Topic: Need a new laptop

[ober]

I've looked at all the specs.  I don't need a gaming level laptop.  I need a decent amount of RAM, zero software, and a half-decent video card.  I don't need top-of-the-line.

I don't see why a $500 laptop is a compromise if meets and/or exceeds the need.  I'm fine with a laptop that was top of the line a year ago.  I'm willing to hit maybe $600, but I'm finding deals lower than that that should be fine.

[KnuckleBuckett]

Not arguing. 

The the MSI was $800 a year ago and has everything you need.  Get one of this ilk for $400 used or refurbed. 

By the way getting a decent video card usually means they call it a "gaming" machine.  Throw the stupid gaming moniker out.  I think that foolishness costs them more sales than it makes these days.  It simply means a good performing machine without major bottlenecks.

The typical bottlenecks are...

CPU (cheap DuoCore type crap and older Intel and AMD legacy junk).
Memory at half the bandwidth that a modern pc of any kind should have.
Memory at 2GB trying to run Vista.  Phooey.
Half assed versions of Vista.
Vista 32 bit OS.
Integrated video solution.
ATI video solution (for your purposes).
Shared video memory.
HDDs with slow spins. 

Oh.  One more thing worth considering.  Shiny monitors blow.  IMO

Can you wait until you can get a machine with native Windows 7?

[ober]

Nope... ideally would like to buy in the next 2 weeks.

I'll upgrade to 7 after it hits SP1.  And thanks for the info.  I'm scared of MSI because I've never heard much about them.  Same with Asus and Acer. 

[hans]

Acer makes really good budget laptops. That's usually the company I help cheap friends and such pick out that don't like Dell or HP. Acer usually has some of the best deals you can get.


And just out of curiosity, what do you have against Dell?

[KnuckleBuckett]

Acer, ASUS, and MSI are very reputable.  Been around a long time. 

Hell ASUS and MSI make some of the best motherboards money can buy.

[KnuckleBuckett]

I know but good specs!

http://www.woot.com/

[ober]

Hmm... interesting.  My current laptop is a Dell and I haven't been a huge fan of it.  I don't think they use quality hardware and their support sucks.  I've had more than a fair share of problems with my current 600m.

[ober]

Thanks.  I like the look of the Toshibas the most and there are several in my price range with the right options, so i won't rule it out from a repair standpoint.

Gateway has a few in the range, one that I'm keen on but I want to doublecheck the specs.

It will only be used around the house, so a Toughbook isn't necessary.

[KnuckleBuckett]

http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/28/packard-bell-intros-ion-based-imax-mini-nettop-non-ion-dot-netb/
 

[ober]

So after a little more digging, I'm looking at these:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9183581&type=product&id=1218049412025 (Gateway)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172646&type=product&id=1218044029503 (Gateway)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9256011&type=product&id=1218069451354 (Toshiba)

The only thing any of them are missing is the dedicated video card.

[Steve]

Dedicated video is asking for alot in the price range you chose.

[ober]

Well it's just PS that will be used... i think I can get way without having it.

[KnuckleBuckett]

I know you are just going to get angry with me, but Core2Duo and an Nvidia non-integrated or it will be under powered.  You can always fix the OS and add memory.

[Steve]

Unless he is doing PS as his new full time career i think he will be fine

[ober]

The processor on all 3 of those is Core2Duo.  I honestly don't think the video card is that big of a deal when you are dealing with static images.  If I was doing 3D modeling, that would be one thing.  Touching up photos and doing some website layout stuff requires more RAM than it does a separate GPU.

My work laptop has half the stats of the laptops I'm looking at and it handles PS just fine for the things I need to do.