Laptop Recomendations?

FunkyFlashFive · #1 05-15-2009, 08:38 PM

I'm looking at buying a laptop in the next month or two and am looking for recommendations.
I've got about $1000 give or take a few hundred.
So far I've been impressed by http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834147919 and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ard-_-34147922

Any other ideas/deals?

Illbay · #2 05-15-2009, 08:42 PM

I have always been a big HP guy. But lately I've come to appreciate the ACER laptops. For $1,000, for example, you can get pretty much a top-of-the-line laptop including Windows Vista Ultimate, 4GB of RAM and all the bells and whistles.

They're even sold at Wal-Mart.

I've bought three of them so far, and I've been pretty impressed with the value.

Sterling_Bass · #3 05-15-2009, 08:42 PM

White Macbook. It's $1000. It has the same chipset as the $1300 Unibody Macbook, so if you're looking for the best price vs. performance, that's the one to go with.

MJ5150 · #4 05-15-2009, 08:44 PM

I love my Toshiba Satellite. Had it coming up on six years now, and never had a single problem with it. Used it every day for about four years, took it all over the country in a laptop bag, and loaded tons of software on it.

-Mike

Papazita · #5 05-15-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyFlashFive

So far I've been impressed by http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834147919

I have the AMD processor equipped version of this, with an ATI graphics card. Got it in March. So far, so good. No complaints yet.

*edit*
Well... ONE complaint, but it's more of a software issue. A certain game really doesn't like ATI cards, despite the game's recommended settings being well within the card's capability. All the graphics settings have to be reduced to a minimum, rendering the game virtually unplayable (boo!

). Apparently this was a known issue when the game was released. They claim to be working on a fix, but I haven't seen it yet.

Stumbo · #6 05-15-2009, 09:21 PM

I have and older version of the newegg.com HP listed above.

It works fine. I use it to run an extension monitor, keyboard and mouse for my home system as well. It's kinda big so you'll need a bag that will fit it.

My only concern might be that the 5400rpm may be too slow for the 320mb drive. I prefer two smaller drives so I can use one for backup.

I use a memory manager program (MemoKit) to help track and recover memory. I also use PC Mags "Startup Cop" to easily modify boot up programs. Those programs come in handy for getting rid of junk programs.

Pilgrim · #7 05-15-2009, 09:23 PM

I have a brother to those HP machines - my wife gave it to me for Xmas. 17" screen, smaller HD and RAM (2 GB) but same processor, 8011.G, DVD burner. My understanding is that a 32-bit Vista machine only really uses 2 GB RAM. My machine cost under $600 at eCost...so my advice is to definitely shop the model number on the Internet and compare prices. NewEgg is a good shop, but you never know where you'll find a good refurb or something similar for hundreds less.

Either of those HP machines will work great. Mine has been a pleasure, and very dependable - the two things about it that are worth mentioning: the touch pad on mine is offset to the left which takes some getting used to, and it doesn't get HOT, but it gets warm enough after an hour or more on my lap that I like to use a lap tray to set it on. I don't have to, but it's more comfortable.

NJL · #8 05-15-2009, 09:27 PM

although i'm an apple fanboy, i REALLY had good experiences with Dell and Acer.. my new widescreen Acer monitor was dirt cheap and i couldn't be happier.. they have great computers, too.

Disco_Gee · #9 05-15-2009, 09:31 PM

I'd look at one of the Acer Aspire series. My recent experiences with them have been great. Excellent value for money.

popinfresh · #10 05-15-2009, 09:32 PM

What's it going to be used for?

NJL · #11 05-15-2009, 09:35 PM

prolly just pron

tplyons · #12 05-15-2009, 10:29 PM

I can't recommend the white Macbook enough. For $999 you're up against a quality machine that will last years, and then some. Mine just hit the two year mark with nary a problem and performance to spare.

NJL · #13 05-15-2009, 10:34 PM

^^ I have an early 06 white macbook.. still going strong, too..

**bassybill** · #14 05-16-2009, 08:44 AM

I'm posting on my Dell Inspiron 6000 that I've used for well over three years without a hitch. Well, there was just one. I spilled beer on the keyboard and it got inside; the display went completely blank. Next day when it had dried out, it was fine.

I've also got a higher spec Inspiron 1500 that's the core of my studio setup. Had it just over a year, works great (but I did switch from Vista to XP as I found Vista was buggy for audio on this machine).

Sonic_Death · #15 05-16-2009, 09:55 AM

I've had my Dell Inspiron E1505 for three years now and it runs like a champ. Spend $1200 on it even though it had over $2000 worth of specs (I had an amazing coupon).

I highly recommend Dell products, when shopped right they can be a great value, and despite what anyone may say, I have had great experience with their products and customer service.

I also recommend Acer and HP though, they make good products. Really it comes down to personal difference for me, because all three manufacturer's computers have slightly different tweaks and advantages, so decide what you like more and go from there.

fdeck · #16 05-16-2009, 10:06 AM

I have had no problems with three Dell notebooks: Two belong to me and my spouse, and a third is my work computer. Something I noticed with both Dell and HP. They compete, not by running their prices up and down, but by adding "free" add-ons. If you decide which features you must have, then you can sometimes wait a few weeks until those features end up in the bargain package of the week.

I'm gassing for a netbook. I just don't need a lot of horsepower, and the portability would be a plus.

**Eric Perry** · #17 05-16-2009, 04:00 PM

I have a Gateway P-7811fx that's a sick system for the coin. Check out the specs, it's a pretty hard core gaming system for the coin.

PRUNEFACE · #18 05-16-2009, 06:12 PM

I have to be as anti-mac as it gets. iPods are great the computers... not.
You should look at Sager computers. They have some very, very powerful computers for about $1000. I have an Alienware and highly reccomend them. If you can, I'd try to save up a bit more to get one of theirs or a highly upgraded Sager.

PRUNEFACE · #19 05-16-2009, 06:17 PM

beastin 17"

Great 15.4"s

An Alienware in the price range (which I highly reccomend) Customize and see what you think.

What I have

**Eric Perry** · #20 05-16-2009, 07:46 PM

Here's the specs on the Gateway P-7811fx...

* Intel Core 2 Duo p844 @ 2.26Ghz - 1066Mhz FSB
* Intel PM45 chipset
* 4Gb of DDR3 RAM @ 1066Mhz
* 200Gb 7200rpm Seagate Momentus drive, with an extra drive bay (I use that 200gb drive as my data drive and use a 60Gb OCZ solid state drive as my OS / Apps drive)
* NVidia GeForce 9800 GTS video card with 512Mb of dedicated DDR3 RAM.
* 17 inch WUXGA screen at 1920 x 1200 native res.
* HDMI port
* eSATA port
* built in 1.3Mp camera with mic
* built in memory card reader
* It comes with Vista Home Premium 32 and 64 bit editions. Also, it comes with ZERO bloatware. Just a clean Windows and drivers install disc. That's a beautiful thing. I am running Windows 7 Ultimate, build 7077, and it's been great so far.

I'm not sure you can get anything that touches those specs for that money. This system runs Crysis on a mix of high and very high settings at around 30fps at 1680x1050 with a tweaked video card driver. At native resolution, it's down in the low-mid 20's.