Online Poker Forum - Need help with new laptop

TedyKGB17 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:05 pm Post subject: Need help with new laptop

Im looking to buy a new laptop, and figured some of the people around here could help. i found an article with some suggestions, but was wondering what you guys though.

my needs are pretty basic really....

- i'm looking for a non expensive machine. (hope 2 stay under $500 if possible)
- I need it 2 be able 2 run a few web pages at a time.
- I need it 2 be able 2 run FTP.
- Ill be writing reports on it using MS Word.
- I'd like 2 watch movies on it using Netflix.com

These are the 3 from the article that fit my needs afaict. Any other suggestions or input on the following machines would be much appreciated.

1. HP Mini 311, $449
The first netbook to make use of Nvidia's powerful Ion graphics processor is also one of the cheapest, with a price tag barely any higher than most of its competitors. The Mini 311 not only boasts an Ion LE chip to bolster HD video and gaming performance, it also sports an 11.6-inch screen for more viewing area, an almost-full-size keyboard, and an attractive patterned lid.

2. HP Compaq CQ61z Notebook, $399
That's right: notebook, not netbook. HP's Compaq CQ61z packs a real processor, video card, optical drive and screen into a machine no pricier than the average low-cost, no-frills portable PC. That means an AMD Sempron M100 tooling away at 2GHz under the hood, an ATI Radeon HD 4200 with 128MB of RAM, and a glorious 15.6-inch screen. Of course, it weighs about two more pounds than a netbook, but that's the price you pay for enhanced performance.

3. Toshiba Satellite T115, $450
Don't be fooled by the 11.6-inch monitor: This little guy is packing a bit more brawn than the average netbook. You'll find a dual-core Intel Celeron beating inside its heart instead of an Atom, and an Intel X4500 graphics accelerator buried in there somewhere too. Together, they multitask and push around media with more authority than a netbook, and according to Toshiba, provide over nine hours of battery life as well. Now that's a mini laptop we could live with.

Thanks
Tedy

VRod105 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:42 pm Post subject:

Check out www.dell.com/outlet. There are several 14 / 15 inch notebooks under $500. Are you looking specifically for a netbook?

Lucky8623 · Straight Flush Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 388

At dell website you can custom your computer for that price. Another site that has good computers for that amount IMO is www.newegg.com you can get a really good computer for that amount. GL

TedyKGB17 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:17 pm Post subject:

i don't care what it is. i just want 2 be able 2 do the above things, i want it 2 be reliable, and i don't want it 2 be 2 slow.

Lucky8623 · Straight Flush Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Posts: 388

Man newegg is the site for you! I am telling you.. lol So make an account at new egg(I think new egg site only allows usa people to sign up) I don't know.. And I dont know where you live either.. SO if your able to make an account then your able to order stuff. Anyways go there looked under computer-destop/laptop. There be computers from low price to high price.. You can even select what price range you want. Those computers got good graphics and atleast double RAM in them then you'd get from a store.. So those things won't even need to be upgraded or anything..

VRod105 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject:

I doubt that you want a netbook. Check out the new and outlet items at Dell. You can also check out Gateway. They are much better since they were taken over.

Key things to look for are memory (at least 2GB preferably 4GB) the next most important item is screen resolution and brightness my new LED screen is really bright but it is a premium option.

TedyKGB17 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:35 pm Post subject:

VRod105 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:47 pm Post subject:

How many tables do you want to play without overlap?

PJs Ronin · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:49 pm Post subject:

With laptops there are only 2 considerations... screen and battery.

Do not buy any laptop without seeing it's screen in operation. I do not recommend any laptop with a screen smaller than 15". If 15" doesn't fit your budget then save more moniez or do without the laptop.

drkato · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject:

I have bought a total of 5 laptops on eBay, and never spent more than $300. Three I have gotten for $200 or less. The secret to eBay is just to buy from someone with a great seller rating. You can customize your search to get exactly what you want too.

renegades8 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:30 pm Post subject:

OP, of the three laptops listed I'd definitely say Option B, simply because of the larger screen size. Personally I'd get sick of playing poker/writing documents/etc on a 11.6" screen. And you're especially not going to want to watch movies on it.

With that said though there are lots of other laptops out there on websites mentioned as well as other various websites, so you might want to look around a bit more before buying. There are lots of 15.6" laptops out there within your price range, and I've noticed lots of sales going on lately especially with Windows 7 coming out... which you'll probably want to make sure to get as well.

BOYNAMEDSUE · Moderator Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 9112 Location: Mypos

Netbooks are great, but they're not good for HD video. If the netflick vids aren't HD than I highly recommend netbooks. I've played 12 tables on FTP while running PT3 on a netbook. They handle what most people need laptops for, and they get superb battery life. I'm a big fan of netbooks and ultra-portable laptops.

There's a lot of 11.6" ultra-portables coming out now with 1366x768 displays, single core Centrino processors, and 2-3 gigs of ram, with Windows 7. You can get them for $500 or less. The batteries typically last longer than full laptops, but less than netbooks. Maybe 4.5-5 hours. They're fantastic. Last night I was playing poker, and running Macromedia Dreamweaver, Fireworks and iTunes at the same time on my Acer AS1410.

I'd go with option A. I saw the new HP Mini 311 at Best Buy the other night, and it was **** sexy as hell. 11.6" netbooks have the same real estate as 13, 14 and 15.6" notbooks.

BOYNAMEDSUE · Moderator Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 9112 Location: Mypos

cubbies760 · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject:

BOYNAMEDSUE · Moderator Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 9112 Location: Mypos

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