Looking For A Notebook
KungFuDiscoMonkey
Creator of ns_altair日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
Creator of ns_altair日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Thought OT might help me out</div> I'm looking at getting a notebook computer. I want to use it as a desktop replacement and move everything off my familys computer onto it. I know I won't get the best performance out of a notebook but I also need something that I can take to class. I will be using it to do level design, 3D rendering, programming, and photoshop and I'd like to have a DX9 card for . . . HL2! My budget is about $2K - $3K.
I would also like someone to explain the differences between the P4, P4 with Hyper Threading, and the Pm. I don't have to have an Intel CPU I just don't know too much about the AMD chips. I did see this computer that looked pretty good at Gateway but again, I don't know too much about hardware (although with as much time as I spend on these machines I really should learn more about them).
BTW, this is the computer I saw at Gateway.
<a href='http://products.gateway.com/products/GConfig/proddetails.asp?system_id=m675x&seg=hm' target='_blank'>http://products.gateway.com/products/GConf...id=m675x&seg=hm</a>
I would also like someone to explain the differences between the P4, P4 with Hyper Threading, and the Pm. I don't have to have an Intel CPU I just don't know too much about the AMD chips. I did see this computer that looked pretty good at Gateway but again, I don't know too much about hardware (although with as much time as I spend on these machines I really should learn more about them).
BTW, this is the computer I saw at Gateway.
<a href='http://products.gateway.com/products/GConfig/proddetails.asp?system_id=m675x&seg=hm' target='_blank'>http://products.gateway.com/products/GConf...id=m675x&seg=hm</a>
Comments
With a budget of up to $3,000 there's no reason you can't have a kick **** laptop that gives you godly insane performance in today's games, as well as having enough to take you through the games coming out any time soon (including Stalker, DOOM 3, and HL2). If you're a gamer at heart and that's a major concern, I'd suggest go with Alienware. I think they've got the laptop thing down more than anyone else. You pay more, but trust me when I say its worth it.
If absolute gaming performance isn't so much of a concern as saving cash is, check out Dell's selection of laptops, as they are very good performers too w/ quite a bit of features for a pretty good price.
I'd most definately recommend staying AWAY from Gateway, Compaq, HP, and (if you see one) Acer laptops. Their desktops are bad enough, I've heard nothing but bad bad bad about their mobile line.
If low cost is your thing, then you might want to check out the new eMachines laptop. Suprisingly it looks not so bad, in that unlike other big name manufactors part of their cost cutting strategy is to not install all the useless crap you uninstall anyway.
As far as processors go, since you seem to want something that lasts I'd recommend at least 2.4ghz + 512MB of ram. Whether its Centrino or HT enabled or whatnot I don't pay attention, just gauge it by speed and price (where if speed is same then more price = better). Whether you want a DVD Burner in there is up to you, but I don't think the money is worth it right now, but I would suggest a CD Burner (very very inexpensive these days) since it will be your primary computer.
Lastly, you might want to think a bit about a Wireless network, since one of the biggest advantages of having a laptop is being able to move it around. Wireless network means you can take IRC with you to the table or to the john, if you really hate being AFK. :P
Well hope this helps some. Good luck and happy hunting.
'Nuff Said.
O and in their new laptops they're cuztomizable (sp?) ... so you can litterally buy a new GFX card, unslot your old one and slot in the new one easily
Why?
Because benchmarks show the ATI cards outperform the NVidia ones in HL2.
Get the ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 128MB DDR or better and you'll run HL2 like a dream
that would make them give you a laptop and pay the price of an alienware <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
Oh, and homemade laptops aren't always around, especially when you're not familiar with even desktop versions
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Area-51m Case with 15.4" WideSXGA+ 1680x1050 LCD Display - Saucer Silver
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 2.8GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
1024MB DDR PC-3200 - 2x512 SO-DIMMs
AREA-51M ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Module with 128MB DDR
Sound-Blaster Pro Compatible 3D Audio
40GB 5400 RPM ATA100
24x10x24 CD-RW / 8X DVD Combo w/Software
Built-In Wireless 802.11a/b/g miniPCI Card
$2,504.00
$2,743.00
If I put some money into faster processor
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.2GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
$2,628.00
If I put some money into a better sound card
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 NX USB External
$2,703.00
If I get better sound card and midway processor
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 3.0GHz 800MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Creative Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2 NX USB External
I'm pretty sure I could go with the above system for $2,504.00 without too much trouble. If I can work it out though, and get a bit more $, what should I go for? Sound, Processor, or middle way between both?
BTW, I appreciate the feed back. I figure the best way to learn about how good something is, is to ask people who have had more experience with the products.
[edit]
Also, go for the $2,743.00 deal. Going up to a 3.2ghz cpu from 2.8ghz for only $239? You're insane if you don't get it! That's still under your $3,000 budget, and trust me you'll feel its a $239 well spent.
Radeon 9600 Mobile should be a good card. Not the absolute fastest thing on the planet, but definately the most bang for the buck you're gonna get. (This argument assumes the 9600 moble performs like its Desktop version)
Also, you don't want the USB Audigy, that's an external device you'll have to have. Not worth it IMO, unless you plan on hooking up a surround sound system to this laptop...
And [ZAPR]The Thing, what kind of wonderful drugs are you on? Digging laptop parts out of a dumpster? Thinking you can buy the parts individually? ... Man I want some of whatever you're taking. :P
[/edit]
add: I wouldn't consider 15'4 too large actually. Not too small and not too big, thus not eating up that extra 2 minutes you're going to need by running this monster on battery, thus doubling its autonomy
Or you can just get a pretty cheap yet reasonably powerful one from <a href='http://www.cyberpowersystem.com' target='_blank'>Cyberpower</a>, <a href='http://www.abspc.com/app/familynote.asp' target='_blank'>ABS</a> is supposed to rock as well. Just spray paint the case a nice bright neon orange. Take a dremel to the top cover and put in a neat HL2 logo shaped window and perhaps rig a little orange cathod light inside.
I got my laptop at <a href='http://www.xtremenotebooks.com' target='_blank'>Xtreme Notebooks</a> and I am extremely happy with it. They've got amazing support and quality products for at least $1000 less than Alienware.
For example I got my:
P4 3.06Ghz
1024DDR
60gb hard drive
DVD/CDRW
128mb Radeon 9000
for about 2000 bucks (and that was in june)
One of my sticks of RAM was defective so I called them up and got directly in line with a competant person who got me new stick within a few days. Every time I've called them I always get my answer within a few minutes, which compared to what I've known so far is a feat.
Also a couple tips for when you choose your laptop. If you're going to work with graphics I would really recommend one of those "wide angle" screens otherwise you'll notice that one part of the screen is always darker than the other, and that can be quite troublesome in certain instances. Also make sure you carefully choose your screen because LCDs come at a specific resolution. LCDs are set up so that one pixel is one actual cell of the screen, if you're gonna be running a 1400*1050 screen at 1024*768 you'll see that the fonts and stuff can get a bit smudged which really doesn't look good. So pick carefully <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
It isn't a particularly horrible laptop, but there's several problems I had no way of knowing from their online-order site. Such as the junkyness of my video card choice (onboard intel, practically not even a real 3d card). Or the horrible way they partitioned the hard drive, or the factory default settings that came as a result of them installing Windows, things I would've preferred to do myself. But the biggest is the lack of ANY PS/2 port. I have to use a serial adapter for any mice, which doesn't provide enough electrical power for optical mice to operate, and you can forget about external keyboards -- meaning that the moment this things warranty's up, the keys will likely start flying out and I've got very few choices of how to solve the problem.
USB keyboards and mice are a possibility, and so is reformatting/repartitioning, but come on; when I get to customize my own machine, I shouldn't have to waste extra time or money to have real control of what I'm getting. My advice, know the machine you buy.
That is, if you're going for Alienware.
Edit: For this one I kinda want to go with a more well known company (like Alienware) that I've actually heard about. I'm sure that some of the other companys have good products, I just think for my first notebook it'd be better to go with a known company.
Edit 2: I also think I'd rather have a bit more ram and have a sacrifice a bit on the CPU since the programs I use most are memory intensive and I usually multitask like a madman.
<a href='http://sagerforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=60' target='_blank'>http://sagerforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=60</a>
Talknotebooks forums. They seam to give the Alienware systems farily good reviews.
Then I see this site
<a href='http://www.bewareofalienware.com/php/page.php?page=1' target='_blank'>http://www.bewareofalienware.com/php/page.php?page=1</a>
And they hate Alienware with a passion.
I was wondering what the NS forum goers thought and if any of them have actually dealed with Alienware and what they thought about the company and computers.
Edit: Well I REALLY need to get some HW done. I have a rough draft due tomarrow for my research paper and a calc project due Wed. I'll check back later tonight.
Yes it is.
but AW likes to have high tech and GREAT ports on there machines, which means a pair or more of FIREWIRE connecters. I would go and buy a 120 GB FIREWIRE external HDD that will transfer data alot faster than your internal 5400rmp clunker. That way you can keep system files on the internal and run games and everything else off the external.
NUFF SAID
Yes it is.
but AW likes to have high tech and GREAT ports on there machines, which means a pair or more of FIREWIRE connecters. I would go and buy a 120 GB FIREWIRE external HDD that will transfer data alot faster than your internal 5400rmp clunker. That way you can keep system files on the internal and run games and everything else off the external. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's a good idea and one I didn't think about. That's why I wanted to post on the OT forums. I thought it would be helpfull to get some other peoples inputs.
Edit: holy shat they have athlon 64 notebooks!
Edit: Ouch, the Voodoo computers look to be even more expensive than the Alienware. Still looking around though.
<a href='http://ati.com/buy/onboard/mobile/mobilityradeon9600.html' target='_blank'>http://ati.com/buy/onboard/mobile/mobility...radeon9600.html</a>
I've pretty much decided to stay away from Alienware because I've read way too many bad reviews about them. The Voodoo computers look really nice but cary a HEFTY price tag with them. I would still like to go with a more well known computer company. I've been doing more research for my notebook than for any of the finials I have next week. Maybe I should consentrate on them for a few days.
That said, I'd recommend getting a laptop with a good enough processor and vidcard that you'd be able to play some recent games with decent settings. If you want to go all out at a lan party or something, just take your desktop. With a little planning, it's not that hard. Otherwise, you'll just want something to keep you occupied. Besides, if you want to play games, you'll need to drag along a mouse, your power cord, and something to keep it cool.
I have a Dell 4150, with 1.6ghz p3 and radeon 7500. It serves me well, and I spent about $1500 on it a year and a half ago. The only complaint I have about dell is with their driver support and cooling, but I haven't seen anything significantly better either.
Get a laptop cooler, seriously. Games will make it run HOT. Laptops are starting to get into water cooling, but it's not really there yet. I've got an Antec model, and it does the job (don't beleive them when they say it's quiet, however).
guess you have to decide what's more important: a computer that can play today's games and that you can carry around, or a computer that can play tomorrow's games but generally stays put.
as for laptops, the only advice I can offer is NOT to buy dell. every dell laptop I've ever heard of has had its hard drive replaced, often multiple times. the CD burners don't reliably burn CDs either... at least not the model we have at work...