What Laptop Should I Get?

[Lil_Jayman]

I'm looking to buy a laptop, and a good one for gaming, programs and such. I don't know where to begin. I use to be a computer geek back in the day's, but I steered down the medical path and can't remember much over the year's. If any of you who are smart with laptops could tell me which one I should get and why (Below), and what graphics card is probably the best to get on a laptop. Looking to spend no more then 1500 CAN. Secondly any input would really help for what I should be looking for now a day's

1- http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=764562&AffixedCode=WW

2- http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=764064&AffixedCode=WW

3- http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=764354&AffixedCode=WW

4- http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=769594&AffixedCode=WW

 

[lumpkinlane257]

Well the links dont work for me since im from the U.S. but if you want a gaming laptop shoot for the best graphic card (nvidia geforce one with the highest number) you can get and core duo processors (2.0ghz a each+). These are the key parts to the laptop because you cant upgrade them (except a few new laptops which are expensive and are not really worth it).

1. Just get the best processors and graphics card you can.
2. Dont worry bout amount of ram because you can upgrade it cheaper by buying it yourself and installing (simple)
3. You can upgrade the HD with a more high performance one cheaper (simple).
4. Monitor is up to you but I guess higher detail/biggest you can.

side note: staples isnt always the cheapest, more online sites offer computers cheaper (try amazon,ebay, newegg, etc.)

Laptop can be tricky to buy and you need to do your homework before you purchase one like research and compare models, and maybe even look at wat the near future models will have. Once you buy it your stuck with it and upgrades are limited unlike a desktop.

 

[Lil_Jayman]

Thanks, but at staples I get a Teacher's discount from bringing my Sis with me lol. As for G force it's great. I know cause I have it on my pc. Mac's is the only laptop that seems to only have G force. and the Mac isnt really compatible I notice to most games/programs.

Lastly I make enough cash working day after day at the hospital. So money isn't the issue. 1500CAN I think will buy me a great laptop, but like you mentioned I just need to do my studies. Thanks for posting Lump, and feel free to post again.

BTW: They all have the same Processor of 2.0GHz. I dunno what the best is out there now. Let alone what's average..

As for the graphic's card I dunno what to look for, but these are what the 4 have.

Graphics Chipset Mobile Intel® GMA 4500M graphics
Graphics Chipset ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 using HyperMemory technology
Graphics Chipset ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 Graphics
Graphics Chipset ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics RS780M

 

[lumpkinlane257]

Thanks, but at staples I get a Teacher's discount from bringing my Sis with me lol. As for G force it's great. I know cause I have it on my pc. Mac's is the only laptop that seems to only have G force. and the Mac isnt really compatible I notice to most games/programs.

Lastly I make enough cash working day after day at the hospital. So money isn't the issue. 1500CAN I think will buy me a great laptop, but like you mentioned I just need to do my studies. Thanks for posting Lump, and feel free to post again.

BTW: They all have the same Processor of 2.0GHz. I dunno what the best is out there now. Let alone what's average..

As for the graphic's card I dunno what to look for, but these are what the 4 have.

Graphics Chipset Mobile Intel® GMA 4500M graphics
Graphics Chipset ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 using HyperMemory technology
Graphics Chipset ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 Graphics
Graphics Chipset ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics RS780M

There are windows computers that come with g force. I dont know if you can find one at staples but you might get lucky. I say most basic laptops have around 1.8-2.0 duos. The max is around 2.5ghz duos now. Like i said before just research and look at reviews graphics card. Its bascially the most important thing if you want a good gaming computer and just get the fastest processor you can. Here is the link for all the ati graphics cards and an overview of them http://ati.amd.com/products/mobile.html. Goodlucky and hope I helped a little.

 

[theezakje]

Get a: Asus X53S G

- GREAT service
- 2 Years garruant
- Nice, and fast laptop

Specs are in my signature.

 

[antchak]

My personal favorite laptop for gaming is the AlienWare Area-51 m15x. It is powerful, portable, and slick. I bought one not six months ago, apprehensive at first, as it is a pioneer in 15 inch performance gaming laptops. I was amazed at the power it utilized and it has become my favorite laptop. It is a tad pricey (starts at $1299 USD for a shell model but adding options makes the price stack quickly; for a well equipped model it will run you back 2000-3000 dollars), but its well worth the cost. If you don't want a 15 inch screen the m17x is the next best runner up.

 

[tutoneppis]

I would get a dell m1730 I highly recommend it, I got it just before christmas Its one of the most powerfull laptops in the world if not the most powerfull also dell are very good manufacturer's Ive always used dell and Ive had no problems whatsoever.. Excellent for gaming,surfing anything you can think off.

 

[theezakje]

DO NOT GO FOR DELL
Their service is really shit.

That's all I can say.

 

[antchak]

I would get a dell m1730 I highly recommend it, I got it just before christmas Its one of the most powerfull laptops in the world if not the most powerfull also dell are very good manufacturer's Ive always used dell and Ive had no problems whatsoever.. Excellent for gaming,surfing anything you can think off.

Lol the Alienware laptops own it.

 

[lumpkinlane257]

alienware and dell xps are the same thing. dell is fading out the xps to not compete with itself. if your going towards one of these they have the graphics cards that are not integrated and can be replaced but the upgrades/replacements are really expensive compared to speed you get from the desktop verison.

this is probally the most powerful laptop on the consumer market. quard 2.53ghz processor, very new techonolgy so very high prices. you can get them in a duo 3.0ghz if you want. http://www.alienware.com/customize/M17-notebook.aspx?Syscode=PC-LT-M17&SubCode=SKU-GAMER

 

[owain jones]

"ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 using HyperMemory technology"

that will play crysis on low detail with a little lag.crysis on low detail is basically any other game on very high. try to get into the 4 series if you can. I'm not sure what's available for laptops but for 1.5 grand you should get an amazing one. Staples is overpriced and buying a computer online would be cheaper, even with shipping.

go for 7200rpm hard drive and i've seen up to 2.8 ghz dual core which I think is the best? I have seen an alienware laptop with dual 512 mb NVIDIA® GeForce® 9800M GT 2.8 ghz dual core 8 gigs of ram (vista 64 bit) but that ran him around 3 grand.

this would be fun http://cgi.ebay.ca/New-HP-Pavilion-...14&_trkparms=72:1215|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1308

touch screen whole works for 1.1 grand. dual core 2.2 ghz ati 3200hd with 64 bit vista.


http://cgi.ebay.ca/GATEWAY-P-7811FX...14&_trkparms=72:1215|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1308

definitely a good laptop and a nine cell battery usually lasts 6-8 hours.

check out dell and toshiba if you're looking to customize a decent laptop. My exchange student has a toshiba and it's amazing and I know dell xps is good, with the right gfx card.

 

[owain jones]

My personal favorite laptop for gaming is the AlienWare Area-51 m15x. It is powerful, portable, and slick. I bought one not six months ago, apprehensive at first, as it is a pioneer in 15 inch performance gaming laptops. I was amazed at the power it utilized and it has become my favorite laptop. It is a tad pricey (starts at $1299 USD for a shell model but adding options makes the price stack quickly; for a well equipped model it will run you back 2000-3000 dollars), but its well worth the cost. If you don't want a 15 inch screen the m17x is the next best runner up.

you pay several hundred dollars for the name, learn how to build computers first

my custom computer that I had my exchange student build, strait out of taiwan (him and the computer)

3.2 ghz dual core, ati hd 4850,4 gb ocz 800 mhz ram 720 watt power supply, cant remember motherboard and not taking apart. Lightscribe burner, 500 gb hard drive, windows vista and a lian li case. With a wireless logitech keyboard and mouse.

The price?

1000$ Canadian.

you would pay double that from alienware.

 

[Lil_Jayman]

Thanks again guys. I might buy "Graphics Chipset ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 using HyperMemory technology" priced at 850 CAN + tax. I figured if I pay anymore for a laptop it will just break in 3-5 years, as was mentioned by someone at the store (Best Buy) . I might even decide to buy one there if I see one that is better. Why bother spending 1.5 grand + if it just breaks in 3-5 years. My sister has a laptop, and she has had several problems with her battery. So I think its best to get insurance on it, which apparently runs 150 CAN, which is as much as battery if that should break for mine. Let alone any other problems would probably cost a whole lot more.

 

[lumpkinlane257]

you pay several hundred dollars for the name, learn how to build computers first

my custom computer that I had my exchange student build, strait out of taiwan (him and the computer)

3.2 ghz dual core, ati hd 4850,4 gb ocz 800 mhz ram 720 watt power supply, cant remember motherboard and not taking apart. Lightscribe burner, 500 gb hard drive, windows vista and a lian li case. With a wireless logitech keyboard and mouse.

The price?

1000$ Canadian.

you would pay double that from alienware.

We are talking about laptops here...

 

[antchak]

you pay several hundred dollars for the name, learn how to build computers first

my custom computer that I had my exchange student build, strait out of taiwan (him and the computer)

3.2 ghz dual core, ati hd 4850,4 gb ocz 800 mhz ram 720 watt power supply, cant remember motherboard and not taking apart. Lightscribe burner, 500 gb hard drive, windows vista and a lian li case. With a wireless logitech keyboard and mouse.

The price?

1000$ Canadian.

you would pay double that from alienware.

A. We are talking about laptops
B. Straight out of Taiwan
C. I doubt that was the price; I can build a computer and with that tech it will cost quite a bit more. For a decent keyboard and mouse alone it's nearly $200, more if you get quality. Don't lie. There is absolutely no way you could get that computer for that price.
D. Alienware will not fail, and it is not that over priced for the quality you receive. When you pay, you pay for the best. If you cannot afford the best, then that is too bad for you.

Originally posted by lumpkinlane257
alienware and dell xps are the same thing. dell is fading out the xps to not compete with itself. if your going towards one of these they have the graphics cards that are not integrated and can be replaced but the upgrades/replacements are really expensive compared to speed you get from the desktop verison.

Wrong. Dell may have bought Alienware but Alienware is still its own company with its own tech and management. That simply means Dell owns more than 50% of the company's shares, or that the company was sold to Dell.

Once again, for portability, power, performance, and reliability, the Alienware Area-51 m15x is the best laptop on the market. Alienwares system allows each potential buyer to customize the system's components. If you got all the top components, it would cost you about $5000 USD but it would be the fastest laptop you can get.

The m17x is also extremely powerful, but not quite as portable.

 

[Tezlin]

Laptops are ALOT harder to build than Desktops. I am saving up for my Desktop PC now, which will cost around $2000 AUS, and it'll probably be capable of running Crysis on High settings.

For a portable laptop, you can try Alienware, but my opinion is that it's too expensive. Try looking on Newegg (US) or Foxcomp (Australia) for cheap laptop parts and computers.

 

[Lil_Jayman]

Graphics Chipset ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470 using HyperMemory technology

Went out tonight and got that one. All and all cost me 1.1 grand with insurance on it and everything and so far its running the games I've installed on it (Example. NHL 09, GTA 4, NFL 08, Runescape on HD). Im happy about it thus far!

 

[lumpkinlane257]

congratz on getting laptop. take good care of them and they will last longer than the 3-5 year lifespan.

 

[Eluveitie]

It depends what kind of gamer you are. Are you looking for a computer that can play Crysis and other similar games that takes a huge graphic card or not?
If you don't want to play the new games with really high specs, you could just get a GeForce 8600 or 8800GTS as it would do the job. A few months ago the best one for quality/price was the 8600GTS but I couldn't tell now.

Personnaly I'd get this one : http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodd...Name=laptop_hp&logon=&langid=EN&test_cookie=1

I had another in mind but I didn't find it on internet, will post if I find it back.

Also a little note, I work at Staples and I wouldn't buy my computer there. They're way too much overpriced to be honest (where I live, and I'm from Canada also).

Hope it helped.