as UT:99, I have to throttle down the video specs on the game, otherwise I get a scrambled screen. And that's with it getting a "dedicated 128megs".

If you are looking to play 3-d games, I suggest you take a look at the ones already mentioned --> Alienware, Falcon Northwest, and the like.

Here is a list of Video Card Benchmark Results -->
http://freestone-group.com/video-car...k-results.html

09-14-2006, 12:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kindred Mod & Underwear Model Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Neshanic Station, NJ Posts: 1,961	"Dual Core" is essentially two processors cramed into one "body" Current software doesnt take full advantage of it yet, but you'll still get a huge perfomance jump just from the hardware itself. I speced out our new laptops here with a DualCore processor, and SATA hard drives. The combination is pretty much screaming. Depending on what type of games you're going to be playing, you've really already set your own minimum specs. In my opinion I wouldnt go any less than: a) Dual core processor b) SATA hard drive (newer connection standard, much faster data through-put) c) 2 Gig of ram d) upgraded video card Welcome to the $1,800 - $2,000 neighborhood. __________________ Strive for that moment when you're only a slice of pizza and a hooker away from paradise. -------------------- Little boxes on the hillside, Little boxes made of ticky tacky Last edited by Kindred; 09-14-2006 at 12:50 PM.

09-14-2006, 01:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
BE_Rogue Active Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: central florida, Polk Posts: 149	check this out http://www.dell.com/content/products...=19&l=en&s=dhs not that I know jack about laptops but It looks cool. __________________ N.O.'M.A.A.M. #3 My Hungry Feedback Thread.

09-14-2006, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Azzy Mod-O-Rator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Finleyville, PA Posts: 7,155	If you buy Dell, buy Dell Small biz, not from the home account area. Tech support is 10x better from the SB side. I will recomend HP laptops, I have one, works well, and the service online is top notch. Had a scratched screen and they replaced it in 3 days. __________________ Bryan "Azzy" Spiegel webmaster - Riverside Renegade Paintball / C.C. S.V.S. Plankowner - LPPC#6 Check out VintageRex.com, the premiere paintball museum "A Patriot and free-thinker with respect to social standards in 1760, is today's traitor and dangerous mind." - incynr8

09-14-2006, 03:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Firestorm Got wood? Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto On, Canada Posts: 478	Alienware cost to much, Dell.... don't get a dell, also overpriced IMO and nothing special about them. Core Duo is a faster prossesor then AMD's duel core right now. However 2 gigs of ram in a laptop, that may be a bit much (If its not in your price range). I am running 2 gigs in my desktop. Then again games are needing more and more. __________________ UBIQUE QUO FAS ET GLORIA DU****

09-15-2006, 12:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
bravo647 Rec Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 83	Falcon Northwest makes the best gaming laptops...but they cost an arm and a fricking leg. They had dual core laptops before dual core was cool in desktops. Alienware I thought just got bought by dell recently but they could be worth checking out. Dell is a safe bet and you can typically choose what you need. Apple's are also worth checking out, in my opinion, they are the most bang for your buck and having a desktop pc and an apple laptop is a deadly computer combination. Just make sure you buy mac office with it or you'll have a bitch of a time converting word documents because office hasn't yet switched to the new format. Just checked falcon's site and its looking like alien is a generation ahead of falcon at the moment so alien might be a better bet. Apple's are amazing laptops that are rediculously stable and the mac osx is better than xp in a lot of ways good for school or work not good for gaming. Last edited by bravo647; 09-15-2006 at 12:22 AM.

09-14-2006, 03:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
eric Seasoned Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Port Colborne,ON Posts: 994	my alienware laptop beats everything hands down ive got an aurora m7700 its a shame i dont use it that much and stick to the desktop (i got a new alienware one to go with the laptop hehe and its handsdown the nicest ive had)

09-16-2006, 06:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
mike31c MCB Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California Posts: 866	If you are going to be playing games, take the time to check video specs on the laptops you are looking at when you are shopping... Many of the low priced laptops have that Intel GMA (Graphics Media Accelerator) that lacks the punch for a lot of 3-d games. My current (2006) Mid priced Toshiba has an ATI video card but it lacks dedicated memory for the Video... So even when I play an Older Game such as UT:99, I have to throttle down the video specs on the game, otherwise I get a scrambled screen. And that's with it getting a "dedicated 128megs". If you are looking to play 3-d games, I suggest you take a look at the ones already mentioned --> Alienware, Falcon Northwest, and the like. Here is a list of Video Card Benchmark Results --> http://freestone-group.com/video-car...k-results.html