Optimizt
06-17-2009, 03:21 PM
Hi all, I've been searching for a laptop for a month or two now with no luck in narrowing my search down. After seeing the prices and customer service here at XOTICPC, I decided this would be a great place to buy one. Still, I'm pretty indecisive, as one laptop might have something I want but lack something else I need.
Basically, I need a laptop for university (I start this fall), and I don't plan on bringing my desktop with me. I know there are a couple of "university laptop" threads already here, my requirements usually differ in one way or another, so I'm making a new thread. So, without further delay, the standard questions:
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
Up to $2100.
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Don't really mind as long as it's easily portable (i.e. carrying it around in a backpack or bag). I would prefer a keyboard with a numpad, but that's not a strict requirement.
3) What country are you buying this in?
US
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
First laptop purchase, so I have no strong opinions... yet. ;)
5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Pretty much anything one would do on a desktop. One of my biggest hobbies is programming, so I would like a little power so I don't have to wait an hour for a compile. I also play games from time to time, but I'll elaborate on that in a second. Of course, I'll also be doing university related things like writing papers or doing research, but I don't think there will be a performance issue with office applications unless Crytek develops the next version of Word :P.
On somewhat of a side note related to programming, I would prefer the laptop to have an nvidia card, as one of my recent hobbies has been programming with CUDA. Something out of the GTX 200M series is preferred.
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
This will be my university laptop, so it will see a good bit of travel around the campus. I might use it in locations that don't have desks, so it would be nice if I could set it on my lap without my crotch setting on fire. Weight is not a concern, as I'll be carrying it in a backpack or bag.
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
I do play a lot of games like TF2, Oblivion, or Fallout 3. I would like to be able to play these with high detail at native resolution at a decent frame rate.
8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Not a huge concern; I'll be near an outlet if I'm doing anything intensive. It would be nice if I could get a laptop that got decent battery life while web surfing, though. The ability to undervolt/underclock would be great, as I could squeeze out even more web browsing time.
9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
All I need is a few detailed pictures from a couple different angles and I'm set.
10) What OS do you prefer?
I plan to dual boot Vista Ultimate x64 and Ubuntu x64. Might upgrade to Windows 7 in the future. Don't include Vista in the price; I've already got a copy.
Screen Specifics
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Strongly prefer WUXGA, but I can settle with WSXGA+. Nothing lower, though.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen?
I don't have much experience with glossy screens, but I would like something that I can use outside.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Looks don't translate into 3dmarks ;), but if possible, I'd prefer something that doesn't scream "X-TREME G4MER LAPTOP!!1111" None of the laptops here, though, seem to have that problem :).
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
I hope to buy it soon (perhaps even tomorrow or Friday), and I'd like it to last 3-4 years for normal desktop activities like web surfing, word processing, etc. I'd also like it to be able to play games that come out in the next two years or so, but not necessarily at native res/max detail. Upgradable parts (such as the memory, video card, or processor) are a definite bonus in this category.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB, 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 1.5TB?
At least 320GB. Storage capacity is not a big deal at the moment; I plan to pick up a 1 TB external in the future to store large files. On that note, eSATA support would be nice.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, CD/DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
I'd like a CD/DVD burner. A combo BD player/DVDRW would be nice if it could fit in the budget, but I can always get a BD drive later when they become less expensive.
17) What speed CPU/Processor would you like? Dual core or Quad Core CPU?
A dual around 3 gHz would be nice for now. It would also be nice if I could install a quad in the future once they become cheaper and games and applications start fully utilizing them.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Basically, I need a laptop for university (I start this fall), and I don't plan on bringing my desktop with me. I know there are a couple of "university laptop" threads already here, my requirements usually differ in one way or another, so I'm making a new thread. So, without further delay, the standard questions:
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
Up to $2100.
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Don't really mind as long as it's easily portable (i.e. carrying it around in a backpack or bag). I would prefer a keyboard with a numpad, but that's not a strict requirement.
3) What country are you buying this in?
US
4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
First laptop purchase, so I have no strong opinions... yet. ;)
5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Pretty much anything one would do on a desktop. One of my biggest hobbies is programming, so I would like a little power so I don't have to wait an hour for a compile. I also play games from time to time, but I'll elaborate on that in a second. Of course, I'll also be doing university related things like writing papers or doing research, but I don't think there will be a performance issue with office applications unless Crytek develops the next version of Word :P.
On somewhat of a side note related to programming, I would prefer the laptop to have an nvidia card, as one of my recent hobbies has been programming with CUDA. Something out of the GTX 200M series is preferred.
6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
This will be my university laptop, so it will see a good bit of travel around the campus. I might use it in locations that don't have desks, so it would be nice if I could set it on my lap without my crotch setting on fire. Weight is not a concern, as I'll be carrying it in a backpack or bag.
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
I do play a lot of games like TF2, Oblivion, or Fallout 3. I would like to be able to play these with high detail at native resolution at a decent frame rate.
8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
Not a huge concern; I'll be near an outlet if I'm doing anything intensive. It would be nice if I could get a laptop that got decent battery life while web surfing, though. The ability to undervolt/underclock would be great, as I could squeeze out even more web browsing time.
9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
All I need is a few detailed pictures from a couple different angles and I'm set.
10) What OS do you prefer?
I plan to dual boot Vista Ultimate x64 and Ubuntu x64. Might upgrade to Windows 7 in the future. Don't include Vista in the price; I've already got a copy.
Screen Specifics
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
Strongly prefer WUXGA, but I can settle with WSXGA+. Nothing lower, though.
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non glossy screen?
I don't have much experience with glossy screens, but I would like something that I can use outside.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Looks don't translate into 3dmarks ;), but if possible, I'd prefer something that doesn't scream "X-TREME G4MER LAPTOP!!1111" None of the laptops here, though, seem to have that problem :).
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
I hope to buy it soon (perhaps even tomorrow or Friday), and I'd like it to last 3-4 years for normal desktop activities like web surfing, word processing, etc. I'd also like it to be able to play games that come out in the next two years or so, but not necessarily at native res/max detail. Upgradable parts (such as the memory, video card, or processor) are a definite bonus in this category.
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 80GB, 160GB, 250GB, 320GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 1.5TB?
At least 320GB. Storage capacity is not a big deal at the moment; I plan to pick up a 1 TB external in the future to store large files. On that note, eSATA support would be nice.
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, CD/DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
I'd like a CD/DVD burner. A combo BD player/DVDRW would be nice if it could fit in the budget, but I can always get a BD drive later when they become less expensive.
17) What speed CPU/Processor would you like? Dual core or Quad Core CPU?
A dual around 3 gHz would be nice for now. It would also be nice if I could install a quad in the future once they become cheaper and games and applications start fully utilizing them.
Thanks in advance for any help.