Question:
Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
Hello everyone! I know you probably have seen about 12 000 of these types of topics before, but I would really appreciate any advice you may have!
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General Questions
1) What size notebook would you prefer?
I would prefer the portability of a 13" or 14" notebook, but if required I could move up to a 15.4" screen.
2) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Word Processing, Internet Surfing, Gaming, maybe some image editing, watching DVDs, listening to music.
3) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
I need a notebook for university, so portability is important.
4) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Will be playing games on in. Namely Call of Duty 2, DOOM 3. Half-Life 2 and the like. Would expect the system to be able to play games for the next 2 years or so (even if on lowest settings).
5) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Prefer - Asus, Fujitsu, Sony
Open to suggestions though.
6) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Not sure what I should be expecting. I guess 3-4 hours is what I am after.
7) What is your budget?
$2300 CDN or about $2000 USD
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
I would prefer to see the notebook. However, I could order it online from a different reseller after I have taken a look.
9) What country are you buying this in?
Canada
Screen Specifics
10) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
WXGA = Widescreen eXtended Graphics Array; 1280x768 or 1280x800; This resolution offers the same as XGA except that there is more horizontal real estate; 1280 versus 1024. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
WSXGA+ = Widescreen Super eXtended Graphics Array; 1680x1050; This resolution is comparable to SXGA in that it offers a middle ground between WXGA/WXGA+ and WUXGA. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
11) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Glossy would be nice, but I am not really too picky.
Build Quality and Design
12) Are the notebook’s looks and stylishness important to you?
I would have to say yes.
13) How long do you want this laptop to last?
Again, I am not sure what to expect but I was hoping that it would last in the realm of 3-4 years.
Notebook Components
14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?
At least 60GB, but would largely prefer a 80GB harddrive.
15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive?
DVD-CD/RW
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Thanks a lot for taking the time to help me. I look forward to your suggestions.
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
The ASUS W3v looks like winner.
The V6va would also be nice but thats pushing it :p
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
If you can go 15.4", then by all means do so. I like the W3V recomendation for a 14", but its 64MB X600 will really struggle in the latest games. Half-Life 2 should be fine though.
Check CanadaSys.com - the Asus Z70VA is a good fit for your specs. 15.4", 128MB X700.
That guy up there has one ^ and I am wondering why he didn't recommend it!
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
Preference goes first :)
I still feel 15.4" is way too big.
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
Very true. ;)
If 15.4" is too big, the I'll second the V6VA, although it will run your budget.
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
Thanks a lot for those 3 suggestions.
Looks like I will have to drop into CanadaSys soon and have a look at these ASUS notebooks.
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
I would suggest the DV4000 with the x700 GPU. Great value for the price and opting for the 12 cell battery will give you a great amount of battery life. Weights about 5-6 pounds. Best Buy will carry the 4000 series but none with that GPU.
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
No Dv4000 here with the x700.
I've never seen it as of yet..
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
I would suggest the DV4000 with the x700 GPU. Great value for the price and opting for the 12 cell battery will give you a great amount of battery life. Weights about 5-6 pounds. Best Buy will carry the 4000 series but none with that GPU.
Doesnt the dv4000 weight more like 6-7 lbs?
Answer:
Re: Advice on Gaming/General Use Notebook
The dv4000 weighs 6.6lbs, but you won't be able to get it nor the Compaq V4000t in Canada with anything but the 128MB X700 as Coriolis said.
Other options for you are the MSI-1022 and the Compal EFL-30. Both are 14" widescreens.