New Laptop

Discussion in 'Public General Chat' started by Phaymis, Mar 7, 2010.

  1. Phaymis
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Wondering if I could get a hand. I am looking to spend around $2,000.00 on a new laptop. I currently have an alienware from before the Dell takover, but I am not too keen on another one. I am pretty sure I can get a beter deal elsewhere, but I am not exactly super computer smart. My current computer is

    OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
    Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
    OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation

    System Manufacturer alienware
    System Model Area-51 m9750
    System Type X86-based PC
    Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 6 GenuineIntel ~2161 Mhz
    BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. W8350F03, 24/08/2007
    SMBIOS Version 2.3
    Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
    System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
    Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
    Locale United States
    Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"

    Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
    Total Physical Memory 2,048.00 MB
    Available Physical Memory 1.40 GB
    Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
    Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
    Page File Space 3.85 GB
    Page File C:\pagefile.sys

    Name NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX
    PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0297&SUBSYS_2052161F&REV_A1\6&1A0348FC&0&00000008
    Adapter Type GeForce Go 7950 GTX, NVIDIA compatible
    Adapter Description NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX
    Adapter RAM 512.00 MB (536,870,912 bytes)

    Im probably missing some info, but basically I am looking to upgrade this, if possible, for around 2gs. If its not a segnificant upgrade, I will just wait. I know somone posted a website that you can build laptops through, I just can't for the life of me remember what it was. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Seven
    Guest

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2009
    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Holy crap Batman, you can get a pretty significant upgrade to what you have for 2000 easily. So, I am guessing that this is your gaming machine (hehhehhe YAY!). You're gonna get a much better Vid card and much more RAM for that price nowadays. I'll snoop around and see if I can find any bitchin' deals right now.
     
  3. Phaymis
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Sweet, thanks a lot! I know, I am quite overdue for an upgrade.
     
  4. Seven
    Guest

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2009
    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    OK, just a quick glance at www.cyberpowerpc.com and you can do pretty well with that budget. This might be a good place to start with comparisons. I've had several friends get computers from these guys and they were nice. the customer support was decent too.

    For a little more than 2K there is http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X7_Xtreme_S1_Notebook/ This thing would be a beast, an X58 MoBo, 6Gig RAM and a GTX285 vid card would kick ass for a long time. but it is over budget.

    http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X7_8500_Notebook/ this comes in a little below budget, so you could pocket the change or even use it to upgrade some parts a little. Not quite the beast of the first one, but would be a very capable Laptop.

    Anyway, go have a little fun on the site and see if anything interests you. If so, we can shop around a little more and see if there are better prices anywhere.
     
  5. Phaymis
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks a lot. I do like the looks of the first one, just trying to decide if I want to go over budget or not. Once I add shipping and convert it to Canadian its gonna be closer to 2800, so just gotta decide if I want to just go for it. I would rather pay a bit more and have something that lasts than pay less and have to start all over before to long. Thanks for the help!
     
  6. Areli
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2009
    Messages:
    2,201
    Likes Received:
    4
    Occupation:
    Govt.
    Location:
    Chicago Il.
    holy smokes! that first laptop you recommended is as good as my desktop...
     
  7. Phaymis
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yea I think im just going to go for it. Thanks for the help Seven
     
  8. Seven
    Guest

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2009
    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    I've been looking around at other resellers trying to find some competition for that laptop, with no luck. There is a very similar build at Falcon Northwest, but it is $2K more. Velocity Micro just didn't seem to have anything that would directly compete. Have you been looking around at all?
     
  9. Phaymis
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes and no, like I said, I've looked around at the prebuilds from the big suppliers like Dell and crap like that, but nothing close. I have heard good things about taht site, and I have heard that Alienware is over priced these days anyways. I am pretty sure I will go for that laptop. Only last question, and I know this is an ongoing battle. Nvidia vrs ATI. I know there isnt an option on this build, and I dont even know if its really all that important one way or the other. Im kinda outa the loop since I got married. Also, the other question I had was over the hard drive. What kinda noticible difference will you find between the 5400rpm vrs 7200rpm? Thanks again for your help Seven, I'm thinking of putting in the order soon.
     
  10. Phaymis
    Veteran

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2009
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    well fuck. I cant get my computer cause it only ships to the US, unless I ship it to my buddy in Seatle and he ships it to me. Company does not like Canada
     
  11. Seven
    Guest

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2009
    Messages:
    707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Oh now that sucks.

    As for the ATI vs NVidia thing, meh, jsut depends on specific cards as to which is better. SOme really like the NVidia drivers better, some like the new Eyefinity with ATI. No matter what tho, the high end cards from both companies kick ass.

    THe HD speed is definitely a factor. I would personally try to get a 7200 drive if it was available and not price prohibitive. SSD drives are becoming more and more reasonable in price. But, if all else fails, the 5400 drive will be fine until you decide to upgrade it later. They are pretty much just a couple of screws and and a release button at worst to replace.