• Getting a Laptop for College, Need Suggestions
    38 replies, posted
Okay, so I'm going to Drexel next Fall for computer science, but I'm horrible when it comes to shopping for computers as I've never done it before. Drexel has reqs for what we need, so I'll just use those: [b]Budget:[/b] Hoping to stay under $1000 dollars if possible. [b]Processor:[/b] 2.4 Ghz Intel i5 or better [b]Memory:[/b] 4-8 Gb [b]Hard Drive:[/b] 400 Gb or more [b]Video Card:[/b] 512 Mb, hoping for better to allow for light gaming [b]Operating System:[/b] Windows 7 Home Prem. or Professional, with Media, 64-bit [b]Monitor:[/b] 15", but can settle for less [b]Computer Purpose:[/b] College, programming, light gaming [b]Brand Preference:[/b] Dell or Lenovo, as they both give Drexel students discounts. I've mostly looked at Lenovo's selection, and I like the [url=http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087&current-category-id=7162ACCF009D2872F8BA28660C1EC3B5&action=init]T520 Thinkpad.[/url] The biggest problem here is that the version I'd prefer, that has an Nvidia NVS 4200m, is a bit outside of what I'd like to be spending. I realize the 4200m isn't especially made for gaming, but Lenovo seems to focus less on gaming video cards anyway. To sum it up, I'm mostly asking where I can find a laptop that has a decent gaming graphcs card that doesn't cost too much. If I'm stupid and such a deal doesn't exist, I'll settle for something less, but I still need a video card that has 512 mb of ram.
dell sucks, im just putting that in here
The Lenovo thinkpads are sweet, if had the money I would totally get one the Edge series might be better if you plan to game
Ok, I might have found what I'm looking for. I checked Newegg and found [url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246003]this,[/url] which should fit all my needs quite nicely. Of course, the biggest problem is its 3.5 hr battery life, but I think I can work around that.
[QUOTE=meppers;29494822]dell sucks, im just putting that in here[/QUOTE] Their pricing does indeed suck, but when you can get away with a discounted one, they're not that bad. This Dell XPS laptop I'm using right now, was certainly worth the price. [sp]I got it for free[/sp]
[QUOTE=paul simon;29505308]This Dell XPS laptop I'm using right now, was certainly worth the price.[/QUOTE] Hi there. Commas are for when you want the reader, to pause while reading, the sentence.
[QUOTE=Tangara;29505555]Hi there. Commas are for when you want the reader, to pause while reading, the sentence.[/QUOTE] But, what if, you want to, talk, like William Shatner, ?
Within your budget [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157515[/url]
[QUOTE=meppers;29494822]dell sucks, im just putting that in here[/QUOTE] I got my inspiron 1720 for free, I actualy realy like it.
[QUOTE=LaserOfDoom;29494491] [b]Memory:[/b] 4-8 Gb, at least 1 DIMM[/QUOTE] you need no more than 2 gigs, but if you can get extra it's nice. and what is this 1 DIMM business. no shit.
You could check out the new hp dv6t 6000 series, they are pretty good for their price, i ordered the quad edition earlier this week for around 900 with an i7, a radeon 6770m, 6 gigs of ram, and an larger battery.
[QUOTE=Ubercharged;29506119]Within your budget [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157515[/url][/QUOTE] Looks like a nice computer, but it may be a bit too big/heavy for what I need. Also seems like a lot of people are complaining about heating issues. [QUOTE=Catdaemon;29506162]you need no more than 2 gigs, but if you can get extra it's nice. and what is this 1 DIMM business. no shit.[/QUOTE] I was just posting Drexel's requirements, they want me to have 4 gigs. And, while admitting I'm somewhat stupid when it comes to computer parts, the DIMM thing was part of their reqs as well. Figuring out now what a DIMM is and seeing that it's basically standard on laptops now, I wear my idiot hat proudly.
check out the HP ones they're good build quality and good value for money
[url]http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=219030100[/url] best bet review [url]http://www.anandtech.com/show/4242/asus-u41jf-arrandales-not-dead-yet/6[/url]
[QUOTE=JohnEdwards;29516220][url]http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=219030100[/url] best bet review [url]http://www.anandtech.com/show/4242/asus-u41jf-arrandales-not-dead-yet/6[/url][/QUOTE] I think I like that. The only concern is that it only has an i3, but it shouldn't cause too much of a problem because I probably won't utilize the i5's turbo anyway. I'm probably not going to choose one to buy until tomorrow, but I'll keep that one in mind. Also, in retrospect 3.5 hrs isn't too bad in battery life if I don't overwork the computer when it's mobile.
for a laptop that you want mobility the i3 will do fine, you can even OC it if you want :v: in cpu it does around the same [img]http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph4242/36115.png[/img] it also does more than 3.5 hours try 7 or 8 [img]http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph4242/36123.png[/img]
[QUOTE=JohnEdwards;29517605]for a laptop that you want mobility the i3 will do fine, you can even OC it if you want :v: in cpu it does around the same it also does more than 3.5 hours try 7 or 8 [/QUOTE] I was talking about the i5's doing 3.5 hrs, I saw the Asus you linked to could have up to a 9 hour battery life which is fantastic. Still nice to see those stats though.
important note: Dell isn't that bad okay. It's ACER that is the ABSOLUTE WORST! A few of dell products are good such as ALIENWARE which I don't think they did anything to. There was a Dell Mouse that was actually good!
[url=http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Asus-N53SV-Notebook.43709.0.html]ASUS N53SV series [/url] (This one I will buy soon) You can find it with i5 Sandy bridge processor instead for 100$/€ less.
[QUOTE=garychencool;29518117]important note: Dell isn't that bad okay. It's ACER that is the ABSOLUTE WORST! A few of dell products are good such as ALIENWARE which I don't think they did anything to. There was a Dell Mouse that was actually good![/QUOTE] Acer laptops are the worst laptops money can buy. NEVER consider them.
[QUOTE={ABK}AbbySciuto;29527282]Acer laptops are the worst laptops money can buy. NEVER consider them.[/QUOTE] I've had my acer timeline 5810T for a year and a half.. nothing wrong with it. 9 hours of battery is ideal for lectures and it can just about run source games. I treat it like shit too. I got it cheap though.
Oh, just one thing while I'm at it: ReadyBoost helps a [B]lot[/B] on laptops, consider getting a small fast 4GB flash drive to leave plugged in
[QUOTE=Max of S2D;29527565]Oh, just one thing while I'm at it: ReadyBoost helps a [B]lot[/B] on laptops, consider getting a small fast 4GB flash drive to leave plugged in[/QUOTE] I don't even use that feature or even know it (because Vista sucks)
[QUOTE=garychencool;29533946]I don't even use that feature or even know it (because Vista sucks)[/QUOTE] You're stupid then lmao. Readyboost is cool on laptops with ≤1GB ram
Ok, I've ended up finding [url=http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5160-clevo-w150hn-pre-order-p-2999.html]this computer,[/url] which fits every need of mine, but I don't know much about Sager. Can anybody tell me how reliable they are? Also, I've never used win 7 before this so I've never tried readyboost, but I actually have a 4gb flashdrive already that I could easily use for it to see how it works out. Yay coincidence.
Wait do you want battery life, or gaming, well if it comes with optimus it should be good, but 8hrs of battery life is a great thing for college. Asus also offers an accidental everything plan, which really sells it.
[QUOTE=LaserOfDoom;29551922]Ok, I've ended up finding [url=http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5160-clevo-w150hn-pre-order-p-2999.html]this computer,[/url] which fits every need of mine, but I don't know much about Sager. Can anybody tell me how reliable they are? Also, I've never used win 7 before this so I've never tried readyboost, but I actually have a 4gb flashdrive already that I could easily use for it to see how it works out. Yay coincidence.[/QUOTE] only use readyboost if you need more ram for something [editline]1st May 2011[/editline] thousand post wow
Protip all readyboost is the same thing as swap, or pagefile!
[QUOTE=JohnEdwards;29554241]Protip all readyboost is the same thing as swap, or pagefile![/QUOTE] except slower since usb 2.0 (i have not seen any usb 3.0 flash drives) can't compare to sata also readyboost wears out the flash drive really fast
I have an Acer. It was a couple hundred and isn't too bad as long as you don't do heavy graphics on it. I can play CS:S on low settings though. I'm sure for $1000 you could find an awesome one though.
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