The Laptop Guide - Post here for questions, deals, etc.

[mootsfox]

That's pretty hardcore for a laptop.

If you wanted to get that HDX16t, I'd grab it without the $700 CPU and RAM, HDD.

I just built it with the P8400, 2GB of RAM, 320GB HDD, the cheaper network card, the cheaper blu-ray drive and the 6 cell battery for under $1300.

You could get 4GB of RAM for about $35, a 12 cell for $99 and it would be badass for about $500-700 less.

[Azkarin2]

Heya, just bought a new laptop and just wanted to get some opinions on it. The price was way too much (2000+) but i didnt pay for it so no worries. Just wanted to know if i did a good job putting it together or not.

HP HDX16t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.26GHz)
16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1368x768?)
$50 OFF Ugrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
HP Color Matching Keyboard
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
No TV Tuner w/remote control
12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

I just got nearly the same laptop with the above specs changed in bold. I've had it for 2 weeks and love it. It looks tight and performs like a champ. With your increased specs it seems like you'll enjoy it more than mine. The only problem I have with it is when I use it for awhile the lower left corner heats up slightly and my hand rests there when I type. But nothing too much to complain about. I got lucky and only had to pay $700 for mine (priced at 1300 on HP site). Enjoy!

[Klutz]

Just a simple question. I want to run FFXI on my Compaq Presario CQ50.

Not a hardcore laptop, but I am buying a 3.0 Ghz CPU for it, but I also know I will need a graphics card.

Can anyone give me a suggestion on a graphics card that is pretty much what I will need for great graphics but not like, fucking amazing. I would like to spend the least amount that I can, but a $ amount in the hundreds isn't a problem. Any suggestions would be wonderful.

[mootsfox]

You can't just stick a graphics card in it.

FFXI is so CPU based that you should be fine anyways.

[Klutz]

Just a simple run on Benchmark showed me I need a CPU, and badly, lol.

[Taera]

That's something else I was wondering myself. I dont think the computer will have a hard time running FFXI, but i've heard there are troubles and such with FFXI, Vista, and Nvidia combo. Is it that hard to get around?

[SquireStrat]

You can't just stick a graphics card in it.

FFXI is so CPU based that you should be fine anyways.

Apologies for bringing a desktop question/comment here, but this is what a FFXI friend told me too when talking about what new desktop I should look into buying. Was looking into this which has the NVIDIA GeForce 6150. Cephius said the card is shit and I'd need to buy a new one. Two friends said the card will run FFXI fine and for the price that desktop is worth it. I went to Circuit City and spoke with the department manager and he said that card is pure shit for gaming and I'd need to upgrade. Poked around Newegg.com for a bit and found quite a few graphics cards with great reviews running anywhere from $40-$80 depending on the current sale.

So what truly is more important here? Buying a pc with a meh graphics card and replacing it? Or purchasing the pc with an already proven good graphics card?

[mootsfox]

I'd tell you to build your own as it's usually a better price/performance mark.

As long as that desktop has a PCI-e slot, you can put whatever newish graphics card you want in it.

[mootsfox]

Holy fucking shit.

Acer Aspire 8930G quad-core laptop - SlipperyBrick.com

Newly released mobile Quad at 2GHz SLGEJ
4GB of RAM
9700M GT!!!
500GB HDD

Only $1,800!

[Ikith]

Basically my budget is anywhere from 600-800 dollars right now. I'm looking for a laptop with at least 4 gigs of ram a dedicated video card (Required ATI or Nvidia) full keyboard (optional) decent sized hard drive (at least 150 gigs) a decent proc (dual core at least 2 ghz)...

Basically I will be using this for school and a little bit of gaming I need to be able to run at least 4 virtual pcs that run at 512mb each which should be no problem for what I described above. I know this is a longshot. I was looking at this:

HP Special Edition dv4-1155se Laptop Package with Mouse & Sleeve ($220 Instant Savings)

I bought my last lappy from best buy and didn't really like buying from them but right now it seems like the cheapest best deal I can find. However it does go over my budget. The lower the better but if its worth it 800 is the highest.

Thank you.

[Kohan]

How about: Newegg.com - Acer Aspire AS6930-6560 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T5800(2.00GHz) 16" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS - Laptops / Notebooks

That actually has a dedicated graphics card and is in your price range. Free shipping.

[Ceiyne]

I'm looking for an inexpensive notebook that will run FFXI decently. I have a desktop that I'll use for my primary gaming so I don't need the notebook to be some kick-ass powerhouse... I just don't want to be in slideshow mode, either. How do you think FFXI would run on this?

HP G70 246US 17 Widescreen Notebook Computer With Intel Pentium Dual Core Processor T4200 by Office Depot

Maybe I should ask first if this is that great of a deal. The laptop from Newegg in the post before mine looks pretty sweet and is about $200 more. What else should I be looking at in this price range?

[Fairy-Killer]

How about: Newegg.com - Acer Aspire AS6930-6560 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T5800(2.00GHz) 16" Wide XGA 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS - Laptops / Notebooks

That actually has a dedicated graphics card and is in your price range. Free shipping.

I got basically this exact same laptop for Xmas. It's pretty good. I never thought too highly of Acer until I got this. Amazing sound system in it. Dolby home theater, Tuba bass booster, and a sub built in. Anyways, on to the question. My laptop has the exact same specs except it has 3 GB of RAM and no Geforce 9600 (which it has a Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD). So, with that being said, what would boost the speed of this laptop the most for say $200-$300? I'm pretty set on getting another gig of RAM, also. What's a good brand for RAM? And if you don't want to read thru that mess, I'll repost the specs here:

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5800 (2.0 GHz, 800 Mhz FSB, 2 MB L2 Cache)
Up to(?) 1244 MB Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
3 GB DDR2
320 GB HDD

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

[Meyor]

Question: I got a dell mini 9, threw in a 2gb RAM stick, and have several large USB hard drives. Can its processor/video card handle FFXI, and what is the total file size for the whole game?

Getting back into FFXI after a little more then a year off and would love to play it on my new toy.

Thanks in advance.

[Elipse]

FFXI is cpu based but does a check on your video card to ensure it has transform and lighting capabilities. Most laptop GPU's will be able to do that but some simply cannot. Don't just assume because its a modern laptop that it can run this game. Some versions of the intel chipsets cannot. won't matter for ATI and Nvidia cards but just thought i'd give a heads up.

[Rulke]

Greetings,

I have a few laptop questions in general, here is my situation. Ive built the last 3 desktops Ive had, the latest was built in prep for FFXI US beta, so that'll give you an idea on how old it is. Its basically a glorified PS2 as FFXI is the only game Ive really played on it.
I am in the process of wanting to get a high powered laptop for use in Aion, StarCraft 2 and Diablo 3. I am quite interested in getting a laptop over a desktop because I want the mobility they offer and I am tired of always sitting in my office chair to play games (as comfortable as that chair is). This thread seems to have a lot of laptop savvy people and I'd apprecaite all honest opinions and info.

1) Am I screwing myself over by wanting a gaming laptop over a desktop? I hear plenty of horror stories about laptop harddrives overheating, monitors blacking out and other stuff.

2) How long do laptops generally last? This desktop Im still playing on is like 6 years old or so. I find a few games I like and play them, I want longevity out of a laptop if thats possible.

3. Brands. What to shoot for? I always think of alienware but maybe that just an overpriced status symbol for something else that will work just as well.

Those few questions are my immediate concerns, thanks for your time and sights.

[Kiro]

Gaming laptop = overpriced purtied up normal laptop.

Just get a laptop with a decent video card , dualcore processor and some RAM and you have a "gaming laptop" basically.

[heartslaught]

Looking for something in the $500 to $700 dollar range that's actually good for when the tax refund comes in? Anyone got suggestions?

[Cephius]

Looking for something in the $500 to $700 dollar range that's actually good for when the tax refund comes in? Anyone got suggestions?

What do you intend to use it for? FFXI? General gaming? Just surfing?

[heartslaught]

FF XI, some general gaming (nothing on the higher end though) and being able to write/code/just lounge around on it.

Just looking for something good, as I just need something more CPU intensive if anything only because of FF XI. I've found some things I've liked already, but I'm shopping around for the biggest bang for my buck.

Aka, last laptop wasn't that cpu intensive and I noticed the pain in the ass it was (got it for $300 via best buy bartering as people were clearancing the old XP laptops) without some cpu ump to it.