Laptop

College Life
1

<p>I joined here to ask this question for some realistic responses. I’m thinking about getting a new laptop. I’ve had my current one for a while, and its been holding up fine, but I just feel it is time for a new one. It has also been long enough that the changes in both the PC manufacturers and Apple have made me pretty much clueless when it comes to knowing what to look for.</p>

<p>In terms of options, I believe I have quite a few, since I have up to $2000 total for a new laptop and whatever else I need relating to it (new mouse, external hard drive, etc.).</p>

<p>So what I need is something that will last the 4 years in college, but lasting a decent bit longer would be very nice as well. Aside from that my important concern is that I’m getting a computer that is worth what I am paying. Not really much else is a concern, I can manage with any other issues that could come up. I plan on using it for some degree of gaming, but also for a lot of other all around purposes. As I’ve said earlier I haven’t bought a laptop in a while so any advice would be welcome.</p>

2

<p>Can you give a general list of games you’d be playing, programs you’d be using, and a typical day in your laptop’s usage (or planned usage)?</p>

3

<p>In terms of games I would be playing, plans I have would be some that are also on the 360 (which I have but do to circumstances I cant bring) like Fallout 3, Elderscrolls Oblivion, and The Orange Box.</p>

<p>As for usage I’m imagining using it around 2 hours or so a day for leisurely purposes, likely higher on weekends.</p>

<p>Edit: as for programs I would be using photoshop and some video editing software a decent bit.</p>

4

<p>Gonna need more specifics.</p>

<p>This is what i just bought. With a $2000 budget you could add some really nice things to this laptop. (256GB SSD, i5, 6 GB RAM etc.)
[HP</a> ENVY 14 series | HP Official Store](<a href=“http://www.shopping.hp.com/series/category/notebooks/ENVY14_series/3/computer_store?jumpid=in_r329_personalization/browse1/home_SDP]HP”>http://www.shopping.hp.com/series/category/notebooks/ENVY14_series/3/computer_store?jumpid=in_r329_personalization/browse1/home_SDP)</p>

5

<p>I was gonna suggest an Envy 14 too.</p>

6

<p>Third on the Envy. I’d config it with an i5 520M, and 256GB SSD for $1565 (all other components keep standard), and grab yourself a Seagate 1TB External on Newegg for $80 and a gaming mouse and keyboard for ~$100 more, for a total of $1995. :)</p>

7

<p>If your going to go with HP dont for get the 10% Academic Discount
[Student</a> discount - HP Academic Purchase Program](<a href=“http://www.shopping.hp.com/academy/?aoid=51289&keyword=student+discount+hp&tafcjnef=fy10&DS_KWID=p100033670]Student”>http://www.shopping.hp.com/academy/?aoid=51289&keyword=student+discount+hp&tafcjnef=fy10&DS_KWID=p100033670)</p>

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<p>There are regular coupons or a higher bing cashback rate that will add up to more than that 10%. You just have to be on the lookout.</p>

9

<p>Alienware was better before Dell bought them…</p>

10

<p>Definitely agreeing with user_007 there. My friend ordered an M11x against my advice, and the HDD came with bad sectors. Had to send it back to them twice (two week turn around time each) before he finally got a good harddrive. That was a month without any laptop for him.</p>

<p>In my opinion, avoid Dell and all non-Envy HP systems (The Envy series is the one thing HP does very well).</p>

11

<p>Performance isn’t an issue, but quality. I also belong to some enthusiast-oriented tech forums, and the general consensus is the same: After Dell took over Alienware, the quality went downhill.</p>

12

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<p>No, performance isn’t evidence of high quality. It’s no use if a computer performs well when it can’t work for more than a month without breaking.</p>

<p>Case in point: The x58 Chipset is the best Intel motherboard chipset you can get, hands down. That said, it’s a far cry between a Biostar board and an EVGA Classy or Asus Rampage.</p>

<p>Performance is not quality, period. I’ve been working with computers for a very long time.</p>

13

<p>Duchess21 - your post definitely sounds like advertising.</p>