I'm getting a laptop, *UPDATE* I have candidates!

[static_ice]

....

[whitestazn88]

first off, i'd say get an external hard drive and don't make your laptop get so damn hot with a 160HD

2nd, if you're doing graphic design, you might be interested in a pc with the capability to have a stylus that draws on it, some architect kids i know use them, and they seem cool

3rd, i have no idea what linux really is myself.... soo we'll wait for others for the help

[muy_thaiguy]

I have a Toshiba, and it works pretty well (better then my main computer), but memory is a bit limited (runs some of my games like Medieval Total War decently, but the one after, well, RTW, the armies can only be so big before it starts slowing down, and M2TW is ridiculously slow when doing the battles, but the map itself is alright). Personally, not a fan of Macs, but whatever works for you, i guess.

[static_ice]

first off, i'd say get an external hard drive and don't make your laptop get so damn hot with a 160HD

2nd, if you're doing graphic design, you might be interested in a pc with the capability to have a stylus that draws on it, some architect kids i know use them, and they seem cool

How much do average external hard drives cost? They're not very portable are they?

I already have a tablet, it works with anything that has a free USB port.

I have a Toshiba, and it works pretty well (better then my main computer), but memory is a bit limited (runs some of my games like Medieval Total War decently, but the one after, well, RTW, the armies can only be so big before it starts slowing down, and M2TW is ridiculously slow when doing the battles, but the map itself is alright). Personally, not a fan of Macs, but whatever works for you, i guess.

Do you run your games on default settings... or what? I wouldn't mind running them low if it got the framerate up.

[whitestazn88]

external hard drives are really easy to move around, they weigh maybe 2 pounds at most and are like 4x8x2 in dimensions. i use it to keep my music and movies on so that my laptop doesnt get run down because of all of it.

if you've already got a tablet then i suppose either option will work for you, and it just depends on preference... just remember, you can't open a new tab on firefox by clicking the scroll wheel on your mouse on a mac though... and theres very poor right click functionality on macs as well

EDIT: Macs are also generally more expensive if you're gonna go for equally capable machines. don't expect to spend less than $1K on a mac laptop with 2gigs of memory

[muy_thaiguy]

Do you run your games on default settings... or what? I wouldn't mind running them low if it got the framerate up.

Well, the campaign part (the map part anyways) runs just fine. However, when I get about 2000 or more soldiers on the battlefield, it slows down no matter what. And my laptop is running on high performance. And depending on how much more I go over the "preferred limit," it will lag to the point it would be faster to just use the tiny units (like the settings are for tiny). And for nearly all of my games, when there is a big battle going on with a lot of different units, it lags to the point of almost freezing up on me.

Just get Alienware if they still make it.

[whitestazn88]

Do you run your games on default settings... or what? I wouldn't mind running them low if it got the framerate up.

Well, the campaign part (the map part anyways) runs just fine. However, when I get about 2000 or more soldiers on the battlefield, it slows down no matter what. And my laptop is running on high performance. And depending on how much more I go over the "preferred limit," it will lag to the point it would be faster to just use the tiny units (like the settings are for tiny). And for nearly all of my games, when there is a big battle going on with a lot of different units, it lags to the point of almost freezing up on me.

Just get Alienware if they still make it.

or get a higher grade graphics card

ps. i also wanted to tell you that alienware would be even more expensive

but! you pay for what you get

[Minister Masket]

The lag in your games in down to 2 factors:
Low RAM and a crap graphics card.

In my case, it's both! I actually can't play Age of Empires III on a water level, because it can't keep up with the H2O physics.

PC or Mac? Whatever you feel most comfortable with.
Linux? I wouldn't be bothered to put this thing on my laptop. Too complicated.

[static_ice]

I don't know what I'd feel comfortable with, I've never used a Mac.

That's why I'm asking how it is, though maybe whitestazn is right about the prices

[Arbustos]

linux is open-source and the updates (like everything else) are free. you can run it and windows on the same comp, but it'll probably slow it the hell down. for games you'll most likely have to get winex or cedega or whatever it's called now to play them, which is just a taste of the level of involvement you'll have to give to this OS. It's uber-customizable, but maybe a pain for those used to the newb friendly windows. I don't personally have it, but it's preferred by most of the people I know. basically a question of whether or not you want to put that kind of time into what is unquestionably a superior OS. Open Office is compatible with Microsoft office and can save in those formats as well.

It's like firefox to IE, just less newb-friendly.

[mandalorian2298]

But first I need to know what field to look in. All I want is 2 GB RAM, atleast 160 GB harddrive, ability to run certain programs like (especially) Photoshop (and not some cheap freeware knockoff), ability to play lots of games (optional) and around or under $1K (preferred). The first question: PC or Mac? (...or linux?)

Because of the games and price I'd want a PC but I hear Macs are better for graphic designers, which is going to be my major anyway. So, what's in a Mac that would make it more interesting to me? And while we're at it, I know very little about linux but I hear that is far superior than anything else, so question 1: why? And question 2: is it just downloadable software for a Mac or PC or do I actually buy hardware for linux? ( )

1. You can't have cheap and Mac, so don't even try.

2. I have just faced a mission exactly like the one that you are undertaking. In the end I managed to buy new Acer Aspire 5520 (2.1 GHz AMD Turion, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB HD, NVIDIA GeForce 7000) for just 910 $ so it can be done. If you happen to be in Zagreb in the next few weeks, check if they have any left in Micronis.

3. Make sure that the laptop that you are going to buy has a mobile processor. The computer I had before this one didn't have one so it made a hell of a noise and I had to balance it on my legs all the time to get any kind of performance from it (although it was 2.4 GHz fast, it couldn't even run DOS-based games properly ).

4. Good luck.

[MeDeFe]

Linux based OSs aren't that hard to configure, and you can test all the different distributions and see which you like best for free, which is something you can't do with commercial software. As always, Wikipedia is your friend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distributions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_distributions

[mandalorian2298]

Great Avi, MeDeFe!

[MeDeFe]

Great Avi, MeDeFe!

Thanks, I changed it, Friday, I think it was, or Saturday, probably Friday.

[hecter]

Linux based OSs aren't that hard to configure, and you can test all the different distributions and see which you like best for free, which is something you can't do with commercial software. As always, Wikipedia is your friend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distributions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_distributions

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to connect to any kind of wireless network, forget it dude. I tried and failed miserably with my computer, it's just too damn hard and I'm to damn lazy. For you static, go PC. Basically, if you can't use a mac, you're a dolt, so the learning curve is almost non-existent. The learning curve from Windows or Mac to linux, however, can be huge. Don't do it. Why shouldn't you get a mac? Well, you said you want a computer under a grand and you want to play games. You won't find that in a mac. Maybe you should get one when you're older, making lots of money and can afford multiple computers. For now, look for something in the realm of...
Dual Core Processor is a must, Quad Core is a plus - Look at the specs, and remember, an AMD of 2.2 is gonna be faster than an intel of 2.4. Don't question it, it's just the way it is.
RAM - Don't put TOO much weight in RAM, as it's pretty much just plug and play, so it's easy to upgrade. 1gig and up, however, should be fine, 2 gigs in a laptop, however, will be really nice for ya
HDD - Don't *really* consider this a stat, as while it is, it shouldn't be... External drives are cheap and easy to use and move around. And you treat them just as you would a different partition on your normal drive. You can keep files on it, you can install things on it, ect. ect.
Video Card - Remember, it goes like this for nVidia (try to stay away from ATI...). X600 is medium range, X800 is high end, the number that the X is is how new it is. Any good game nowadays will require above 6600 GT, so go for something above that (an 8600 GT will do you fine, but if you can afford better, go for it dude. I've got a 9600 GT and it's wonderful)(though, I it's a bit different for laptops, and this is desktop talk here, but I imagine it still applies...).
Where to buy - Stay away from places like future shop and stuff, they'll probably over charge you. Your best bet is to look at a local computer supply store that you've probably never heard of (round here we have Canada Computers, they hand out discounts like old ladies hand out bad candy).

That should about cover it... Good luck

[static_ice]

But first I need to know what field to look in. All I want is 2 GB RAM, atleast 160 GB harddrive, ability to run certain programs like (especially) Photoshop (and not some cheap freeware knockoff), ability to play lots of games (optional) and around or under $1K (preferred). The first question: PC or Mac? (...or linux?)

Because of the games and price I'd want a PC but I hear Macs are better for graphic designers, which is going to be my major anyway. So, what's in a Mac that would make it more interesting to me? And while we're at it, I know very little about linux but I hear that is far superior than anything else, so question 1: why? And question 2: is it just downloadable software for a Mac or PC or do I actually buy hardware for linux? ( )

1. You can't have cheap and Mac, so don't even try.

2. I have just faced a mission exactly like the one that you are undertaking. In the end I managed to buy new Acer Aspire 5520 (2.1 GHz AMD Turion, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB HD, NVIDIA GeForce 7000) for just 910 $ so it can be done. If you happen to be in Zagreb in the next few weeks, check if they have any left in Micronis.

3. Make sure that the laptop that you are going to buy has a mobile processor. The computer I had before this one didn't have one so it made a hell of a noise and I had to balance it on my legs all the time to get any kind of performance from it (although it was 2.4 GHz fast, it couldn't even run DOS-based games properly ).

4. Good luck.

Alright, well that narrows down the options nicely. I'll commit mobile processor to memory.

Linux based OSs aren't that hard to configure, and you can test all the different distributions and see which you like best for free, which is something you can't do with commercial software. As always, Wikipedia is your friend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distributions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Linux_distributions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Linux_distributions

Depends on what you want to do. If you want to connect to any kind of wireless network, forget it dude. I tried and failed miserably with my computer, it's just too damn hard and I'm to damn lazy. For you static, go PC. Basically, if you can't use a mac, you're a dolt, so the learning curve is almost non-existent. The learning curve from Windows or Mac to linux, however, can be huge. Don't do it. Why shouldn't you get a mac? Well, you said you want a computer under a grand and you want to play games. You won't find that in a mac. Maybe you should get one when you're older, making lots of money and can afford multiple computers. For now, look for something in the realm of...
Dual Core Processor is a must, Quad Core is a plus - Look at the specs, and remember, an AMD of 2.2 is gonna be faster than an intel of 2.4. Don't question it, it's just the way it is.
RAM - Don't put TOO much weight in RAM, as it's pretty much just plug and play, so it's easy to upgrade. 1gig and up, however, should be fine, 2 gigs in a laptop, however, will be really nice for ya
HDD - Don't *really* consider this a stat, as while it is, it shouldn't be... External drives are cheap and easy to use and move around. And you treat them just as you would a different partition on your normal drive. You can keep files on it, you can install things on it, ect. ect.
Video Card - Remember, it goes like this for nVidia (try to stay away from ATI...). X600 is medium range, X800 is high end, the number that the X is is how new it is. Any good game nowadays will require above 6600 GT, so go for something above that (an 8600 GT will do you fine, but if you can afford better, go for it dude. I've got a 9600 GT and it's wonderful)(though, I it's a bit different for laptops, and this is desktop talk here, but I imagine it still applies...).
Where to buy - Stay away from places like future shop and stuff, they'll probably over charge you. Your best bet is to look at a local computer supply store that you've probably never heard of (round here we have Canada Computers, they hand out discounts like old ladies hand out bad candy).

That should about cover it... Good luck

Okay so... no linux.
Yeah I'm pretty sure I want 2G Ram, and I guess I could go with an external drive. Video cards, well I probably won't make my decision based too much off of what video card it comes with; If I need a newer one (and can still afford it) then I'll just buy it and switch. And location, what about online? Amazon? I like being able to view everything available, sometimes customize it, and not having to worry about stock as often. And then there's user reviews, which are easier to base decisions if buying straight online than going to the store after reading.

[hecter]

Ya, just be careful... And stay away from places like MDG and Dell, as they do funky stuff with their hardware that make them incompatible...

[whitestazn88]

dells are good if you want a middle of the road, same as everyone else computer.

attempting to upgrade shit on a dell, or having to purchase their upgrades is kinda like pulling teeth. completely unnecessary and no fun at all

[Minister Masket]

My laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1300, works fine for the nasty, cheap thing that it really is.
I'm considering upgrading it, so hopefully I will have more fun that you did whitestazn!

[InkL0sed]

It is possible to find good Mac games... you just have to know where to look.

[static_ice]

Ya, just be careful... And stay away from places like MDG and Dell, as they do funky stuff with their hardware that make them incompatible...

Yeah my school has Dells and anything I put in them to copy stuff -memory drives or CD's- get corrupted and I can't use them anywhere now.

[static_ice]

....

[Ditocoaf]

I'm disappointed you decided to rule out a MacBook. All the old compatibility issues are gone, and they're just better machines. The only reason to get a PC is that many game designers only create for PC; but even that is starting to change. Anything else you want to do can be done just fine on a mac. I recently got a MacBook, 4gb RAM, 250 gb hard drive, 2.4 ghz processor. Admittedly, these are more expensive than what you're looking at; a 2gb/160hard drive MacBook costs $1249. So I guess that might make it less desirable. But if you can afford it, I would really recommend one; especially if you're majoring in graphic design.

Plus, it comes with some really nice standard software; and the new OS is simply amazing.

[static_ice]

Yes yes yes, heard it all, I'm disappointed at their prices.

[muy_thaiguy]

Right now, I'm working off of a Toshiba (have been for about a year or so) and am content with it (though, it seems I need to get a new flash card to play some games without so much lagging), other then that, I like it. HP is a reliable brand (much more so then Dell in my experience), though it can be a tad expensive, they are all round pretty good. Compaq, from what I've heard are fairly reliable too.