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

**Ragnus** · 2009-02-12 12:33

I was looking at the Acer Aspire One to replace my old Dell for my web browsing since I have a PC for my gaming purposes.

I read a reviewhere which states that the computer is great for youtube and other online media but I was wondering if it could keep up with all that in addition to AIM and MSN.

**Cephius** · 2009-02-12 12:39

Originally Posted by 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.

I'm a fan of the Dell Inspiron line which should be more than enough to run FFXI and some older games. If you want some more juice you could go with the XPS line. If you're not a fan of Dell, HP and Sony have similar lines at around the same price.

**Ragnus** · 2009-02-12 15:45

Looked into it further. My only concern was over the Atom processor but it looks like the laptop will work out well.

**mootsfox** · 2009-02-12 16:15

Umm, the atom is an utter piece of shit for anything more than surfing or email.

Even light mulititasking bogs it down. I wouldn't get a netbook unless you really need the portability, because you can get a 14" laptop for like $100 more that is 2x as fast with better battery life.

**_chuchu** · 2009-02-13 03:53

Custom Laptops, Gaming Notebooks, Custom Gaming Laptops | XOTIC PC

**Ragnus** · 2009-02-13 10:15

Umm, the atom is an utter piece of shit for anything more than surfing or email.

Even light mulititasking bogs it down. I wouldn't get a netbook unless you really need the portability, because you can get a 14" laptop for like $100 more that is 2x as fast with better battery life.

Thanks for the heads up. I guess the article for the processor I read made it out to be better than it is. I guess my search for an affordable laptop continues. I just liked this one because it came loaded with XP instead of Vista which from what I can see sucks for laptops.

I had a horrible time with my Inspiron 8500 from the get go so I really don't want to go through Dell again.

**Susake** · 2009-02-20 05:27

Anyone here seen the gateway laptop Bestbuy has? Its a beast for the price

Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition with SP1 preloaded
# Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology with interrelated Intel® Core™2 Duo processor P8400 (2.26 ghz)
# 4GB DDR3 memory
# Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive
# 17" WXGA high-definition widescreen TFT-LCD display (some early shipments are 1920X1200 if you can still find them)
# 320GB SATA hard drive (7200 rpm)
#1 GB NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS graphics

For $1,149

Gateway - FX Edition Laptop with Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor Technology - P-7805u

**Bwelch** · 2009-02-20 11:31

Does anyone have any recommendations for a laptop cooler? Maybe something cheap I can pick up at Frys? >_>

**Tomiko** · 2009-02-28 08:42

I'm looking into getting a laptop, but I'm clueless when it comes to the specs so I was wondering if anyone had any reccommendations for something low-moderately priced (and preferably from Dell since I have an account there). Are the Insperions still good?

Main uses:
-FFXI
-Instant Messaging
-Internet browsing
-Possibly Microsoft Office stuff?

Also, I see Ubuntu being offered fairly often as an operating system. I read it's an open source thing but how does it work? Is it like Windows? Should I still avoid Vista?

I was looking at one model (Inspirion 15), are these specs good?

Spoiler: show

Thanks.

**Aro** · 2009-02-28 09:47

I'm looking to start buying new parts for my Toshiba Satellite A200, after almost a year and half of use. I'm just wondering, where is it best to order new parts? Note: I do live in Canada not the US. Also wondering if it's even worth it replacing CPU/Graphics cards/adding RAM, etc instead of just getting a new desktop.

**jmc** · 2009-03-01 19:49

I know netbooks are ideal for internet use, and data entry.

Ive been trying to figure out if FFXI can actually run on them? Ive searched and have seen it can be run....it cannot be run the usual run around.

Just looking for a dead-set answer. I know the atom isn't a glorified processor, and ffxi is gpu based. Just want to be able to log-in, chat...run somewhere. Thats about it, wouldn't be camping/doing events with it.

MSI - Wind Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor N270 - U120-024US

Is what im looking at.

**mootsfox** · 2009-03-02 20:04

Originally Posted by jmcgarrell

I know netbooks are ideal for internet use, and data entry.

Ive been trying to figure out if FFXI can actually run on them? Ive searched and have seen it can be run....it cannot be run the usual run around.

Just looking for a dead-set answer. I know the atom isn't a glorified processor, and ffxi is gpu based. Just want to be able to log-in, chat...run somewhere. Thats about it, wouldn't be camping/doing events with it.

MSI - Wind Netbook with Intel® Atom™ Processor N270 - U120-024US

Is what im looking at.

FFXI is mostly CPU based, the GPU will make little to no difference.

Netbooks are NOT ideal for a main computer. I know the cost makes them attractive, but you really can't (or shouldn't) use them for more than a few hours a day during portable use.

14 and 15" cheapo laptops can be found for about the same price and often have better specs.

**Cephius** · 2009-03-03 09:10

Originally Posted by Tomiko

I'm looking into getting a laptop, but I'm clueless when it comes to the specs so I was wondering if anyone had any reccommendations for something low-moderately priced (and preferably from Dell since I have an account there). Are the Insperions still good?

Main uses:
-FFXI
-Instant Messaging
-Internet browsing
-Possibly Microsoft Office stuff?

Also, I see Ubuntu being offered fairly often as an operating system. I read it's an open source thing but how does it work? Is it like Windows? Should I still avoid Vista?

I was looking at one model (Inspirion 15), are these specs good?

Spoiler: show

Thanks.

That one looks fine. Ubuntu is great for being free, the GUI it comes with is a lot like Windows, but it helps to have some knowledge of unix commands and being comfortable with a command-line interface. If these things make no sense to you and you still want to play games on it, just go with Windows. Ubuntu isn't quite as simple as "double click the installer and press OK". If you're willing to learn though, go for it. There are tons of guides on the ubuntu community forums and on google for learning how to do things.

Vista is fine these days, I've never had a problem.

I'm looking to start buying new parts for my Toshiba Satellite A200, after almost a year and half of use. I'm just wondering, where is it best to order new parts? Note: I do live in Canada not the US. Also wondering if it's even worth it replacing CPU/Graphics cards/adding RAM, etc instead of just getting a new desktop.

Ordering new parts for a laptop generally isnt cost effective. Most of the parts are integrated into the motherboard except for the memory, so it's hard to replace things. Just buy a newer, cheaper laptop if you feel the need to upgrade.

**Tomiko** · 2009-03-04 04:17

Originally Posted by Cephius

That one looks fine. Ubuntu is great for being free, the GUI it comes with is a lot like Windows, but it helps to have some knowledge of unix commands and being comfortable with a command-line interface. If these things make no sense to you and you still want to play games on it, just go with Windows. Ubuntu isn't quite as simple as "double click the installer and press OK". If you're willing to learn though, go for it. There are tons of guides on the ubuntu community forums and on google for learning how to do things.

Vista is fine these days, I've never had a problem.

Thanks, I ended up ordering a Inspirion 15 with similar specs (more memory and a bigger hard drive) since it was on sale ($195 off an Inspirion 15, sale ends 3/5 for those interested).

The total with shipping and tax came to $600.xx which seems good.

Spoiler: show

**fren.** · 2009-03-14 11:30

Edit: Didn't see Ceph's edit.

**The Stig** · 2009-04-04 20:51

Current laptop specs:
T7200 Core 2 Duo [2.0ghz]
nVidia 7400 Go 64mb
2gb RAM
12.1 inch screen

I got hold of a friend's account [FFXI!], and possibly another friend's too if he quits or wants me to use it.

Coincidentally, I'm also hunting for a new laptop.

Quad Core or stay with Dual Core?

I don't need recommendations for what laptop I should buy but I do have some queries in regards to the above question. I do know that whatever it is the graphics card will be pretty decent, but not hardcore decent as I'm not a fan of tweaking my (other) games to look good or to max it out. Just "all average/casual".

So...

Basically I have a virtual Windows XP box running at part time (I do a bit of light app testing or IE6 testing within it, and I do this when I'm not busy within FFXI, maybe just light activity i.e. farming/campaign/hanging in Whitegate) and when I run that (512mb RAM and 16mb Video RAM allocated to it) my laptop gets pretty busy. FFXI is still playable and smooth but if I want to watch a video on top, then it'll get pretty choppy, and processor is of course busy. This is on top of other stuff I do, i.e web browsing, IRC, MSN, Winamp listening to music.

If I get Dual Core (probably one of the newer ones clocked above 2.4ghz) would my performance increase much more, in regards to my FFXI + WinXP virtual box + video watching.

I can dual box comfortably with FFXI turned down, it's not a problem. Of course in high traffic areas then it can get a bit choppy, but not tooo choppy. But of course the WinXP box isn't running if i dual box.

But if I was to get a Quad Core (which is the lowest spec one, clocked at 2.0gz) :: Intel® Core™2 Quad Mobile Processor Q9000 - SLGEJ :: <-- click to find out more, would it allow me to do more? Would I notice a performance jump. I'll be reasonable and say, 2 FFXI boxes going, 1 WinXP box and a video box on top of my firefox, msn, irc, winamp. And if I want to trio box, take out the WinXP box and add 1 more FFXI box. Would everything run smooth

The choice of quad core above is because the laptops I have my eyes on seems to be reasonbly priced, anything above and the price gets ridiculous.

NOTE: All my laptop choices will have 4gb of RAM.

Also, I am probably going to go with one with an ATI card... can I get a confirmation that all laptop users with ATI cards have NO lag/shit issues with FFXI when combined with Vista. And I suppose 32/64 bit doesn't matter here. And I want to play GTA4, which can use a quad core for good performance I hear. And I repeat, I don't care for tweaking it to look the best, reasonable look + playable is all I care for. I'll tweak if I'm bored.

One of the laptops I had in mind, I can't find the other 2 for some reason:
MSI GT725-210UK Laptop GT725-210UK - Laptops Direct

Thanks!

EDIT: The other laptop in mind with a good price is that Acer Quad Core one shown in this post a few posts back, but slightly concerned with the nVidia. If I buy it online it'll be a bit harder to return.

**sruon** · 2009-04-08 11:23

Any feedback on GMA 4500 MHD for FFXI?

**Telamond** · 2009-06-23 06:07

It was a while ago this thread was used, so sorry if this counts as a necrobump or something like that.

I was thinking of buying a laptop for next year of university, I will be starting on my thesis work during spring. As I have never really bought a laptop, or a computer (thank you dad), this will be my first computer purchase from my own money so I'd like to know a bit of what I'm getting.

What I'd like to use the laptop for is the following:
* Watching movies, tv-series, listening to music
* Playing FFXI, Civ IV and Sims 3
* Surfing the internet
* Microsoft Words, Excel, Powerpoint

Now I have some questions before I start looking at laptops.

I was wondering what kind of screen size I should aim for. I don't really tend to use "full screen" when I look at video clips, so that wouldn't matter much. But I'm an avid computer game player. I can usually sit ~6 hours (with breaks) playing FFXI and Civ IV. What's the minimum size in your opinion, one could play games on for a long period of time?

I'd like to minimize the weight of my backpack since I carry with me a 3.9 kg o-chem course book and a lot of hand-outs to school.

Does anyone have any recommendation on models?
Was looking into the Dell Studio 15,6" models, but I think that it might be too big. Or am I just delusional? O.o
I'd just like to point out that I don't have a lot of money to spend, so the cheaper the better...

Thanks for any input.

**Norelco** · 2009-06-23 06:55

What's your price range?

edit: Btw, I'm thinking about getting this guy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1218009474848

If and only if Windows offers a free upgrade coupon to Windows 7 sometime this summer.

What's your guy's take on this machine?

I really only need something for surfing, coding, and grad school. I don't know if the onboard video card could handle any 3d applications.

**Telamond** · 2009-06-23 07:25

Around 1000 USD.

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