Laptop for DVD Playback - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

powerclown · 02-06-2004, 08:36 PM

What is the most important thing needed for DVD playback on a laptop? Vid card, processor type/speed, RAM, DVD drive speed, HD speed?? Anything else to consider?

Im shopping for such a laptop (13 - 15" screen), but do I need to spend $1500 - $2000!!?? Its not for gaming, or graphic apps, or anything else high-end, I just want it to play DVDs well. (Already looked at the dedicated portable DVD players, ruled out).

Can anyone suggest a good XP laptop buy for this purpose, say $750 - $1000 range.

Thank you..

oberon · 02-06-2004, 10:39 PM

Why did you rule out dedicated portable dvd players?

powerclown · 02-07-2004, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Why did you rule out dedicated portable dvd players?

I could be wrong, but the screens are only something like 8 or 9 inches; plus I have a digital camera that I'd want to download images onto, as well as use Word to transport documents. And browse the web occasionally.

sailor · 02-07-2004, 09:34 AM

The most important thing for a laptop that you are going to play dvds on is battery life. The HDD is irrelevant, it doesnt take *that* much CPU, and same for the RAM. The problem is that spinning the DVD sucks down the battery. On my IBM t40 centrino, I can watch one movie (about 2.5-3 hours) on one battery. You may want to look into a car charger for the laptop.

I dont want to give numbers for the laptop, but anything recent should play them fine.

powerclown · 02-07-2004, 02:58 PM

Thanks alot, sailor...

Conversely, Is there any feature I *shouldn't* bother paying extra for?

02-06-2004, 08:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	Laptop for DVD Playback What is the most important thing needed for DVD playback on a laptop? Vid card, processor type/speed, RAM, DVD drive speed, HD speed?? Anything else to consider? Im shopping for such a laptop (13 - 15" screen), but do I need to spend $1500 - $2000!!?? Its not for gaming, or graphic apps, or anything else high-end, I just want it to play DVDs well. (Already looked at the dedicated portable DVD players, ruled out). Can anyone suggest a good XP laptop buy for this purpose, say $750 - $1000 range. Thank you..

02-06-2004, 10:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
oberon Quadrature Amplitude Modulator Location: Denver	Why did you rule out dedicated portable dvd players? __________________ "There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught." -- Irish proverb

02-07-2004, 09:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	The most important thing for a laptop that you are going to play dvds on is battery life. The HDD is irrelevant, it doesnt take that much CPU, and same for the RAM. The problem is that spinning the DVD sucks down the battery. On my IBM t40 centrino, I can watch one movie (about 2.5-3 hours) on one battery. You may want to look into a car charger for the laptop. I dont want to give numbers for the laptop, but anything recent should play them fine. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

02-07-2004, 02:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	Thanks alot, sailor... Conversely, Is there any feature I shouldn't bother paying extra for?