Topic: Any laptop recommendations?

[ScaryTooth]

So, I got some money back from all my financial stuff from school, and I need a laptop. Nothing too fancy, just one for school work, and maybe to play a couple games here and there, or watch movies when I have nothing to do at work. I need it to last me a couple years at least. I was looking at a few Asus brand models that seem pretty cool at best buy, but I am open to suggestions. Don't really want a macbook though.

Looking for at least a 15.6 incher or so, and about a 400GB HD, which I think is pretty standard for a laptop now.

Oh, and I'm trying to stay under $800.

[scottws]

Personally I hate any laptop over 14".  I'd also only buy a business class laptop like a Dell Latitude 6400.  The hardware is just so much more reliable.  They are $1000 though.

[ScaryTooth]

I was checking this one out...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-+IdeaPad+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;+i3+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/1403434.p?id=1218255560219&skuId=1403434

Lenovo seems to be highly recommended by a lot of people.

[Xessive]

I'm a big fan of Asus, I spotted the Asus U43F (Dark Bamboo) on BestBuy.com. It's got decent specs, looks stylish, and is $850. It is a 14" model, but with the Intel Core i5 and the higher quality material I thought it might still be worth looking at.

If you don't mind refurbished laptops, this Asus G72 is a pretty good deal.

Alternatively, you could look into Asus G51 series gaming laptops. I believe some retailers have them on specials right now. Check out TigerDirect.com and NewEgg.com.

[ScaryTooth]

Sweet. Good advice sirs. Think I might run to microcenter and best buy to play with a few of them.

[Pugnate]

I'd highly advise against a refurbished laptop. I've had a terrible experience with one personally, as has a close friend. It is a bit of a lottery. If a refurbished laptop has had a problem with the mobo, then more problems can pop up. Also, I'd never buy a used laptop that has a dedicated video card unless it was an exceptional bargain.

But I would second Asus.

I bought an C2D 2.6Ghz Asus laptop for my mother on her birthday, and that thing runs as cool as ice. It is incredible.

The other thing about buying an Asus laptop is that it will most probably carry all the components made by Asus, and as a result will be quite reliable.

Something like an HP or a lower end Dell will not.

I did quite a bit of research when I was buying a laptop for myself, and I have to second what Scottws says about Dell Latitude laptop. Those things are built with top of the line parts, from one manufacturer.

However Latitude are business line, and aren't going to have that 'multimedia' look if you want something more stylish.

[iPPi]

I'm not sure why you want a laptop that's 15.6" or larger.  Those things are heavy.  If you've got to carry it around with you I seriously think you're going to regret it.

I would recommend something like the Alienware m11x.  That thing's a beast and can do almost everything.  It's just 11.6 inches though, which I think is great because it's highly portable but still offers exceptional performance.  The lack of an optical drive may be somewhat detracting, depending on your needs.  It's also close to $1000, and $1500 if you configure it to be more powerful.

[Pugnate]

I agree that something larger than 15.6 is too big, but 15.6'' is pretty good.

[Xessive]

I tend to prefer my laptops either super small (14" or lower), which sacrifice performance for great portability, or monstrously large (17"+) which sacrifice portability for massive performance. The middle range are too big for how little they can do (compared to the larger varieties), they basically sacrifice both portability and performance.

[Pugnate]

I don't understand what screen size has to do with performance though.

[Xessive]

I don't understand what screen size has to do with performance though.

It's not the screen size that determines that, but the screen size does suggest the average size of the laptop. Laptops at that size generally don't come packing equipment that boasts the performance I expect. Rather, it's rare for them to pack a punch; the exceptions being 15.6" gaming laptops.

The bigger machines usually come with more powerful graphics cards, processors, and often full keyboards. They're practically desktop replacements.

[ren]

I bought a Dell Vostro V13. It's incredibly underpowered but all I really do on a computer is use Office, listen to music and watch videos and it can do all that without any hiccups. It's also incredibly thin, really light, quiet and doesn't generate heat.

If you want a durable laptop with some power and don't mind spending a bit of money, Thinkpads are the way to go.

[Pugnate]

It's not the screen size that determines that, but the screen size does suggest the average size of the laptop. Laptops at that size generally don't come packing equipment that boasts the performance I expect. Rather, it's rare for them to pack a punch; the exceptions being 15.6" gaming laptops.

The bigger machines usually come with more powerful graphics cards, processors, and often full keyboards. They're practically desktop replacements.

Well, I was just comparing to 15.6 which is what I consider the mid size.

[ScaryTooth]

Went to best buy, and microcenter yesterday. And yeah, I think 15.6 is a little too large. I think a 14' is more to my liking. I liked most of the Asus models, and the ideapad from lenovo is pretty cool.

I'm leaning more toward Asus.

[Pugnate]

Can't go wrong with them!

[ren]

The only downside to those is that you're stuck with glossy screens. Some people don't mind them but for me it's pretty much a dealbreaker.

[ScaryTooth]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;+i5+Processor+/+14%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+640GB+Hard+Drive+-+Dark+Bamboo/9975053.p?id=1218204529080&skuId=9975053

considering this one

Okay, it's not letting me link to it.

It's the Asus U43JC-BBA7, dark bamboo.

[Xessive]

Sweet, that one looks sleek (in my opinion), its got great specs, and it's one Asus' higher-end quality laptops.

[ScaryTooth]

It has been discontinued....It says available in store, but when I went there, they told me it had been discontinued, and the only bamboo model they had was the one a step below it, which didn't have the dedicated video card...sigh

[ScaryTooth]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220739

Ordering now. I'm not sure how I feel about not having a keypad, but I don't think you can find a 14 inch laptop with one.

[scottws]

The only laptops I've seen with keypads are those 17" monsters and fuck those things.  Might as well get a desktop.

[Xessive]

Damn, the Bamboo woulda been nice but good choice with the K42, it has very similar specs.

I've seen a full keyboard with keypad on a 16" laptop but they're not very common.

[ScaryTooth]

Yeah, I don't really need the keypad. I don't really use it that often anyway. I think I can get by just fine without it. This will be mostly for writing papers, and I'm going to take a couple programming classes for fun. Woot, for free college!

Oh. and maybe play a couple games here and there on my lunch break or something.

[gpw11]

You could always just buy a usb number keypad if you felt it was necessary.  I use the keypad a lot on the PC though, and I haven't really missed it (all that much) on my laptop.  Then again, I'm not an accountant.

[ScaryTooth]

I'm currently posting from my brand new laptop. Like it a lot so far, but there was just so much bloatware installed on it. So, I cleaned it up a little. Much better and boots super fast now. Typing up an econ paper at the moment, and trying to get used to this keyboard.

Thanks for all the advice guys, I appreciate it.

[Pugnate]

Congrats. Yea, all new laptops have a lot of software junk on them.

[Xessive]

Congrats, man. I hope it will increase your productivity as well as your entertainment!