Buying a laptop

[youvalss]

Guys, I'm gonna buy a laptop soon (PC, not Mac). Since I never had a laptop and I haven't made any research on the market yet, I have a few questions for the guys who know the subject:

1. What things should I pay attention to that are different than buying a regular PC?

2. I understand that laptops include built-in video cards. Is this true? And are these cards supported by newer games? Or should I add a better card (like GeForce 8800 etc.)?

3. I plan to use the laptop mostly for internet and applications, but since it'll take me some time until I buy a PS3, I'll probably want to play some games on it as well. Can you suggest a good setup - which is not the top (don't wanna spend too much money) but not poor? I guess laptops here are more expensive than in the US so indicating prices not gonna help me. I'm just interested in a good, but not too fancy, setup.


Thanks!

[fishepa]

Re: Buying a laptop

If you can't spend a lot of money on a laptop then you won't be able to play graphic intense games. Laptops just really aren't made for gaming. I would hit up Dell's site and check them out.

[techhokies]

Re: Buying a laptop

I want to buy a couple laptops also. With the beta out for windows 7, is it better to just wait a few months to buy them? My needs are 2 laptops and a desktop.

One laptop can be really bad, because it just has to run one business application and so I was thinking anything in the $300 range. One has to be decent, that can run decent applications and be able to trasfer and run files from the desktop. And the desktop, I'll get a very good one.

Originally I was going to buy all three within a couple weeks, but w/ windows 7, should I wait to buy the middle-range laptop and desktop and only buy the crappy laptop this week?

[youvalss]

Re: Buying a laptop

Personally I don't mind having XP. I don't like Vista and not really want to get 7 because I'm not sure it's supported by applications/games. XP still remains the best imo.

[fishepa]

Re: Buying a laptop

I want to buy a couple laptops also. With the beta out for windows 7, is it better to just wait a few months to buy them? My needs are 2 laptops and a desktop.

One laptop can be really bad, because it just has to run one business application and so I was thinking anything in the $300 range. One has to be decent, that can run decent applications and be able to trasfer and run files from the desktop. And the desktop, I'll get a very good one.

Originally I was going to buy all three within a couple weeks, but w/ windows 7, should I wait to buy the middle-range laptop and desktop and only buy the crappy laptop this week?

Windows 7 will not be pre-installed in PC's you can buy for at least 8 or 9 months if I had to guess.

[ODogg]

Re: Buying a laptop

I have a Dell XPS with a Geforce 8600 and it runs all the newer games just fine (not maxed out but nearly). Except Crysis of course. There is always the Crysis exception though it seems to every computer when discussing running games good. Anyways, I paid about $1400-1450 about 7 or 8 months ago so by now you could probably get the same setup for $1000 i'd imagine.

I'd highly recommend a Dell XPS 15" or 17" screen. If that's too pricey you should consider the Dell Studio. I bought one for my mom and it's really nice too.

[KENYON06]

Re: Buying a laptop

Does it have to be a laptop? Decent performance + laptop = spending some serious cash..

[youvalss]

Re: Buying a laptop

Does it have to be a laptop? Decent performance + laptop = spending some serious cash..

I have a very good reason for why a laptop (I'll keep it to myself for now). Doesn't have to be a real gaming machine, but if I do by a computer (even if it's a laptop) it better have some gaming quality. Doesn't have to include a GeForce 8, it can be 7600 or lower, but I just don't want to count on the built-in video card (if it the laptop comes with it).
Can anyone give a standard setup - not low-end but not the highest? Something average that's reasonable for a laptop.

[ODogg]

Re: Buying a laptop

I have a very good reason for why a laptop (I'll keep it to myself for now). Doesn't have to be a real gaming machine, but if I do by a computer (even if it's a laptop) it better have some gaming quality. Doesn't have to include a GeForce 8, it can be 7600 or lower, but I just don't want to count on the built-in video card (if it the laptop comes with it).
Can anyone give a standard setup - not low-end but not the highest? Something average that's reasonable for a laptop.

i'd say a core duo, 2gigs of ram, 100gig hd, onboard sound, geforce 8600 (if you want to run games i'd get nothing less than an 8600), 15" screen, vista home premium.

[youvalss]

Re: Buying a laptop

i'd say a core duo, 2gigs of ram, 100gig hd, onboard sound, geforce 8600 (if you want to run games i'd get nothing less than an 8600), 15" screen, vista home premium.

Sounds good, except that I prefer XP on Vista and hope they still sell it along with the computer. If not, I'll use my own XP. Is it legal to use the XP I paid for when I bought this PC - for another computer?
And is the GeForce 8600 considered a good video card? I know it's probably not at the same level as the 8800, but how would you rate it? And I see some laptops with the 9300 - is it a good one or just a cheap video card that only attracts people because it's the 9-series?

Thanks for the comments!

[KENYON06]

Re: Buying a laptop

You can use your XP disc. And if you get that 30 day activation thing, just pm me and I'll help you murk it.

And the 8600gt is decent, around the same levels as a 7800GTX, 7900GS or so. It will probably handle F.E.A.R alright.

As for the 9xxx series, the 8800GTX is better than them all except for the 9800GTX, and GTX+ which are only slightly better.

Keep in mind they are "mobile" versions of the graphics cards and you might not be able to replace them later on, and if you can, they will probably be insanely expensive.

[fishepa]

Re: Buying a laptop

Is it legal to use the XP I paid for when I bought this PC - for another computer?

No.

[youvalss]

Re: Buying a laptop

My logical tells me that GeForce 9 should be better than 8. What's the logic behind releasing the 9-series when it's not as good as the 8-series? I'll be happy if someone can make this point clear for me.

[youvalss]

Re: Buying a laptop

You can use your XP disc. And if you get that 30 day activation thing, just pm me and I'll help you murk it.

LOL thanks man, but I can do it all myself. I have everything that needed for activation of...whatever But I prefer usuing a legal version because I'm not sure if when I update it - someone can see that's it's a fake/illegal version etc.. I don't wan't to mess with Microsoft, they can afford better laywers than me.

[KENYON06]

Re: Buying a laptop

Well, the 9 series is better technically, the 9600GT is plenty better than the 8600GT, but the 9800's didnt really separate themselves from the 8800's like people expected.

Anyways, were you looking for something like this?

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/cart/editsystem.asp?id=1755993