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Need some advice

A

Alvo

Guest
Of these 2 computers, which is the better buy???

ShopNBC.com

or

BestBuy.com

I dont know that much about computers, hoping someone out there can help me decide. Thanks.
 
L

leroyjenkins

Guest
honestly with mi experience...
i would try to go to a local computer store and ask them to
get a laptop with windows xp not vista... vista is nice but
it sucks back ram like crazy and slows everything down..
they tried to fix this with the 2gb of ram but it just sucks back
more.. so try to get a comp with xp
 
G

Guest

Guest
What is your intended use for the notebook comp? That HP model has a lower end graphics card (Nvidia Go 7150) and while it would be just fine for most office type applications (much better than most onboard cards) it will be marginal at best for gaming.

Typically, the video card you buy a notebook with is the one it will have until you chunk it in the trash (very limited upgrade choices typically, if any). My advice is to pick the level of graphics card you want, in your price range, and find notebook systems that can accommodate it. Obviously you can't get the same level of hardware in a notebook system as you can at the same priced desktop, but you can get decent notebooks under $1,000 that will be "average" for gaming.

-Skylark
 
G

Guest

Guest
I absolutely refuse to go into a Best Buy. I have had too many terrible encounters there.
 
L

leroyjenkins

Guest
i like best buy
i bought mi camera 1.5 years ago
and it still works like a charm


but he is right notebooks are none updateable..
 
G

Guest

Guest
Alvo,

I'd go to Dell's site, and look for an Inspiron or XPS notebook build with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card. On a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being highest performance, that is a tier 2 card, and it supports DirectX 10, which is the next generation for gaming. It won't run all the latest games at their highest settings but for the price range, it will be good for most games, with nice detail levels. The Nvidia GeForce 8800 series are top notch gamer's notebook video cards, but you really pay for it (they are usually in the $2K+ range notebooks), and they run hot, so it will probably only be an option for large notebooks that can allow sufficient cooling.

For other factors, also look for an Intel Core2 Duo at 2.0 GHz minimum (don't bother with anything less than 2.0 GHz in a Core2 Duo, you don't get the performance boost on the dual core below that level) or a similar AMD dual core processor. (If you are planning to go with wireless for your primary notebook network connection, I would go for an Intel processor with Centrino technology. It makes a big difference in wireless connection range and stability), and 2GB of RAM. If you can find a 7200 RPM SATA drive, that is best but 5400 RPM is OK for a laptop, and reduces the cost. Look for at least an 80GB drive.

Just an FYI: Dell Outlet computers come with the same warranty as new, and they are already built so there is no wait. I have purchased 3 computers from the Dell Outlet for personal use in the last 5 years, and more than a dozen for business use, and have been very happy with them. My current notebook comp is an Inspiron E1505 with XP Media Center edition, which I purchased for under $800 on the Dell outlet. The video card in mine is a tier 3, and does OK with WoW on middle settings. The Nvidia card I mentioned is a notch above it, and suitable for most gaming.

You can get a good notebook computer with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT card and the other things I mentioned, from between $1,000 and $1,200 probably. I checked the Dell outlet's current inventory, and there was at least 1 notebook with that card and the other things, for less than $1K.

-Skylark
 
A

Alvo

Guest
I should have clarified this sooner but I'm not even concerned about a graphics card. This computer will be for my aunt who will not be gaming, watching movies or doing anything that would require an elite card.

She wants to get one of these two and was wondering which would be the better buy.
 
G

Guest

Guest
The HP is probably the better value. It has some advantages: it is a much thinner, lighter notebook, has a bigger hard drive, has 2GB RAM included but the motherboard supports a max of 4GB memory, compared to the Toshiba's 2GB, which means upgrade potential. The Toshiba is a "package" deal with a printer. If she really wants that printer, great, but otherwise, she can focus on the notebook alone, and pick out a printer she actually WANTS later.

-Skylark
 
I

imported_Goron

Guest
<blockquote><hr>

This computer will be for my aunt who will not be gaming, watching movies or doing anything that would require an elite card.


[/ QUOTE ]You can use computers for things other than gaming? Am I missing something?
 
A

Azural Kane

Guest
<blockquote><hr>

The HP is probably the better value. It has some advantages: it is a much thinner, lighter notebook, has a bigger hard drive, has 2GB RAM included but the motherboard supports a max of 4GB memory, compared to the Toshiba's 2GB, which means upgrade potential. The Toshiba is a "package" deal with a printer. If she really wants that printer, great, but otherwise, she can focus on the notebook alone, and pick out a printer she actually WANTS later.

-Skylark

[/ QUOTE ]

this
 
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