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Computer Science Canada Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
| Author: | StealthArcher [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
My Christmas present has finally activated, and my 1000$ off of a laptop coupon is finally active. However, it's been so long since I stared endlessly at data and benchmarks for stuff, I can't really figure out what's good anymore! EDIT: Never specified that oit was the video card's memory, silly me. This was one I was looking at, but I have a feeling that from what I've read on the video card, the 512 MB of memory wont actually do anything, and is useless, as well I f i remember correctly Core2duos make for really nice OC'ing. Now, I do want one with a really nice set of specs, and whatnot, and weight as much as people think it might be is fine, it can be 30 freaking lbs for all I care, weight isn't a factor for me to carry it around, however, cost will have to be capped at 2099$ at the absolute most, sure I do get 1000$ off, but my funds aren't limitless. Any ideas? And dont worry, I'm still looking, not sitting letting you do all the work. |
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| Author: | Tony [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
StealthArcher @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:17 pm wrote: it can be 30 freaking lbs for all I care
So why not get yourself a desktop? You'll get better specs for lower price. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Can't really make as much use of a desktop at school. Would rather, but not really plausible. |
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| Author: | btiffin [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Sorry; giddy response. Get 5 or 6 4GB Asus Eee PCs and just fling them all over the place. Cheers |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
... |
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| Author: | rdrake [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:56 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Tony @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:24 pm wrote: StealthArcher @ Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:17 pm wrote: it can be 30 freaking lbs for all I care
So why not get yourself a desktop? You'll get better specs for lower price. After lugging around a large laptop all day for a year you'll be begging for a smaller machine. My laptop is 6 lbs and it still feels too heavy. You can get a decent tablet for cheaper than what you priced. Sure you won't be able to play games on it, but who buys a laptop to game on it anyways? Light laptop + console == WIN. |
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| Author: | wtd [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
If you're looking for something with a dedicated video card then unfortunately Apple is out with your current budget cap unless you go with a refurb MacBook Pro. Aside from that... Thinkpad R series can if memory serves be configured with decent-ish dedicated video. Or... buy something like an Eee for going from place to place, and get a desktop for areas where performance is a huge issue. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:51 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
^^^ Did someone forget previous discussions already? Anyway, I'll take a look at the suggested, thanks guys. BTW rdrake when you say console, do you mean like a Plinux3? |
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| Author: | apomb [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
as wtd stated, getting a light laptop for portability and a desktop for performance is a great idea. Thats my setup, and i find it to be extremely convenient. I have a macbook/personally built Desktop combo, perfect for my needs and the price for the lot was easily in that price range.(1200 for laptop, 900 for decent desktop) |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:09 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
When you're at school, though, you don't use your home computer as much, and you only can afford 1 computer. You can get a good gaming laptop for $1500, likely. I got my laptop for $1100, its an ASUS F3Ka Turion 64 X@ TL-60 (2.0GHz), 2GB RAM, 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 (15"). You might want to get at least 3 or 4 gigs of RAM, and a better CPU, but this laptop can run some good games at high graphics. ASUS also has a 2 year warranty for free  .
You might want to research into Linux compatability if you're interested in that, too. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Hmm, kinda, but you're card clocks out at only 3134 for the 3dmark score. I was hoping for something on the top 10 of this list: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html Dunno, though, no one offers any of them on a lap under 1900, without more than a 60 HDD and 1 Ram, and no freakin OS even |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Well, after looking at what I know to read, and getting back up to speed... Screw it, gaming lps are STILL God-awful expensive, and horribly locked down. I think my deal up top, with promotional and first buy cash is pretty good, what do you guys think? |
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| Author: | HellblazerX [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
How about this one? Overall, seems better than the one you had, unless you really wanted that blue-ray drive. |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:03 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
My card isn't top on that list (Rank 2 only), but it performs well (except for anti-aliasing). I even heard it got a decent FPS on Crysis. I can run TF2 on max smoothly (except anything more than 2x AA and it lags right down - a problem with the card). The problem is, I only get about 1hr battery life on this laptop because it eats power up. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Yours is number 39 aziz, that's an hd3950... anyway thanks guys, now to use up a coupon of awesomeness, well, after some more checks anyway, I've started to have fun reading spec sheets again! EDIT: Checked out HellBlazer's sugg., noticed two things: -The video card is worse, for the same end price, and honestly I will never use up 250GB as I dont listen to much any music. I had this Athlon 2200+ machine for 7 years and it has 58GB of stuff total, and I almost never erase things. -That one is more expensive, as CC is offering me more money off for my first purchase, and Asus is also haveing a sale as well. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 4:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Well, I'll be telling my parents I'm ready to buy tonight, so if anyone has some good finds of any type, I'll look at them, including good deals with lesser vid cards. And thanks for the help y'all. |
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| Author: | wtd [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Final suggestion: whatever you get, budget some sort of networked storage solution for backups and remote access. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Thanks again wtd. |
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| Author: | rdrake [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
When I say console I mean a gaming console. Be it a 360 (absolute crap hardware, but fantastic software), PS3 (if you like playing alone), or a Wii. Note: I'm just recommending you use the money you'd save by buying a normal notebook instead of a horribly overpriced and not very upgrade friendly "gaming laptop" to buy a gaming console instead, not trying to start a console flame war. The beefy desktop + EEE is also a good way to go. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Yep, as I have realized that besides a different name to the best video card on the market (8800 GTX instead of 9600M GT), not much has changed, lappys are still crappy gaming machines, and OP to boot. I think my original has everything for a right price, including bluray for extra future possibilitites (including ripping it out and refitting it to another laptop.) So unless someone has something new to add in the next hour or so, while I'm doing my uni. schedule, I'll be happy with my more informed purchse. Thanks again, cuz you all is awesome.
BTW, rdrake, not to start your feared flame war, but why is the PS3 for people who only like playing alone? I want to get one and Linuxify it. Hence the name PlinuS3 EDIT: Oh and don't feel too bad about me hauling weight around, my books and crap total this year already clocked out to 25 lbs, in my backpack, and I always carried the entire thing around school, all day (I think I was just too lazy to open my locker). And I already weigh myself 250 so I'll be more exhausted hauling my own fat *** around (JK)  |
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| Author: | wtd [ Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Lenovo Thinkpad R61 T8300 - 2.4GHz Vista Ultimate (WinXP Recovery CD) 14.1" WXGA+ 4GB RAM Webcam 160GB 5400RPM hard drive DVD burner Wireless N Bluetooth 3yr warranty $1,648.85 |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:49 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Yes, but integrated video card for $1.6k? My laptop is beaten only in Wireless N (it does have gigabit wired though), and +2GB RAM (and .4GHZ). I've got a 15.4" screen and that video card, and it was $1100 =/. Not too mention 1 yr accident protection (and the 2yr warantee is free). Oh, and my card's the HD 2660 (not XT). It's a fair ways down there, now, but in was near the top of the Rank 2 when I bought it in January (http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-2600.3771.0.html). Anyways, there's other things about laptops that are important. The hinges and closing mechanism, media buttons, wieght, screen resolution (15.4" come in 1280 and 1680), glossy/matte screen, and outputs (especially if you want to use DVI). All these things aren't huge issues, but they're what you're going to deal with every day. If you need two hands to open your laptop and the hinges are tight, your going to resent it (like I do my girlfriends), and once you have a matte screen you can't help but notice the curtains reflecting off your new glossly one (which is a bad thing).
Anyways, I wouldn't go over a $1100 for a non-gaming laptop. If you're not going to play games on it, you can get a killer notebook for a decent price. and $400 warrantees suck. Go ASUS! |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
I made this 'ere one up: Thinkpad T61 -C2D T9300- 2.5Ghz -Vistass Premium -4Gb Ram -NV Quadro 570M -160GB 7200rpm -DVD Multi Drive -Intel Wireless 4695ABGN -1yr Warranty $1,648.85 Hey... waitasec... wth? Same price? |
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| Author: | Vermette [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the Quadro line is intended for those who do heavy-duty CAD/CAM development, not gaming. Necessary if you're using software packages like NX or CATIA |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:01 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
That's right. Quadro are for "workstations" used in industrial/manufacturing desing, etc. They have a bunch ere at work (and some Wildcat VP560s  ) |
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| Author: | tenniscrazy [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:13 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
I'm looking to buy a decent gaming laptop sometime soon, after i buy a drum set. I found this one it's coming out in July. If its under $2000 I'll probably buy it. http://explore.toshiba.com/laptops/qosmio/X305 one thing i like about Toshiba laptops is they usually have really good speakers for a laptop |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
They also have bad rep for overheated like crazy. EDIT: WTF!? 1GB vram, why the hell do you need that? 512 usually isn't needed. That's wacko man. I suppose there's a reason why they don't say the weight on that page (especially for a 17") |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
That card.... 9800M GTX? You are SO not going to get this for only 2000$ buddy, that's NVidia's newest card, it isn't even out yet! |
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| Author: | Vermette [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Aziz @ June 24th 2008, 12:01 wrote: That's right. Quadro are for "workstations" used in industrial/manufacturing desing, etc. They have a bunch ere at work (and some Wildcat VP560s
)Exactly. I became acquainted with the Quadro and FireGL lines after working tech support at a Tool&Die office. I think that kind of card architecture is probably a poor fit for him. I'm making assumptions of course. Maybe StealthArcher here is an aspiring Mech. Engineer.  |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Maybe as Gordon Freeman |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:56 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Computer Engineering actually, which is why i fugured maybe it would work... |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
I don't think you'll be using heavy CAD/drafting software. |
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| Author: | StealthArcher [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Well, okay then. Hey aziz, do YOU have a suggestion? Like as in one you can link to? |
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| Author: | apomb [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
any of these would work look for notebooks with the "Performance and Multimedia" cards, or even the "enthusiast" cards. either way, you'll be getting the best. |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 2:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Oh shit you're on to me. Um... let me see. It's not power video card, but pretty decent: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29220&vpn=90NEDA1E33BECCQL150Y&manufacture=ASUS And two more (from featured NCIX notebooks - yes I recommend ASUS) http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29279&vpn=90NLRAA133AABCQL350Y&manufacture=ASUS http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29401&vpn=90NFEA2432C8ECQL950Y&manufacture=ASUS NCIX usually has good shipping too. |
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| Author: | tenniscrazy [ Tue Jun 24, 2008 3:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Quote: That card.... 9800M GTX? You are SO not going to get this for only 2000$ buddy, that's NVidia's newest card, it isn't even out yet!
haha okay well maybe I can't afford it. It's pretty sick though |
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| Author: | wtd [ Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
The Qosmios suck. Badly. The build quality is absolute bottom barrel. |
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| Author: | Aziz [ Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
It's Toshiba, which really means "crap" in japanese. |
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| Author: | wtd [ Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | RE:Ahhh, finally the time has come. |
Not all Toshibas are crap. Just the cheap ones. Get a Tecra and they're usually decent. |
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