Question about buying a laptop-

[JBlaze]

I'm looking to buy a laptop sometime in the near future. I don't really NEED one, but would like one just for convenience. (I have to take my lab notes by hand and then transfer them to my computer when I get home.)

I heard you need a computer on steriods to run Windows Vista which will probably be out before the year is up. Would it be best to wait until then or will I be ok grabbing one now and just upgrading to Vista later?

 

[JPmess]

Personally, I don't see why you can't buy one now and upgrade to Vista later. Granted Vista will take something with more processing power and maybe a bit more memory, just buy something with a solid processor and you can always upgrade your memory if needed.

 

[Jayhawkk]

Well, honestly you're gonna want to wait on Vista until all the first set of bugs etc are worked out especially if you're gonna be on the 'net with it. You're gonna have a million kids playing with the code to try and cause all kinds of hell. Wait till it stabilizes and that will be quite a ways off.

Just look for a laptop with 512megs of ram and is upgradable to at least a gig of ram and you'll probably have one that has all the other features you'll need in the near future including Vista.

 

[Jayhawkk]

Wanted to add that if all you're going to be doing with the laptop is moving notes you may be better off just getting a USB ram drive to xfer your notes or just buy a regular laptop with ntohing too big for now. Unless you have cash to burn.

 

[JBlaze]

Wanted to add that if all you're going to be doing with the laptop is moving notes you may be better off just getting a USB ram drive to xfer your notes or just buy a regular laptop with ntohing too big for now. Unless you have cash to burn.

Actually when I get a laptop i'll basically be using it as my computer for everything. I'll most likely get rid of the computer I have now and grab a 500 gig HD and put it in an external case for extra space.

I've got about $2,500 or so to spend on one. I was thinking about grabbing a Pentium M or P4 3.4Ghz w/ 2 gig ram. It's more the video card i'm worried about. Maybe the stuff I've head about vista is overly exaggerated? To be completely honest I haven't really researched it that much.

 

[BigCasino]

Actually when I get a laptop i'll basically be using it as my computer for everything. I'll most likely get rid of the computer I have now and grab a 500 gig HD and put it in an external case for extra space.

I've got about $2,500 or so to spend on one. I was thinking of grabbing a P4 3.4Ghz w/ 2 gig ram. It's more the video card i'm worried about. Maybe the stuff I've head about vista is overly exaggerated? To be completely honest I haven't really researched it that much.

I'm a computer scientist / engineer, and here is my advice.

With $2,500 you can certainly get a very good laptop these days.

Whether you get your laptop now, or after windows Vista arrives please try to make sure it has the following so it is a future-proof as possible:

-Dual Cores (Intel is just now coming out with dual core processors for laptops, they are very powerful and show good battery life)

- 1 Gig of RAM, this will NOT be overkill, trust me.

- A video card by ATi or NVIDIA.

These are the three main points I would reallly stress about your laptop, they will ensure Windows Vista runs nice and speedy for you, as well as that your laptop will last you well into the future.

If you have any other questions about computers or Windows Vista I would be happy to answer them for you. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[JBlaze]

I'm a computer scientist / engineer, and here is my advice.

With $2,500 you can certainly get a very good laptop these days.

Whether you get your laptop now, or after windows Vista arrives please try to make sure it has the following so it is a future-proof as possible:

-Dual Cores (Intel is just now coming out with dual core processors for laptops, they are very powerful and show good battery life)

- 1 Gig of RAM, this will NOT be overkill, trust me.

- A video card by ATi or NVIDIA.

These are the three main points I would reallly stress about your laptop, they will ensure Windows Vista runs nice and speedy for you, as well as that your laptop will last you well into the future.

If you have any other questions about computers or Windows Vista I would be happy to answer them for you. Good luck and keep us posted.

How long do you think it'll be before dual-core chips become more common place? I know a couple notebooks already have them (Dell XPS and HP pavilion).

Also do most high-end notebooks provide the option to upgrade the GPU?

 

[tattoopierced1]

i'd wait....things will always get cheaper and may come with Vista loaded on it.

 

[CROWLER]

WOW $2500 for a laptop. That's alot.

I don't know if you like Dell or not if so they actually sell computers which were ordered but never picked up. The price break is hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

I have bought a couple and have been very happy with them.


CROWLER

 

[JBlaze]

WOW $2500 for a laptop. That's alot.

I don't know if you like Dell or not if so they actually sell computers which were ordered but never picked up. The price break is hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

I have bought a couple and have been very happy with them.


CROWLER

Tell me about it. I'm used to making my own high-end desktops for about $1200. =\

 

[Jayhawkk]

Unless you're going to pirate Vista (not recommended)I would hold off until they come loaded on the machines because it'll cost a good chunk of change even for the upgrades. Also whatever system you're going to buy do a google on their reviews and make sure that there aren't any huge issues. I've found there's a lot of them out there that overheat when played for several hours(movies/games). If you're looking for powerful systems then Alienware and their competitors make some strong ones. Later when I get home i'll throw some links up of some good brands and models(my opinion)

 

[BigCasino]

How long do you think it'll be before dual-core chips become more common place? I know a couple notebooks already have them (Dell XPS and HP pavilion).

Also do most high-end notebooks provide the option to upgrade the GPU?

John,

Dual core chips are only going to become more common in the following months. Within the next year you still start to see AMD and Intel phase out most of their single core CPUs. Naturally, as this process matures you will see more and more software become" multi-threaded", and taking advantage of multiple CPUs.

You are correct in that most high end laptops allow for future upgrade of the GPU.

If I had to reccomend some specific companies I would say Dell, or perhaps Sony's VAIO line. However, any major reputable company should have something that fits your needs.

 

[Brent]

I will not purchase an Intel CPU. Although in notebooks Intel seems to have a bit of a lead in battery life and other things. My laptop has an AMD Athlon 64. I don't care about battery life so no big deal that I don't have the mobile processor. (Turion)

$2455 can get you a laptop with a NVIDIA Geforce Go 7800 GTX PCI-Express 256MB GDDR3 Video Card.

If you are into gaming...I would wait for vista because no current video cards are Direct X 10 compatible.

 

[Sunder]

-Dual Cores (Intel is just now coming out with dual core processors for laptops, they are very powerful and show good battery life)

- 1 Gig of RAM, this will NOT be overkill, trust me.

- A video card by ATi or NVIDIA.

Yep. I'd almost go so far as to say that any amount of RAM you can afford, will NOT be overkill. 1 GB min.

I'd go Dual core for the future too.

The bigger problem laptops have over desktops is the cost of upgrading afterwards. Your best bet is to buy everything you need at once with your laptop, and do not plan or depend on upgrading it. (Having the option to is nice, but do not cheap out on memory, etc with the idea that you'll upgrade later - that's the way desktops work).

Vista or no Vista - the one thing that isn't going to change is that whatever you buy now, will be "obsolete" 6 months later. So the longer you can hold off on buying it, the better - unless you really need it now.

 

[Sunder]

If you are into gaming...I would wait for vista because no current video cards are Direct X 10 compatible.

And if you're not into gaming....I would still wait for Vista because no current video cards are Direct X 10 compatible. Not only do some other apps utilize it, but you'd be surprised at the number of people who don't want to play games on their computer when they buy them, only to later find out they want to play games...

 

[Brent]

And if you're not into gaming....I would still wait for Vista because no current video cards are Direct X 10 compatible. Not only do some other apps utilize it, but you'd be surprised at the number of people who don't want to play games on their computer when they buy them, only to later find out they want to play games...

Good point!
I built a gaming desktop 3 or so years back and I made sure it had a good graphics card in it. Now I have a laptop because I thought I grew out of games. Instead. I play games with a Ati 200m integrated video card on the lowest possible settings. haha. Always get a good video card.

 

[JBlaze]

And if you're not into gaming....I would still wait for Vista because no current video cards are Direct X 10 compatible. Not only do some other apps utilize it, but you'd be surprised at the number of people who don't want to play games on their computer when they buy them, only to later find out they want to play games...

Man i've tried to get into it. I'm just not coordinated with the keyboard at all.

I don't game much anyways. I bought an xbox 360 and 6 games like 2 months ago. I've played it maybe 10 hours total.

 

[CROWLER]

Tell me about it. I'm used to making my own high-end desktops for about $1200. =\

You can go here and see what they have. All have the regular Dell warranty. You can go here and see their orders that were never shipped, scratch and dent and refurbished. I got a scratch and dent and still have never found the scratch or the dent.

outlet.dell.com

You can also go here to find the best time to buy etc. Usually they put up the new laptops on the 45 minute mark of the hour.

Fatwallet.com It is a forum then you go to the hot deal area. then search for dell laptop or notebook. You can also sometimes get 20% off coupons on Ebay for $5 or less.



CROWLER

 

[foo.c]

I'm running one of the CTP builds of Vista on a P4 1.5 GHz with 512 MB of PC133 RAM, and a Radeon 8500. (An old desktop I had laying around.)

It's actually usable although not fast by any means.

Any laptop you're going to buy new today will certainly run Vista just fine.

 

[JBlaze]

I'm running one of the CTP builds of Vista on a P4 1.5 GHz with 512 MB of PC133 RAM, and a Radeon 8500. (An old desktop I had laying around.)

It's actually usable although not fast by any means.

Any laptop you're going to buy new today will certainly run Vista just fine.

I'd like to enjoy all the "pretty" features like Aero Glass. :hammer:

 

[foo.c]

I'd like to enjoy all the "pretty" features like Aero Glass. :hammer:

You will. The only thing I couldn't get working was media center, but my card isn't supported on the old media center either, so that's not unexpected. (Besides the fact that ATI doesn't make a Vista driver for this card.)

 

[JBlaze]

Here is the computer I was initially set on. The total came to about $2100.

HP Pavilion zd8000
17.0" WXGA+ BrightView Wide Viewing (1440x900)
Intel Pentium 4 650 w/HT Technology, 3.4GHz
2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM, 533MHz (2x1024MB)
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) X600
100 GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
54g(TM) Integ. Broadcom 802.11b/g WLAN & Bluetooth
LightScribe 8x DVD+/-RW&CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer


I think now I'm going to wait a few months, until dual cores and 256MB video cards before more common.

P.S. I know the 17" screen is bulky and not very portable, but I wouldn't be carrying it around much.

 

[Sunder]

P.S. I know the 17" screen is bulky and not very portable, but I wouldn't be carrying it around much.

A 17" screen is what I'd be looking at too. You rarely hear about people wishing they bought a smaller screen instead of a larger one, even with the carrying around part.

Your specs are good, and quite honestly kick the sh1t out of my desktop right now.

Same reason I bought a 6 cylinder Jeep instead of a 4 banger. Yes, it uses more gas, but I still hear more 4 bangers wishing they bought a 6 than vice versa, even with the price of gas today.

If you're in different classrooms all day, just make sure you have access to an AC outlet to recharge your batteries inbetween.

 

[JBlaze]

A 17" screen is what I'd be looking at too. You rarely hear about people wishing they bought a smaller screen instead of a larger one, even with the carrying around part.

Your specs are good, and quite honestly kick the sh1t out of my desktop right now.

Same reason I bought a 6 cylinder Jeep instead of a 4 banger. Yes, it uses more gas, but I still hear more 4 bangers wishing they bought a 6 than vice versa, even with the price of gas today.

If you're in different classrooms all day, just make sure you have access to an AC outlet to recharge your batteries inbetween.

I'll only be taking it with me when i go to work in my lab. I think i'll be waiting for a few months though before I buy one, just to make it a bit more "future-proof."

 

[JBlaze]

A 17" screen is what I'd be looking at too. You rarely hear about people wishing they bought a smaller screen instead of a larger one, even with the carrying around part.

Your specs are good, and quite honestly kick the sh1t out of my desktop right now.

Same reason I bought a 6 cylinder Jeep instead of a 4 banger. Yes, it uses more gas, but I still hear more 4 bangers wishing they bought a 6 than vice versa, even with the price of gas today.

If you're in different classrooms all day, just make sure you have access to an AC outlet to recharge your batteries inbetween.

I'll only be taking it with me when i go to work in my lab. I'm mostly just worried about the processor, since i can upgrade the GPU later on. I think i'll be waiting for a few months though before I buy one, just to make it a bit more "future-proof."

 

[tattoopierced1]

that wont be bad to carry. i have 1 at work, they are about 10lbs....not bad for a desktop replacement laptop

 

[refrieddreams]

Mine broke on me so I am kinda bitter at laptops as of late!

 

[Sunder]

Yeah, that's the other bad thing about laptops - IF they break, they're not as fast or easy to fix as a desktop.

My next computer will still likely be a laptop though...I may be living in a place where real estate is not as plentiful as I currently have it.

 

[refrieddreams]

My light went out in my screen, so I need to send it in for repairs...

I do love it when it works however, I pick up free internet everywhere I go.

 

[JBlaze]

My light went out in my screen, so I need to send it in for repairs...

I do love it when it works however, I pick up free internet everywhere I go.

That reminds me...Should I get an extended warranty since I can't just pop it open and replace whats messed up?

 

[refrieddreams]

yes!!!

 

[FYI777]

I can't believe it, I just searched and found this so very informative thread. It helps us computer ignorant folks so much,thanks guys.And to think I almost bought a 256MB DDR2 Memory Gateway 370 Notebook.The salesman did warn me tho.