Help me pick out a new laptop

[3Garrett3]

Hey guys, the name says it all.

I will specify what sort of thing I am looking for, and I'm counting on us (all of you, and myself) to try to find the thing most suiting for my budget and wants.

I have a budget (self set) of about 500-1000$ (CAD) that I am willing to spend on this, but my parents might be talked into chipping in.

I am looking at a laptop most likely, just because of the ability to use it wherever, and I find my desktop to be very limiting that way.

I am most likely going to run Linux on it, so if an option for No OS can be found on a laptop, it would be helpful.

Here are some specs that I know I most likely can't reach in my budget, but the best match is all I am looking for.

A dual/quad core 2+ GHz processor
2+ GB of RAM
320+ GB Harddrive
A moderately good Graphics card, so I can play games from time to time
CD-R drive at least, maybe some DVD-R compat or CDRW
Screen size... doesn't really matter. I've found that 14-16 is a suitable range (I haven't really tested ever, but it seems pretty quality) Widescreen not required.

These are what I hope to have for minimums, if better deals could be found, that would be great. I have to go to bed now (Work at 5am) but I will be on looking after that, and I hope someone gets a couple good ideas rolling for me. :)

[JAD]

I would strongly recommend a cyberpowerpc computer. They are one of the cheapest gaming computers you can get, with great specs for low prices.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/spec/spec_jhl90.asp
-2.26Ghz Intel dual core processor
-NVIDIA® Geforce® Go 9600M-GT 512MB Video
-15.4" WXGA ( 1280 x 800 ) Resolution LCD
-Finger print reader
-4 GB memory
-250 GB hard drive

$755 (right in the middle of your budget).

[3Garrett3]

I would strongly recommend a cyberpowerpc computer. They are one of the cheapest gaming computers you can get, with great specs for low prices.

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/spec/spec_jhl90.asp
-2.26Ghz Intel dual core processor
-NVIDIA® Geforce® Go 9600M-GT 512MB Video
-15.4" WXGA ( 1280 x 800 ) Resolution LCD
-Finger print reader
-4 GB memory
-250 GB hard drive

$755 (right in the middle of your budget).

That one is pretty noice. I'm wondering about the 250GB though. I have a (assuming 300GB) with 290GB space free (windows sucks) and I have used pretty much 250GB already, so i'm not really looking forward to filling it up and slowing myself down :\

[tls]

Have you ever seen the move "Surf's Up". In my opinion, picking a computer is just like making your surfboard. *you won't get it unless you have seen the movie*

[3Garrett3]

Have you ever seen the move "Surf's Up". In my opinion, picking a computer is just like making your surfboard. *you won't get it unless you have seen the movie*

I have seen it a while ago, still doesnt really make sense.

I found a customize button!

Is it worth 83 dollars to get rid of vista? Or should I keep it and dual boot/get rid of it later if I want?

Edit:
When I add a couple things, then make it have no OS, it costs 753. Shit, I should be in bed, night guys.

[noidea]

Keep the vista and dual boot.

You're going to NEED more than 250gbs of Hard Drive space. I have 250gbs of Hard drive on my laptop, and I've eaten it up in about a mounth and a half (Month and a half since my last format)

[tls]

Use an external HD for things like music/movies/porn.

[Boreas]

Keep vista if it qualifies for this http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/LandingPages/win7/

250 should be fine if you have an external.

[JAD]

There was a great deal on newegg.com for a 1 TB external hard drive for $89. You would still be a good ways under $1000 even with that.

Edit: Here's one for $82.99 after mail in rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101121

Edit2: $79.99. Cheaper yet: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101133

[tls]

If you get a laptop, one thing I recommend for the external HD is to get one (laptop and HDD) that has eSATA as I think it is the fastest atm.

[Neehosoft]

If your parent chip in a little (only like 100$ i think) you could get a alienware 51. Its a realy nice lap top for its price.

[3Garrett3]

There was a great deal on newegg.com for a 1 TB external hard drive for $89. You would still be a good ways under $1000 even with that.

Edit: Here's one for $82.99 after mail in rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101121

Edit2: $79.99. Cheaper yet: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822101133

I read the reviews on the two links, apparently Cavalry is the worst brand ever and it breaks easy. Maybe I'd go for the 89$ one.


If you get a laptop, one thing I recommend for the external HD is to get one (laptop and HDD) that has eSATA as I think it is the fastest atm.

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep it in mind.


If your parent chip in a little (only like 100$ i think) you could get a alienware 51. Its a realy nice lap top for its price.

It's still a bit pricey. 1300 was the range for those.

Edit: JAD, I just thought of something. .com is american. I bet shipping prices are expensive and I'd need to convert the money to CAD, not USD. Even though they are about the same now.

Edit2 : They dont ship to Canada :\

[sixfeetunder]

Dell FTW! Got a dell just over a year ago, not problems whatsoever, and you know that everything is going to work in linux! Guaranteed to have working drivers for everything. Can't beat the 1yr warranty included and option to get a longer one. Plus if you are going to university any time soon most schools are dell certified in their tech centers to do repairs and will do them for free long after your warranty expires if you are a student.