Curse

Chthon · Sep 16, 2008, 01:53 AM // 01:53

Apparently folks seem to think that I know quite a bit more about laptops than I actually do. Right now I owe two people recommendations for new laptops, and I'm passing the buck on to you, GW Guru Techs.

Laptop 1 needs to:
1. Run Windows*
2. Be adequate for web browsing
3. Be adequate for download-and-delete movie watching
4. Be able to plug into a flatscreen TV and do the dual-screen thing

Laptop 2 needs to:
1. Run Windows*
2. Be adequate for web browsing
3. Be adequate for word processing
4. Be able to run GW at a good quality

(* In both cases, I could be on hand to wipe the HD and install windows fro mthe ground up, so running windows on a Macbook isn't totally out of the question.)

In both cases the price has to be pretty reasonable.

Suggestions please!

Malice Black · Sep 16, 2008, 09:30 AM // 09:30

And you live where?

I can give you basic specs, you can choose your own manufacturer.

#1

Core 2 Duo (no less then 2Gz)
2GB RAM
Integrated graphics
TV out connection
XP/Vista

#2

Core 2 Duo (no less then 2Ghz)
2GB RAM
nVIDIA 8400 GPU at least for 15" screen, 8700 for 17" screen
XP/Vista

Try - Dell, Acer, HP

Quaker · Sep 16, 2008, 05:15 PM // 17:15

#1 - Almost any new laptop - avoid Intel graphics. ATI graphics may be best bet for "dual screen". AMD or Intel doesn't matter - AMD likely to have better performance-per-buck.

#2 - Almost any new "midrange" laptop - avoid Intel graphics. ATI or nVidia graphics with separate graphic RAM. AMD or Intel doesn't matter - AMD bang-for-buck.

So, go to the store - get the first one(s) you like that has the minimum requirements. Only go to Macbook if money is no object.

EDIT: Also - try to get laptops that actually come with OS disks if possible. Many laptops come with only "system restore" disks which will wipe everything when used. Many others only come with the OS/system-restore on a hard drive partition, and you need to make your own disks (how cheap can you get).