Proccesor for Computer Programming.

Well, for college next year my computer reccomendations are very vague, they simply state an intel or amd dual core. I'm looking at a T8100 and I was curious as to will that be enough for high end compiling and debugging, and be strong enough for any new developments for preferably three years?

 

get a t9300

 

Oh noes, another $250 my $2500 budget has made it's way to $3000 lol.

 

agreed, the T9300 is the best bang for the buck intel processor. It is fast, uses a small amount of power, and runs cool. It will be able to handle all of your computing endeavors without much of a lag at all.

Also look at getting a laptop solution which uses dedicated graphics. Most users who have integrated graphics want dedicated gpu's, but then realize they have to get a new computer to get dedicated graphics.
Also 3-4Gb of memory would be good.
For harddrive look at a 250gb or larger 5400rpm drive or a 160gb 7200rpm drive.

K-TRON

 

If you're at 3k, time to look at a different computer.

 

To OP please fill out the FAQ so we can help you. I agree with the above but think the T8300 might be the real sweet spot. So let us know what you need?

Edit: Hi K-T, welcome back, hope all good!

 

I was actually looking at the m15x for my needs, I'm looking forward to Age of Conan this month, and I want to get back into Counter strike again. I KNOW it doesn't need an 8800m GTX but AoC sure does . As for the ram I'm going to buy 4gb from online or futureshop if I can find a deal to save me $150-200. As for the HDD I'll probaly go for the default one, 120 GB 7k2 I think. Probaly will upgrade the HDD down the road, or maybe grab a 500GB external since they're only $100-$150. Any other decent ways to save money?

 

Wait a few months and pick up the Clevo.

 

Do we know anyhing of the battery life on the M860Tu though? I know the m15x w/ smartbay battery will give me a great life space in stealth mode, or stealth w/ integrated.

 

Really, quit running in stealth mode yourself. Fill out the FAQ. Until we know where you are coming from how can we help you?

 

Jesus Christ, I'll fill it out for him. Not that hard - they're pretty much all the same these days.

General Questions

1) What is your budget? 2.5k

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen
c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in. USA

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

Random brands, random brands - will be completely ignored or met with a "why don't you like that brand".

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

programming, gaming, gaming, basics, gaming, basics, internets, gaming

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

both, not like it matters

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

the good ones

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?

enough. 2-3 hours, pretty much what every single laptop on the planet can do.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

yes/no again, doesn't matter cause I won't read this part when recommending

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Windows, because I play games. May start XP v Vista flamewar, depending on user.

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

do they make standard screens anymore?

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

Standard
a. XGA -1024x768 - Large and easy to read text + graphics icons, but you fit less stuff on the screen.
b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA - 1600x1200 - Very small text and graphics icons, you can fit lots of stuff on the screen.

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

I don't know. No one ever really knows.

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

Either, IDK, or matte, even though no one makes matte screens anymore

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

yes. that's why i'm looking at an alienware

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

soon. as long as possible

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB?

enough

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

enough, though again, this part doesn't matter either.

 

EDIT: Lol -.- took me ages to write it out on my current laptop... apaprently long enough for someone to do it for me! Thanks for the help though, and you were pretty close. Only thing really wrong is my location o.o

General Questions

1) What is your budget? 2,500-3,000 CAD

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen


3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in. Canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

Not picky, but I imagine not a ton can provide what I need.

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Programming with tons of windows/linux based languages. Gaming new to old, mainly CS SC2 and AoC.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

School for six hours, I do have power outlets though. Desk rest of the time, I do travel a lot via plane + car.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

AoC CS and Sc2 mainly

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?

The option for a high amount for when I'm on the road would be awesome, why i lean towards the M15x.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

I'll gladly buy online.

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Vista w/ ubuntu on dual boot.

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

Widescreen

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

Glossy

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

Not overly important, I do like the backlit keyboards of alienware.

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

Next month probaly, and atleast 3 years of programming and 1-2 of gaming.

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 500GB?

120Gb 7k2 is fine, can always upgrade later.

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

CDRW/DVD