Question:
Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
Looking for some help with a new laptop. I know the G1S is a nice piece of equipment but it's a tad out of my budget. Any help would be appreciated!
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
About 1200-1400
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.
US
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Something with good support and decently known in the US
5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Office applications, high end computer programming (more RAM based), light gaming (on trips mostly)
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Needs to be somewhat portable. Anything under 7ish lbs would be nice.
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
WoW, Starcraft 2, Any new DX10 games
8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
3 hours would be nice (for non-gaming use)
9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
Sure
10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
XP
Screen Specifics
11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
WS
12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Doesn't matter
Build Quality and Design
14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
It would be nice but not necessary
15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
Before the new semester (August). My older GRT170 lasted about 4 years before the battery and internal fan went.
Notebook Components
16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 200GB?
Anything above 100GB
17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVD-RW
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
dell vostro 1500 with an extended battery and 8600 gt graphics comes to mind... I don't think there's an xp option with the inspiron, maybe, haven't checked, i prefer the all black vostro though.
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
dell vostro 1500 with an extended battery and 8600 gt graphics comes to mind... I don't think there's an xp option with the inspiron, maybe, haven't checked, i prefer the all black vostro though.
+1 on Vostro, also Inspiron 1520 (ONLY if you use coupons, or else they'll be over your price range)
Although I wouldn't say you do LIGHT GAMING. "Light" doesn't mean rarely play, "light" means you play games that a 64MB card can handle.... Playing new DX10 games aren't light.
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
+1 on Vostro, also Inspiron 1520 (ONLY if you use coupons, or else they'll be over your price range)
Although I wouldn't say you do LIGHT GAMING. "Light" doesn't mean rarely play, "light" means you play games that a 64MB card can handle.... Playing new DX10 games aren't light.
Point taken. I'll change to "Occasional Slacking Off Periods" :-D thanks!
I have Dell discounts from my university so that may work out. Thanks!
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
Remember that Dell Inspiron and Vostro are the exact same thing with the exact same price if you use the Inspiron coupons. If you don't, you're getting ripped off big time. If you are not a Dell fan, may I also suggest this?
http://store.agearnotebooks.com/asuss96s.html
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
The only issue I have with Dell is their inclusion of an OS. Not having the OS saves a good $100+. I hadn't heard of the 96S from Asus. I like Asus to be quite honest. Thanks again!
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
Yeah, most Asus Built-On allow you to choose which (if you want any) Operating System. Try www.agearnotebooks.com. I think that websites gives you more Asus options than any other.
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
Thanks. I'm just reading up on the differences between the 8600 GS and GT. So much research.. so little time.
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
GT is about 50% better than GS. But if you aren't going to need that 50%, might as well save yourself some money.
Answer:
Re: Looking for a General Laptop with Light Gaming
^ the GT isn't 50% better. You should check out the compal ifl-90 from xoticpc.com or powernotebook.com. The S96S like the person said about is also also good to look at.