Laptop suggestions

Schmidty · 09-03-2007, 11:57 PM

I want to buy a laptop for $500 or less, but I also want to make sure I can play games on it. Now, I'm not expecting to be able to play new games like Bioshock at full quality or whatever, but I would like to be able to play WoW or Civ 4 without horrible slowdowns. I've looked around online a little, but I've never owned a laptop, so I have no idea what specs I need, what brand is better, where to look for a cheap-ish one, etc.

Any suggestions?

Schmidty · 09-04-2007, 02:37 PM

Anybody?

stevew · 09-04-2007, 02:46 PM

My first thought, anyways, was that you were going to be hard pressed to find any laptop with more than integrated Video at that price point. Maybe integrated has gotten a lot better as of late, but last time I checked I think it would be pretty hard to play most games on something with integrated video. Maybe it's gotten better?

Schmidty · 09-04-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevew

My first thought, anyways, was that you were going to be hard pressed to find any laptop with more than integrated Video at that price point. Maybe integrated has gotten a lot better as of late, but last time I checked I think it would be pretty hard to play most games on something with integrated video. Maybe it's gotten better?

Yeah, I remember that too (integrated, shared memory cards, etc.). I was also hoping that things had changed, or that I could at least find a place that would offer a really, really good deal on occasion.

Neuqua · 09-04-2007, 02:53 PM

I bought a new HP last week for $649 (after rebate) and am absolutely loving it. I know it's above your price point but I think the specs are very solid for the price.

Here's the link:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do

lordscarlet · 09-04-2007, 03:15 PM

I'm on the macbook bandwagon, so I don't know anything sub $500.

CamEdwards · 09-04-2007, 04:34 PM

yeah, i just bought a new inspiron from dell, but I upgraded a few features and topped out at $1200.

On the other hand, it plays Civ IV like a dream.

Schmidty · 09-04-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamEdwards

yeah, i just bought a new inspiron from dell, but I upgraded a few features and topped out at $1200.

On the other hand, it plays Civ IV like a dream.

Man, I would love to buy something like that, but my wife would kill me.

Of course she can buy new furniture all the time, and I'm not allowed to complain.

Gallifrey · 09-04-2007, 04:45 PM

Schmidy,

Try tigerdirect.com

I buy all my parts from them and their laptop prices are good.
Under $500 is very tough to get quality for the money. But if you look at the $650 to $750 range where there are rebates as mentioned above you can get a high quality laptop that will last.

In laptops you really get what you pay for...or not. Whatever that saying is hold true here.

rowech · 09-04-2007, 05:04 PM

We bought a Toshiba this summer and have been very happy with it.

ThunderingHERD · 09-05-2007, 02:10 AM

If you're on a tight budget like that you need to keep an idea on www.slickdeals.net and www.fatwallet.com.

As for gaming performance, I don't play WoW but Civ4 runs just fine on my old Dell Inspiron 1405 (1.66ghz Core Duo, 1GB, integrated graphics).

Antmeister · 09-05-2007, 05:30 AM

Also try out Overstock.com. They have been around for a while:
http://www.overstock.com/

bignej · 09-05-2007, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gallifrey

Try tigerdirect.com

I buy all my parts from them and their laptop prices are good.
Under $500 is very tough to get quality for the money. But if you look at the $650 to $750 range where there are rebates as mentioned above you can get a high quality laptop that will last.

I bought a laptop from them about 5 months ago. Total with extra RAM was $489. It stopped charging or running on ACabout 2 months later. I bought a new adapter which didnt work. Tech support for Gateway said that it was a bad mother board and they would fix it for $250, not counting shipping etc. I'd say it might be worthwile to splurge for value in this case. And don't buy a Gateway.

ThunderingHERD · 09-05-2007, 07:07 PM

HP Pavilion 14.1", 1.8ghz Core Duo, 1Gb RAM, GeForce Go 7200--$633.49, free shipping.

Schmidty · 10-04-2007, 03:44 PM

Bumping this because I'm buying my laptop tomorrow (getting my bonus), and I've found a couple that I really like on ebay; however I'm worried about getting screwed over. The guy who's computers I'm looking is a power-seller with all good feedback, but I've also heard that scammers can do strange things on ebay (copying names, sending empty boxes, etc.).

I just wanted to see if any of you have bought a computer on ebay, and if so, what's a good way to make sure someone's not trying to scam you.

Schmidty · 10-04-2007, 03:52 PM

Dola.

Here's the one I'm looking at - http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-15...QQcmdZViewItem

Please don't buy it out from under me.

highfiveoh · 10-04-2007, 05:42 PM

If you get it you should ask about the RAM upgrade. You'll want 2 GB to run Vista. Don't want to pay too much extra though as you can get RAM elsewhere fairly cheap. Think I bought 2x1 GB sticks for around 70 dollars (including shipping). Installing RAM in a notebook can be a pain for novices though, so I wouldn't be afraid to pay a little more.

09-04-2007, 02:37 PM	#2
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Anybody? __________________ Just beat the devil out of it!!! - Bob Ross

09-04-2007, 02:53 PM	#5
Neuqua Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Chicago, Ill	I bought a new HP last week for $649 (after rebate) and am absolutely loving it. I know it's above your price point but I think the specs are very solid for the price. Here's the link: http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-Pa...oductDetail.do __________________ Our Deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

09-04-2007, 03:15 PM	#6
lordscarlet Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington, DC	I'm on the macbook bandwagon, so I don't know anything sub $500. __________________ Sixteen Colors ANSI/ASCII Art Archive "...the better half of the Moores..." -cthomer5000

09-04-2007, 04:34 PM	#7
CamEdwards Stadium Announcer Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Burke, VA	yeah, i just bought a new inspiron from dell, but I upgraded a few features and topped out at $1200. On the other hand, it plays Civ IV like a dream. __________________ I don't want the world. I just want your half.

09-05-2007, 02:10 AM	#11
ThunderingHERD College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	If you're on a tight budget like that you need to keep an idea on www.slickdeals.net and www.fatwallet.com. As for gaming performance, I don't play WoW but Civ4 runs just fine on my old Dell Inspiron 1405 (1.66ghz Core Duo, 1GB, integrated graphics). __________________ "I'm losing my edge--to better looking people... with better ideas... and more talent. And who are actually really, really nice." "Everyone's a voyeurist--they're watching me watch them watch me right now."

09-04-2007, 02:46 PM	#3
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	My first thought, anyways, was that you were going to be hard pressed to find any laptop with more than integrated Video at that price point. Maybe integrated has gotten a lot better as of late, but last time I checked I think it would be pretty hard to play most games on something with integrated video. Maybe it's gotten better?

09-04-2007, 04:45 PM	#9
Gallifrey High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Seattle, Washington	Schmidy, Try tigerdirect.com I buy all my parts from them and their laptop prices are good. Under $500 is very tough to get quality for the money. But if you look at the $650 to $750 range where there are rebates as mentioned above you can get a high quality laptop that will last. In laptops you really get what you pay for...or not. Whatever that saying is hold true here.

09-04-2007, 05:04 PM	#10
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	We bought a Toshiba this summer and have been very happy with it.

09-05-2007, 05:30 AM	#12
Antmeister Pro Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: At the corner of Beat Street and Electric Avenue	Also try out Overstock.com. They have been around for a while: http://www.overstock.com/ __________________ "I'm ready to bury the hatchet, but don't fuck with me" - Schmidty "Box me once, shame on Skydog. Box me twice. Shame on me. Box me 3 times, just fucking ban my ass...." - stevew

09-05-2007, 07:07 PM	#14
ThunderingHERD College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Carolina	HP Pavilion 14.1", 1.8ghz Core Duo, 1Gb RAM, GeForce Go 7200--$633.49, free shipping. __________________ "I'm losing my edge--to better looking people... with better ideas... and more talent. And who are actually really, really nice." "Everyone's a voyeurist--they're watching me watch them watch me right now." Last edited by ThunderingHERD : 09-05-2007 at 07:09 PM.

10-04-2007, 03:44 PM	#15
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Bumping this because I'm buying my laptop tomorrow (getting my bonus), and I've found a couple that I really like on ebay; however I'm worried about getting screwed over. The guy who's computers I'm looking is a power-seller with all good feedback, but I've also heard that scammers can do strange things on ebay (copying names, sending empty boxes, etc.). I just wanted to see if any of you have bought a computer on ebay, and if so, what's a good way to make sure someone's not trying to scam you.

10-04-2007, 03:52 PM	#16
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	Dola. Here's the one I'm looking at - http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-15...QQcmdZViewItem Please don't buy it out from under me.

10-04-2007, 05:42 PM	#17
highfiveoh Banned Join Date: Oct 2006	If you get it you should ask about the RAM upgrade. You'll want 2 GB to run Vista. Don't want to pay too much extra though as you can get RAM elsewhere fairly cheap. Think I bought 2x1 GB sticks for around 70 dollars (including shipping). Installing RAM in a notebook can be a pain for novices though, so I wouldn't be afraid to pay a little more.

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