laptop suggestions

[Doobie]

I know I got a macbook pretty recently, but I am looking into getting a better laptop with a ton of speed and that has a lot of space. I am pretty stupid with computers so I don't know the logic in RAM and all that stuff, I just want a laptop where I can have all my music, play a few games, and be able to multi-task without issues.

I don't mind if its a mac or PC suggestion.

[benji]

You left out the most important factor: your price limit.

[Doobie]

My price limit is about 2,000$.

[benji]

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebook ... mo=8~1TBR0 maybe?

[Fresh8]

From what you have said, I would recommend these specs:

- 1.6 ghz Intel i7 quad core or 2.4-2.6 ghz Intel i5
- Minimum 4 GB RAM
- 500 GB harddrive - hard drive space only drives up price. 500 is pretty sufficient. We got 1TB ones at works and just adds another 500 bucks to the price, you're never gonna fill it all up. Up to you since you did say that you want a 'ton' of space. I have a 500 gb hard drive on my new lap top and just bought a 500 gb external harddrive.

Other factors to take into account:

- Size of screen: I'd say choose either 15.6 inch or 17 inch. If you're gonna take it around then smaller screen, 17 inch if you're fine with leaving it at home and substitute a desktop... personally I like smaller screen because those huge models are ugly!

- Brand: Some brands are worse than others. I think comes down to personal experience. For me, I'd steer clear of HP and Sony. However, that's only me because I have had bad experiences with them. Especially Sony - me and my gf both had Vaios at different stages of past 5 years and both of our laptops died after 12 months because of shitty fans. I got mines in 06, she got hers in 09.

- PC or Mac: I'm a PC guy and just think you are dishing out 1000 dollars more for a Mac over a PC. I just don't think it's justified unless you are using programs that are made for Mac. Again, that is just me. My gf on the other hand is thinking of getting a Mac and I believe it's justified cause she will be using a lot of design work. (Further illustrating my point on the price, a 15.6 inch i7 4gb ram 500 gb HD is about $AU1600, the equivalent in a Mac Pro here is $AU3000)

- Go out and look at what models are being sold. Everywhere will have the same stuff. Go home and research reviews on them and once you find one that suits your needs (performance, looks), then look for the best price. Good luck!

If you got any other questions, feel free to ask.

[NovU]

2 grand? That could even buy you a real nice gaming laptop. Anyways, too many options. Just go with your preference. Looks, performance, bang for the buck or whatever... For me, I always go for what's on great sale.

[Jackal]

For me, I always go for what's on great sale.

Like James' balls.

[shadowgrin]

Oh snap!

[Doobie]

I'll be looking at the local places, I read reviews about the laptop Benji showed and not all the reviews are great, but I'll keep that one in mind. Also Sit, thanks for that, I don't think I need a 500 GB hard drive, I'm pretty sure 250 would do for me.

The size of screen, I'd say I prefer the 15 inch ones. I like my laptops being mobile and not some huge thing thats hard to carry everywhere, like my friends. As for the using macs, I do use iphoto a lot, i love ichat, i mess with garageband, and overall I have just grown accustomed to macs. The first laptop I'll be looking at will be a macbook pro.

[Fresh8]

I'll be looking at the local places, I read reviews about the laptop Benji showed and not all the reviews are great, but I'll keep that one in mind. Also Sit, thanks for that, I don't think I need a 500 GB hard drive, I'm pretty sure 250 would do for me.

The size of screen, I'd say I prefer the 15 inch ones. I like my laptops being mobile and not some huge thing thats hard to carry everywhere, like my friends. As for the using macs, I do use iphoto a lot, i love ichat, i mess with garageband, and overall I have just grown accustomed to macs. The first laptop I'll be looking at will be a macbook pro.

Go back with a Mac Pro if you're happy with it.

I'd consider one if I had the money only because I do admit it looks great. However, I don't know how games would run on it. Guess it depends on which model you got!

I spoke to our Apple Rep and unsurprisingly she said that Macs are good for gaming. I need someone less biased!

[Oznogrd]

I spoke to our Apple Rep and unsurprisingly she said that Macs are good for gaming. I need someone less biased!

they are if you get the few games that have mac versions...so...WoW...

[shadowgrin]

COD Modern Warfare

[Oznogrd]

COD Modern Warfare

Oh and did i mention the mac version of the game that currently goes for 10 dollars or less on console or PC because its been out for years will be 40-60 dollars no matter how long its been out? Yeah....If you're gonna be gaming on it, find a copy of windows and have dual OS

[shadowgrin]

I didn't know that.
My brother has the macbook. That's one of the games I saw him playing.

[Fresh8]

I spoke to our Apple Rep and unsurprisingly she said that Macs are good for gaming. I need someone less biased!

they are if you get the few games that have mac versions...so...WoW...

Should we take bets on whether Doobie is a WoW player?

[Doobie]

Lol.. I do play WoW, I spoke to Gonzo about it yesterday.

Well within the next month or so I'll be looking at different macbook's and post the specs, I guess you guys can tell me if it'll do what I need.

[puttincomputers]

dont believe the hype of macbooks not getting viruses. they were forced to apologize for that this spring. however best buy is still allowing them to give a false report themselves.

[Oznogrd]

dont believe the hype of macbooks not getting viruses. they were forced to apologize for that this spring. however best buy is still allowing them to give a false report themselves.

Lol what the fuck are you talking about? Viruses arent programmed to attack Macs, hence why they dont get them.

[Fresh8]

Lol.. I do play WoW, I spoke to Gonzo about it yesterday.

Well within the next month or so I'll be looking at different macbook's and post the specs, I guess you guys can tell me if it'll do what I need.

How much gaming do you do?

As I said in a precious post, look for an i5 processor and treat it as your starting point. Don't go with i3 or anything old like a Core 2 Duo.

Good luck!

[benji]

If he wants to play many modern games (Call of Duty 5: WAT 2, NBA 2K11, etc.) the starting point is the graphic card, not the CPU. If he wants Farmville, Bejeweled and MMOs that scale brilliantly and are playable at 15fps that's different.

Well within the next month or so I'll be looking at different macbook's and post the specs, I guess you guys can tell me if it'll do what I need.

You ever think about telling us exactly what you need instead of saying general things like "a lot of space" and then deciding a moderate hard drive size is good enough. Or maybe instead of saying "play a few games" SPECIFY what types of games you want to play. Perhaps even when saying "a ton of speed and multi-task without issues" you are specific what you're doing and planning on multi-tasking.

It's like saying you want something to cut things, chop others, slice some other stuff. Oh, and stab someone to death and butcher their body to make it harder to discover. Yeah, a nice gourmet chef's knife will work, but so will a chainsaw and a rusty shard of metal unless I get more specific about what else I'll be cutting up other than my victims.

[Jackal]

Somehow this will lead to him smoking weed with the salesman.

Or kissing his friends gf.

Or being dedicated (this time for realz) to losing weight.

Or being depressed and needing to talk about it.

Or asking for advice...then proceeding to ignore it anyways.

Or just lead to him telling us he will smoke tomorrow with his new laptop.

[Andrew]

Lol what the fuck are you talking about? Viruses arent programmed to attack Macs, hence why they dont get them.

Not entirely true, but I would agree that generally speaking they don't and that it doesn't compare to the amount of infections that target PCs.

[Oznogrd]

Lol what the fuck are you talking about? Viruses arent programmed to attack Macs, hence why they dont get them.

Not entirely true, but I would agree that generally speaking they don't and that it doesn't compare to the amount of infections that target PCs.

Well i guess there's been 1...my mistake. guess i should've clarified most viruses. Still, seems a little ridiculous to not buy a mac because they lied about the hype

[Fresh8]

If he wants to play many modern games (Call of Duty 5: WAT 2, NBA 2K11, etc.) the starting point is the graphic card, not the CPU. If he wants Farmville, Bejeweled and MMOs that scale brilliantly and are playable at 15fps that's different.

Yeah, my bad overlooking that.

[puttincomputers]

the reason macs dont get hit with as many viruses is because there are fewer macs around. which systems would a bad guy go after? Microsoft pcs with 92.6% of marketshare or Apple with 7.4%?