Looking to come back.. Recommend me a budget laptop

[Options]

Hey guys I've been gone for almost a year now but I'm getting the itch to play again. My old desk top is blue screening hard so I'm in the market for a new laptop. I'm sure some of you have done research in this area so any suggestions would be much appreciated :)

[baalzy]

Uh... gunna need more info then that.

Do you want a 17inch beast that will sit on a table most of the time or a more managable 13-15 inch thing?

Full size keyboard? 10key (number pad)?

Are you comfortable putting ram in (its really really really really really easy but some people would rather spend an extra 200 bucks then do something that takes 3 minutes and costs another 40 for the part).

Is having fast boot up & load times important enough to you to install an SSD?

Whats your price range? I consider 500-700 to be 'budget' but just about any 300 dollar laptop will run EQ and be tolerable if you spend another 40bucks to boost the ram up to 6-8gb.

[Options]

Uh... gunna need more info then that.

Do you want a 17inch beast that will sit on a table most of the time or a more managable 13-15 inch thing?

Full size keyboard? 10key (number pad)?

Are you comfortable putting ram in (its really really really really really easy but some people would rather spend an extra 200 bucks then do something that takes 3 minutes and costs another 40 for the part).

Is having fast boot up & load times important enough to you to install an SSD?

Whats your price range? I consider 500-700 to be 'budget' but just about any 300 dollar laptop will run EQ and be tolerable if you spend another 40bucks to boost the ram up to 6-8gb.

Sorry about that the lack of details. Full size keyboard for sure, 15 inch screen would work fine and I'd prefer ssd if I can keep it in the budget of 5-700. Ram installation is no problem

[baalzy]

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?brandId=2201&c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh

Use Coupon code: M56BRN2KM043CG on these models for 25% more off:
Inspiron 15z - 5523 Ultrabook
Inspiron 15R-5521
Inspiron 14z Ultrabook

Use the filters on the side to only look at those 3 types.

Could get plenty of machine for 539 - 25% = ~404 before tax/shipping (shipping is usually free).

You'd have to drop in an SSD on your own afterwards but could get that for 90bucks or so and have it be big enough. Probably won't need to add more ram but easily could and still stay in budget (6gb is the absolute minimum I'd run in my own system, 8gb would be better. 4gb will run like dogcrap but you can easily upgrade yourself).

Intel HD built-in graphics is crap but should be fine for EQ.

Edit:
Additionally, its the outlet and the stuff they sell are either returns or refurbs so they're just looking to make some money back. If you find something you want and those coupons don't work you can add it to cart, use the 'chat with customer service' button and then tell the guy 'Hey, I'm wanting to buy blah but could you help me out on price?' Pretty easy to get a 20-25% off coupon that way. If the guy says sure! If you buy Norton or some crap, say no thanks. Empty your cart, add it again, chat again and you'll most likely get another rep. Ask them the same question.

Eventually one of them will get you a coupon with no strings attached.

[Nyanknits]

see if you can acquire a machine with 1920x1080 resolution - can't stress enough to people that resolution is workspace and workspace is king in today's PC world

[baalzy]

see if you can acquire a machine with 1920x1080 resolution - can't stress enough to people that resolution is workspace and workspace is king in today's PC world

This is important yes, but also harder to get from 'budget' machines.

[Lune]

budget laptop?

dude ur gettin a dell!

http://i.imgur.com/uHy4YD8.jpg

[Options]

hahaha thanks for that

[Porcoa]

You can get used Dell Latitudes with an i5 and nvidia chip for ~$300 on ebay.

Edit: Whatever you do, don't buy a Toshiba.

[Options]

Pulled the trigger. Thanks guys :)

[Thulack]

Pulled the trigger. Thanks guys :)

Well spill whatcha got?

[Options]

http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=8968379&st=toshiba%20laptop&cp=1&lp=2&pid=1218957871989

Ended up snagging this for a little more than I wanted to spend but for only 100 more it had everything I was looking for besides the ssd

[myxomatosii]

I recommend an etch-a-sketch. You are only limited by what your imagination can dream!

[skipdog]

I'll never understand how people can spend $800 on a laptop and not even get a dedicated graphics card.

[Porcoa]

http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=8968379&st=toshiba%20laptop&cp=1&lp=2&pid=1218957871989

Ended up snagging this for a little more than I wanted to spend but for only 100 more it had everything I was looking for besides the ssd

Don't say I didn't warn you AGAINST getting Toshiba.

[RiffDaemon]

Whatever you do, don't buy a Toshiba.

http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=8968379&st=toshiba%20laptop&cp=1&lp=2&pid=1218957871989

Ended up snagging this

:lol:

[joppykid]

http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=8968379&st=toshiba%20laptop&cp=1&lp=2&pid=1218957871989

Ended up snagging this for a little more than I wanted to spend but for only 100 more it had everything I was looking for besides the ssd

Lol, I actually work at Best Buy and sell this one all the time. It's a great computer. You can find something negative about all brand computers, all it takes is one person having a bad experience with one. The specs on the one you got are very good, which is more important than Brand Name except for Acer. That's the only brand I don't really recommend.

I'll never understand how people can spend $800 on a laptop and not even get a dedicated graphics card.

You don't need a dedicated graphics card to run EQ lol. If later down the road he wanted to play something Modern then yeah you probably should have a dedicated graphics card. If you don't get a dedicated graphics card then you should at least get an AMD processor though.

[baalzy]

Don't say I didn't warn you AGAINST getting Toshiba.

I've had zero issues with my Toshiba. Got it just over 2 years ago though on a killer clearance through Staples.

[Porcoa]

I've had zero issues with my Toshiba. Got it just over 2 years ago though on a killer clearance through Staples.

The reason I suggest not getting a Toshiba, I work in computer repair and people have broken Toshibas come in all the time. They run okay, some have poor airflow, but the construction is shit. They use very cheap and brittle plastic. I've replaced so many bottom chassis. The threaded inserts that are there to bolt down the monitor hinges seem to break very regularly. Also, I've had to replace many charging ports on Toshibas. Same type of issue, the plastic that holds the charging port tends to break if you insert your AC adapter wrong or give it a little pressure at a bad angle. This is just my experience with them, fixing other peoples mistakes. I'm sure if you handle it gingerly you won't have too many problems.

[joppykid]

The reason I suggest not getting a Toshiba, I work in computer repair and people have broken Toshibas come in all the time. They run okay, some have poor airflow, but the construction is shit. They use very cheap and brittle plastic. I've replaced so many bottom chassis. The threaded inserts that are there to bolt down the monitor hinges seem to break very regularly. Also, I've had to replace many charging ports on Toshibas. Same type of issue, the plastic that holds the charging port tends to break if you insert your AC adapter wrong or give it a little pressure at a bad angle. This is just my experience with them, fixing other peoples mistakes. I'm sure if you handle it gingerly you won't have too many problems.

Are you talking about the ones that are plastic casing on the outside as well or is the plastic on the inside? The one OP got has a nice metal casing around it which is what you'll get with the nicer computers.

[Porcoa]

Are you talking about the ones that are plastic casing on the outside as well or is the plastic on the inside? The one OP got has a nice metal casing around it which is what you'll get with the nicer computers.

Every Toshiba laptop I have taken apart had cheap plastic on the inside. They may look nice and sleek on the outside, but the insides are cheap. I have yet to see one that was well built. Compared to every other brand, Toshiba and Acer have the most poorly built laptops, imo. Dell's business line and Sony laptops are solid in their construction.

Edit: Toshiba could have a nice line of laptops, like I mentioned with Dell's business ones. If they do, I haven't seen one yet.

[baalzy]

Every Toshiba laptop I have taken apart had cheap plastic on the inside. They may look nice and sleek on the outside, but the insides are cheap. I have yet to see one that was well built. Compared to every other brand, Toshiba and Acer have the most poorly built laptops, imo. Dell's business line and Sony laptops are solid in their construction.

Edit: Toshiba could have a nice line of laptops, like I mentioned with Dell's business ones. If they do, I haven't seen one yet.

IBM was the king of solid built laptops. Not sure how it is now that they're Lenovo but the Thinkpad series is tough as nails. But they'd have to be tough for as much as the darn things weigh.

[Thulack]

I love my alienware m15 i got off ebay for 500 bucks cause guy didnt know how to replace a battery lol. Would never spend 2k on one brand new but compared to what people pay 700 for i'll take my alienware all day.

[Bill Tetley]

people that spend the $ for alienware... tarded! can get a msi with the same specs as an alienware for sooo much less.

[Thulack]

people that spend the $ for alienware... tarded! can get a msi with the same specs as an alienware for sooo much less.

and i agree. As i said i wouldnt pay 2k for it brand new but getting one for 500 bucks i love it. Better specs then anything else in that price range. Messing with people with the light displays is fun though.

[Yinikren]

I picked up a refurb MSI GP70 for 640$.. I love it. Thank you, whoever returned it because it didn't have a blu-ray drive and saved me 200$.

[webrunner5]

I think the OP did not make out too well with what he bought for the money. Hell you can run P1999 on a iphone. Without a good video card and a SSD other games will studder. Not impressed. :(

[Options]

If you can find better for the same price or less post the link. Its best buy so I have the option to return it easily.

[joppykid]

If you can find better for the same price or less post the link. Its best buy so I have the option to return it easily.

15 days ;) Unless you're an elite member. I would go with something like this below if you plan on playing more recent games, even then it's still only 768MB Dedicated. You always spend less on AMD's though since they don't advertise like Intel. I am thinking of getting this one myself.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/envy-touchsmart-sleekbook-15-6-touch-screen-laptop-6gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive/1732077.p?id=1219061838846&skuId=1732077&st=hp%20amd%20a10&cp=1&lp=5

or if you want to spend a little more.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/15-6-touch-screen-laptop-8gb-memory-1tb-hard-drive/8937158.p?id=1218954926513&skuId=8937158&st=asus%20i7&cp=1&lp=4

Has 2 GB dedicated. You can probably find similar specs cheaper somewhere else, I was just posting more for reference.

[Options]

I like the first option. With the extra $150 i could throw in a ssd.. are they all about equal?

I'm not really familiar with laptops so that being said..is it an option to put a dedicated graphics card in down the road?

[joppykid]

I like the first option. With the extra $150 i could throw in a ssd.

I'm not really familiar with laptops so that being said..is it an option to put a dedicated graphics card in down the road?

Not really. Most laptops you're kind of stuck with what you get. I'd check on HPs website if you can throw a SSD in it. Sometimes u have to send it in to them to do so. One of the Shitty things of HPs

[radditsu]

I hear red ones go fast. Get a red one.

[joppykid]

I hear red ones go fast. Get a red one.

Haha

[Yinikren]

I hear red ones go fast. Get a red one.

That extra 1" of movement really helps now that 6th edition has been out and charge ranges are 2D6".

[Gnomebert]

I hear red ones go fast. Get a red one.http://www.msi.com/product/nb/GT70-Dragon-Edition-2.html#overview

no complaints, things pretty hoss

[Options]

http://www.msi.com/product/nb/GT70-Dragon-Edition-2.html#overview

no complaints, things pretty hoss

Price?

[Droog007]

I like the first option. With the extra $150 i could throw in a ssd.. are they all about equal?

I'm not really familiar with laptops so that being said..is it an option to put a dedicated graphics card in down the road?

I believe that "discrete graphics" and "dedicated video card" are misnomers when you're dealing with laptops. GPU and any dedicated memory is soldered to the system board, in my experience.

[baalzy]

I believe that "discrete graphics" and "dedicated video card" are misnomers when you're dealing with laptops. GPU and any dedicated memory is soldered to the system board, in my experience.

I think it indicates weather or not there is a GPU at all vs. using the CPU to handle graphics. Also whether or not there is dedicated memory available for use by only the GPU.

[Gnomebert]

Price?

$2700:o

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Series-GT70-2OD-039US-17-3-Inch/dp/B00CU9GNA0

in fairness i was replying to red go vroom and not the whole... budget.. thing

[Options]

Ok here's an update. I went to best buy to check out what I ordered and didn't like that Toshiba at all. That envy was nice and this asus is really sticking out for me


http://m.bestbuy.com/m/e/product/detail.jsp?skuId=8937158&pid=1218954926513&pcatId=abcat0502000

[radditsu]

Acer used to sell ferarri series of laptops. What pieces of shit they were.


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_Ferrari_products

[Ahldagor]

windows 8 makes me shudder

[webrunner5]

Newegg is THE place to buy a Laptop. http://www.newegg.com/Laptops-Notebooks/Category/ID-223

I know used Laptops are sort of risky but there is some darn good deals on like Craigslist. Just buy one that is pretty new and do research on the model for problems before you buy one.

But nice to have a new one with a warranty. I guess it comes down if you are a hardcore gamer or not. Most normal ones are fine for P1999. My son and I have ones that rip your face off lol. But they are expensive. A LOT more than you want to pay.