Custom Build Laptop for College Suggestions

Hello everyone,

Next fall I am going to Michigan Tech to get my major in Software Engineering, and I need to buy/build a laptop for school. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions; I am looking for a High Performance Laptop which will be used for Gaming and Software Development. My bugget is moderate, but because most of it is through loans and grants there is no defined limit. A graphics card (NVIDIA, etc...) is a must, and I do not want anything too fancy (no Alienware).

Thanks for any help,

Zdroyd
Software Engineering/ Game Design Student at Michigan Tech

 

well i personally really like the ASUS check it out it has really good specs and pretty cheap for their their specs compared to other companies. Like some of the best NVIDIA cards and all that other good junk for around 2000 or go for the lesser specs but still really good for around 1000-1500

 

For a build your own laptop kit (just the shell and some components) it may cost a little bit as loony said...


Still, for someone like me it's money well spent if I can get resident evil 5 max spec for some easy lan gaming

 

well depending on the requirements for your schooling will determine the final price. If price doesn't matter get a core i5, if you would like to save some money go with the AMD Turion 64 X2 from what I have seen the "Windows experience" scores are 5.3 (low only because of aero) on an AMD system. (AMD systems tend to score better in the 3d department, but I haven't seen the scores on a i5 yet)

 

Your inability to read at times really brightens up my day. He needs a laptop, and because it's highly impractical to lug around a desktop and its assorted parts for a LAN sometimes it needs to be able to play games as well.

So! You'd likely be looking at a Core i5 or Core i7 processor; an nVidia/Radeon (although the Mobility Radeons aren't always officially updated with new Catalyst drivers) dedicated graphics card with at least 512 MB - 1 GB video RAM; probably 4GB of DDR3 RAM and that's about all I can think of off the top of my head. Someone else with more technical experience can build on this.

 

How so?

 

let's get ready to rumble....!!

 

unfortunately Nvidia chips tend to have less compatibility overall for Linux (I know that's not the point) but I am not denying that the ATI mobiity chips are severely lacking. But then again which computers tend to have better battery life? from what I have seen it's the ATI computers if they are equally matched to the Nvidia computer (battery size, processor, etc.)
So basically once again it's all about trade offs... quite frankly I would find myself a mini desktop for gaming (frag box) and get a netbook for taking notes in class. (especially if you are dorming it)

 

That varies on the chipset for both makers, but from what I have seen as of late, there is a lot more development on the ATI side of things for the Linux community than on the Nvidia side. then again when AMD acquired ATI, things started to roll a lot faster for ATI drivers for linux, but as a general rule, the Intel Video chips have the best compatibility across the board of all OSes (sad I know)

but anyway this isn't the forum to be discussing the pros and cons of video chipsets and linux. unless the original poster is looking at getting a linux laptop... >.> which would be the better buy because you can always install your own windows on it after getting it. And at a cheaper cost overall if you already have a windows disk laying around. But once again it's all a matter of what you are expecting out of the computer...

 

I actually run several Linux computers, both with ATi and Nvidia graphics cards, and I can tell you from experience that Nvidia has far better support. However, they only supply a binary blob rather than an open source driver, which is why some people prefer ATi, since they release and maintain an open source driver. However, the OS ATi driver sucks at the moment, and the catalyst driver isn't a whole heck of a lot better, whereas Nvidia's proprietary driver is on par with the driver you get in windows.

As for a gaming laptop, just don't get one. If you absolutely need to have a gaming computer, get a second desktop computer and a cheaper laptop for school. I'm studying software development at a university myself, and while it's very convenient to have a laptop with me for class, I sure as hell wouldn't want a power-sucking, hot-as-hell behemoth with a battery life of 30 minutes. I'd want a quiet and cool laptop with a long battery life.

 

Will the size of the laptop matter? there is a gateway gaming laptop which is quite good, it's 17 inches but it's very thick and heavy. Even without the battery. Either way, personally for gaming, it's hard to suggest any right now...
BRB!

 

ah size is all a matter of what you really want. in most cases 15.4" is about all that is needed for comfortable computing. the 17 in sizes tend to have worse battery life than the 15.4" but it's all a matter of preference. personally I would look at more than just the screen size, but the overall weight and features. for instance some 17 inch laptops have larger keys and sometimes full keyboards. so if you get a 17 make sure it has the full keyboard so you don't have wasted space in the keyboard area. (num pad is useful for gaming and Math calculations In my Opinion)

anyway the reason for a larger screen is a matter of preference. If you really want the larger screen it's going to cost more and have lower overall battery life than a smaller screen. but you get more screen real estate which means more room on screen for things to be done. so weigh the pro's and cons there. if you get a 17 think about a larger capacity battery. especially if it is for classes. you need to be able to go at least a class period on a charge because you can't trust the school to always have a plug nearby to use.

 

Otherwise get a laptop ruining ubuntu with some lame crappy ATI mobility chip. But just do whatever

 

If that was a sorry and sarcastic attempt at trolling, then troll harder. Ubuntu is a joke of linux, it's a great "starter" linux but there are better ones out there that are stronger and more stable. as for the ATI comment... look at www.system76.com , they have linux computers with Nvidia chips.

 

As a matter of fact no. i wasn't trolling

But Linux isn't very good with nvidia

 

any proprietary chipset that doesn't have good linux drivers is going to cause problems. Shoot webcams can be problematic. but yeah. overall if you want 3d graphics on linux and don't want to deal with screwing around with drivers, stick with intel chipsets (gag I know)

but then again that's getting off topic unless OP is looking at going linux which I doubt.