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JT



Registered: 02/28/07
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Loc: athens
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Laptop advice
#8632130 - 07/14/08 01:21 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'm looking for a new laptop for school and my internship. I need something that can handle my work in Maya and Photoshop with relative ease, but I can't spend more than 2k (less would be better obviously). Here are a few I had in mind, but any suggestions would be welcome.
1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115475
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115474
3. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834147750
4. Dell XPS with Vista Home - $1,772: Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB, 6MB Cache) Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms) 320GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card Verizon Wireless built-in cellular mobile broadband (EVDO Rev A) Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Internal (2.0+Enhanced Data Rate) Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software Edition 3yr warranty/service Office 2007
I'm pretty tech savvy, but I've always had desktops before. Kind of depressing how much technology you lose the price of mobility 
Thanks for the help
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


Registered: 09/24/07
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: JT]
#8632188 - 07/14/08 02:01 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I don't like acer. I could give you a page on why, but do yourself a favor and not get one. You either get a good one, or you get a bad one that you will work on every week.
Dell has great support, and they have great prices for additional software. Such as my favorite little toy...LoJack. It comes free with many of them. I would imagine with the xps it would. I really like the XPS notebooks. Be careful about some of the video cards my Nvidia has been a huge pain in the ass with vista. It works fine in linux though. If they still offer XP I would get xp. I have had nothing, but problems from vista. From getting old software to work to keeping my drivers working properly. If you are linux savy Dell offers some of the laptops with linux I suggest it. Don't get it if you aren't good with it...Linux is TOUGH. Vista will be fine if you don't mind tuning up everything.
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bloodbrother778
Super Chimpanzee

Registered: 10/26/07
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8632218 - 07/14/08 02:18 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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You might want to consider a macbook, I've had one for about 2 years and I've been really happy with it. I've used PC's before that and they've always been annoying with weird errors and whatnot, the macbook is very user friendly the OS is super stable, mine hasn't crashed or frozen once since I got it, and there's a disk utility feature that can repair your hard drive for you, I had a problem with the hard drive a little while ago and got it fixed through the disk utility myself, well it won't fix it for you every time, but in some cases it will. Oh yeah and you don't really have to worry about viruses on macs either cause most viruses are for PC's.
I would say the only problems with macs are the price - you can get better features for the same money if you get a PC. The second problem is the lack of compatible software, well you'll be able to get all the important stuff, it's just games and whatnot that can be non compatible, but if you really want them you could install windows on the mac as well since they have core duo processors.
Anyway just something to think about, I myself will not go back to using a PC after having a mac.
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JT



Registered: 02/28/07
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8632320 - 07/14/08 03:16 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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In the past I have always gotten Dell desktops and been happy. I would never have considered going with an "off brand" except that I have an acer desktop at my internship and it runs amazingly well.
LoJack looks pretty cool, but Dell doesn't include it and it's $140
To BloodBrother: A lot of my friends have Macs, and I have to admit they are getting better. I don't think we have licenses for Mac compatible software at work though, so they're out of the question.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: JT]
#8632425 - 07/14/08 05:02 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Like I said I have used acer and seen/heard good things, and I have heard bad. You either hear good things from a person, or you either hear bad things. I almost bought one to be honest. Acer has started to do their stuff a lot better. If you feel comfortable get one. It seems like you might do some stuff with computers, and if thats the case you won't mind running into a problem every once in awhile. Dell has them too. My Dell right now is a huge pain in the ass.
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Ythan
ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: JT]
#8632907 - 07/14/08 10:17 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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The right laptop will depend on your usage. But you said you need it for school and an internship, it sounds like you'll be carting it around and running on batteries a lot. In my humble opinion you do not want any of those systems on your list (20" screen? 15lbs? Really???) Yes you sacrifice some technology when you move to a smaller system, but if you value mobility it's worth it. Buy a console if you want to play games. You'd be better served by a nice 13.3" or 12.1" 4 lb. laptop like the Dell XPS M1330 or the Lenovo Thinkpad X series. These will run cooler and quieter, give you better battery life, be much easier to carry around, and the performance is still excellent for anything which doesn't require 3D acceleration.
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timmeh_87
Scientist


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Ythan]
#8633102 - 07/14/08 11:34 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I agree entirely with Ythan, Ive seen people with laptops so big I wouldnt even call it a laptop, I think you would be severly disappointed with the bulkiness of one of those if you bought them. Also, are you planning to run Vista? (I ask because you say you are experienced with computers, and most people who are prefer XP). Im partly asking cause it appears you are looking for 4gb of ram, which wont work under XP. Also a lot of laptops cannot be switched to XP if they are sold with Vista. You have to use drivers from the laptop manufacturer's website, and some simply do not provide XP drivers. This might be something for you to check into. If you like XP 
All of these 3d programs will run under XP anyways, so why would you want Vista using up 25% of your resources in the background, right? (Sorry Im an xp fanboy the same way the dude above me is a mac fanboy)
ANYWAYS. The only brand of laptop I would ever recommend are Thinkpads. I have had two now and they both survived a long life of abuse (being carried around in a backpack really beats the crap out of things). If you are looking for lots of ram and an NVIDIA/ATI card, then something in the T series might be best. Both my mine have been the lower performance R series. Oh and you can put XP on them no sweat, cause they cater to the business market. Half the people with laptops at my university have a thinkpad.
BTW, Nvidia is having some huge problems with their new graphics cards, might want to research that before you buy one .
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: timmeh_87]
#8633459 - 07/14/08 01:18 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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> 15lbs?
My first laptop weighed in at just over 15lbs... didn't think anything of it until I went to the airport the first time. If you are considering a heavy laptop, I highly recommend putting a 15lb weight in a laptop bag and carrying it around with you for a few days. You will quickly change your mind about what the maximum acceptable weight should be... it will drop by more than half, most likely.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Seuss]
#8633785 - 07/14/08 02:43 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Not sure of the weight, but I have a 17 inch monitor. Large hard drive the works so I would imagine its 15+ lbs. Its great at home when I'm sitting around I love it, but when I goto the library to do work in a limited space it sucks. You have to decide whether or not you want to suck it up, and tote it around with you. a 15 inch monitor is fine I almost wish I would have gotten one. I have the big battery, and the life on it....SUCKS. Even running in low performance I can't get past 2 hours on it.
As for gaming...17 inch monitor is the only way to go. You have to weigh the pros and cons.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8633979 - 07/14/08 03:36 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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You can always buy a larger external display for non-portable use... best of both worlds.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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DieCommie


Registered: 12/11/03
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Seuss]
#8634033 - 07/14/08 03:46 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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14.1" screen FTW. Even that is a bit big for me to lug around school.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: DieCommie]
#8634079 - 07/14/08 03:57 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Ahh good call Seuss I guess I didn't really think of that. With the new flat panels they have that wouldn't be a bad idea at all.
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8636147 - 07/15/08 01:17 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yes, go with a smaller unit that has better battery life. Getting a computer with quoted 2 hour usage and finding out that it is really more like 50-70min is a bitch.
Additionally, I got fucked by Dell an overheating on a P4 laptop that had many other problems. It fried my processer, constantly overheated, fried the graphics card, et cet.
I also had many problems with the power jack (search for my past posts).
I will never get a laptop with a board-soldered power jack again unless I get some extended warranty that is still a better deal compared to a non board soldered jack.
Seuss made a list of portables without board-soldered jacks that I suggest you look at, and ask the people seeling the unit if the jack is soldered to the board.
With my laptop, the fucker would break every 4 months and not allow me to charge it, which sucked. Dell wanted 500 dollars to replace the motherboard when it was a 1$ part too, which did not endear me to them and their honsety.
Consider that, if your actually using the laptop as portable, the jack will fuck up very quickly in my experience.
Don't know if they've fixed the issue, but I doubt it. Get a unit with a sepperate power jack from the mainboard and count your blessings.
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Gumby
Fishnologist


Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 26,656
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: JT]
#8636754 - 07/15/08 07:45 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I've heard bad things about Acer in the past.
Some major points to consider:
- Sounds like you're going do be graphics work. A big screen would be nice for this, but take a look at the weights on these things. Screen size increases the weight significantly. That HP with the 20" screen weighs 15.3 lbs! Factor in portability vs. usability.
- One of the biggest problems with laptops is with the power connectors. The laptop can be bad ass, and work amazingly well... the AC/DC in jack connectors come lose from the mother board and next thing you know you have an awesome laptop that doesn't charge. Research the companies beforehand. After being a Toshiba laptop tech for about three years, I will NEVER buy another Toshiba laptop because no matter what model it is, they almost ALWAYS have this problem eventually.
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the man
still masked



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Gumby]
#8636866 - 07/15/08 08:30 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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macbook pro. can run windows if you need and was shown it runs it faster then any PC. small and quality. but there customer service is a major selling point for me. right now get 200 bucks off and a free ipod touch
-------------------- And Moses Said "Let my mushrooms grow!"
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Gumby]
#8636936 - 07/15/08 08:55 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
Gumby said:
- One of the biggest problems with laptops is with the power connectors. The laptop can be bad ass, and work amazingly well... the AC/DC in jack connectors come lose from the mother board and next thing you know you have an awesome laptop that doesn't charge. Research the companies beforehand. After being a Toshiba laptop tech for about three years, I will NEVER buy another Toshiba laptop because no matter what model it is, they almost ALWAYS have this problem eventually.
Yep...
My dell's power jack comes loose every 3-5 months and requires fixing. Dell charges 500+ plus shipping. Some guy I found will do it for 70 including shipping one way, but its still a huge bitch.
Watch out. Dell, those fuckers, don't care.
They could easily attach the power plug to the case and just solder wires from the plug to the motherboard, but no, they want to save 50cents in parts and complexity and just solder it to the board... a decision that makes the laptop practically unusable as a laptop it will fail so much.
And another fun power thing about dell. At least in the past, they had another signal going to the computer from the convertor.
They had a copyright on some signal from the AC/DC convertor that was sent to the computer. If that signal wasn't recieved the computer would purposely waste about half the power from the convertor, it would charge half as fast.
Dell would tell you this was cuz of unoptimal charging or some bullshit, when a window pops up to tell you, but that's a lie. They just want to make you pay the 50$ or whatever to buy their convertor instead of 15 or something for a competitor's, so they purposely fuck with you.
They were sued over this and couldnt' justify how the exact same convertor couldn't charge as fast, and they settled... lost for all intents and purposes.
I don't know if they do the later anymore, but it illustrates what assholes they are in certain areas..... You pay 1000+$ for a laptop and you get fucked cuz del won't spend the 50cents to solder wires to the mainboard and attach the plug to the caseing. Thanks dell....
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: johnm214]
#8638175 - 07/15/08 02:30 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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IBM does a nice job. They aren't the best as far as speed goes, and everything but they will not let you down. Their customer support you can't beat. I recommend buying an extended 2-5 years warranty plan in case something comes up like a loose connector etc. Most people don't keep a laptop more than 5 years. They will replace anything that goes wrong free of charge. Most will anyway.
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Ythan
ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ



Registered: 08/08/97
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8638567 - 07/15/08 03:50 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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IBM doesn't sell laptops anymore, from what I've seen Lenovo is doing just fine with the Thinkpad brand but they are an entirely different company.
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JT



Registered: 02/28/07
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Loc: athens
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Ythan]
#8638684 - 07/15/08 04:23 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Thanks for all the advice guys
Think i've settled on one.
Dell M1330/M1530 2.6ghz core 2 duo 4gb ram HD LED screen Nvidia GeForce 8400M
I can get the M1330 for $1538, or the M1530 for $1535 with a 3 year warranty.
I hadn't really thought about mobility, but i'm going to be draggin this thing all over the place, so that's definitely an issue. These are kind of lacking in power, but I think the trade off will be worth it since they're only 4 and 6 pounds respectively. I can always get a new graphics card in a year or two.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Ythan]
#8638772 - 07/15/08 04:40 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Ythan, thats what I meant. I guess I should have been more specific.
Anyway, my dad has one and it works fine. Also has great tech support. Unless when Lenovo started doing it they f'ed things up, but I assume they do fine. He says they have good support...
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timmeh_87
Scientist


Registered: 07/14/06
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8639617 - 07/15/08 08:04 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Did you listen to anyone?
Not trying to sound mean, but Dell is well known for making crappy computers, theres several people in here (including me) telling you not to get one, and you chose a graphics card that has a serious known issue that will cause it to eventually break.
Ill link you again http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad
That card you chose is a G86m.
Here is another article that spells it out more clearly
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/07/07/nvidia-warns-of-high-failure-rates/1
Please read this before you screw yourself over. All nvidia cards from this generation are starting to go xbox 360 on people.
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: timmeh_87]
#8639847 - 07/15/08 08:48 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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yep, my Nvidia graphics card (not that one but still) fried twice, among my other problems with my dell, including the whole class action lawsuit thing....
Terrible heat problems, graphics card died, thermal shutdown on CPU, case designed so the architecture of the actual plastic frame had a "foot" plastic support thing that rested a portion of the laptops weight upon about 5 solder joints of a chip on the mainboard. ( I presume it was a generic case and was supposed to be on a "blank" part of the board but instead right on a critical portion of the board which caused failure)
Of the maybe six times I'd sent my laptop back to dell (before the warranty expired the first time, this doesn't count isn't the total times I sent it back- lawsuit was still pending then) to get it fixed, that was about 3 of em (all or part, it failed in stages with the computer just shutting off while the solder joints or whatever they are called came and went). Eventually the weight of the laptop would simply break completely some of the solder points and the chip, and thus the whole laptop and the 550$ mainboard, would be toast.
Gotta love Dell engineering, if its not heat killing your graphics card its the case resting a quarter of the laptop's weight or so on a few solder points of the motherboard.
Dell 
(and I'm ignoring the terrible problems with the power jack failing constantly- for which Dell will charge you full price for a mother board despite the part being a 1.00 part that just needs resoldered)
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JT



Registered: 02/28/07
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: timmeh_87]
#8640161 - 07/15/08 09:58 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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ok then that's out. i don't want a lenovo so i guess that leaves me with HP. hm..
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: JT]
#8640540 - 07/15/08 11:50 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Don't listen about the DELL computers. The cheap ones, as with any other, are going to have their run of problems. However, the high end computers they make are very good. Mine hasn't had any problems except for when I said the problems with Vista and so on. I wouldn't rule them out. Now if you really want to go high end. Get an alien ware =]
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Ythan
ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8640648 - 07/16/08 12:33 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yeah I've had my Dell laptop for almost 5 years now, it's never needed service. Then again I'm careful not to abuse it. But as they say, the plural of "anecdote" isn't "data". I'd be more concerned about the G86 GPU, nVidia is currently having serious problem with some of their products including this one specifically, and you don't want to get a defective part. If you can wait until that's all sorted out though, personally I still think the 1330 would be a good choice.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Ythan]
#8640916 - 07/16/08 02:27 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yea. Dell is highly customizable, and I'm pretty sure there are other cards that you can get in place of them. My Nvidia I got 1 year ago has been the only problem I have had yet. The 1330 if I'm thinking clearly is a nice computer. Not too expensive, and will do its thing. The XPS are nice, but a bit more expensive. Not completely sure about their weight, but they are heavy duty so I would imagine they are slightly more heavy.
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
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Loc: Americas
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8643783 - 07/16/08 05:17 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
MHbound said: Don't listen about the DELL computers. The cheap ones, as with any other, are going to have their run of problems. However, the high end computers they make are very good. Mine hasn't had any problems except for when I said the problems with Vista and so on. I wouldn't rule them out. Now if you really want to go high end. Get an alien ware =]
What is the "cheap" ones?
Mine was 1200$ and had more than its share of problems.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Ythan]
#8643959 - 07/16/08 05:57 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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> Yeah I've had my Dell laptop for almost 5 years now
That is the key. A few years ago (3+) Dell was making really good laptops. They are putting out complete crap today, regardless of price range. Toshiba is in the same boat. They used to make fantastic laptops, but lately, I am seeing a lot of problems with them as well.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Seuss]
#8644429 - 07/16/08 08:24 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Dell's get very very very expensive...WAY overpriced. Its a crapshoot with most computers. You either get a good one or not. What makes a good one from a bad one?? I haven't figured it out, and if you do you'll be a millionaire overnight.
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johnm214



Registered: 05/31/07
Posts: 17,582
Loc: Americas
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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8645621 - 07/17/08 02:32 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I've figured it out:
Don't place the support structure of the plastic case upon half of the solderpoints of a chip on the motherboard and expect that chip, andthe motherboard to function for long.
And...
Don't manufacture a power input thingy soldered to the motherboard that fails in 3 months, in some cases, from normal use.
Finally....
Don't place components in a laptop that cannot be used due to the heat they produce and the poor design of the laptop...
i.e. don't place the air input vent on the bottom of the laptop such that it has maybe 1 mm clearance with the surface its resting on
All these things and more were wrong with my Dell laptop. And I wouldn't think 1200 to be cheap. I don't want miracles, I just want the advertised components to function.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: johnm214]
#8645810 - 07/17/08 05:57 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'm dealing with this right now. My laptop gets so hot it will literally burn you. No telling what its doing to the inside. My video card/processor etc overheat all the time. Its starting to make me mad, and I'm about to build one of Ben Hekks PS3 laptops that he built. If anyone want the link I'll link you. It looks like a tough project, but worth it.
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timmeh_87
Scientist


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8646570 - 07/17/08 11:19 AM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Lol, Im from benheck.com (same username). The ps3 laptop is a project for someone who knows a lot about whats going on. You are much better off with something like a Nintendo 64, or even a wii if you are serious about an electronics project (Im assuming here it would be your first major one)
Anyways. I know what you guys mean about hot laptops, Ive seen it many times before, in Dells especially. A lot people dont understand the concept of "laptop" and try to buy something with the current "top of the line" parts and stuff. The problem is that its a laptop. Its not something you do 3D rendering on. It has a ridiculously small heatsink. Just because a company will sell you a Pentium 4 Prescott processor in laptop dosent mean its a good idea. Those things have like 150W TDP, not only does it heat up like an electric stove, but the battery lasts 23 minutes.
These corporations have no shame and will sell you whatever you are willing to buy. Its up to the consumer to realize whats going on and make sure they do not buy a lemon.
I have owned and operated several laptops over the last 4 years, allow me to make up a list of criteria off the top of my head:
Weight: less than 8 pounds Screen: 15" or less Processor: 70W TDP or less. preferably less than 30. (celeron, core duo, amd) RAM: no more than you need. If you have XP, no more than 2GB Hard drive: 5400 RPM. Video card: Intel GMA ones are starting to get a lot better. NO NVIDIA (see previous post). Just generally try to avoid something that sounds pretty powerful. Brand: Thinkpad (haha jk)
Look for mature technology, and look for parts that are specifically "mobile". I hate manufacturers who put desktop parts in laptops. People wonder why their battery only lasts an hour.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: timmeh_87]
#8646619 - 07/17/08 11:31 AM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Yea the project is not easy, and very tedious work. If you have the time I think it would be worth it to build one of his PS3 laptops, or his XBOX360 one for that matter.
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timmeh_87
Scientist


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: timmeh_87]
#8646664 - 07/17/08 11:47 AM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Do you realize that neither the 360 or the ps3 has a battery? They are not true "laptops", more just like a console/screen/keyboard hybrid. You still need to plug it in.
A lot of people break their first system, its highly recommended you start on something that costs less than $200 to replace.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: timmeh_87]
#8647103 - 07/17/08 01:42 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Very aware of it. As I said above this isn't an easy project. Adding a battery would add to the struggle. Is it impossible? No. Is it hard? Yes.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: MHbound]
#8647152 - 07/17/08 01:54 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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> Adding a battery would add to the struggle.
Just tape a UPS to the thing. Easy. 
(I remember seeing that site a while back and being very impressed. Difficult and amazing!)
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Seuss]
#8647185 - 07/17/08 02:01 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Haha. I was going to post it, and then I thought about it...Thats another 15 pounds to an already 18 pound laptop. I would do it, and you could plug it in just like any other battery charger.
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RuNE
bomberman



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: timmeh_87]
#8647938 - 07/17/08 04:40 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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I see a lot of "don't get these laptops! They're shit!" examples, but no "Get this instead" examples.
So then. What's a good brand (currently)?
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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timmeh_87
Scientist


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: RuNE]
#8648160 - 07/17/08 05:53 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Thinkapds. They make them for business people and others who dont take bullshit.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Seuss]
#8648182 - 07/17/08 06:02 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Seuss said: > Yeah I've had my Dell laptop for almost 5 years now
That is the key. A few years ago (3+) Dell was making really good laptops. They are putting out complete crap today, regardless of price range. Toshiba is in the same boat. They used to make fantastic laptops, but lately, I am seeing a lot of problems with them as well.
Really? I don't know.. I have a Toshiba X-205 SLi2. It's solid as a rock. Granted.. I've only had it for a little less then a year now.. but I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever. (Aside from finding drivers when I tried to ditch Vista and install XP).
Then again.. it is a gaming laptop. Between the 17" widescreen monitor, the dual video cards in SLi and the 4 speakers and a little subwoofer.. the thing sucks down power like a beast. I pretty much keep it plugged in all the time when I'm using it.. the battery will last like an hour and a half TOPS.. if I am playing music on it or something. I wouldn't really use it much for travel. But it's a pretty badass little machine for the price. I did quite a bit of research before getting it and it basically had the best reviews and the most power of any laptop I looked at in the 2k price range.
The biggest downside is that it runs HOT while gaming. It has like 5 fans in it, but there's no way to control the speed. A cooling pad is pretty much mandatory.. Oh and it's pretty heavy.. but you'd expect that with a widescreen and dual video cards.. But I don't carry it around too much. The thing is a beast and I love it
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MHbound
Ballin Out At All Cost


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Shroomism]
#8648323 - 07/17/08 06:53 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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As I said earlier...The brand doesn't really matter. Its going to be the laptop you get. The design of the case, the parts you get in it, and so on. I mean Dell or any others don't really make the stuff thats in them. They buy them from others. You just have to know what you are getting on the internal and make sure the case allows for good airflow, and isn't so crammed with shit it will overheat.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Shroomism]
#8649407 - 07/18/08 12:00 AM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Really? I don't know.. I have a Toshiba X-205 SLi2. It's solid as a rock. Granted.. I've only had it for a little less then a year now.. but I haven't had any problems with it whatsoever. (Aside from finding drivers when I tried to ditch Vista and install XP).
I'm seeing problems where they work one day, but not the next. Let it sit, and it will work the next day, but not the one after. It makes it impossible to isolate the problem. Put in new memory, and it works... for a day. Put in a new HDD, and it works... for a day. Very annoying, as Toshiba used to make a solid product. Now, when they work, they work, but when they fail, they don't fail cleanly.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Ythan
ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ



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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Seuss]
#8649972 - 07/18/08 06:12 AM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Sounds like you need to violently destroy one in front of all the others to put the fear of god into them. If the customer complains tell him you're sorry about his laptop but it was for the greater good. I hate it when hardware gets cheeky.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


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Re: Laptop advice [Re: Seuss]
#8651395 - 07/18/08 02:31 PM (15 years, 9 months ago) |
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Ah... well I guess I'm glad mine hasn't had any hardware problems like that.. yet.
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