New Laptop Help Request
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Ladies and gentlemen of the CoA family:
Briefly, I've reached the point where I need to start shopping for a new laptop. For some reason, taking your laptop to deployed locations consistently results in returning home with a laptop which is functioning at at least 50% speed. Then means my laptop is now operating at what seems like 12.5% the original speed it was when I got it.
Since I turned to my CoA family last time to help me find a new machine, I'll do so again. Unlike some of you, I'm not a big tech guy. I have no idea what it means to "overclock" my system, and if I start delving into that, I'm sure I'll be taken, paying too much for something that is just hype. But you guys are much smarter than me, so feel free to lambast me with opinions and links! :D
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My first question would be, how much should I be paying for a laptop these days?
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My current machine is about 4 years old. I'd like a laptop which will last another 4.
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I'm not a big FPS player and I don't play anything like WoW, but I want a machine beefy enough to render graphics and have the processor for things like movies, NWN (1 and 2), Civilization (that game kicks my current machine in the ass), and the like.
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I originally wanted to go the route of a desktop, since I hate using a touchpad and the likes, but I'm living in a flat too small for a desk! My current machine was a "desktop replacement," meaning it was/is BIG. Too big for most laptop cases, and the battery sticks out the back and makes it not fit in backpacks without removing it. I don't want another machine like that. So I'm guessing I'll pay for price. I don't, however, need something UBER slim and tiny. Regular sized will do fine.
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I've slowly been growing a small trove of bluetooth devices. I think I'd like something with a bluetooth card for connectivity, but honestly I don't know how useful that is to have on a laptop, since I've never had one. I obviously do want an internal wireless card, regardless
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My current machine has a bunch of slots, but not seemingly enough USB ports (it's only got 3, and 1 has to be used constantly for a chillpad, since the beast is constantly overheating). It's got a built-in card reader (useful, but not a must), an eSATA connection (which has been a bit of a disappointment), an HDMI port, and a couple other connections (obviously, I don't use them because I don't know what they are even called). I don't think I could part with the HDMI port or the USB ports, but the rest is up for grabs.
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I'm not a Mac guy. I have an iPod touch, and that's as far as I'm willing to go.
So, send me links, ideas, thoughts, sales, whatever, if you would be so kind. I have about 2 more months or so before I return home, which is when I'll try to make my purchase. All advice (except that I'm some sort of farm animal) is appreciated in advance.
-Ko
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I have a Lenovo Z580 and it's generally very good. It cost me under £500, has a very handy "One Key Recovery" button that I've already had to use twice after messing around with system files (beats digging out the Windows CD) and has a 2GB graphics card, 6 gigs RAM and dual-core 2.4 gHz processor.
The thing is, while it runs many newer games like a baws and doesn't break a sweat, it actually has trouble with NWN. It runs it perfectly smoothly but it's using both cores on max and overheating quite a bit. I don't know if this is just me or if this is a common problem with new laptops playing old games.
Also, 4 USB slots, HDMI, 2-4 hour battery (was the last thing I was interested in) and has a mahoosive screen - however the glossy finish is a bit annoying because it keeps reflecting light at me. The keyboard is very nice though. I normally hate laptop keyboards but this one just looks and feels great.
I don't like how the touch-pad is on the left hand side, because my left palm has a habit of drifting onto it. I would try to find a laptop with the touch-pad on the right if I was buying a new one now.
All in all, I'm very happy with it. The only thing keeping me from recommending it unquestioningly is how it can't seem to run NWN efficiently.
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I almost bought a laptop, but ended up with a desktop from my go to computer builders: http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/category/notebook/
I'd take a look at http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplo ... _Notebook/
if you want a 15" but there's options for something smaller. You can move up to a 1TB HDD for $27.00 additional and most their stuff comes with a decent bluetooth setup.
I would at least spec. the system there. I sort of shill for these guys, but I'm on my third desktop from them- each has been solid with good tech support (actually I have no idea how long they lasted- I gave them away. The last one blew a power-supply at year 4 and I could have just replaced that, but I wanted something new.)
If you're going to game just stay away from "integrated graphics cards" and while I'm not 100% pleased with nvidia- the GT650 that came in my desktop is working great for what I'm playing. NWN1 at full everything runs smooth as can be.
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Fel,
I've dabbled about on that site before, but it looks more geared toward desktops. That, plus I'm a bit overwhelmed by component choices, seeing as I have next to no knowledge on what I need vrs what is totally superfluous. Would you say that the base "configurations" are a good fit, or does one need to do a considerable bit of customization for the models they have in order to get a good machine?
Dell was built on a similar business model (and for that matter, so was Alienware, which Dell later acquired), but I always felt Dell sold you watered-down machines unless you knew specifically what options to choose. I also thought the company tended to sell components on machines that worked well, but didn't include support components (ie: You've got a shit-load of RAM, but no space on the machine storage to put anything). How does Cyberpower stack up in this regard?
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Also, I'm once again looking for opinions on cost. I have a TON of friends buying $399 laptops these days. I'm more used to spending on the order of $999, but again, I haven't bought one in a while. Are laptop prices coming down, or are there just a lot more stripped down hunks of junk on the market these days? What is a good price range for a mid-level laptop?
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I will say I don't game a ton and I don't sit around reading benchmarking reviews of the frame rates of video cards any more, but if I had $1000 and was wanting to play any new game releases coming out over the next year, I'd game on a i5 or preferably i7 Intel with a nvidia 650 or better graphics card (or it's equivalent).
–-What I really don't know----
Maybe someone on here games on a $500 laptop and can tell you how it works. I don't know of a current new laptop you can get with a dedicated gaming graphics card (direct X 11) for under $850. They will at best have "Integrated Intel HD 4000 with shared memory" which technically supports DirectX 11, I just don't know how well they perform. If you're not playing anything that recommends or requires DX11, then you can probably try and find a slightly older computer or roll the dice on an integrated card. I'd probably still end up in the $800+ department. You aren't going to be upgrading a laptop most likely and if you want it to be fairly useful for four years going total bargain may not be the way to go.I use cyberpower for my desktops because they don't use underpowered power supplies, give you solid components and decent graphics cards in their base models for a similar price to Dell or HP with really bad graphics cards and 300watt power supplies. Their warranty is decent and customer service has been good to me. I can't vouch for their laptops.
Compared to the one I linked at cyberpower in my prior post I think…
The same Alienware laptop would cost $1400.
To build up a Dell to those specs I linked would be about $1400I figure that laptop to be good for 4 years- $250 a year is a bargain, but not everybody is as old as me and thinks a $1000 computer that can run Photoshop is a bargain. I spent $2000 on a computer because it had all 16 colors (not 16 million) once, I'm that old.
Someone else want to wade in on laptops, please help. I usually buy laptops to run office and do work on.
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You can always check out Newegg.. they have an advanced search option that lets you narrow down all you could ever want to get a good idea and fair reviews on.. here is a link to the laptops, just select the "advanced power" tab in the search options in the lefthand column> http://www.newegg.com/Laptops-Notebooks ... ory/ID-32#
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@Fel:
…Maybe someone on here games on a $500 laptop and can tell you how it works...
I use a Dell Precision M6300. Paid $260 for a refurb off-lease, and spent $80 or so on a Scorpio Black 500GB drive to replace the original 120GB. Original cost was in the 2500-3000 range
T9300 Core2Duo, (2.5ghz), 4GB, Quadro FX1600, 19x12 screen. 17", but it fits in a backpack. Nicely supports internal 19x12 plus a external 16x12 simultaneously, both at 32-bit. Haven't tried that for gaming, I turn off the external monitor when gaming because I dont like NWN in windowed mode.
Perfect for NWN and Civ 4 (I dont like 5, but it did run the trial, if I recall) which are the uses you mention.
Runs Win7Enterprise, office 10, Visual Studio, LightRoom, plays movies, etc fine.
Probably wouldnt cut it for HD Video Editing.Based on what you want it for,Why pay for a modern system. Older corporate lease-returns, usually of 3-year old systems, can be a very very good bargain.
The one thing they often are missing is HDMI out, they'll have S-Video/VGA. I expect we'll be starting to see DisplayPort lease returns right about now, though.. -
Hey, thanks a ton, all who through their knowledge in. It'll be a great starting (maybe finishing) point for me. Once again, love you all.
-Ko
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make sure you budget for a good chill mat and a usb keyboard as well, both i feel are mandatory accessories for any laptop
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And a mouse. Track Pads are god awful.
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What are these chillpads everyone talk about? This is news to me. My 6 year old laptop got a bit warm after 4 years, but I cleaned the fan and it was never an issue again. I can even keep it on my lap directly without it getting uncomfortably warm. The speed of the thing now is horrible, but it works. I think I'll be stealing some of your advise here myself.
But getting a good usb-mouse is imperative. You'll be looking at joint aches at best if you try to use the mousepad for anything more than checking facebook at short intervals. -
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Huh.