Laptops - In need of advice! :)

[DrNecroNancy]

Hellos, I got a proposition to all tech lurkers!
I'm lookin into gettin a laptop, and like the title, I'd like advice based on what specs I need.

Here is some things I looked into already:
- Checked out Lenovo and their Thinkpad series
* Really nice, problem is I don't see significance in graphics power
- Checked out ASUS
* Possible want
- Checked out Alienware
* maaaybe...
- Checked out Dell
* ...eeeh.
> Any info on either companies would be great!

Alrighty, so here's what I'm lookin for:
> The gist of it: I need a laptop, preferably gaming. I say gaming, because I need the power that usual gaming laptops offer, which is speed and graphics. (Not really needed for gaming specifically) And, why? Well I need a lappy that can handle heavy 3D graphic work, such as running 3DsMax no problem and dealing w/high polys often.
> Price: 1 - 1.5k ...2k if really worth it; and of course less than 1k is awesome - I'm really looking for the "bang for your buck" though.
> Processing/RAM: fast please (like duo, 4 gb?)
> Battery: if it ain't long life then at least one should be able to have back up to change
> Graphics: something goood, not just some random integrated one.
> HDD: Lots o space to hold lots o things! 100+ gig would be a must
> Extra: DVD rw, and of course w/all that usb internet jazz.
> Size/Weight: don't care, nothing a bag won't handle! lol (well just not some ridiculously over-done waste of plastic fancy case). About 15" ish is fine. Not somethin' tiny, and not gonna compromise weight over its ability.

That's all I can think of for now, -any- suggestions are welcome, by all means! Thank you all for your time, any is greatly appreciated!

 

[Frank Booth]

Buy it at Costco. They offer two years extended warranty for laptops, and 90 days return policy no questions asked. And with summer coming up there will be coupons on laptops that are usually great.

Also, i custom made mine at www.Costco.com and you can add what you want to it.

http://www.costco.com/Common/Catego...v=&cat=29771&eCat=BC|84|4797|29771&lang=en-US

http://www.costco.com/Common/Catego...sc1&lang=en-US&ec=BC-EC10590-Cat56670&topnav=

This is an almost 1900 dollars one, but i loaded a lot of stuff and it is one of the more high end models that starts at 1000 dollars.

http://www.costco.com/CTO/HPProduct...configno=3ca3fcd2-7a43-4129-ae55-e15a852c1468

Configuration Summary

Selected Features:

* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz)
* $100 OFF!! 6GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* FREE Upgrade to 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive from 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
* 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
* Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
* 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* No Productivity Software
* 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Full Size Backlit Keyboard
* FREE Upgrade to Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
* 50% OFF!! HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner

Included Features:

* Type: Premium innovation at the edge of entertainment
* Memory card reader: 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader
* Accessible memory slots: 2
* Maximum Memory Expansion: 8GB
* Ports: 4 USB (4th shared with eSATA port),1 Expansion Port 3 connector
* Additional Ports: IEEE 1394 Firewire, HDMI
* Hard Drive Protection: HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* Audio: Altec Lansing stereo speakers
* ENERGY STAR Qualified: EPEAT Silver
* Adapter: 90W AC
* Dimensions: 14.9(W)x10.0"(D)x1.31 (min H)/1.70(max H) - with Dual

 

[xenophek]

Well, OCZ has some amazing barebone notebook kits. If you let it, they can get expensive fast, but they're pretty powerful. Also, they're more easily upgradeable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ubCategory=773&N=2010030773&SpeTabStoreType=1

3870 is worth a look at. For reference, it'll run Crysis on all high graphics. OCZ also has 15" kits, but they have HD3650 and nVidia 9600M graphics.

 

[ZANtehMAN!]

i have a lenovo but check out the ideapad series i have one they are great and i couldnt be more satisfied (amazing display as well i love the screen)

 

[reflex99]

i have 2 friends that have a Gateway FX series and they couldn't be happier.
for reference w/all the settings on high/max my freind gets about 60-70 fps on L4D
duo version :http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&type=product&id=1218043606827
quad version:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101179
the duo's proc is kinda weak but the quad is very expensive
also the price v. performance is like off the charts IMO

 

[Ducttape]

I have a Thinkpad T500 and couldn't be happier with it.

The ATI3650 isn't the latest or greatest, but it manages 30+ fps in TF2.

Battery life is outstanding.

Very sturdy chasis; you can pick it up by the monitor with no give or bending at all. This is easily the toughest laptop I've ever owned. Not that I'd wanna toss it out of hotel window, but if I ever did, it would probably fair better than most 'media-oriented' Sony or HP laptops. Can't say anything about Dell laptops; I've never/will never own one of theirs...

Not sure how 'mobile' you need your laptop to be; if you just need something that's more portable than a desktop, you might consider one of the 'desktop replacement' types of laptops. The battery life isn't as good with those, but the specs are usually better.

Specs:
Core 2 Duo processor T9400 - 2.53GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2
Windows Vista Ultimate
15.4" WSXGA+ 1680 x 1050
ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB with Intel Advanced Management Technology
4 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 1067MHz
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
1.3 Megapixel Integrated Camera
64 GB Solid State Drive, Serial ATA
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
Integrated Bluetooth
Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5350 (AGN) with My WiFi Technology
Integrated AT&T Mobile Broadband Card (3G)
9 cell Li-Ion Battery

 

[PuddinPop]

Ducttape, I love you for making my work easier. If you haven't figured out yet I'm going to recommend Thinkpad unless you plan to use it as a desktop replacement. The T500's will net you about 6+ hours of abttery life witha 9-cell while using standard things like browser and IM.

As for graphical work and the such, you are going to be hard pressed finding a decently portable laptop to do what it sounds like you want. I have friends with iBuyPower desktop replacements with 8800 GT's in them, but they are damn heavy.

So, here are your choices, Thinkpad (cause I said so) or heavy desktop replacement. Did I mentioned I specced out something close to Ducttape's build an it cost $1350.

 

[chief]

Case ( Battalion 101 M571TU 17" WSXGA+ 1680X1050 Widescreen LCD TFT Notebook w/Li-ion 8 cells battery, Universal AC Power Adapter Orange Trim )

Processor ( [New !!!] Intel? Montevina Core 2 Duo Mobile P8600 Dual-Core Processor (2x 2.4GHz/3MB Cache/1066FSB) )

Memory ( 4GB [2GB x 2] 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM [Notebook Memory] Corsair or Major Brand )

Video Card ( Mobility DDR3 1GB NVIDIA GTX280 PCI-Express 3D Video [M571TU] )

Hard Drive ( 320 GB 7200rpm Serial-ATA-150 Super Slim Notebook Hard Drive )
External Hard Drives [USB 2.0/eSATA] ( None )

CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( 8x Dual Format DVD?R/?RW + 16x CD-R/RW Combo Drive [M570TU] )

Sound Card ( 3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard )

Fax Modem ( Built-in 56K V.92 Fax Modem [Notebook] )

Network Card ( Built-in 10/100/1000 Network LAN [Notebook] )

USB 2.0 Accessories ( Built-in 3x USB 2.0 Ports [Notebook] )

Flash Media Reader/Writer ( Built-in 7-in-1 Media Card Reader/Writer [Notebook] )

Carrying Case ( Free Deluxe Carrying Case )

Operating System ( Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium + [Free 60-Day !!!] M

microsoft Office 2007(Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access ....) 64-Bit )

Software/Game ( [Free Game] - Halo 2 Free with purchase of Microsoft Windows Vista operating system )
IEEE-1394 Fire Wire Card ( Built-in 1x IEEE-1394 Firewire Port [Notebook] )
USB Flash Drive ( None )
MP3/MP4 Player ( None )
Video Camera ( Built-in 2.0 Mega Pixels Digital Web Video Camera )
Headset ( None )
Power Protection ( None )
Internal Wireless Network Adapter ( [Free !!!] Intel Pro/Wireless 5300 802.11 a/g/n Wi-Fi Link )
Warranty ( Standard Warranty Service One(1) Year Limited Warranty + Lifetime Technical Support )
Rush Service ( Rush Service Fee (not shipping fee) No Rush Service, Estimate Ship Out in 5~10 Business Days )

Ibuypower.com Battalion 101 M571TU Notebook

GET IT

except get it the way i configured it above...

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=294

 

[Stormrider^]

^ That's not a laptop, that's King Kong in disguise.
But anyways, despite it being a monster, it's the best one offered since you really wanted bang for your buck. :]

 

[chief]

they have it one IbuyPower with only 2g of ram so i chose a cheaper CPU and added 2g more i also chose the 64bit vista in case you want to use more ram in the future but this laptop is as good if not better then most desktops out there the GTX 280 will run any game for the next 1 or 2 years with no problems so bang for your buck?? this is it

 

[DrNecroNancy]

Wow, stunning feedback! I thank everyone so much for all the information, I will be looking into each and everyone of them. I really appreciate this, thanks so much for your time!

 

[Leader Bean]

DO NOT BUY DELL! You will regret it.

 

[xplag]

Also, DO NOT BUY ALIENWARE! You will also regret it.

Not completely helpful, but there is the awfully cute little Asus laptop on Woot for 150...