New Laptop

#43 fan · September 8th, 2007, 02:52 PM

Hello, everyone, I have a question. What should I get in a Laptop for about $1000? The person I'm getting this wants a 17" screen, is this overkill for the typical person, and so, should he get a 15" instead?
Also, what CPU should I get, remember cost is more important. So, should I get an AMD or Intel?
Also, would it be cheaper (or at least be as cheap) to get a barebone, then install everything else?
Also, should I also install Linux (in the form of Linux Mint 3.0) along with Windows, or just stick with one?
Thanks for the help.

KarmaKiller · September 8th, 2007, 03:54 PM

Hi there. All of the following is IMO of course:

I would just pick up a lappy that's the hole package. That way you'll have a manufactures warranty/support. That may come in handy down the road.

As far as the screen size. He/She is really limiting how good of a machine they get for $1000 with having a 17inch screen. You'll be able to get a much more powerful machine with a smaller screen for that $1000. Price goes up pretty hefty when looking a any 17inch screen model.
Slower CPU/RAM + 17inch =$1000
Faster CPU/RAM(if not more RAM) + 15inch screen=$1000
See what I'm saying??

Now as far as OS. If you think they'll use the UNIX OS, then I say go for the dual boot. Just make sure all the hardware is supported in your flavor you choose.
But If they'll never use UNIX, and stick to windows. Then it's just wasting space on their HDD. So see what your customer thinks about UNIX.

As far as AMD vs Intel. That's really up to you. Intel's are faster with more of a price tag. AMD's are a touch slower with a lower pricing point. It all depends on what they'll use the lappy for. General surfing,pics,MS Office simple stuff like that I would go the AMD route. But if they
have high demanding apps/games, then I would go the Intel route.

Hope I helped....

EDIT:
I can look around and make a list if you want me too. I really have nothing better to do today, my main rig is down for the time being..

carl33p · September 8th, 2007, 04:19 PM

Laptops run into too many problems to not have a warranty. So I wouldnt go the barebone route.

I would go with a 15". 17" is so big to lug around.

With your budget: an Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB ram, and a dedicated GPU.
Dell Vostro's offer great prices, and the 8600GT is available to upgrade to.

EXreaction · September 8th, 2007, 05:37 PM

When you shop for laptops, the first thing you need to decide is the size you want. Take whoever is wanting to buy the laptop to a store that has a bunch in the store to see what size he/she wants.

$1000 is a large sum of money, I'd hate to spend it and then find out the screen size is way too huge.

#43 fan · September 8th, 2007, 10:22 PM

I kind of figured the screen size would be too large, so I'll tell him to go with a 15".
Karmakiller, if you want to, you can make that list. Both an AMD and an Intel, but ATM, I'm leaning towards Intel.
He also wants 2GB of RAM, especially if you can't find a laptop without Vista.

#43 fan · September 9th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Bump.
I found Asus notebooks on Newegg, are they any good?

KarmaKiller · September 9th, 2007, 03:33 PM

Yeah, sorry I never got to making that list...

But I do really like ASUS lappy's, I have recommended them to a couple of different people, and they picked them up and really liked them.
I'll look around though and see what I can find...

I'm having problems finding a lappy with 2Gb of RAM for your budget though..

I don't usually try to plug tiger, but they have a kick ass deal going on a lappy.
LINKY
Something like that work?

TOAD6147 · September 10th, 2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

I don't usually try to plug tiger, but they have a kick ass deal going on a lappy.

Not a good deal at all IMO since it is a refurb, plus you have no idea what the warranty is going to be. In most cases you can get a free one year full virus subscription from your ISP. I got almost these exact specs from Dell for $709 including tax and shipped free plus that inclues 3 years of next day on-site service and 3 years of damage replacement.

#43 fan · September 14th, 2007, 09:03 AM

Will this memory work with an Asus laptop (it's the cheapest 17 inch Asus I could find, has an AMD CPU and nVidia 7600).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145012
Here is the laptop-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834220167

carl33p · September 14th, 2007, 10:10 AM

Should work fine.
Your laptop has 2 DIMM slots.
One will come filled with 1GB stick.
One slot free.
Your laptop supports a MAX of 2GB.