Help! Ming wants a new computer!

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

So, I am soon to be in the market for a new computer. Specifically, I'd like to get a laptop, but I have NO idea where to start looking...aside from Best Buy, etc.

Ultimately, my uses for it aren't that demanding. The most demanding thing that I would like to be able to do are play some games, but nothing too intense. Mostly World of Warcraft and/or other games of that sort.

Regarding games, I don't really know anything about video cards. Should I be looking at ATI? Nvidia? Something else?

For processors, should I stick with Intel? Is AMD ok? I have no idea...

I would like to keep the cost under $1000, if possible.

So...can you guys give me some suggestions?

Ultrawolf · Mr. Roarke Gender: Joined: 04 Jul 2003

HP Laptops are generally pretty good. I like Intel and Nvidia products, they tend to be preferred for gaming these days because of their bang-for-your-buck reputation. AMD is still fine, I'm just more familiar with Intel so I can't really speak for them but for the longest time they were the preferred gaming choice until recently. The laptop I currently use is an AMD Turion 64 x2 which is perfectly fine. For a Laptop it might not really matter unless you're planning on spending extravagant amounts of moolah on quad-omega-supremo processors.

Generally some kind of true dual core processor is great.

I highly recommend if you want to play WOW to make sure you have a decent video card on your laptop. I have an Nvidia GO 6150 and it runs decently on low to mid settings but I highly recommend something really nice. You can always upgrade the RAM later if you choose, but it's virtually impossible to upgrade/swap a laptop video card so don't be hesitant to splurge just a little on the video card. You can configure one online on the Hewlett Packard website but I also recommend deal hunting in-store.

Two gigs of ram is recommended because of Vista Operating Systems see if you can't find a laptop that can expand to higher than that just so you have the option later if you don't want to right away.

Razer · 4934 5157 5662 5658 Gender: Joined: 07 Oct 2002

Offering my layman's knowledge of laptops (I'm a desktop tech moreorless) I'd say you can't go wrong with Best Buy if you want a complete as-it-is item. I've found nothing but trouble trying to get inside HP's and Compaqs (now the same company) so I tend to build my own. I've always gone with AMD processors and I've run two NVidia cards previously. I can't say whether they're better than anyone else but I usually stick with what works until I get screwed.

If you never really plan on going inside then I'd say look at Walmart's laptops. They're usually "last year's model" jobs but they'll handle anything basic you throw at them and Walmart is usually really good on warranty (if you wanna purchase it) and return policies.

Still, I believe this is Chibi and Shino's territory. You should probably PM them for more professional insight.

Shino

Tobias · *explodes* Age: 38 Gender: Joined: 17 Jan 2003

Buy a Mac?

But I forget, people don't like Macs here. Smile

But to be serious: how are brands like toshiba? Dell? I remember about a year back that Toshiba was listed as the number one laptop in Consumer Reports magazine, second was Mac, and third...i don't remember.

*explodes*

Shino · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

Ultrawolf · Mr. Roarke Gender: Joined: 04 Jul 2003

I don't know if Macs or PCs are better than each other. It depends on what you need out of a computer. For certain needs Macs are preferable for others PCs are better. Generally if you want a workstation and do video editing/photoshop media stuffs than a Mac is better but if you want an all around utility than you'd be ok sticking with a PC. The only thing you really need to worry about with Macs is software support.

If you still want a laptop, most of the PC building advice is moot.
Otherwise I'm sure we can ramble on and on about computer components Very Happy

ALL you need to focus on is a building brand (and by extension warranty), processor, RAM and graphics card when dealing with a laptop. Toshibas are pretty good. My very first laptop was a Toshiba and that thing was trucking for a looooooooong time. I would say they're a safe bet. I also agree with Shino, IBMs are pretty nice too.

Try checking out online retailers for deals. www.newegg.com and www.tigerdirect.com are always my top picks.

Shino · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject:

Ming · DOOM! Gender: Joined: 13 Jan 2003

How does this look?

Shino · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject:

The video card in there isn't ... too hot.

you want the second number as high as possible.
It's odd really. The first number is the series of card, the second number kinda works toward gaming quality.

Actually... here's a decent explanation of it...
click me

Edit...
Notebook video card chart...
click me