Laptop Recommendations

Domikaze

Domikaze

CAGiversary!
Hey everyone, I am looking to buy a laptop and need some help/advice on the specs of it.

First off, is there any kind of preferred brand out there? Like HP, Dell, etc.

Also, I would like to play some decent games on this. I know laptops aren't really great for games unless you dump a ton of cash in it. But I am really only looking to spend like $1,200 on this. I won't be too heartbroken if I can't play something like Bioshock, but it would be a plus if I could.

Now for some specifics. I was messing around with customizing a HP dv6700t to get ideas of specs and price range and have some questions.

For Intel Dual Core Processors, is there any noticeable difference between 2.00 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB to a 2.00 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB. Or even a difference between these and something a bit lesser like 1.67 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB.

Also, how is the 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS Graphics card?

Also, what is the difference between a Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection to a 4965AGN Network Connection. Is it even worth an upgrade?

Lastly, is it worth dropping more money for a 12-cell Ion battery over a 6-cell? Whats the difference in its battery life?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions and thanks to anyone who can give me some advice on this!!
 
I got my new Dell XPS M1530 in the mail about a week ago.

Some people hate it, but I've never had any problems with Dell...plus their 15 inch laptops are the only ones out of the companies I looked at (HP, Sony, Toshiba) that have screens over 1280 x 800.

I can't answer all of your questions, but I can answer a few:

Wireless-N is the newest wireless frequency...most place still use older technologies, but it's much faster, so when places start switching over to Wireless-N, you'll be glad to have it. It's backwards compatible with the current tech in the meantime.

If you go for the 12-cell, make sure it doesn't change the laptop's form factor. I almost ordered a 9 cell for my XPS before finding pictures showing that the 9 cell protrudes from the bottom of the laptop...so I stuck with the 6 cell. You can always pick up an extra battery.

Anyways, what sorts of games are you looking to run? I got a pretty midrange laptop because all I play on PC are the half-lifes and Battlefield. And what screen size do you want?
 
Keep size in mind. A few years back I bought a 6.5lb Compaq and regretted it sorely. I sold it a few months later in favor of a lighter, weaker laptop for the same price. Both were around $1000, but one was huge and powerful while the other was light and weak. I'm glad I have the light and weak one. They also tend to depreciate in value much less quickly.

Most people I know who use laptops for games do so at a desk, which just defeats the purpose. I think you should consider having a cheap gaming desktop with a cheap portable laptop to compliment it.


About Wireless N... it's mostly a range benefit, and even then, that's only when you're within range of an N network. It's faster, yeah, but the speed is rarely limited by the wifi spec. Like, G is 52mbps? 56mbps? Something like that. Then there's super G that's 108mbps. Most ISPs offer 8mbps per less. The fastest offer bursts up to 25mbps ("power boost" or whatever they market it as). Still less than half of what 802.11g is capable of. You're fine with wireless-g.
 
Thanks for the advice. Yeah the 12-Cell does protrude out. So I think I will just stick with a 6 cell.

As for the games I want to play. I usually just play stuff like TF2 these days, which I know isn't very high end. But if I could I would play some Bioshock and CoD4
 
You know, a friend of mine kind of told me that size is ultimately more important than (gaming) performance because, like you said, its just better to do it on a desktop. So you have convinced me to go that route. Thanks for your help!

How big/heavy is your current light one?
 
Thanks Koggit - it appears I didn't have my facts on Wireless-N straight.

And good point on the light thing. My XPS is 15.4 inch and weighs somewhere in the realm of 5 pounds. It's not the lightest, but believe me I'm glad I sacrificed screen size and performance to stick with a 15 inch instead of a bulky and heavy 17 inch laptop.

If you really want some mid-range gaming with an even smaller form factor, Dell makes 13 inch XPS's - I stuck with 15 inch because I wanted the screen to be large enough to play games on without me having to worry about hooking up to another monitor.

And I don't know about Bioshock or CoD4, but TF2 plays flawlessly. Would you like me to test out Bioshock or CoD4 demos?

My specs, for reference:
1680x1050 screen
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7700 (2.4GHz/800MHzFSB, 4M L2 Cache)
3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
 
Well...

I downloaded both of the Demos.

The Bioshock Demo (downloaded through Steam) goes to a black screen and then freezes up...

And the COD4 Demo (downloaded from GamersHell) won't extract. When I try to unzip the setup it gives me an "unspecified error"

I've tried both repeatedly.

Any ideas?
 
[quote name='SilverPaw750']My specs, for reference:
1680x1050 screen
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7700 (2.4GHz/800MHzFSB, 4M L2 Cache)
3GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive[/quote]


Hey. So today i buckled and got a laptop at circuit city for $650. Here it is for specs:http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-P...01912/catOid/-12963/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Ive tried playing some TF2 on it, but I really have to dumb it down for it to run somewhat smooth. Do you think it is because of its graphics card? Do you think a 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS would make a diffrence? Or should I go even higher? I really dont know much about graphics cards (especially for laptops) and I am kind of disappointed with my selection and I am considering returning it. Do you have any suggestions?
 
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