help buying a laptop please

shoutman

Price range - under 2k

To be used for: Playing computer games, playing online poker and for general college usage

Must have: Cd and DVD burners, A decent sized screen and come with wireless external mouse. tv out would be a bonus but not neccesary

Stupid question: I presume all laptops will have wireless internet access if i get a wireless router? My brother has his pc broadbanded with irish broadband

I will be bringing this laptop on the bus but not daily so transportability is not of the upmost importance, just so long as its not cumbersome to move it arounds

Cheers for the advice

Nukem

shoutman wrote:

Price range - under 2k

To be used for: Playing computer games, playing online poker and for general college usage

Must have: Cd and DVD burners, A decent sized screen and come with wireless external mouse. tv out would be a bonus but not neccesary

Stupid question: I presume all laptops will have wireless internet access if i get a wireless router? My brother has his pc broadbanded with irish broadband

I will be bringing this laptop on the bus but not daily so transportability is not of the upmost importance, just so long as its not cumbersome to move it arounds

Cheers for the advice

Check the stickies for some places to buy.look for gfx like x6/7/800 and 6600 or 6800 G0 or even a 97/800 or a 5900 if you can find it. A decent CPU with over 512mb RAM. The wirless is a simpla matter at looking at the specs.Majority of next Gen alppies come with built in wireless though so no worries.About the transport just watch the wait and the type of CPU (ie) seom CPUs kill batteries so maybe annoying.

Nukem

shoutman

is there any laptop makes that i should look out for or avoid?

regards
shoutman

DingChavez

If your going to play games and want to be able to carry it around I'd recommend a laptop with a 6600go or x700. An Acer Travelmate 8104 perhaps? Or wait for the laptops that they have in Aldi or Lidl.

_Turismo4

I’d go with the Dell N09XPS5 Inspiron XPS Gen 2, but it’s going to cost you.http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ie&cs=iedhs1&kc=305&l=en&oc=N09XPS5&s=dhs&sbc=inspn_xps

Doodee

If your going to be taking it on the bus then I'd seriously avoid a desktop replacement.
High end Acers are very nice, Have a FErrari myself and must say I have no problems karting it round with me.

Try stick to something below the 6.6lbs and you should be ok.
Any GPU above a fx5200 go should be ok for games.
I have an ATI 9700 in mine and it runs HL2 at full res no problems.
Be wary of Heat disappation, make sure you look at reviews of whatever lappie your looking to buy as some can get very hot.

Have a look Here for some reviews and tweak guides.
I fully endorse the Acer Ferrari Range, savage machines, and quite bling too.

techguy

those ferrari acers are sweet whats de retail on #em..
Thanks..
Hakko

shoutman

hey guys i was looking at this

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=295752

do you think that would suit my needs or is buying a second hand laptop potentially dodgey?

cheers

Nukem

Ha ha i knew you would link it to that lappie.
Its a sterling machine - Khannie and Endu man actually know him which is good. What i recommend is try haggle with him for maybe 100ish. Its still under warranty so if he has proof of that i would say ya, as its a good enough machine.

shoutman

got this setup from www.meshcomputers.com
what do you guys think

windows xp

processor: amd sempron 3000+

512mb pc2700 ddr memory 377mhz

80gb ata100

integrated 128mb shared video memory graphics

15in screen

dvd rw

creative soundcaster audigy 2 ZS soundcard

built in card reader supports sd/mmc/ms/ms pro

built in 802.11g wireless lan card

2 year collect and return warranty

delivery and insurance to ireland

1009 euro

any good?
cheers for the advice

DingChavez

No, it's quite ****e. :cool:

shoutman

whats bad about it ding?

cheers

secret_squirrel

shoutman wrote:

integrated 128mb shared video memory graphics

This drags the whole package down. If you want to play decent games you need to avoid any graphics that share system memory. ie they steal main memory for graphics use - which is slower and leaves less memory for Windows to use.

Its also a bit pricey PC World/Dixons are doing Advent Centrino based laptops for the same kind of money, and whilst I wouldnt normally recommend them - their own brand (Advent) do seem good value for money.

Beware of any laptop that includes the words shared or integrated graphics.

Look for branded graphics card names by ATI or Nvidia eg 6600 go. X300. They all have dedicated memory for the graphics card.

However if you are not really attached to playing games then integrated gfx laptops will save you a bit of cash.

shoutman

here are another three which i think look good, are they? cheers

Product Description Toshiba Tecra A2 - Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz - 15" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.8 cm x 27.4 cm x 3.8 cm
Weight 2.6 kg
Mobile Technology Intel Centrino
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Processor Intel Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz
Cache Memory 2 MB - L2 Cache
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM
Hard Drive 60 GB
Optical Storage DVD±RW / DVD-RAM
Display 15" TFT active matrix XGA (1024 x 768) - 24-bit (16.7 million colours)
Graphics Controller Intel 855GME
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Input Device Keyboard, touchpad, multimedia control panel
Battery Lithium Ion
Run Time (Up To) 3.7 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Manufacturer Warranty 1 year warranty
Price 1449

Product Description Fujitsu Siemens AMILO A1630 - Athlon 64 2.4 GHz - 15.4" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.8 cm x 26.9 cm x 3.66 cm
Weight 3.6 kg (too heavy?)
Localisation English / United Kingdom
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Processor AMD Athlon 64 3700+ / 2.4 GHz
Cache Memory 1 MB - L2 Cache
RAM 1 GB (installed) / 1 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM - PC2700 - 333 MHz
Card Reader Yes
Hard Drive 80 GB
Optical Storage DVD±RW (+R dual layer) - integrated
Display 15.4" TFT active matrix WXGA (1280 x 800)
Graphics Controller ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 - 128 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Input Device Keyboard, touchpad
Power AC 110/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium Ion
Run Time (Up To) 3 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Manufacturer Warranty 1 year warranty
price 1479

Product Description Fujitsu Siemens AMILO M 1425 - Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz - 15.4" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.8 cm x 27.2 cm x 3.3 cm
Weight 3 kg
Localisation English / United Kingdom
Mobile Technology Intel Centrino
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, subwoofer
Processor Intel Pentium M 735 1.7 GHz
Cache Memory 2 MB - L2 Cache
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 1 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM - PC2700 - 333 MHz
Card Reader 4 in 1
Hard Drive 60 GB
Optical Storage DVD±RW (+R dual layer) - integrated
Display 15.4" TFT active matrix WXGA (1280 x 800)
Graphics Controller ATI MOBILITY RADEON 9700 - 128 MB
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Input Device Keyboard, touchpad
Power AC 110/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium Ion
Run Time (Up To) 3 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Manufacturer Warranty 1 year warranty
price 1269

Product Description Fujitsu Siemens AMILO Pro V2020 Edition - Pentium M 725 1.6 GHz - 15.1" TFT
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.3 cm x 27.2 cm x 2.5 cm
Weight 2.8 kg
Localisation English / United Kingdom
Mobile Technology Intel Centrino
System Type Notebook
Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, wireless LAN aerial
Processor Intel Pentium M 725 1.6 GHz
Cache Memory 2 MB - L2 Cache
RAM 512 MB (installed) / 2 GB (max) - DDR SDRAM
Card Reader 4 in 1
Hard Drive 60 GB
Optical Storage DVD±RW (+R dual layer)
Display 15.1" TFT active matrix XGA (1024 x 768)
Graphics Controller Intel 855GME
Audio Output Sound card
Telecom Fax / modem - 56 Kbps
Networking Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG
Input Device Keyboard, touchpad, scroll button
Power AC 110/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery Lithium Ion
Run Time (Up To) 3 hour(s)
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Manufacturer Warranty 1 year warranty
price 1079

secret_squirrel

First (Tosh) and Last (Fuji) Have crap graphics (if you want to game that is). Intel 855 or newer 915 graphics arent great. (for games)

2nd Fuji will have best performance (very good for a laptop) not great battery life. (its a desktop replacement.)

3rd Fuji will have good performance and great battery life. (Its a fairly high end portable)

The 2nd and 3rd also have better screens. 15.4 Widescreen vs 15.1 normal.

shoutman

cheers for the thoughts squirrel, i reckon i will go with the third one so

do you think its a good price for the machine?

DingChavez

Here, get this:

http://www.gericom.com/index.php?id=77&backPID=77&tt_products=83

shoutman

DingChavez wrote:

Here, get this:

http://www.gericom.com/index.php?id=77&backPID=77&tt_products=83

can you get these in ireland ding? or can you get them delivered here?

cheers

ebooborg

lidl laptop are quite good,

my 2 cents