Post by: Delnar_Ersike on September 25, 2007, 01:52:00 pm
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5470 (1.6 Ghz, dual-core, 2MB cache, 800 Mhz FSB)
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (side note: I decided I wanted the upgrade from Vista)
LCD Panel: 15.4" Wide Screen XGA LCD Display with TrueLife (1280x800 resolution)
RAM Memory: 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667 Mhz, 2 DIMM
Hard Drive: 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Optical Drive: 8x CD/DVD Burner w/ Double-Layer DVD+R write capability
Video Card: 128MB NVidia GeForce 8400M GS (side note: and this is in the business laptops category...)
Internet: Built-in 802.11g WiFi and 10/100 Mbps Ethernet/Modem
Price: $748
Here are my dilemmas:
- My parents are not interested in buying any computer that is not budget-priced, and they definitely don't know an average laptop costs about $1000 or that a desktop of the same quality costs $100 more without the screen. This means that I cannot get a laptop unless it is pretty aggressively priced. Though this might be easier to comply to this time of the year, (with the holiday season looming forward) my parents are very cost-aware and it'll be difficult to explain to them why buying a $750 laptop is worth it.
- For reasons that my Mac Developer dad can explain, I cannot get a laptop with an AMD processor.
- I do not know if I should stay with my initial choice of the NVidia GeForce 8400M GS or spend another $100 for the NVidia GeForce 8600M GT. I am somewhat of a hardcore gamer, playing about 11 hours a week, and most of the games I play or want to play are pretty graphics-hungry (Assassin's Creed, Crysis, Bioshock, SW: BF2, C&C3: Tiberium Wars, ES4: Oblivion, etc.). Remember dilemma #1 in your opinion about my choice.
Post by: lordofthegeeks on September 25, 2007, 01:58:00 pm
go for it
Post by: rivereye on September 25, 2007, 02:27:00 pm
And, right now, you don't want to have AMD, Intel has the better chip right now. But, what is his issue with them anyways?
Post by: spengo on September 25, 2007, 02:35:00 pm
| QUOTE |
| My parents are not interested in buying any computer that is not budget-priced, and they definitely don't know an average laptop costs about $1000 or that a desktop of the same quality costs $100 more without the screen. |
wait what, a desktop is more expensive than a laptop? In my experience desktops cost about half what a laptop of similar specs would cost. As for 8400 vs. 8600, I'd say definitely get the 8600. http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=531&card2=534 is a good site for helping to choose a graphics card.
Post by: Netham45 on September 26, 2007, 02:32:00 am
Post by: Delnar_Ersike on September 26, 2007, 04:06:00 am
| QUOTE (spengo @ 25 Sep, 2007, 18:35) | ||
wait what, a desktop is more expensive than a laptop? In my experience desktops cost about half what a laptop of similar specs would cost. As for 8400 vs. 8600, I'd say definitely get the 8600. http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=531&card2=534 is a good site for helping to choose a graphics card. |
Hey, you are forgetting this: this laptop would normally cost $300 more if it weren't for the loopholes. We are also talking pre-built here. Neither my dad nor I have any experience whatsoever with DIY Windows/Linux desktops (If it were a Mac, my dad could probably help).
And I know there is a HUGE difference between the 8400M GS and the 8600M GT, but unless the laptop's price with my initial config slips down by $100 or more, I'll have to spend quite some time arguing with my parents.
Post by: spengo on September 26, 2007, 10:16:00 am
Post by: Fallen Ghost on September 26, 2007, 12:22:00 pm
And I guess upgrading the graphic card from a 8400 (128mb) to the 8600 is much better for your gamer needs.
But yeah, your parents are probably like mine and they want that I only use my laptop to work on, so they make you buy just under your needs.
And in ANY occasions, please don't run Oblivion on a medium laptop. You'll damage your eyes with the framerate/ugliness.
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on September 26, 2007, 12:55:00 pm
Post by: spengo on September 26, 2007, 01:48:00 pm
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on September 26, 2007, 02:02:00 pm
j/k I dont think a ps3 emu would run on any existing PC yet since it's more powerful than any of them lol
Post by: Delnar_Ersike on September 26, 2007, 02:50:00 pm
As for "graphics design classes", it will not work as my parents are usually very aware of my school schedule, there are no graphics design classes in my school (yet), and my parents aren't that stupid to think that a kid who wants to play high-quality/new games an hour daily will want a laptop with a good graphics card specifically for "graphics design classes". However, since my dad's company's product is especially for video-editors (one thing a Mac is good at with FinalCut Pro, and also a thing which requires a good GPU), and since I've already made my parents confident in my glitch-finding skills, I might be able to convince them that it might help in my dad's business... %)
If I were to describe myself as a gamer on a scale from 1-20 (1 being non-gamer and 20 being super-harcore aka WoW addict), I'd rate myself as 14 (a person who plays games daily, though isn't hardcore and is satisfied with low settings).
Post by: spengo on September 26, 2007, 03:08:00 pm
| QUOTE (DJ Omnimaga @ 27 Sep, 2007, 1:02) |
| still not enough to keep 30 fps on this playstation 3 emu at max settings :( j/k I dont think a ps3 emu would run on any existing PC yet since it's more powerful than any of them lol |
PS3 is more powerful than what PC... not mine I can tell you that rofl. Did you know it only has 256MB ram?
:evil:
EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3_hardware here's some more detailed specs if you want.
Post by: rivereye on September 26, 2007, 03:31:00 pm
| QUOTE (spengo @ 26 Sep, 2007, 20:48) |
| That should be good enough for a moderate gamer though. Oblivion will run decently on an 8600 I believe, though maybe not at max resolution. I wouldn't want anything more powerful than an 8600 in a laptop anyways. Screw a hardcore "gaming" laptop, those are bulls***. 10lbs of 1hr battery and so hot you can't use it on your lap even when idle. |
10lbs is accurate about
I get a 3hr battery life (though I do have the 12 cell vs the 8 cell battery)
it can get hot, but if you know how to use it, it really isn't all that bad really.
Post by: spengo on September 26, 2007, 03:33:00 pm
Hope you're careful not to roast your nuts though! :D
Post by: rivereye on September 26, 2007, 05:37:00 pm
Btw, if you are wondering, I have the Gateway NX860XL laptop.
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on September 26, 2007, 05:57:00 pm
| QUOTE (spengo @ 26 Sep, 2007, 22:08) | ||
QuoteBegin-DJ Omnimaga+27 Sep, 2007, 1:02-->
PS3 is more powerful than what PC... not mine I can tell you that rofl. Did you know it only has 256MB ram? :evil: EDIT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_3_hardware here's some more detailed specs if you want. |
well no need for much ram because it doesnt have a bloated OS to run like XP (prbly just a small bios or internal OS) and no multitasking or other programs running at the same time
Post by: Delnar_Ersike on September 28, 2007, 03:52:00 pm
The bad news: my dad came home yesterday and offered me a laptop today saying it is better than my old one. After a couple of system diagnostics I ran through the BIOS, I not only discovered that the processor clock speed is worse than my previous laptop and that the laptop has only 50% of the RAM my previous laptop had, but I also discovered the hard drive is SMALLER than my previous laptop (30 GB is pretty small, but I don't know how my dad wanted to buy me off with a 25 GB HDD) and that the graphics chipset is worse than my previous laptop's (yeah, you guys thought Intel 945 GMA is the worst graphics chipset currently, right? Well, guess again, as this one had an Intel 900 GMA). My dad also screwed up the printer port with paper clips so Mac OS X could work on the laptop and the only positive thing about the laptop is that it has a DVD burner. However, my both of my parents are convinced that the laptop will be able to run the newest "good" games and such; but "good" in their opinion is something like Runescape, while "good" in my opinion is Crysis or Assassin's Creed.
The good news: The price for the laptop dropped $50, so now it has everything I chose at only $700! Talk about a good deal... Also, I decided I'd only get the 8600M GT if my parents won't care if the laptop is $700 or $800 (which will probably happen right before pigs sprout wings). Now if only I can show my parents that I won't be able to view medium-res movies on the internet with the other laptop and I'll have them even more convinced to get me this one. And my parents absolutely don't want the laptop, I can always DIY a desktop instead...
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on September 28, 2007, 03:54:00 pm
Post by: spengo on September 28, 2007, 09:29:00 pm
When I am rich and famous I will build her a really tiny fanless PC that takes 50W and *maybe* she will learn to love it.
BUT ANYWAYS, delnar maybe that would be a good solution. Get a dirt cheap laptop or just stick with the one you got and build a desktop PC. They are much cheaper and more upgradeable. You already have a laptop for mobile stuff right? It's good enough for internets and MS word, what else do you need? Then you can spend all your moneys making a pwnage desktop. :)
Post by: DJ Omnimaga on September 29, 2007, 12:14:00 am
Post by: spengo on September 29, 2007, 05:58:00 am
Besides... after I saw them, I really wanted to build something with a pico sized mobo. They be uber.
Post by: TIfanx1999 on September 29, 2007, 08:18:00 am
| QUOTE |
| Mmm my dad is a little ignorant when it comes to post windows 98 stuff, but other than that he's pretty good. Used to work for NASA, then lockheed martin. |
NO KIDDIN!!? One of my best bros. works for Lockheed!
Delnar_Ersike; As for your computer predicament you should definitly push for one with a slightly better graphics card. Get as close to what you want as you can. You'll be more satisfied with it and in a few months you wont be regreting your decision.
Delnar_Ersike; As for your computer predicament you should definitly push for one with a slightly better graphics card. Get as close to what you want as you can. You'll be more satisfied with it and in a few months you wont be regreting your decision.
Post by: lordofthegeeks on September 29, 2007, 08:39:00 am