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

[Lovian]

UPDATE: Asus G73jh-a1 upgraded one of my 500Gb to a 120Gb SSD its nippy, Windows experience index now up to 7.4.

[samalis]

Okay so I want a laptop for classes but I also want to play some pc games on it as well. I know I should use my desktop for that but I get bored in between classes easily. My price range is 800-1.1k. Any help? I tried looking myself and saw the Alienware M11X for $1,079. I know you're supposed to stay away from alienware and build your own desktop cheaper but should I steer clear from their laptops too? I'm having trouble finding a laptop to get.

Thanks in advance if you can help.

[Jefe]

The M11X is a fine laptop actually, saw it at a lower price earlier though. I don't know what type of games you want, but SCII was running quite nicely on the M11X, there was a bit of slowdown when shit hit the fan. I find it hard to recommend gaming laptops; however, if I was given the option I'd choose the M11X, has a tinyass screen but packs a punch.

[Krandor]

I've owned an M11x since launch day and it's awesome. It's not going to be pushing out the horsepower of bigger laptops (obviously), but for it's size it's beyond awesome. Unless you're desperate for the most power possible, I would strongly recommend getting the version with the Core2 Duo instead of the i series processors. The newer models run Optimus, which has it's own host of problems (Nvidia card not properly turning on for some games), but the main difference is that the GPU can't be completely turned off, which hurts battery life for non gaming applications.

The original model is basically a midlevel gaming laptop/netbook at the flip of a switch, later model (assuming you have the i7) is more in tune with the what you see in most 15-17" gaming laptops from the big guys in the 1500+ price range. Either way it's a freaking awesome deal.

[jmc]

Okay so I want a laptop for classes but I also want to play some pc games on it as well. I know I should use my desktop for that but I get bored in between classes easily. My price range is 800-1.1k. Any help? I tried looking myself and saw the Alienware M11X for $1,079. I know you're supposed to stay away from alienware and build your own desktop cheaper but should I steer clear from their laptops too? I'm having trouble finding a laptop to get.

Thanks in advance if you can help.

Check out the Dell outlet, they had tons of mx11's for $700-$900 in there

[Einherjar]

What would you folks say about this laptop:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...#scrollReviews

Is it a good choice, or could somebody point me to something better around the same cost?

[Krandor]

It's basically a tossup on that and the Asus G73JH A1, which costs the same. That one has a slightly stronger CPU, but smaller screen size (not a bad thing persay if you don't want to carry around a 17.3" laptop). Afaik it's cooling isn't up to par with the G73, but should still be fine.

i7QM series (the 4 core versions) and an ATI 5870 is really the best combination available right now for laptops, taking into account you'd have to be glued to a cooler for the Nvidia 480s. Any computer sporting that combination is gonna give you solid performance in any recent games.

[Ensam]

Questions:

-Just how integral is getting a dedicated video card? I'm not somebody who cares much for graphics (My desktop has a Radeon 2400, I'm used to playing things on the lowest settings), but I know several years ago a lot of games wouldn't run period if it was an integrated card. Is that still the case? I'm looking more at things like L4D2, Portal 2 when it comes out, so on, rather than really heavy intensive things like FFXIV. While it's not going to be my "main gaming pc", I will still play games on it from time to time so it needs to be able to run them.

-Which kind goes with my next questions. After doing some looking around, I've decided I want a Lenovo laptop. The Thinkpads seem to be more what I'm looking for when it comes to durability and such. Only two have non-integrated cards though: The T series, which is way too high with a card (Looking to spend 600-700 dollars, 800 max but prefer under 700, and it pushes it to over 800), and the Thinkpad Edge with AMD (So, obviously edge is what I'm leaning towards).

But they also have the Ideapad. The Y560 and U450p are the two with dedicated cards, and both sit in the mid-700's. I have to admit the "ohh, ahh" factors of all the keyboard peripherals certainly get me a bit excited but the difference in price is enough to make me not do something stupid lol.

And if integrated doesn't matter anymore, what I'd actually look at is then the SL510.

But I figured I'd listen to the opinions of those on here in respect to those models, or if Lenovo has something else to offer that I'm missing (or stay away from them?)

[Ensam]

Wow - so I was looking through this thread after posting (and dedicated cards = needed), and found this link: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-...ist.844.0.html

The graphic card on the Thinkpad Edge is ranked 177 (Radeon 4250), barely above integrated card level. The Y560 is ranked 46th (Radeon 5730). So, I guess that actually answers which to get between the two, lol.

(And big thanks to Krandor for posting that link, is making it a lot easier to compare laptops)

edit-
so how does this look: http://outlet.lenovo.com/laptops/ide...s/0646xf3.html
The concern is in the processor. I don't know two shits when it comes to that stuff

[samalis]

Do you think a M11X will be able to run FFXIV? I'm not talking about it running on full settings, but just decently without looking like crap? Need something to do inbetween classes badly.

[Krandor]

Do you think a M11X will be able to run FFXIV? I'm not talking about it running on full settings, but just decently without looking like crap? Need something to do inbetween classes badly.

I haven't installed the retail version on it (been using another computer) but the beta version was playable, though nothing to write home about. Note that I have the Core2Duo version, so it's definitely being CPU limited.

[Velgadess]

The new company I am working has nice perk for all employees. They offer up to 3K$ loan, interest free towards the purchase of new laptop/pc. Paid back installments via deduction from paycheck over 12 months. I am gonna use it to replace my 7 yr. old Dell laptop. Dont need a pc. have a good rig thats barely a yr. old. Unfortunately company policy won't allow me to use it to buy parts and build my own laptop. I have to use it towards a complete prebuilt system.

I'm not too familar with current laptop tech today. Looking at a build:
Intel Core i7 820QM 1.73 ghz CPU (quad core)
8GB DDR3 1333MHz Memory
500GB Hard Drive Storage
ATI Radeon 5870M 1GB GPU
Win 7 64 bit

I would mainly be using for FFXIV/FFXI/Starcraft II. I know it's overkill for FFXI. As for FFXIV/Starcraft I don't need it to be high settings. I'd be happy with medium. I can shave $240 off price if I were to go with a Intel Core i7 720QM 1.6 ghz CPU (quad core). Would I be sacrificing alot of performance in relation to FFXIV? Or is the i7 820QM a better value?

thanks for any help.

[Krandor]

^ Asus G73JH, it's specs are pretty much exactly what you're listing.

If you're intent on wanting to maximize that 3k, you can customize it at places like http://www.xoticpc.com/ or http://www.powernotebooks.com/

[Boyiee]

Ok, I'm gonna do it... I'm gonna bring my g73 to class this week.

Hopefully my professor won't get too mad that every row behind me won't be able to see past it.

I kinda want an m11x but I doub't that will happen considering this is still new.

[Mjd]

Thinking of getting the ASUS K42JC-B1 for casual gaming/working from home. Any opinions before I order?

IC Diamond Thermal Compound? Do I really need this? Lol.

[Byrthnoth]

New laptop arrived today. First new PC in a decade. What should I uninstall/install on it?

[Icari]

firewall, antivirus and take off the crap the manufacture put on it.

[Boyiee]

I'm thinking about selling my Asus G73JH because it's pretty big and heavy to be bringing to school and m11x seems like it would be better.

Should I not do this? lol. Should I just suck it up and lug it to class? I have a slappa backpack for it (100$) and a slappa hardbody pro messenger bag for it (130). Was planning on selling the backpack on ebay... is it worth keeping this even though its not as portable?

I don't really know how to go about selling this or how much I could fetch for it being only a couple months old. The costs involved with paypal and ebay just seem stupid.

[Draylo]

Dropped my laptop today and its borked now... I need a new one. Looking for a decent gaming PC, doesn't have to be top notch but has to run ffxi very well at the least... and budget is 500~ish max 650 ;x. Any suggestions?

[Gredival]

I'm thinking about selling my Asus G73JH because it's pretty big and heavy to be bringing to school and m11x seems like it would be better.

Should I not do this? lol. Should I just suck it up and lug it to class? I have a slappa backpack for it (100$) and a slappa hardbody pro messenger bag for it (130). Was planning on selling the backpack on ebay... is it worth keeping this even though its not as portable?

I don't really know how to go about selling this or how much I could fetch for it being only a couple months old. The costs involved with paypal and ebay just seem stupid.

http://www.bluegartr.com/threads/987...-advice-needed!

Read up on this last m11x thread before you trade it in. You're gaining portability, but you're gonna lose a lot of power. It really depends what type of gaming you want to do.