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B3NBO
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 Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:07 pm Post subject: Help me pick a good laptop. |
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I want a laptop which will play all the latest games with a modern videocard. But will also be good for schoolwork.
And also atleast 2gig ram and core 2 duo.
I can spend about $1200-$2000.
I had a look at alienware Area 51 m9750 notebook. It looks absolutely mad and would probably be ok with the aussie dollar at peak at the moment. But i really don't want to spend too much, so if theres anything cheaper please tell me  . EDIT:: Nevermind as a base model its really not too special i would need to spend at least US$2300 to get what i want.
Thnaks
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Jellyfish
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| Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:36 pm Post subject: Re: Help me pick a good laptop. |
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| B3NBO wrote: | | I want a laptop which will play all the latest games with a modern videocard. But will also be good for schoolwork. |
I'm sorry but these two terms are mutually exclusive.
Any "laptop" with a graphics card to play all the modern games as you say will get about 2-3 hours battery life. Also it will handily sterilise you due to how hot the bottom gets.
For instance, my 8600M GT (this laptop costs approximately $3000 AUD) idles at 54ºC. So anything higher than is going to give you some serious crotch burn.
My recommendation would be get a cheap laptop that has very good battery life and spend the rest of your money on a desktop.
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Bitchacho
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| Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: Re: Help me pick a good laptop. |
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Oh no you didn't just say that 
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chriharr
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B3NBO
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah too expensive though.
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Jim Dash
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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I think you'll find it hard to get all of those features with the amount of money you want to spend. Yeah, the Macbook Pros are lovely, but are they going to play all of the latest games?
Plus its out of your price range.
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Jellyfish
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| Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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Some tips for a laptop though are this.
Make sure it's an Intel Core 2 Duo (you're aware of this already), make sure it's got a Santa Rosa base (I'm not sure if all new laptops have this yet, but Centrino Duo Pros 100% have them). That'll get you the most out of battery life.
Ideally, I'd go for something like the updated Macbook specification wise (2 GHz+ and X3100 graphics on the Santa Rosa chipset), but you might be able to get it cheaper with a different company.
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chriharr
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:25 am Post subject: |
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| Jim Dash wrote: | I think you'll find it hard to get all of those features with the amount of money you want to spend. Yeah, the Macbook Pros are lovely, but are they going to play all of the latest games?
Plus its out of your price range. |
It will play PC games normally if you have windows installed under bootcamp.
The new macbook pro graphics cards are top of the line and play games flawlessly.
best damn gaming laptop ever
the new macbook pros are running an Intel Core 2 Duo's at 2.6GHz
most new PC laptops aren't running past 2.0GHz with the exception of the best laptops running 2.16GHz.
once again Apple raises the bar and the Macbook Pro remains the fastest and most powerful commercial laptop on the market
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B3NBO
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:23 am Post subject: |
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Whats the normal Macbook like compared to the pro?
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Passa
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:09 am Post subject: |
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I'm hopeless when it comes to tech stuff, but if you want a cheap and ultraportable laptop strictly for school work only, you should take a look at the Eee PC. Retails at around $450 - $500 Australian dollars.
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chriharr
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject: |
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| B3NBO wrote: | | Whats the normal Macbook like compared to the pro? |
cheap and nasty compared to the Titanium shell Macbook Pro
Pro has better keys, ambient light sensor, bigger screen and faster processor
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Jellyfish
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:02 pm Post subject: |
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| chriharr wrote: | | B3NBO wrote: | | Whats the normal Macbook like compared to the pro? |
cheap and nasty compared to the Titanium shell Macbook Pro
Pro has better keys, ambient light sensor, bigger screen and faster processor |
Not really true.
The Macbook is tougher due to it's thick plastic shell (the Macbook Pro is made from aluminium and will dent and scratch easily). The keyboard is actually probably better than the Macbook Pro's apart from "looks" and the fact it isn't backlit. The screen is 13.3" instead of 15.4" which makes it more portable. The Macbook's only let down is that it does have integrated graphics, but it's graphics are far better than the GMA 950 it's replacing (still only about 15 fps in Quake 4 though).
If you are planning on getting a Macbook DO NOT get the Black one, you pay something like $200 just to get the colour black. Also don't buy upgrades from Apple they over charge on that too.
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chriharr
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| Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:56 am Post subject: |
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Macbooks keyboard is awful and yes I've used so many macs to tell the difference, flat keys are awful (where's the ergonomics in that)
Mabooks only letdown is the keyboard.
Macbook Pro's don't dent easily either, I have hit my screen against the side of a wooden coffee table pretty hard and no dent, it takes a little bit extra to dent one accidently, they're tougher and more solid than they look.
Apples hardware may be overpriced but that's a small fee you pay for special hardware you can't buy anywhere else and OS stability & convenience, I would easily pay an extra $200 for the Black Macbook, it looks better, the white macbook marks and discolors easily.
Magsafe power connectors are so fucking convenient and innovative.
good thing Apple trademarked and patented the technology/
PC's wish they had this kind of technology, I've broken 2 laptops through the breakage of a power connector. someone trips on the cord, the connector bends and snaps the internal part of the laptops power source and since it's connected to the motherboard, an instant $900 repair
Magsafe breaks away easily at any angle and it's magnetic, don't even need to insert it, it just finds the power port and snaps in place.
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spandexMan
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Help me pick a good laptop. |
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| B3NBO wrote: | I want a laptop which will play all the latest games with a modern videocard. But will also be good for schoolwork.
And also atleast 2gig ram and core 2 duo.
I can spend about $1200-$2000.
I had a look at alienware Area 51 m9750 notebook. It looks absolutely mad and would probably be ok with the aussie dollar at peak at the moment. But i really don't want to spend too much, so if theres anything cheaper please tell me . EDIT:: Nevermind as a base model its really not too special i would need to spend at least US$2300 to get what i want.
Thnaks |
i don't think you could get much with 2000 bucks....maybe 2400 ou could get something good with dell or Asus - asus is class....using the laptop now to reply you....sony is good but bloody expensive!
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3mt
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Nexus
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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Australian Dell Product Page XPS M1530
It looks like it's got exactly what your after. You can get it upgraded with a 9 Cell battery which should improve your battery life but it will probably poke out a bit at the end. All of the models pictured on thier site have the 6 cell battery. This models just been released so I'd wait a bit till some reviews start to emerge.
I got the XPS M1210 model last year and am very pleased with it. The only things I disliked about it was that there was no DVI/HDMI output which has been added into the M1530. My brother also bought a Dell 24inch monitor just a few months ago and he's had no problems with it. I'd definitely recommend ringing Dell up and asking about a possible price drop, my brother rang them to query his monitors sound bar and they offered him $100 off of the price quoted on the website.(2 weeks later the website price dropped $100 though).
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Jellyfish
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| Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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A guy in my TAFE class bought a XPS 1330? and had massive problems with the build quality. But Dell did send guys over (twice) to fix the problems. I also had a bit of a whirl on it at some stage and found it very sluggish (and by sluggish, I mean it took 30 seconds to open the Windows Key + Break window), I think it was the 2.2 GHz with 4 GB of RAM.
So just be a bit careful if you do buy Dell.
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Robot Sieg
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry to impose on the thread. Figured I'd just jump on this one, instead of making another laptop thread.
I'm looking at getting a laptop just for the ease. I've never had a laptop before. But my current lifestyle means I never sit infront of my computer for too long. Basically I have a hobby business which requires some intense graphic design work and general la di da.
I play games as well So I'd want something that was decent in that line. Basically so I can play new and up coming games without having to stress over upgrading for the next year and a half or so.
I'm looking at Dell. My work can do salary sacrifice, or I can do payment plans.
Any advice?
Basically I have some newb questions.
A 17" Screen on a laptop, does it just make it more awkward to carry around?
Battery life etc, should I just carry the powerplug whereever I go?
TV Out, Possible, Doable? Any good, worth it?
Which USB Wireless Mice are good? The ones you can buy from Dell, any good?
Durability?
Cheers
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Island_Wolf
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:48 pm Post subject: |
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Always carry a powerplug (and a surge protector can be useful and maybe a double adapter - the double adapter is not compulsory, but I found it useful myself when gaming at uni with friends). Gaming will eat the battery very quickly.
TV out is possible and is doable. Just make sure the lappy has a S-Video port and a S-Video to 3.5mm cable for old tv, not sure about newer tv's since I don't have a HD tv.
For wireless mouse, depends on the portability. I love the logitech mouse the most.
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Shorty
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:34 am Post subject: |
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As a MacBook Pro owner for the last year and a half, I'd have absolutely no problem recommending getting one if you're willing to spend the extra money. You do get what you pay for, as the build quality is excellent and it seems to satisfy every aspect of your criteria except the price.
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Nexus
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:01 am Post subject: |
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| Robot Sieg wrote: | | I play games as well So I'd want something that was decent in that line. Basically so I can play new and up coming games without having to stress over upgrading for the next year and a half or so. |
I think that your expectation for gaming are a bit too high for a laptop unless your intending on getting a really high end machine which would probably be extremely heavy. As I mentioned before I bought my Dell XPS M1210 a year ago and at the time I could play most games on medium to high settings but this year I'm running games like Bioshock on low settings. Now my machine is the size of an ultra portable laptop and a lot of big steps in grapical improvements have occured over the last year but even so I think a year and a half might be a stretch.
| Robot Sieg wrote: | | I'm looking at Dell. My work can do salary sacrifice, or I can do payment plans. |
| Robot Sieg wrote: | | A 17" Screen on a laptop, does it just make it more awkward to carry around? |
If your carrying it in a laptop backpak then it wouldn't be awkward. Most laptop backpaks support 17inch machines. Carrying it in a standard laptop bag might be awkward but it really depends on where your taking it. I think weight is more of an issue than awkwardness.
| Robot Sieg wrote: | | Battery life etc, should I just carry the powerplug whereever I go? |
If your using a more powerful machine then I'd recommend a 9-cell battery, which will give you at least 3hrs of juice. I only carry my power supply with me when I known I'm likely going to need it. This is something you just get an idea of over time.
| Robot Sieg wrote: | | Which USB Wireless Mice are good? The ones you can buy from Dell, any good? |
I'd compare prices for the Wireless Mice, not sure on the Dell ones but it may be worth checking out retail versions and getting a feel to see what you like. Dell do have show case stores but there aren't many of them. Logitech are worth a look.
| Robot Sieg wrote: | | Durability? |
If your safe and careful with you machine then this shouldn't be much of an issue. I'd read several reviews to gage how duarable specific models are.
If your looking for a 17inch Notebooks I'd probably recommend a Mac Book Pro. They are pretty light and should be grunty enough to do what your after.
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Robot Sieg
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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Killer, thanks for the swift responses!
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Nephilim
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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Have you considered a blue-tooth mouse?
I just recently bought a blue-tooth mouse from Microsoft and its great. Because its blue-tooth you don't need the usb dongle (but obviously your laptop needs to have blue-tooth built in)
Microsoft is also offering a 25% rebate off the RRP. which makes this even better.
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Island_Wolf
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2007 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Nephilim wrote: | Have you considered a blue-tooth mouse?
I just recently bought a blue-tooth mouse from Microsoft and its great. Because its blue-tooth you don't need the usb dongle (but obviously your laptop needs to have blue-tooth built in)
Microsoft is also offering a 25% rebate off the RRP. which makes this even better. |
I heard it isn't good to use bluetooth with WiFi, since they both interferes with each other.
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Nexus
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Island_Wolf wrote: | | Nephilim wrote: | Have you considered a blue-tooth mouse?
I just recently bought a blue-tooth mouse from Microsoft and its great. Because its blue-tooth you don't need the usb dongle (but obviously your laptop needs to have blue-tooth built in)
Microsoft is also offering a 25% rebate off the RRP. which makes this even better. |
I heard it isn't good to use bluetooth with WiFi, since they both interferes with each other. |
Both Bluetooth and Wifi share a range of frequencies around 2.4ghz. So interference can occur between the two devices but Bluetooth has a feature that tries to prevent this called Spread Spectrum Frequency Hoping. Essentially the Bluetooth waves jump between different frequency levels so quickly that ideally interference isn't meant to occur. I'm not sure on how effective this technique is but I think I'd be safe to say with all of the Bluetooth mice out there that interference would likely be minimal or non-existent.
I wish I got a Bluetooth mouse instead of a Wifi one, carrying around a USB receiver is a bit annoying but on the flip slide you are paying more for Bluetooth.
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