Author Topic: Laptop (Read 2476 times)

Hero · « **on:** October 14, 2008, 04:42:19 PM »

I am looking to buy a new laptop for about $1000 (less is always good).

I am thinking I want an HP, but my dad has some nice discounts for Dell (Mayo Clinic Discounts ftw)

I will use this for:
Gaming
Software Development
Bots?

Specs I want:
2-3GB RAM
200GB + Harddrive
Good battery life
Decent sized screen
Vista Premium or XP Downgrade
Wireless-N Card
Decent Graphics (Gaming)
Mircosoft Works??

Help me pick one!

Hale_ · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2008, 04:48:04 PM »

I thought you already bought that one. And if you still have the link to those two you were looking at. I would say go with the Second one. And that I know of no Computer comes with Microsoft Works, us Open Office. Its free, pretty close to the same thing has all the same features and is automatically updated when a new version come out, FOR FREE!!!!

Vector · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2008, 05:12:05 PM »

These days, you're bound to find some good picks.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/produ...=lthp&s=dhs

Look at the XPS 1530. That's vista though.

See if you can get an XP downgrade.

There is a service with Dell that will get you XP preinstalled, if you buy a certain computer off them. Look here for more details.

Hero · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2008, 06:21:33 PM »

Quote from: XxHalexX

I thought you already bought that one. And if you still have the link to those two you were looking at. I would say go with the Second one. And that I know of no Computer comes with Microsoft Works, us Open Office. Its free, pretty close to the same thing has all the same features and is automatically updated when a new version come out, FOR FREE!!!!

I didn't buy it yet

Quote from: Vector

These days, you're bound to find some good picks.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/produ...=lthp&s=dhs

Look at the XPS 1530. That's vista though.

See if you can get an XP downgrade.

There is a service with Dell that will get you XP preinstalled, if you buy a certain computer off them. Look here for more details.

I am actually debating using vista

You think Dell is better than HP?

I tried configuring that dell. Ended up at $1,173.

Quote

My Components
SYSTEM COLOR Tuxedo Black
PROCESSOR Intel? Core? 2 Duo T5800 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista? Home Premium ion SP1, 64-bit
PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE Microsoft? Office Home and Student 2007 - Word, Excel + PowerPoint
WARRANTY AND SERVICE 1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
LCD AND CAMERA Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
MEMORY 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
HARD DRIVE Size: 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE Slot Load DVD+/-RW (DVD/CD read/write)
VIDEO CARD 128MB NVIDIA? GeForce? 8400M GS
WIRELESS CARDS Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
BATTERY OPTIONS 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
SOUND OPTIONS High Definition Audio 2.0
FINGERPRINT SCANNER Finger Print Reader XPS M1530
My Software & Accessories
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE McAfee SecurityCenter 15-months
My Service
ACCIDENT AND THEFT PROTECTION LoJack for Laptops Theft Protection
DATASAFE ONLINE BACKUP Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
ALSO INCLUDED WITH YOUR SYSTEM
Dell Printer Driver Windows Vista? Premium
Software - Adobe Adobe? Acrobat? Reader 9.0
Processor Branding Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Doms Camera and Color Black Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1280x800) & 2.0 MP Camera
DIAL-UP INTERNET ACCESS No ISP requested

What is the difference between 64bit and 32bit? How are they better/worse?

Vector · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2008, 07:19:35 PM »

[size=]Happy 100th post, Hero [/size]

64 bit just allows a larger chunk of data to be sent/received from the CPU. You will notice some performance gain if you use a 64 bit operating system with it.

If you need heavy use of a performance machine, then you should go 64-bit. Otherwise, go 32-bit. Movie making, for example, where you rely heavily on graphics, you may want to go 64-bit. Then again dual core 32-bit is ok.

At this point, I'd say 64-bit for extreme cases.

Hero · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2008, 01:18:21 PM »

Quote

You think Dell is better than HP?

Could you answer that?

Is Vista terrible enough to downgrade?

I am not sure how big my dad's discounts are with Dell, but without them $1173 is too much.

Vector · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2008, 03:51:21 PM »

It's not that Dell is better than HP, it's that Dell is the only company who actually still sells Windows XP on its computers. And in my own opinion, as a Computer Geek, I don't like Vista at all, due to the hell holes found in the operating system. Things like the UAC, and Windows Defender that I don't like.

That's why I respect Dell. I don't like Vista, and any vendor that still supports XP is a good deal to me. Thing is, the Tech Support is terrible. I may not have referred you to Dell if I knew that you yourself WERE NOT a computer geek yourself.

Hero · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2008, 04:58:59 PM »

Quote from: Vector

It's not that Dell is better than HP, it's that Dell is the only company who actually still sells Windows XP on its computers. And in my own opinion, as a Computer Geek, I don't like Vista at all, due to the hell holes found in the operating system. Things like the UAC, and Windows Defender that I don't like.

That's why I respect Dell. I don't like Vista, and any vendor that still supports XP is a good deal to me. Thing is, the Tech Support is terrible. I may not have referred you to Dell if I knew that you yourself WERE NOT a computer geek yourself.

UAC can be disabled ;\
XP sucked at first too, I am hoping for some nice Vista SP's.

Most HP's come with downgrades to XP.
Lawl Dell tech support.

So does it make sense that that computer you linked me to is the same cost 32bit as 64bit?

Vector · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2008, 05:40:47 PM »

Quote from: Hero

UAC can be disabled ;\
XP sucked at first too, I am hoping for some nice Vista SP's.

Most HP's come with downgrades to XP.
Lawl Dell tech support.

So does it make sense that that computer you linked me to is the same cost 32bit as 64bit?

I'd say get the 64bit, lol for the same price. DO NOT however use Windows XP 64-bit unless you want problems with your current applications. A 32-bit application running on a 64-bit operating system is a no no.

Pyro · « **Reply #9 on:** October 15, 2008, 06:49:16 PM »

Quote from: Vector

I'd say get the 64bit, lol for the same price. DO NOT however use Windows XP 64-bit unless you want problems with your current applications. A 32-bit application running on a 64-bit operating system is a no no.

You shouldn't run a 32-bit operating system on a 64-bit machine either. Unless you're going to get the 64-bit OS, stick with getting the 32-bit machine. "Mixing the bits" is a dangerous game, as many compatibility issues can and will arise. Using 64-bit will also require you to purchase more memory to get the same performance that you would get with 32-bit.

As far as Vista vs XP goes, Vista is better after you disable UAC, and if you're concerned about the resource hogging, you can disable Aero. Windows Defender was on XP, and all it does is protect you, the number of interactions that I've had with it on Vista have been minimal, and it uses barely any resources. You also need Vista to run some of the newest games to their fullest potential. (DirectX 10)

A true computer geek wouldn't buy a computer from a manufacturer, but rather order the individual parts from a supplier and assemble it themselves. Until you can do that, don't call yourself a computer geek.

Hero · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2008, 07:08:31 PM »

Quote from: Tony

You shouldn't run a 32-bit operating system on a 64-bit machine either. Unless you're going to get the 64-bit OS, stick with getting the 32-bit machine. "Mixing the bits" is a dangerous game, as many compatibility issues can and will arise. Using 64-bit will also require you to purchase more memory to get the same performance that you would get with 32-bit.

As far as Vista vs XP goes, Vista is better after you disable UAC, and if you're concerned about the resource hogging, you can disable Aero. Windows Defender was on XP, and all it does is protect you, the number of interactions that I've had with it on Vista have been minimal, and it uses barely any resources. You also need Vista to run some of the newest games to their fullest potential. (DirectX 10)

A true computer geek wouldn't buy a computer from a manufacturer, but rather order the individual parts from a supplier and assemble it themselves. Until you can do that, don't call yourself a computer geek.

I have built a desktop computer, but not a laptop.

Hale_ · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2008, 07:31:29 PM »

Never get a Dell the tech support is horrible for it. Consider this Stealthbots Tech support is better then most.

de80 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 03, 2008, 02:51:38 PM »

I am also looking for a Laptop that is under $350, yes i am cheap, but all i need it to do is run bot's.

Not play game anyone got a good one?

Reason · « **Reply #13 on:** November 03, 2008, 03:17:06 PM »

Please do not Bump old topics, instead, create a new one.

Vector · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2008, 01:06:06 PM »

Quote from: Zone57

Please do not Bump old topics, instead, create a new one.

If that was a viable rule, I would have stated it in my rules. Thanks.