Laptop Help

[ihavemyownopinion]

Hey NT

I'm about to go into my first year at UC Berkeley this Fall
and I still haven't got a laptop.

I'm trying to get a PC, not a Mac, but I'm not really sure which
brand/model to get.
Also, I'm looking to spend $1200 or less

Any suggestions?

 

[whateversclever]

You can never go wrong with an HP
just hit up your local best buy, and they will help you out.

 

[hollakid619]

People ask that question all the time

Heres some helpful information http://niketalk.com/topic/206575

 

[milestailsprowe]

What are you doing? Graphics? Music? If not then get a Acer Timeline because its 700$,slim and has good battery life. I got a HP DV4t made off the website, itsgreat but the trackpad SUCKS.

 

[mr monday niight]

pick up an older dell xps

 

[ihavemyownopinion]

Tails- I'm basically just doing general ed. Graphics and Music would def be a plus though

Monday- I was thinking bout getting an XPS since I've always been with Dell
but then I'm not sure which specific model to get or which ones to lean towards
And alco, I wasn't sure bout how good their laptops are

 

[omgitswes]

Dell Inspiron

 

[mr monday niight]

The new ones are nice but they have a design flaw so they can overheat. you can probably find a nice older one on ebay.

for example
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Dell-XPS-M1...trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1199|293:1|294:50

*Intel[emoji]174[/emoji] Core[emoji]8482[/emoji] 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
*Genuine Windows Vista[emoji]174[/emoji] Home Premium Edition SP1
*17 inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WUXGA
*CD / DVD Burner (DVDRW Drive)
*4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
*Speed: 320GB1 SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) with Free Fall Sensor
*NVIDIA[emoji]174[/emoji] SLI[emoji]8482[/emoji] Dual GeForce[emoji]174[/emoji] 8700M GT 512MB GDDR3
*High Definition Audio 2.0
*Dell Wireless 1505 802.11a/g Mini Card (54Mbps)
*85 WHr Lithium Ion Battery (9-cell)
*Jet Black
*1 Yr Ltd Warranty, On-site Service, and 1 Yr Tech Support

not bad for 960..

 

[milestailsprowe]

Originally Posted by IHaveMyOwnOpinion

Tails- I'm basically just doing general ed. Graphics and Music would def be a plus though

Monday- I was thinking bout getting an XPS since I've always been with Dell
but then I'm not sure which specific model to get or which ones to lean towards
And alco, I wasn't sure bout how good their laptops are

If your doing GE and your not a poweruser. I say just get a normal 6-7 hundred laptop. Remember to get E800 or above cpu those so you can keep up with thetimes

 

[ihavemyownopinion]

Yeah, I guess ima just stick with Dell then

Cause what's good with HP?
I've heard from a few people that they like HP laptops
but I've never tried one myself so I'm not really sure

 

[bgl2687]

Originally Posted by IHaveMyOwnOpinion

Yeah, I guess ima just stick with Dell then

Cause what's good with HP?
I've heard from a few people that they like HP laptops
but I've never tried one myself so I'm not really sure

i personally hate using HP and Compaq laptops. I own one of the newer hp laptops(dv series) and that thing runs hot even when I'm justbrowsing the net. I prefer lenovo thinkpad. Lenovo builds very solid laptops but they generally lack a dedicated GPU. If you want to do gaming on yourlaptop then get what MR Monday night suggested, but those dell m1730 are heavy. A cheaper alternative would be a gateway fx but I don't know how reliablethey are because when the first fx came out they had motherboard and heating issues.

 

[food4thgt]

Originally Posted by HOLLAKID619

People ask that question all the time

Heres some helpful information http://niketalk.com/topic/206575

QFT

 

[heat23]

Here's a good Hp dv5 and it on sale at a great price: www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9167652&type=product&id=1218041150023

I have the same laptop but I paid more
[h2]Product Features[/h2]

• Intel[emoji]174[/emoji] Core[emoji]8482[/emoji]2 Duo mobile processor T6400
  Features 2 processing cores, 800MHz system bus, 2MB L2 cache and 2.0GHz processor speed per core.
• 4GB DDR2 memory
  For multitasking power, expandable to 8GB.
• Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
  Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media; also supports LightScribe direct-disc labels using compatible LightScribe media.
• 15.4" WXGA high-definition widescreen display
  With BrightView technology and 1280 x 800 resolution showcases your movies and games in stunning clarity.
• 320GB hard drive (5400 rpm)
  Offers spacious storage options and fast read/write times. HP ProtectSmart hard drive protection for improved data safety.
• Intel[emoji]174[/emoji] Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
  Features up to 1759MB total video memory for intense detail. HDMI port for connectivity.
• Quick Launch button
  Puts your media within easy reach. HP mobile remote included.
• Built-in webcam with microphone
  Makes it easy to chat with and send video mail to family and friends.
• 5-in-1 digital media reader
  Supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card for easy access to your digital files.
• Expansion port 3
  Provides additional connectivity options.
• 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports
  For fast digital video, audio and data transfer. 1 eSATA/USB combo port.
• Built-in high-speed wireless LAN (802.11b/g)
  Lets you connect to the Internet without wires.
• Built-in 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN
  With RJ-45 connector and V.92 high-speed data/fax modem for flexible wired Web connectivity options.
• Weighs only 5.9 lbs. and measures just 1.7" thin
  For easy portability.
• Long battery life
  Of up to 6 hours and 45 minutes to give you more time away from an outlet.
• HP Intersect Imprint bronze and chrome finish
  Features a mesh imprint pattern for a sophisticated look.
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition operating system
  With Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled.
• Software package
  Includes Microsoft Works, muvee Reveal, Cyberlink DVD Suite and more. 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition also included.
• ENERGY STAR compliance
  Assures a high standard of energy efficiency.
• Intel, Pentium, Celeron, Centrino, Core, Viiv, Intel Inside and the Intel Inside logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.

Ps. Whatever laptop you get........get a fan. Belkin fans are great and not to expensive. And remember, BestBuy matches prices

 

[ihavemyownopinion]

Damn Heat. That one also looks really good. Thanks man

 

[mr monday niight]

Originally Posted by heat23

• Intel[emoji]174[/emoji] Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
  Features up to 1759MB total video memory for intense detail. HDMI port for connectivity.

 

[ihavemyownopinion]

^^^

What's bad about that Monday?
Sorry, I'm not good with all th computer stuff

 

[dalilboy]

cant go wrong with a Toshiba

 

[chino905]

I brought a HP for college, and it was a great decision. My laptop before that was a Dell when I was a freshman and it was a good laptop too, but it broke downon me too fast.

 

[untroubled youth]

can i ask why u don't want a Mac? i would understand if ur budget was under $800 but if it's set at $1200, why not go Mac? put Windows on it and u havea PC also.

 

[mr monday niight]

Originally Posted by IHaveMyOwnOpinion

^^^

What's bad about that Monday?
Sorry, I'm not good with all th computer stuff

onboard graphics are no good if your going to be photo editing, gaming, or watching hd video. better to have the graphics power on hand justincase..

 

[infamousod]

that's integrated graphics, meaning the CPU runs the graphics not a separate (discrete) card, so forget about high level intense games, and videosmay suffer a bit. but battery life will improve.

I'm on the same boat as you here's what I'm looking for:

portability, lightweight, under 5lbs and preferably under 14 inches but not under 12. laptops under 12 inches start giving up keyboard size.
battery life, I want to stay unplugged at least 4 hours.
*non-glossy screen, my current dell inspiron is a nightmare in a library or office building cause of this glare
comfortable keyboard
wifi, if you're spending over 1000$ there's no reason it's not wireless N (otherwise it would be b/g)
3+ gigs of DDR3 RAM


I'm still on the fence about Acer. I'm not convinced about the timeline's durability, nor the fact that it has a Solo (single core) processorrather than a dual core, which will detract from performance. I'm looking at lenovo intently. a T400s would be a dream come true. look at the T400 and T500also (they are not as portable). can't go wrong with a dell XPS but if you're planning on being in the library beware of the glossy screen.

 

[hollakid619]

Originally Posted by IHaveMyOwnOpinion

^^^

What's bad about that Monday?
Sorry, I'm not good with all th computer stuff

NVIDIA GeForce (Lamborghini) >>>>> any Intel GMA (Kia)

 

[snake201]

Get a Toshiba man. My whole family roll with these.

 

[infamousod]

I would do many things for an r600

 

[jkjordan]

I love my lenovo and they are very affordable.