New Laptop/Desktop...

[inapontiac 10+ year member]

So my laptop from 1993 or so finally died on me and I was looking for a new laptop or desktop. I don't want to spend a whole whole lot on it, probably under 700-800 depending on most bang for my buck. If you think it is cheaper for me to build my own, please post some links of the parts and pieces I will need for cheap.

I found this, please let me know if this will be my best bet.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8398744&ref=39&loc=01&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050043&id=1179877238966&ref=10&loc=01

I'm also not looking to play all the latest games, i just want a decent multimedia system, bun Dvds. Thank you to anyone who can provide any help.

Click to read more...

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

well compared to your old laptop from 93, it should be amazing lol...toshibas are good laptops, i had one about 6 years ago...

i know someone who has one just like the one you linked too, except its a pentium 4, and it gets hellla hot... i mean that thing is like a freakin heater... but the celeron model probably runs cooler... it was also heavy as hell, depends on if you carry your laptop around with you a lot or not, weight may also be a consideration for you... that ones 6lbs, a little on the hefty side

edit: well i guess for a 15" thats not so heavy, but i guess it depends if you want something more portable will a smaller screen or a bigger screen and a little heavier

 

[StealthKill 10+ year member]

I dont use vista personally, but 512ram with vista?//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[inapontiac 10+ year member]

I dont use vista personally, but 512ram with vista?//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

Yea, I read in one review of it, removing vista and installing XP would speed it up alot.

 

[quakerroatmeal 10+ year member]

You could build a completely better desktop in that price range. With that laptop I highly doubt you'd be playing all the latest games. I just built a

AMD Athlon 64bit X2 5600+ (2.8ghz)

Corsair XMS 2GB DDR800

WD Raptor 36GB (Windows ONLY) (have other hard drives)

Asus Motherboard

MSI 8600GTS

Micro-ATX Case

DVD-RW

It was around 800$

 

[StealthKill 10+ year member]

You could build a completely better desktop in that price range. With that laptop I highly doubt you'd be playing all the latest games. I just built a
AMD Athlon 64bit X2 5600+ (2.8ghz)

Corsair XMS 2GB DDR800

WD Raptor 36GB (Windows ONLY) (have other hard drives)

Asus Motherboard

MSI 8600GTS

Micro-ATX Case

DVD-RW

It was around 800$

With "8MB-64MB shared graphics memory" I would doubt it as well.

 

[inapontiac 10+ year member]

well compared to your old laptop from 93, it should be amazing lol...toshibas are good laptops, i had one about 6 years ago...
i know someone who has one just like the one you linked too, except its a pentium 4, and it gets hellla hot... i mean that thing is like a freakin heater... but the celeron model probably runs cooler... it was also heavy as hell, depends on if you carry your laptop around with you a lot or not, weight may also be a consideration for you... that ones 6lbs, a little on the hefty side

edit: well i guess for a 15" thats not so heavy, but i guess it depends if you want something more portable will a smaller screen or a bigger screen and a little heavier

I won't be toting it around everywhere with me so weight really isn't an issue. I really think I'm going to get this one. If anyone else can find one for a better deal, please post.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

For laptops in that price range, look at the new low-end dell inspirons. For $800 - $900 you will get a pretty decent machine, but don't expect to do much in terms of gaming on it. But it would be a LOT better than that best buy machine.

But first, go to http://www.notebookforums.com and go to the coupons section. Dell often times has like 20% off or save $300 on any computer over $1000 coupons. That way you'd get a better machine for your money. But other companies have promotional coupons all the time as well. So if you don't need a computer RIGHT NOW wait for a good deal to come along.

One more thing you could try is http://www.dell.com/content/segmenter.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dfo. They carry refurbished laptops there but they're as good as new and several hundred dollars cheaper than new. And they come with a full warranty.

EDIT: Desktops are also considerably cheaper and will oftentimes outperform laptops with similar specs. If you don't care much about carrying it around I would suggest that. Just make sure it has a Core 2 Duo processor, at least 1GB of ram, a dedicated video card with 128mb of vRAM or better, and you should be able to do plenty of officework and multitasking, and some light gaming.

 

[Chevillac 5,000+ posts]

I have a toshiba right now and it is the shittiest computer I have ever used I think.

 

[inapontiac 10+ year member]

Thanks, and can someone please spot me a deal or something here...

http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

I dont know what to look for really.

Thanks again.

 

[Chevillac 5,000+ posts]

I had an inspiron. It was pretty good to me. The only problem I had with it was one time the HD had issues, but it was covered under warranty. I would still be using it if I didnt have an accident. Im thinking about getting it fixed. It was decently fast, battery life was pretty shitty, but I never really used it off the battery. Dell always have deals going on.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

Thanks, and can someone please spot me a deal or something here...
http://www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/notebooks?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

I dont know what to look for really.

Thanks again.

The inspirons are good all-around computers. Best "bang for your buck," if you will. The XPS series is basically the same thing, but they usually come with nicer graphics cards and have a nicer build. The Latitudes have really sturdy cases but aren't much to look at and are good performers, just not in the games department. The Precisions are pretty much the best of both worlds - Rugged cases and top of the line components (what I have //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif )

What exactly are you going to be using this computer for, and how long do you want it to last without becoming outdated?

 

[inapontiac 10+ year member]

I'm basicly going to be using it just for the internet, movies, music. Just things i could barely do with my old laptop. I don't necessarily need it to run the newest games, but I would like to play some. If building a desktop is cheaper and more efficient and better in the long run, I'd rather do that.

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

I'm basicly going to be using it just for the internet, movies, music. Just things i could barely do with my old laptop. I don't necessarily need it to run the newest games, but I would like to play some. If building a desktop is cheaper and more efficient and better in the long run, I'd rather do that.

Then you should go with a desktop.

1. A desktop will run you considerably cheaper than a laptop.

2. Desktop components will last longer because the cooling capabilities of a desktop are far better.

3. Desktops are easily upgradeable - laptops are a ***** to upgrade.

If you want to play games, spend the money you saved on a good graphics card.