whats a good cheap laptop

i'm thinking about buying one, any ideas?

 

If by cheap, you mean a 900 dollar laptop that runs Crysis, GTA4, Bioshock, COD4, etc. than the Asus G50Vt-X5 is the way to go

 

around 600 dollars

 

this was the craziest idea because laptops weren't really meant to be used for playing games. but maybe things are changing faster then i can absorb them, like with myspace and twitter, i still can't get the hang of the idea.

 

well, I always suggest toshiba due its prices and durability but for gaming, you need a expensive one for it because of the videocard, the videocard always is the problem in playing games in laptops...

 

i beg to differ, i have a laptop and i have quite a game collection(some of them include crysis, fear 3, fallout 3, ect) and most of them them can run smoothly at medium or higher graphics settings, on vista at that. so it is possible if you have the right laptop.

hlw_rocer what kinda laptop are you looking for, what will you be using it for most? dos screen size matter? what os would you want? do you want 64bit or 32bit? any other bells and whistles you want on it?

 

one with vista probably a hp or a dell

 

if you want dirt cheap pricing on the current laptops wait till July or August... as the newer laptops for next year hits the markets.

Though the problem with "most laptops" with video is that it's embedded into the motherboard nowadays, and those that are switch outed you pay a premium that costs an arm and leg and next of kin.

or if you wanted it even cheaper just wait till win7 floods the marketplace making Vista laptops become even cheaper.

I can't really suggest any specific laptop, because they aren't in your price range of 600 to 900, but I'm sure they are out there...


Im using an super old 1st generation acer aspire 5672 wlmi x1400 with 512 dedicated, it may not run everything, but it works for me.

 

yeah mine cost over a $1,000, and its only a medium quality game laptop, this one looks ok its $649.99 depending on what hardware choices you make. http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=Performance+and+entertainment&series_name=dv6t_series although im not an expert on tech specs so lets see what loony thanks of it

 

here's a great place with real time specs/prices/reviews from other consumers. I hate spamming about stuffs, again this should give you more insights that will help you determine your range for laptops and stuffs. I use this site for refs mostly, then gauge what I need and the price comparisons.. etc.

Code:

http://www.notebookforums.com/

I agree with Loony, dell is overpriced.

 

I looked at your link, and at base 649.99 which comes with onboard memory Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD. Once you change the graphics and left everything else alone in the base tack on : 512MB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 4530 Graphics +$200.00 or 1GB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 4650 Graphics +$400.00, and thats now in the 849.99 range or 1049.99 range without taxes or shipping costs.

HP's Recommended stock: 704.99

Price $854.99*
Instant rebate -$150.00

Total: $704.99
You saved 17.5%

Components
• Espresso Black
• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz)
• FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• FREE Upgrade to 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1366x768)
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• [For BrightView Infinity Display] Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
• Wireless-G Card
• No TV Tuner w/remote control
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• No Modem
• Microsoft(R) Works 9.0


Hp's Base: 649.99

Price $799.99*
Instant rebate -$150.00

Total: $649.99
You saved 18.8%

Components
• Espresso Black
• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T6400 (2.0GHz)
• 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Brightview Display (1366x768)
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• Webcam Only
• Wireless-G Card
• No TV Tuner w/remote control
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• No Modem
• Microsoft(R) Works 9.0


Specs of onboard Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD:

The Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD is designed to provide vivid video playback, rich 3D imagery, and enhanced power management. Enjoy great video when watching movies or enhanced 3D graphical content with Intel(R) Clear Video Technology. The 4500 supports DirectX (R)10/DVXA 2.0 and OpenGL 2.0 to deliver rich and advanced features for 3D gaming and other 3D graphics application. DISCLAIMERS: Shared video memory (UMA) uses part of the total system memory for video performance.
System memory dedicated to video performance is not available for other use by other programs. Note - this disclaimer affects system memory, and graphics.

So if you dont plan on upgrading your onboard video graphics, since it's shared ram memory, you should upgrade your ram as much as you can, the only problem with that is : 6GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) +$200 or 8GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
+$400

(Ram doesnt cost 400bucks for 8 gig DDR2s... even at 4x4's. it's under 150 bucks for low latencies 667mhz or 800mhz)

The cheaper method is to upgrade the video vs upping the ram, IMHO.


Not a bad deal once you step into Video Graphics upgrade, even then 849.99 is cheap with 4 gigs ram free promo. Tossup, it will be even cheaper once the newer models comeout for 2010 in August/September of 2009... and with Win7 around the corner, expect Vista premades to drop even lower.

Just some passing thoughts.

 

Its a tossup.. initially, everyone's needs and budgets are different.

A. if you dont upgrade the onboard graphics, upgrade the ram as much as you can from another outlet that sells ram chips way cheaper.
(its not as bad as say in year 2003. my gf is using an onboard ATI x300 with 4 gigs of ram, she plays wow, lotro, eq1, vangaurd, eq2, coh, no sweat, no lags in graphics, although I cant say the same for games needing more power)

B. The cheaper method is too get a better video chip onboard, why?, you can always upgrade the ram anytime, however if you stick with the stock onboard intels 4500hd graphics, if in the future you wanted to upgrade the graphics, you will have to replace the notebooks motherboard, which is too costly. You might as well have started with an upgrade on the video capabilities from the get go.

 

tip: DON'T BUY a ACER laptop!