gaming New Laptop

[Magicon 468]

So here's the latest:

 

I currently use a Dell PP01L as my laptop. (I know, it's REALLY old, but it has worked fine for me for the past four years). Now it's reaching the end of the road and I need to get a new laptop. I am currently a sophomore in college, majoring in Music and Political Science, so I need a laptop that is good for a college student. I have a budget of $700, possibly $800. I would prefer an HP, but another good brand is fine. One thing it MUST have is a CD/ DVD drive. Let me know if there are any good ones out there.

 

On top of that, my dad has a laptop at home. I don't know what model it is, but it's a few years newer than my current one. I was wondering if I should just take his and hold off on purchasing a new one. I will be going to law school in two to three years and I'm not sure if it would be better to buy a laptop now or not.

 

Thanks everyone!

[Key Lime Pie 131]

Maybe you could get a MacbookPro, I'm pretty sure that they CD drives. Macs are reliable and almost never get viruses or crash as much as other computers. My cousin is going though collage with a MacbookPro and she is very pleased with it.

[Regality 233]

I'd suggest just saving your money and going with a Macbook Pro. However, if this isn't an option, I'd go with something like this:

 

http://computers.toptenreviews.com/gaming-laptops/alienware-corporation/alienware-m11x-details.html

 

Only problem with this is the video card isn't all that great.

~~

[Abstract 832]

Guys, I'm pretty sure you can't buy a new MacBook Pro for $800. Fine machines, but just can't be done. (Used, sure, but you're taking a risk.)

 

Pretty much any PC laptop at that price range is going to be fairly well built and should last at least three or four years. I personally prefer Toshiba brand, but honestly; as long as you're spending more then $500, any brand of laptop should be just fine.

 

(Of their many fine models, here is one right on the dot for your price range; looks like some great specs to me. http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?poid=2000035643)

[Archangel 143]

I don't recommend a Mac, they are over priced and I personally find the OS annoying and difficult to use for anything.

 

Instead, may I recommend one of these: http://shop.lenovo.c...0011B825513BCED

 

I have used Lenovo laptops before, and my dad still uses them, they are very well put together, and the specs are pretty good for the price. Personally I think you should go with either the first or last one and ignore the middle. But that's just me.

 

Now, you probably do, but I must ask, do you really need a laptop? Or just think you want it? Because building your own desktop is cheaper and gives you better specs-to-price ratio, as well as allowing for easy upgrading when a part falls behind the times.

 

But if you do need a laptop. I recommend on of these. Unless your budget goes up by another four or five hundred, then my recommendation changes. xD

 

I'd suggest just saving your money and going with a Macbook Pro. However, if this isn't an option, I'd go with something like this:

 

http://computers.toptenreviews.com/gaming-laptops/alienware-corporation/alienware-m11x-details.html

 

Only problem with this is the video card isn't all that great.

~~

 

I actually have the first gen of that, and while they've upgraded the CPU, I can say that while the GPU isn't that great, it's really good for the price. My CPU is what's holding me back, not my GPU. And they upgraded the CPU since my M11x. Though it would be nice if it had Direct X 11.

 

I don't recommend it though, the build quality is horrible, both my friends and mine had the screen hinges break within a week and we had to call tech support. Keep in mind we are very careful with them and in fact, hadn't even taken them off the desk we had put them on since we got them before they broke.

 

EDIT: Plus the M11x has no CD drive, while the ones I linked do.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Archangel