Buying a new laptopFollow

Alright folks, here's my deal. I've had my current laptop for almost 5 years now, and it has more problems than not (although it still runs!). I'm starting to settle into grad school now, and will be needing a more reliable laptop for the next 4-5 years. I plan on using it mostly for work, which means a lot of typing documents, running basic programs looking at various data, and maybe running some basic games for non-work related stuff. It doesn't have to have a powerful video card, but I don't want something that's already outdated. I don't really want to pay more than $500. I've thought about getting a netbook, but a 10" screen scares me, as does the small keyboard. I think a standard 15ish" screen would be right what I'm looking for. That being said, today's deal on woot.com is a refurbished netbook for $220 =/.

I have been looking at this item from Newegg ($500): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115654



I stopped by Best Buy today just to see what they had, and I found what I think is a fairly comparable laptop (and same price, $500) with the following stats:



Thoughts? Suggestions? It seems like I could get a laptop for cheaper that would suit my work needs just as well, but I want something that will last me and I probably would use it for more than just work if I could.


Edited, Jan 11th 2010 8:12pm by Vataro

Thanks for the link, but I'm actually not looking for a gaming laptop, and don't want to go above $500 (which the one you linked is twice that). =/

If you really dont mind having on board graphics, i'd vote for a C2D laptop, http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-inspiron-1545/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-inspiron-1545&s=dhs&cs=19&~oid=us~en~29~laptops_great_deals_anav_2~~ for example.

Not too bad looking, but the 3 gigs of ram and 250 GB hard drive seem inferior to the ones I'm already looking at. Or does the Dell have other features that I'm missing that make up for it?

250 GB would probably be enough, but my general thinking is that more is always better (if I have the space I will fill it up with stuff to watch). My thinking for the RAM was that for Windows 7, 4 GB might be more ideal (even though it doesn't require as much as Vista). If you think 3 GB would be enough, then perhaps I should focus on other aspects. I appreciate the link to the benchmarks. What exactly makes the C2D so much better, if you don't mind me asking?

Upgrading a laptop hadn't really occurred to me. Is it more involved than upgrading a desktop?

Another question: should I be looking for DDR3 ram over DDR2, or does it really matter?

I was asking because of this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115668&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL011210&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL011210-_-Notebooks-_-LS2A-_-34115668

ehh i dunno. that processor is the slowest of anything mentioned so far. Not sure the better RAM offsets that or what.

wow just saw that the dell has a 'dual core processor' rather than a core 2 duo. hmm. Still, it's faster than the AMDs heh. Let's see if i can pull up some other options.

In all honesty, if you need to ask the questions you're asking, you shouldn't attempt to upgrade a laptop yourself. While some laptops have direct access to hard drives and memory, a lot don't, and the process of accessing these components can be much more difficult than simply opening a cover. That's assuming the laptop can even be upgraded. Also, keep in mind that paying someone to upgrade your laptop is usually much more expensive than if you had just purchased the upgrade in the first place.

In the $500 range, you're looking at a very nice netbook or a low/mid level portable. What you seem to be asking for would be a high end portable or a low level desktop (gaming) replacement. If you could push you budget into the $600-$800 range, you would have a much easier time finding what you were looking for.

I'll do some browsing and see what I can find this evening but you might want to seriously consider adjusting your price range or your wants. Even if you do get what you're looking for, higher end machines in the lower end price range usually end up there for a reason.

Take a look at the extras you're going to need as well and be sure to factor those into your price. A case, $50; I highly recommend a neoprene sleeve even with a case, $20; an air pointer if you're looking at doing presentations, $25-$50; a flash drive, $20-$60; a surge protector, $25-$50. Get the surge protector, the minor cost is well worth the investment. I have a Belkin.

Since the graphics are the major factor here, use this website to check them out. Notebookcheck

Edited, Jan 12th 2010 10:12am by Raolan

Short answer, yes. Graphics capability is a major price factor when it comes to laptops.

A dual core processor greater than 2.0 Ghz, 2-4 gig of ram, integrated graphics capable of supporting video codex, and a DVD optical drive will do everything you asked for except game and can be easily found in the <$500 range.

The AMD vs. Intel argument is pretty much worthless if you're not trying to reach top end. Also, I would take a Win7 machine over XP or Vista any day.

Of the two you linked, I would take the one from Newegg. Just keep in mind that if they do manage to play the games you're looking for, they aren't going to be breaking any playability records.

The differences between the CPUs and graphics chips are minimal and if I had to make the choice, I would go with the better CPU, which is the one from Newegg. The lack of info on the M300 was another factor since it generally indicates an outdated or unpopular piece of hardware.

External hard drives are so cheap these days that drive space should be one of the last deciding factors when it comes to a new system.

Also, the only laptop that matched your listed specs on BestBuy.com was this one. I don't know if it's the one you were looking at but it's listed as having a 320GB hard drive, same as the one from Newegg. If you got the specs off the little card they put in front of the laptop, ask them to unlock the laptop for you so you can check the actual specs yourself, those little cards are typed and printed by associates. This wouldn't be the first times one of those cards was wrong.

Find the exact model of the one from Best buy and find some reviews about it, customer reviews are best as long as you remember more customers ***** about a bad product than they compliment a good product. Main thing you want to look for are repeated complaints, this usually indicates an issue with the system. Random complaints can usually be associated to just a bad apple here or there, which is to be expected. The Acer from Newegg got pretty good markings with minor gripes here and there.

I'm not making a recommendation since I've never used either of them but out of the two you listed, I would pick the Acer from Newegg.

Aside from the one you already linked, have you thought of any other options? I think I'm leaning towards my original Newegg choice (as recommended by Raolan), but I'm still indecisive and would love to get more suggestions/opinions.