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    Tech Specs Help!

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by spikesphere, Dec 1, 2004.

  1. spikesphere

    spikesphere Newbie

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    Hi everyone! My parents are taking me computer shopping and I pretty much know what kind of laptop i want, but im not sure about the tech specs of it, and that's why i need your help! :D

    OK, this is what I have planned for it:

    512 MB of RAM
    100 GB hard Drive
    128 MB Video Card
    3.0 GHZ Processor

    I don't have much experience with laptops but would like to get the best bang for my buck, so if anyone has any comments on how i should change my tech specs for a LAPTOP, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, what is the best type if screen for a laptop? Thank you!

    Bob
     
    spikesphere, Dec 1, 2004
    #1
  2. RadcomTxx

    RadcomTxx Notebook Deity

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    the 3.0 ghz processor will deal a great blow to battery opertating time, mine has a P4 3.0 ghz with HT and it limits my battery life to barely 1 and a half hours. Unless you don't care about battery life too much, you should look at a slower mobile style processor. The 100 gb hd may be hard to get. the standards seem to be 30, 40, 60 and 80 gb drives. 512 of ram is pretty much standard, and you will have to look around a bit for a 128 mb video card (should look for dedicated video ram so it doesn't use up system ram). the screen is really up to you and how you feel about it.
     
    RadcomTxx, Dec 1, 2004
    #2
  3. DaGreek

    DaGreek Notebook Evangelist

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    I'd recommend shopping around online, buying in stores isn't going to help you. Also if you tell use the max price and what you want to do with your notebook we can help you pick one out. What was said about 3.0GHz cpu battery life is not true in my case maybe his had a smaller battery but mine will last 2.5-3 hours I have a 12 cell battery though. Any system with 100GB hard drive will be a 4,200rpm most likely so I'd suggest getting a 80GB 5,400rpm drive it will make your system much faster! I'd definitly get wireless too, the 128MB video card is also a great Idea ATI radeon 9600 or better. If you plan to upgrade get one stick of 512MB ram installed, to allow you to expand. If battery life is important like you want 4 hours or more you'll need a Pentium M. AMD 64's also give decent battery life.

    Compaq R3000T (CTO)
    P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
    1 X 512MB RAM
    Radeon 9600 128MB
    60GB 5,400 RPM HD
    AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115
     
    DaGreek, Dec 1, 2004
    #3
  4. spikesphere

    spikesphere Newbie

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    OK, the max price I am willing to pay is about $2000 Canadian (kinda tight :p) but I still want a laptop that will last me (I'm really good with anti-virus programs and getting rid of spyware.) I will mainly be using it for deffinately burning CD's and downloading music, playing alot of video games watching videos off of my camcorder (DV, I don't know what kind of port I'll need to connect my camcorder :p) ummm... a little bit of word processing, excel, and powerpoint presentations for school :cool: and ummm, i basically need a fast laptop (my desktop is getting on in the years) because i like to do web design (HTML, CSS, etc.) and i need at least 2 usb ports..... and i am willing to get a processor that will save on battery life. as well as 80 GB hard drive is fine if it will help speed up my computer! i need about 3 hours of battery life at least.... thanks so much for your help guys!

    In Summary:
    MAIN USES: CD Burning, Gaming, Video, Web Design (128 MB Video Card & 512 MB RAM) Downloading Alot of Music and Video (80 GB Hard Drive)
    BATTERY LIFE:2.5 to As Much As Possible

    (By the way, I am not interested in a mac computer, i just like the display pic... lol)

    Thanks Alot!
    Bob

    Bob
     
    spikesphere, Dec 2, 2004
    #4
  5. DaGreek

    DaGreek Notebook Evangelist

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    You should look at the HP 7000 series its not that good for battery life but fits all your other requirments I think. In general its tough to find a cheap computer with a 128MB video card and decent battery life. The video card adds to the price then if you want a pentium M cpi it will add even more, if you sacrifice the battery life you can get a more powerful P4 or AMD 64 for cheaper.

    Compaq R3000T (CTO)
    P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
    1 X 512MB RAM
    Radeon 9600 128MB
    60GB 5,400 RPM HD
    AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115
     
    DaGreek, Dec 2, 2004
    #5
  6. Ballin4life

    Ballin4life Notebook Evangelist

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    you might just make the cut with the dell 9200, although you might wanna upgrade the Pentium M as much as you can afford to...or u could try to get an alienware in your price range, i think you might be able to, but i'm not sure, but they do have 100 gb 5400 rpm hard drives. they are out there, just not everywhere.
     
    Ballin4life, Dec 2, 2004
    #6