OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Last week our apartment was broken into and almost everything was stolen, including our only computer, a 1-year-old ASUS laptop. As you can imagine, I am very disturbed, sad, and angry. (I surprised the thieves and was thus able to keep them from finding and stealing my wife's jewelery, at least that was salvaged.)

To make a long story short, I need a new laptop, and will be willing to spend up to 1,000 Euros. May I have your advice please? I know very little about computers or computing.

I will not be willing to buy an Alienware or other high-end gaming rig. The laptops I have seen for 1000 Euros or under include a 17 inch display, 4 or 6 gig RAM, either a GeForce or ATI video card with either 500MB or 1 gig of memory, either Vista or Windows 7, some with a 32, with a 64, or both 32 and 64 operating systems, and various battery strengths. I haven't the slightest idea as to which graphic card is better, I figured "more memory" in them would be good, but does that all depend on the cooling units, the speed of the so-called FSB (is that right?), or other things I need to think about?

Ideally, I would like a machine which had the best of all these features, including battery duration length, but I am sure that is impossible. So to make my question as concrete as possible, could you please help me with the following?

- Which would be most important: larger graphic card memory, processor speed, or RAM?
- Which graphic cards should I avoid / look for?
- I don't understand the difference between 32 and 64 bit -- is that important? What should I look for?
- I have no experience with WIndows 7 -- does that mean hands off or get because I'll have to deal with it soon anyhow?
- Any concrete tips appreciated, thank you! Please, however, note that I am a windows idiot, and am generally not computer-saavy. Sorry for that.


Thank you very much in advance. Quick replies would be most welcome, I would like to purchase a new computer tomorrow evening GMT+1. Thank you.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

I'd say go with Windows 7, as the only other retail option is Vista ('nuff said).

If your budget stretches to one of the Acer Gemstone Blue variants, I'd recommend it on the grounds that mine is a good performer.

Try for 4 gig of RAM and a decent processor, natch.

Graphics: You don't need much for Dominions, but if you can get an ATI or nVidia card it'll be nice.

As I'm not very good at thinking in Euros and laptop prices tend to vary with location, I don't know how far your budget is likely to go.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

I haven't really paid attention to specific models lately, but with 1k e you should get a good laptop that lasts long enough. You didn't specify if you wanted a laptop for gaming or for casual use + some dominions and such small games. For the latter you might not need to spend the whole 1k. If you don't need it for the games and are not afraid to try to learn new things, I've heard MacBooks are very good laptops, but it indeed has a Mac OS and not a Windows, and might go over the 1k limit.

Generally: If you are going to move around with the laptop a lot, I'd suggest a 15" screen. It weighs less and takes less space - most laptop carrying bags/backpacks are designed for the normal ~15" screen. If you plan to watch a lot of videos or need it for work use, the 17" might be a better choice. Also you might want to keep in mind that 17" uses the battery way faster, and if you are going to go around with the laptop, you'll want to have a long battery life. There are models with +6h battery life expectancy in normal use in the 15" range.

Graphics: Memory is not really the only thing you are looking for if you want it for gaming, but when running high-end video and game applications, it matters. ATI and nVidia brands are a good bet with ½-1gig of memory.

Processor: Intel makes very good dual or quadcore processors. I don't know much about AMD laptop processors, so can't say anything about them, but I'm confident you could live with one ;)

32/64bit+OS: Mainly has to do with the OS (Windows in this case) - 64bit supports more memory (RAM) than 32bit, which can only support up to 4gb of it. Most older programs are made for 32bit platforms, new ones should work in both, but not all. For a gaming computer you'll want a 64bit with plenty of RAM. I'd suggest going for 64bit Win7 if you can - I've heard that it's better than vista, eats less resources and so on. It shouldn't be a huge change from vista to win7.

Memory: 2-4gigs, more the merrier.

Hard drive: You'll want something with good enough read speeds and sufficient size (160gb and 320gb seems the norm). Usually you don't have to care about anything else than size though.

WLAN is a norm in laptops nowadays, don't get one without a WLAN ;)

Producers: ASUS does quality products. I think they have 2 year warranties by default. Acer does good laptops too, like Gregstorm suggested. For a concrete example, there's an Acer Aspire Timeline 5810T - which (from a Finnish retailer) costs bit less than 700e, has Vista with win7 upgrade possible, and has around 8 hours of battery life. Should be a very solid choice. If you are willing to attempt to dig out some information (the components are mostly in english), here you go.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Thank you, people!!!
Sorry, Quitti, I should have said: Looking for a laptop that will also play movies and be able to run the newer RPGs, such as Dragon Origins or whatnot -- need not have the fastest FPS for shooters, but should run current standard 2010 games without overheating.
How to tell a good processor or graphics card from one which isn't?
Thank you so much

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

If you are going to have 4+ GB of RAM then you'll need a 64 bit operating system to address all of it. The thing that influences Dominions the most is raw computing power, so the CPU is the only thing of interest there, except maybe the graphics card, but anything you buy should work. As far as other resources are concerned, there are limitations in the game that make it run on hardware that is a couple of years old and those will be the same for your brand-new system. I wouldn't necessarily buy from Alienware because you pay a big chunk of money for the brand only, but if you have the cash and don't care... I've recently acquired a HP Compaq Presario CQ71-205SG notebook with 4GB RAM, 17" HD+ screen and a Dualcore 2x 2,0 GHz CPU for just 488€.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Why are you wanting to make such a quick purchase? If you can stand the wait, taking a week to survey the options will pay big dividends. I got a 1600 dollar Lenovo T500 for 1000 dollars buy taking time and doing some hunting. Check out Newegg for good deals, and use TheFind.com search engine to search all online retailers for good prices. Compare like to like, and take the displayed 'mark-down' with a grain of salt, since displaying a high initial price just so that it looks like there is a big mark down to get to the real price is a common tactic. Often times the manufacturer site itself has great deals on backstock type stuff. Ebay is, in general, not a good idea, especially if you aren't savvy with the hardware you are looking at.

Lenovo, Sony VAIO, and MacBook are the overall best. MacBook you will pay a premium for. The others can usually be found at better than retail prices if you hunt around.

* 64-bit architecture is a must if you want more than 2GB of memory
* 4GB of memory is the going standard, but 2GB is the max for 32-bit architecture.
* dual-core Intel is virtually the only option on the market. 2+Ghz is sufficient.
* non-integrated graphics is a good idea, but you don't really have much option in the brand. For a given price range, there are usually on two options, and manufacturers will just use one of these options in all their offerings. Ultimately, the only decision to make here is integrated or non-integrated graphics.
* Windows 7 is a must
* Disk space isn't important. External Disk space is cheap, so going with whatever you find, given that all the other options are right, is the best idea.
* 15.4 inch screen is standard. If this will be parked on a desk, go for 17+ inch and get a Numeric keypad too.

In general:
* 64-bit Windows 7 Home
* 4GB RAM
* 2Ghz dual core CPU
* non-integrated graphics (unless you do no gaming/media)
* 160GB HD

If you are a traveler with power needs:
I suggest a Lenovo T500

If you are looking for a Desktop Replacement (DTR):
I suggest a Sony VAIO AW. It is an 18.4 inch screen (the biggest around). Screen size is cheap, so really it doesn't cost any more than a 15.4 inch.

If you just want something portable:
Something from the Lenovo IdeaPad line, or something from between the Sony VAIO SR and FW series (depending on your screen size / power needs).

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Otherwise a very good advice, but 32bit supports up to 4GB. I still recommend getting 64bit OS though.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

http://www.notebookcheck.net/

I think here you can compare most models by searching for their name.
You can also compare the graphics cards in it, I'd say if you want to play newer games you should at least have an ATI or Nvidia from class 3 upwards, I'm not too much into it, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mob...50.9596.0.html

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

notebookcheck is good for compiling reviews, but don't take the ratings too seriously. Reviewers are looking at and for several different things, and will give really low marks because a machine doesn't fit _exactly_ what they want (an otherwise perfect machine with a glossy screen and they don't like glossy screens... they give it a 40%. Stuff like that). Combine this with the fact that there are generally less than 10 reviews compiled for even the most popular machines, and attempting to reduce laptop models to numbers is absurd.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Quibble - even though 32bit supports up to 4 GB RAM, you won't be able to actually use that amount because Windows shares the address space of the upper range of RAM for hardware access. Your "net" value will be something like 3.5 GB or so, depending on your specific hardware.

This is often an issue for me when running virtual machines that need a lot of RAM on the guest.

TLDR - if you're buying a windows box today, get 64bit Windows 7.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

With regard to graphics cards, I believe the amount of memory is not the best descriptor of quality, and sometimes crappy cards are presented as "512MB!!" when the card is actually slow and having a big memory is unimportant. That said I don't know how to more sensibly differentiate card speed; I've only looked into it for desktops, and presumably the situation is confusingly different for laptops.

Definitely Windows 7 above Vista. Vista is horrible, and Windows 7 is considered a big improvement (and faster!). Then once you have your computer, personally I would recommend trying out Ubuntu (which is a free alternative to Windows, and you can have both on your computer at the same time; lots of people here use Ubuntu or other Linux variants).

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

+1

I won't mind helping you getting started, if you decided to give Ubuntu a try.
You can contact me/PM me here; http://ubuntuforums.org/member.php?u=19

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Mint is basically Ubuntu, but has slightly different menus and defaults that are supposed to be more comfortable for first time Linux users. You might try it.

plus, its default desktop/color scheme is like drinking a mint julep.

At any rate, you should install Windows 7 first, then Linux. At least I've been told. I think the Linux installer is a little more friendly to other OS than is the Windows one, or something. Not really sure.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Correct.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

THank you, that is all very helpful, though I am really not going to involve myself with non-windows operating systems right now.

Newegg, apparently, will not ship to Germany. I need a computer soon, however, I really do. Thank you.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

happygeek, try www.notebooksbilliger.de - they have the absolutely best prices on notebooks for end users. Otherwise, look for christmas specials as every store has at least one special offer now.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

I just had a thought graphics-wise: My laptop has a 9700M GT on board and it handles Dragon Age pretty well, considering. There's a comparison of benchmark scores for notebook graphics cards here.

If (like me) you don't have an encyclopaedic knowledge of current graphics cards, a few notes are:

Important note for nVidia cards: GS<GT<GTX.

The numbering scheme for chipsets is obfuscatory. For example: in nVidia, (X)800 > (X+1)600. In ATI, 4670 > 3870 > 4650.

In short: It's hell out there. If you check the benchmark page I linked to and buy something with a card from the top 40 on the list, you'll probably get a decent performer.

Edit: Just read an above post properly. Someone else already referred you to notebookcheck.net, and apparently it has more information than I knew about. Ho hum.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Thank you.
I checked notebooksbilliger.de, that was good, but didn't really find anything, oddly enough -- seems I have to pay upwards of 1000 Euros for a 15" screen with a 4650 chip if I am to get Windows 7. Hmnn.

I'm almost tempted to buy at Newegg, have it shipped to friends, and have them ship it over -- but am unsure about the power supply, US vs. European. Does anyone know if that will be a problem? I mean, getting a replacement plug for 110V and the right adapter?

Can anyone tell me if I am being crazy? I went to a local "Saturn" and saw a new Sony VGN-FW 54M, which only impressed me because of what appears to be a very nice screen: high resolution, anti-reflection de-mirroring (or however you say that in English). It has a C2D P7450 processor (2.13 GhZ), an ATI 4650 with 1 gig, 4 gigs of RAM, 64-bit Win 7, for 1000 Euros. They keypad seemed suboptimal, but everything else seemed ok. For Germany, this looked like the best deal I've seen so far, even compared to notebooksbilliger.de -- or am I being foolish?

Thank you so very much

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

How so? Did you try their Advanced Search interface? If I select the 4650 there, then I am presented with notebooks starting at 599 Euros, about half of them with 15" displays and half with 17" displays. If I include Windows 7 Premium 64 bit instead of the upgrade option from Vista then there are still 11 notebooks remaining under the 1k € mark. If you select the ATI 4670 instead which is better according to Gregstrom, then they start at 699 Euros. Not that I want to urge you to buy there, just saying that they do have a very broad spectrum there, and handling warranty is easier for you. They do have the Sony VAIO VGN-FW54 there, too.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

if it is the 1920x1080 screen, then the price from Sony's site is about 1000 american dollars.

not sure how prices of things differ in general from the US to Europe.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

The very best advice I can possibly give is, this time, get a laptop lojack put on it.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

I'm shamelessly hijacking this thread, but it sounds like some technical people are interested in offering advice and I have a similar question.

My problem is that my computing is solar/wind powered and during the winter I have more free time to use a computer but not nearly enough power. The laptop I'm using is a bit of power hog (oink oink) at ~45 watts to play Dom3 and although I could beef (or pork) up my power system, the low power netbook may be the least expensive way to facilitate my addiction.

I have 3 criteria:

1) Must be graphically capable of running Dominions 3.
2) Must run Linux or BSD (probably a given).
3) Low power consumption (~10 watts?).

If anyone out there is running Dom3 on a netbook even with Windows, please tell me about it.

Thanks!

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Sorry, what is a lojack? Will it prevent the laptop from being stolen? Or is it just a deincentive?
thank you

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

It's a tracking device: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoJack Though I doubt you'll find it in Germany, or any use for it.

I'd suggest getting a Key Lock Security Chain Cable, since your notebook should have a security slot for that. I tied my TFT monitor and notebook to the radiator with one. If they don't use brute force, risking to damage the device, then they'd need a bolt clipper or other equipment to remove it. It would at least buy you some time.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

I believe most netbooks qualify on those. Not certain about the power consumption part on some running in high performance mode but it shouldn't be too hard to find one. You might want to look into Acer Aspire One line and possibly Eee-pcs - can't remember any other (good) netbook lines just now. The earliest Eee-pcs had some trouble with battery draining even when turned off - but they fixed that quite a while back.
As you can see from the dom3 progress page, next patch, whenever it shall come, will include more compatible resolutions for netbooks.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

A standard lojack is a device that tracks stolen objects. It's hidden within the object, and--as I understand it--when it's activated, with it's own independent and isolated power supply, it allows police to track it via radio (which is difficult to block), provided they have a tracking device (currently operating in 27 US states plus DC, as well as 30+ countries).

Typically, it's used for higher end vehicles. It doesn't prevent theft, ofcourse, but it gives you a much better shot at recovery.

The lojack for laptops, however, is a software feature that uses the internet to keep track of the laptop. Probably not as handy as the vehicular version, but at 25-35$ for a year's protection, atleast worth looking into.

http://www.absolute.com/products/lojackforlaptops

Germany has the internet, right?

As far as chaining it to a radiator, that kind of goes a long way towards defeating the purpose of having a portable laptop in the first place, doesn't it? A lot of effort, trouble, and ugliness for a method that can be defeated in 2 seconds with bolt-cutters (or a hatchet, or a hacksaw), even if not every casual thief will have them.

And if that's going to be your solution, I'd rather invest in a heavy duty metal box with an integrated lock--as in, one that can't be cut with boltcutters. You can still secure that to whatever, and also hide it somewhere. The advantages are that it doesn't immediately visually announce "expensive laptop" to the world, it greatly reduces the impact of any brute force, as well as accidental drops/impacts (hint: pad the inside), and it's both easier to retrieve your laptop from, and a lot harder to cut open than a bunch of chains or a padlock or whatever.

If you can get one that has a decent quality integrated lock *and* that can be padlocked (double padlocked, preferrably, much harder to knock open with an axe that way, and forever to saw through), so much the better.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Yes, but nobody here ever heard of it. I suppose the policemen would laugh at you if you told them to search for your stolen goods via radio. It's just uncommon. I heard of people that secure their construction site vehicles with GPS devices that they can track via satellite, though.

Software means it's useless. If I'd steal a notebook then the first thing I'd do is change/erase the harddrive, or inspect it offline.

Actually, I did have the case that a friend of mine had his notebook stolen out of his car. At some point, his sister got an IM message from his account. She talked to the guy or girl who claimed that she bought the notebook, even though she said that it was stolen. I did prepare a honeynet, a website to track visitor IPs, with photos from her, and we made the other person visit that website to get the IP address. Then we handed that to the police to get the address of the person through the ISP of that person, as ISPs are legally bound to keep the connection and account data for at least half a year. Everything's wonderful, right? Nope, nobody cared, despite all this apparently it wasn't worth the effort or something.

The best you can hope for it to get your money back through insurance.

You don't have to take the radiator with you when you want to take the notebook along, of course. The cable can be removed in an instant. You can have one stationary where you usually put it in your house, and another cable in your backpack, for example. As I said, it doesn't defeat bolt clippers or a hatchet, but not every burglar is running around with those as they're heavy.

Re: OT: Need advice with Laptop
 

Rather than get laptop specific security, I'd suggest contents insurance and a more secure abode. I mean getting burglarised itself is the issue here, not so much the laptop.

I just recently bought the best model of the Studio 15 laptop from Dell and I'm completely happy with it. It isn't a gaming rig (it's smooth as silk with basically all games from 2007 and back though) but it is an excellent all-rounder with some serious muscle and good looks.