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Old 02-21-2008, 11:00 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Location: Spokane, WA
Things to consider when buying a new laptop?

Well, I'm saying goodbye to my sony vaio and it's tiny 60gb hd tomorrow, I'm taking the money + some of my tax return and heading down to fry's to see what I can pick up in the way of a target price point laptop in the range of 699-899

799 obviously being the sweetspot, since I figure with taxes, it's gonna hurt (i live in WA state)

One thing I'm seeing is that the core 2 duo processors are pretty much across the line outperforming the amd x2 equivalents, and I think I'm pretty set on a core 2 duo since I figure, HD, and RAM can be messed with later.

so right now it seems my primary concern is the screen real estate and the processor since those are pretty much permanent fixtures.

Anything else I should look for? any suggestions?
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Old 02-21-2008, 11:29 AM   #2 (permalink)
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congrats on being able to do this finally!

as much features as you can get in a side by side comparison, especially if you are planning on walking out of the store with a machine.

IMO see if you can't find a deal online for that price point, you may be able to skip paying taxes if you buy it from newegg. Why give WA state $70 of that Federal Tax refund if you don't have to? That's $70 you can spend on maybe some new headphones or other gear.

I cruise slickdeals.net and techbargains.com daily, frys.com has these 2 good looking performers for $799.99

Quote:
Toshiba P205-S7806 Notebook Pc, 17.0" Intel Pentium Dual-Core Processor T2330, 1.6Ghz,2GB,250GB-HD,DvD-/+RW,Vista Home Premium.

Toshiba:
FRYS.com #: 5474939
This satelliteP205-S7806 ,17" inch Pc Notebook with TruBrite Widescreen Demonstrates a level of reliability and Robustness to keep up with the fast changing conditions of your life.This newly designed Onyx blue Notebook is easy to use with the Quick launch buttons for CD/DVD and Internet Control.
Quote:
Toshiba Satellite A205-S6810 15.4" Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Onyx Bl

Toshiba:
FRYS.com #: 5474899
Optimized for everyday use, the affordable Satellite® A205, with 15.4" diagonal widescreen WXGA TruBrite® display*, is loaded with a PC wish list of features. Intel's® latest mobile technology* offers efficient use of power and speed for multitasking and multimedia. Redesigned for looks and convenience, the Satellite® A200/A205 offers an attractive Onyx Blue case, six CD/DVD control buttons for instant media access, and better spacing of its four USB ports to accommodate all your peripherals. This model offers a DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) with Labelflash™ drive*, for burning high quality labels directly onto Labelflash™ media. Stay in touch with high speed wireless* (802.11a/b/g) and built-in Webcam!
Limit 1 per Household.
(when purchased between 02/21/2008 and 02/21/2008)
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Last edited by Cynthetiq; 02-21-2008 at 11:44 AM..
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Old 02-21-2008, 11:48 AM   #3 (permalink)
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in store prices at frys seem to be lower than online because they have some returns/refurbs that they don't want. I don't have a problem with "almost" new computers as long as I get to check them out before I leave.

WA makes you pay tax on internet purchases anyways so theres no way around it now.

EDIT: apparently I was wrong, I just started a checkout with newegg and they only tax you if you are in the same state they are.

O.O

well I guess I've been doing business with locals after all.

I just consider it 70$ for expedited "instant" shipping

Last edited by Shauk; 02-21-2008 at 11:55 AM..
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Old 02-21-2008, 12:43 PM   #4 (permalink)
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here's a dell

Quote:
Inspiron 1520 15.4in, Core 2 Duo T7250 2.0Ghz 2GB/160GB, DVD±RW, 802.11n, Vista Home Premium $1029 - 25% Off $999+ Dell
coupon code: KMQ?ZLS2RVWJ2K = $771.75
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Old 02-21-2008, 12:45 PM   #5 (permalink)
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got a link?
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Old 02-21-2008, 12:57 PM   #6 (permalink)
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http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/112281

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Old 02-21-2008, 01:28 PM   #7 (permalink)
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Ideal properties of a laptop might include: size/weight, battery life, memory, CPU speed, graphics capabilities, and the amount of CRAP pre-installed.

Be vigilant to find a laptop that fits your ideals for each category.
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Old 02-21-2008, 02:50 PM   #8 (permalink)
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crap pre-installed doesn't matter to me, 1st thing I usually do is download HWINFO, get a list of the drivers I need, and downgrade that shit to XP ;p

size/weight doesn't really matter to me either, i'm 6'6" and can bench your face :P this 12inch feels so pansy to me, more like a frisbee.

battery life is good, yes, but I've never had to use it for more than 2 hours.

memory is upgradable

cpu speed IS important, which is why i'm looking at the core 2 duo's

graphics are also a concern of mine at the moment, but that's a premium and really I'm like 2 parts away from having a home system that is more than capable of handling gaming so it's ancillary to me.

MAINLY what I want is processor power, as I'll be running programs for my VST/MIDI type programs along with my Torq DJ interface.

it'd be nice to have a big screen to watch movies here at work between calls though
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Old 02-21-2008, 03:03 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Shauk, I know that you do a lot of music. Are you planning on doing any recording with the laptop or just remixes and playback?

I purchased an HP dv9500 with two internal 7200RPM drives. One for the OS and storage (samples) and the other for recording and playback. But I use mine for live keyboard performance (with a PreSonus Firebox for sound). Also 2GB RAM. I spent a bit more than $799, but I'll bet that you can get a similar laptop configuration for much less now.

Two (internal) hard drives in music is a MUST. So is a TI Chipset firewire port if you plan on doing "pro" level soundcards.

Doug
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Old 02-21-2008, 03:22 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Location: Spokane, WA
I have an external "soundcard" in a way via a M-Audio Conectiv, I know people say "ack USB latency" but it uses ASIO Drivers so it's pretty darn good for what I use it for.
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Old 02-27-2008, 08:44 AM   #11 (permalink)
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Location: Spokane, WA
so... I got...

http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/r...kFvP!738984738

for 699$


new.


yay for in store sales
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Old 02-27-2008, 09:15 AM   #12 (permalink)
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nice!!! congratulations!!!
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Old 02-27-2008, 09:36 AM   #13 (permalink)
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my blog of that day....
Quote:
So I decided I needed a new laptop about 2 weeks ago when I got frustrated at the constant power cord issues, and how it had to sit "just right" for it to work.
Thats not gonna cut it if I need it for live applications. I can't be bothered to fuss with the positioning during sets or whatever, I just wanna open it up and forget it.

on top of the fact that it was just kind of a temporary thing for me while I went and got my shit together here in Seattle.

SO with that sold (I sold it for more than I bought it for, amazing eh?) I had no laptop. SILLY ME, I thought it would be some SIMPLE TASK as a CONSUMER to go out and BUY a new laptop.

god, damn.

I knew exactly which model I wanted.

turns out everyone else wanted the same one. I drive all the way down to fry's in Renton and "no we don't have any in stock" "well can I buy the floor model?"
"no"
repeat x5 stores in Renton. I drive back to Seattle and call my dad up with a plan of attack. He gives me directions to the nearest Staples (which was actually pretty close by) and I went to sleep armed with the knowledge of where I would strike on Sunday morning whilst the church goers went and goed churches.

I got up at 7am, no alarm, just a burning FLAME in my pocket called CASH.

So I went, I camped in the parking lot with my lunchables and milk with the stereo cranking my Orbital CD to 11. Goddamnit, Time is always speeding in the school zone or being an old lady in the express lane.

Employees start pulling in, parking the cars, and going up to the front door, and one of them unlocks it and, I couldn't help but be tempted to LEAP AT THAT CRACK, but nah, I waited until the "official" opening of that front door.

anyways, Crackers and Cheese only do so much for soothing my savage beast. I needed my computer /fiend

I go in and my eyes nearly fell out of my head.

The price tag beat every single other store I went to the night before by 50$

sweet moses, I'll take it!

I apprehend a sales person and in my mind it was something like "YOU! FETCH!" but it came out more like "Can you get me one of those?"

he checked and they had 2 left in stock *Choir goes here*

He took it up to the front and I think I became his best friend for about 20 seconds.

Then some other guy rings it up for me and it's 200$ more than the tag said

X.X

"uhh.. 899? pretty sure it said 699, should ring up at 749 with a 50$ rebate right?"

"I'll go check"

turns out this guy was the manager of the place.

"That sale ended last night"

ok James, breathe easy, stay calm, do not decapitate the nice sales man

"so... I tried to get it last night at the Renton store and they were out of stock, and fry's, and Target, and Office Depot, and Best Buy...."

*puppy dog face*

"oh it's ok, we can give it to you for the price on the label since we left it up there, it should have been taken down last night but it wasn't"

*More Choir goes here*

*ZOOM* Yeah I felt good. I got my a HP DV9720 for 699

This thing has a fucking webcam built in to it's 17 inch monitor. Jesus Christ, Myspace, you are so unfortunate.

I apologize in advance for the cam-whoring that may ensue on my lonely nights ahead.

/flex

today was a good day.
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Old 02-27-2008, 04:21 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Awesome story Shauk - I've abused my dv1000 for over a year and I've been nothing but satisfied with it.

Quote:
This thing has a fucking webcam built in to it's 17 inch monitor. Jesus Christ, Myspace, you are so unfortunate.
Hilarious.
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