Suggestions for College Laptop

[mdcomp]

Been doing a little bit of research for a laptop for college next year. I am looking to spend between $1400-$1800, I guess. I've been looking at the Compaq r4000, it has the Athlon 64 processor. I am open to suggestions, I just want something I can game with, as well. I am willing to explore Intel or AMD, I just figured the AMD's are cheaper so I could get a better performing AMD chip for the same price or less than an Intel.

This is generally what I am looking for:

Processor - I am flexible, Intel or AMD doesn't matter.
Ram - 1gb DDR Ram
Video - I want to game a bit, I don't need the best, but I want something that won't be obsolete by next month.
Hard Drive - 80gb Hard drive (5400rpm or better)
Optical Drive - I'd like a DVD burner, but it's not a must. At the very least a DVD/CDRW drive.
Screen - At least 14", preferably 15".
Networking - Wireless is a must for college.


I guess thats it for now. Just not sure what brand to even look at, there are so many brands I am not familiar with such as, Acer and Sager. Thanks for the help.
:)

Matt

[ozzlo]

ok first of all all I know are dell laptops so that's what I got to offer you...

dell has been giving out cupons for $750 off their laptops for about a month straight...

go here for current cupon offer...
http://notebookforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=104

also dell tends to dish out huge savings at the end of buisness quarters to boost sales to make them look pretty for stock holders... their next quarter ends sometime july/aug... a little patience and luck could get you 50% off a laptop, the laptop I am using right now was purchased for 47% off with a $100 mail in rebate on top of that...


dell overprices their ram like crazy... it is best to get the cheapest option they offer and then upgrade with some ram bought from newegg...



now for the dell models...

inspiron 9300... Very powerful laptop... can get it loaded for often $1800 or less (1400 or less if you don't get an extended accadential damage protection warranty)

pros:


*pentium-m processor with 3-4 hour battery life
*you can get a geforce go 6800 for insane graphics (70-90 fps all settings and resolution maxed for the HL2 "stress test")
*you can upgrade to a "glossy screen" that has a beautiful reflective finish
*dell offers a 60gb 7200 rpm HD for this laptop
*6 usb ports
cons

*17" screen ( i suppose this might be too big for your needs)
*8 pounds (some people that are used to carrying around a full backpack of textbooks everywhere arent phazed by this "borderline weight" but most people would complain that it weighs a tad bit much.. but that's to be expected from most any 17" notebook.

inspiron XPS gen 2

just about the same as the i9300 but with led's and a real desktop 6800 ultra instead of the 6800 go but for $400 more.



inspiron 6000

pros

*15.4" screen
*great battery life
*uses 533 fsb and can use pentium-m or celeron-m chips
*usually pretty darn cheap... pick one up for $900 or less if you get lucky

cons

*the maximum graphics you can get for this is the x300 which is slightly comparable to a radeon 9600 but with awsome power saving features.



you can also get a inspiron 8600 which is a pretty sweet laptop but just slightly outdated...

[DipStickTony]

The only two laptops I would consider getting right now are either the i9300 that ozzlo brought up or the sony s360 or the slighty different variant sony (i.e. sony s370, s270 etc). The s360 is a 13.3" laptop with a mobility 9700 in it. I have seen some nice deals at sony's outlet site where you can get a loaded s360 for ~1600$. This is the only laptop I know that is this small with such a good video card in it.

Depending on your needs those are the only two laptops I would even consider.

For a 14-15" look at the asus z71. It is a 15.4" widescreen with a 6600go in it.

Besides those you are going to end up paying alot more to go with a laptop with a decent video card in it.

www.notebookforums.com is a nice place to read reviews and see pics of various laptops.

[m3x1c4nj3w]

get the i9300, you can be playing HL2 while in class!

[Poly15]

Check out some of the new laptops on ebay. Most of them have no Operating Systems, so if you have your own this saves you some money. My buddy bought an ASUS for like $1.2k off ebay. Priced at dell it was like 2k!

[adriana]

dell 600m?

[Vengance_01]

I look around at Notebookforums. I am also in the same boat as you. Sager 3880 is a nice laptop with battery, portabilty, and preformace. Uses the New 915 and 533FSB Dothans, and has a 6600GO. If you are looking into any gamming X700/6600 I say is the min for next gen games. But By far the best bang for you buck is the Dell 9300.

[greenman100]

Been doing a little bit of research for a laptop for college next year. I am looking to spend between $1400-$1800, I guess. I've been looking at the Compaq r4000, it has the Athlon 64 processor. I am open to suggestions, I just want something I can game with, as well. I am willing to explore Intel or AMD, I just figured the AMD's are cheaper so I could get a better performing AMD chip for the same price or less than an Intel.

This is generally what I am looking for:

Processor - I am flexible, Intel or AMD doesn't matter.
Ram - 1gb DDR Ram
Video - I want to game a bit, I don't need the best, but I want something that won't be obsolete by next month.
Hard Drive - 80gb Hard drive (5400rpm or better)
Optical Drive - I'd like a DVD burner, but it's not a must. At the very least a DVD/CDRW drive.
Screen - At least 14", preferably 15".
Networking - Wireless is a must for college.


I guess thats it for now. Just not sure what brand to even look at, there are so many brands I am not familiar with such as, Acer and Sager. Thanks for the help.
:)

Matt



You look into a tablet PC?

[greenman100]

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24355

[anon1]

Sony VAIO with Ethernet Wireless Internet Card.

[m3x1c4nj3w]

i9300 is perfect. It's the best for playing CS:S during a boring class.

[Eric1285]

I would suggest a smaller laptop if you're going to school. I used to use heavy 15 inch laptops that weighed 6-8 pounds. I carried them to school every day...I went through 3 of these before I realized how much better it was to have a thin and light notebook. Bought myself a Vaio S and I have no regrets. It also has a Radeon 9700 in it, so I've been able to try out a few games on it...

[VTpelt]

I would agree, get the smallest, lightest, and longest battery life laptop you can find. I had the "best" desktop replacement when I went to college 3 years ago from dell and let me tell you. It was the biggest mistake I made in regards to computer purchases. That thing was like 13lbs and a brick. True, I could play games at speeds faster than other people, but then after six months, it was worth nothing. Since then, I replaced with it with a 4 lb Centrino laptop and I am happier now than I was before. If you are going to game, you game on the desktop. Thats what they are made for.

[jnev_89]

i9300 is an awesome laptop, especially with a $750 off coupon. also, check out the sager 4880. x700 is really nice (thoughnot as nice as a 6800go as on the 9300) and it has really good battery life. i woudn't get the 3880 becasue the 6600go sucks compared to the x700 and the battery sticking out on the 3880 looks like crap. 4880 isn't wide-screen though. www.pctorque.com is the best place to buy sager laptops.

it soudds like the i9300 would be the best laptop for you though. just know that there are alternatives.

[d94]

I would agree, get the smallest, lightest, and longest battery life laptop you can find. I had the "best" desktop replacement when I went to college 3 years ago from dell and let me tell you. It was the biggest mistake I made in regards to computer purchases. That thing was like 13lbs and a brick. True, I could play games at speeds faster than other people, but then after six months, it was worth nothing. Since then, I replaced with it with a 4 lb Centrino laptop and I am happier now than I was before. If you are going to game, you game on the desktop. Thats what they are made for.
so your saying 700m? :)

[nikhsub1]

I love my 9300 with the 6800... it is big, but lighter than my 5670 Sager it replaces. The WUXGA screen pwns too. Matt, there is no better cpu right now than the Dothan... It is all intel for Laptops IMO.

[Eric1285]

so your saying 700m? :)

Not if you plan on gaming...the Vaio S has that competition wrapped up. Asus also makes a nice 14'' widescreen laptop that's fairly light, although I'm not sure what kind of graphics card it has.

[TheGreySpectre]

I have been carrying around my 9300 everyday for the past month and a half and it doesnt bother me carrying it around, 7 pounds is heavy for a laptop, but I dont mind

17inscreen rules for movies

[mdcomp]

Ah, Forgot to tell you guys.
Thanks for all the help.
:)

I ordered a 9300, it should be arriving soon. So excited!

Inspiron 9300
Pentium Mobile 760 (2Ghz)
1gb DDR Ram
256mb Geforce GO 6800 graphics
17" Widescreen
80gb hard drive
DVD/RW

Matt

[jnev_89]

awesome, good choice! have fun with it.

[koolaid]

Dude, you're getting a Dell!

I have the 700m and it's a nice laptop. I carry it to class everyday. You will like your 9300. From the research I did, they are nice. :cool:

[BeanTownBrawler]

The only two laptops I would consider getting right now are either the i9300 that ozzlo brought up or the sony s360 or the slighty different variant sony (i.e. sony s370, s270 etc). The s360 is a 13.3" laptop with a mobility 9700 in it. I have seen some nice deals at sony's outlet site where you can get a loaded s360 for ~1600$. This is the only laptop I know that is this small with such a good video card in it.

Depending on your needs those are the only two laptops I would even consider.

For a 14-15" look at the asus z71. It is a 15.4" widescreen with a 6600go in it.

Besides those you are going to end up paying alot more to go with a laptop with a decent video card in it.

www.notebookforums.com is a nice place to read reviews and see pics of various laptops.


How does the radeon mobility 9700 compare to a geforce 6800?

[d94]

How does the radeon mobility 9700 compare to a geforce 6800?
big difference :p
but they can both handle games, the 6800 hower is way more powerful

[DipStickTony]

the mobility 9700 is about equal to a desktop 9600 pro.

[Vengance_01]

Another 9300 owner, good to know. But should have ordered the bare min and grab a 1GB stick from newegg for 109$ :)

[@crilicM@n]

The Renewd C310 series from ACER, the C314 is a powerfull hybrid with Pentium M2,0, 1gb ddram2 533mhz, 100gb of HD, Dedicated videocard GF6200, Wireless G and Bluetooth, DVD+-RW... 8 cell battery in a centrino combo that gives you between 4 and 5 hours away from the wall!!! The Cons are, not soooo ligh for a centrino: 2,9kg, but Ok when compared with P4/Xp based notes... and the screen of 14" just goes 1024x768, wich is not that bad for an only 14 size... if you can live with that, it´s an umpreceeding powerfull tablet hard to beat!

[Andy82]

I would recommend the Compaq R4000 series notebooks. I just picked one up from best buy about a month ago now and it is awesome. Havent had any problems with it and it is about $850ish AR. Nice notebook.

[Chowdy]

I really enjoy my i9300.

Maybe if you went to a high school where there were no lockers you could appreciate the i9300 more. I remember my backpack weighing in at 20-30 lbs in middle school, and parents and relatives are constantly amazed at how heavy our backpacks are.

Anywho, this ~8lb wonder is no sweath if you're used to other more horrible things. I probably have a back problem now. ;)

[ozzlo]

I never used my locker and carried 5 books plus a 3" binder around for 6 years... 8 lbs is absolutelly nothing at all...