Suggestions for a new Computer

[DrMckay]

Hi all, I am in the market for a new computer. I am looking for a good laptop that can run games like fallout and still function as a desktop replacement, with a decent (4 hr battery life) and plenty of memory, hopefully for under 1000 dollars. I am also looking for a durable and reliable machine (Sort of a laptop AK-47) and was wondering if you folks could recommend me anything like that.

Thank you.

[Zaune]

Okay, first off, 'desktop replacement' laptops are an extremely bad idea. They're insanely expensive to upgrade, a major hassle to take apart for cleaning, and if one component like the screen or keyboard goes then you usually have to junk the whole machine. Case in point: A friend of mine knocked a glass of water over on her keyboard once, the way we've all done at least once. On a desktop, that would have been $20 for a replacement keyboard at the very worst. Unfortunately, she was using a MacBook, and she'd totaled the motherboard and the power supply. Total repair bill was three figures.
Unless you really need to carry a full-spec machine around on a regular basis, you can get a kickass gaming desktop and a lightweight basic netbook for the same money. This is what I strongly advise you to do.

[The Kernel]

Under $1000 might be tight for a laptop with decent screen and gaming specs.

My best suggestion for a desktop replacement is a Sony Vaio F-series or Dell XPS 15. Both are available with quad core CPUs, GeForce 425/435 graphics options, full HD displays and extended batteries. I like the Sony F-series quite a bit and recommend it for this role with the following upgrades over the base model ($999):

- GeForce 425GT graphics
- HD display
- Backlit keyboard
- Extended battery

With these you get a price of about $1250. Not bad for a quad core 16.4" display machine. You can cut back on some components if you like but I don't recommend it.

[Starglider]

Very small and transportable gaming machines have been available for several years now, and although somewhat more expensive than a bog standard mini-tower they are still much better (cheaper, more reliable, easier to repair/upgrade) than a gaming laptop. I have a quad-core desktop replacement laptop, but only for the very specific requirement of demoing real-time AI applications to customers. Frankly wireless Internet coverage has improved enough in the two years since I bought it that I don't plan to purchase a replacement, I can just VNC from a tablet to my workstation.

[Todeswind]

Unless you really NEED a computer as portable as a laptop a laptop is not a practical replacement for a desktop, especially at that price point.

[DrMckay]

Thank you for all the responses.

I've had my Dell D630 for around 4 years now and i love it, but I can feel the components start to wear down, and the 75 gigs of memory are almost tapped out.

I am trying to find a computer similar to that in durability and ease of use, with more memory and maybe capable of playing some shiny new games like fallout and FARCRY 2.

I am looking for something that I can use for another 4 years with a 14-16 inch screen that i can use at home and still haul around for my career (Going into museum study field)

I am looking at Asus, Acer, and Samsung, but am not too hot on the models and what they are good for, so I was hoping for some help there.

Also, is it possible and/or recommended to still use Windows XP? I really like it.

[Starglider]

Also, is it possible and/or recommended to still use Windows XP? I really like it.

Possible, yes, recommended, no. It is relatively insecure and in the next four years it will lose driver support from new hardware. For graphics it is limited to DirectX 10, which is already obsolete. On new hardware there is really no reason to prefer it to Windows 7.

[DrMckay]

I've done some research, and I've settled on three comps that all look about the same, but I have no idea about durability, reliability and longevity. Basically, i'd like something that can run well for at least another 4 years, and play some of the "older" new games like Fallout 3 and C&C 3, maybe Dawn of War I was hoping that you folks could advise me as regards to machine and graphics cards:

Reach model: Dell XPS 15

with nVidia GeForce GT 420Ma

At 1100 dollars, it may be out of my price range, but I like Dells.


possible model:

Samsung QX410-J01
$829.99 street)
640 gig hard drive, but no removable battery

nVidia GeForce GT 310M

not sure about reliability.


What I am leaning towards:

Asus U45Jc-A1
(860 dollars)
good, extended warranty from Amazon and company

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369666,00.asp

500 gig hard drive
nVidia GeForce 310M

Unsure about the reliability

So basically, I was wondering if you folks had had any experience with either these models or companies and tell me which is reliable (good internal components, etc) and durable enough to be carted around a lot while still being used as a desktop. and if the graphics cards will run stuff like Fallout 3 and C&C 3.

Thank you very much

[Starglider]

If you want to run modern games, get the GT 420M, as it is a relatively fast DirectX 11 part while the 310M is a relatively slow DirectX 10 part. DirectX 11 support is still ramping up, but it a semi-decent GPU essential if you intend to keep installing new games two or three years from now. You did not mention how much memory these machines have, which is probably the next most relevant performance factor, followed by CPU.

[DrMckay]

Asus U45Jc-A1 specs:

Type
General Purpose, Media
Processor Name
Intel Core i3-370M
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Processor Speed
2.4 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Weight
4.7 lb
Screen Size
14 inches
Screen Size Type
widescreen
Graphics Card
Intel GMA HD
2nd Graphics Card
nVidia GeForce 310M
Storage Capacity (as Tested)
500 GB
Networking Options
802.11n
Primary Optical Drive
Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

Dell XPS 15 Specs:

Type
Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Desktop Replacement
Processor Name
Intel Core i5-460M
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Processor Speed
2.53 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Weight
6.3 lb
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Screen Size Type
widescreen
Graphics Card
Intel GMA HD
2nd Graphics Card
nVidia GeForce GT 420M
Storage Capacity (as Tested)
500 GB
Networking Options
802.11n
Primary Optical Drive
DVD+R DL

Samsung QX410-J01 Specs:

Type
Gaming, General Purpose, Media, Value
Processor Name
Intel Core i5-460M
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Processor Speed
2.53 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Weight
5 lb
Screen Size
14 inches
Screen Size Type
widescreen
Graphics Card
Intel GMA HD
2nd Graphics Card
nVidia GeForce GT 310M
Storage Capacity (as Tested)
640 GB
Networking Options
802.11n
Primary Optical Drive
Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW

[Starglider]

Clearly the Dell one is superior and the other two are very similar. Do you expect to use this standalone or with a monitor and keyboard? Personally I find 15" the bare minimum for games and productivity, I hate tiny laptops. This is why I have a 17" high-spec laptop for places with a decent chair/desk/table plus a 10" windows tablet for taking into meetings, web browsing in the kitchen, typing things while on the train etc. Tiny laptops handle neither use case well (you can't even use them one-handed like a tablet, and ultra-thin keyboards suck nearly as much as on-screen ones). I digress, the point is that if it spends most of its time plugged into a docking station then 15.6" vs 14" doesn't matter, but if not then it makes a big difference.

Regarding the price, is it possible to downgrade from Ultimate to Professional, or even Home Premium? Trust me, you really don't need Win7 Ultimate, particularly if you were happy with XP.

[DrMckay]

ty for the advice, im okay with anything 14 inches and larger, but it does need to be portable and i was not planning on getting a docking station or larger screen (unless you'd reccommend it)

I also found the

Samsung R580-JBB2

Type
General Purpose, Media, Value, Desktop Replacement
Processor Name
Intel Core i3-370M
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Processor Speed
2.4 GHz
RAM
4 GB
Weight
5.4 lb
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Screen Size Type
widescreen
Graphics Card
Intel GMA HD
Storage Capacity (as Tested)
500 GB
Networking Options
802.11n
Primary Optical Drive
Blu-Ray Disc

For a decent price at bestbuy and am considering that, but it looked a little flimsy, and i;m not sure about the chiclet keyboard (large hands)

I don't know which one of these will be the most rugged, and can still sort of play decent games (low settings okay) as my gaming options with my old comp stop in 2005/6, as well as take it around a school and work environment. Heavy doesn't really matter as long as I can sling it in a backpack

[Starglider]

The last one does not have discrete graphics and will be hopeless for playing games.

[Phantasee]

I borrowed a friend's laptop with Win7 for a weekend. I have WinXP at home, although my sister's laptop has Vista. Believe me, Win7 is a lot better than WinXP. You'll have to put in some time to learn all the little new things but it's still a Windows machine. You don't have to relearn as much as if you were going to a Mac or some Linux distro.

[DrMckay]

So far I've narrowed it down to the Asus U45Jc-A1 mentioned earlier in the thread, has a good warranty, etc, or the Dell XPS 15 also mentioned, and slightly better (Dell has variations on the model ranging from $800 i5 to 1100 i7 with a larger battery.)

Not sure about Dell's Warranty stuff (are they good, or bastards?) and the durability and reliability of the 2 models in question, as well as which has the better internal components, and will be "relevant" and usable longest.

Thanks

[TimothyC]

So far I've narrowed it down to the Asus U45Jc-A1 mentioned earlier in the thread, has a good warranty, etc, or the Dell XPS 15 also mentioned, and slightly better (Dell has variations on the model ranging from $800 i5 to 1100 i7 with a larger battery.)

Not sure about Dell's Warranty stuff (are they good, or bastards?) and the durability and reliability of the 2 models in question, as well as which has the better internal components, and will be "relevant" and usable longest.

Thanks

If you go Dell, get accidental damage, at home service. It will save you a lot of time and trouble when things go wrong.

[Mr Bean]

Dell's warrenty is great if you pay for the extended coverage or "Hope you can speak Tagalog" if you don't opt for the extra coverage.