Me buying laptop, me need help! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

highthief · 08-26-2005, 07:20 AM

The world of laptops mystifies me, and sales people are all untrustworthy bastards (I used to be one, I know).

Basically, I don't play games on my computers - I need it for school - at 37 I am returning to finally complete my BA, and will do writing and research on it. I doubt I'll even surf the net except for pure research.

I would want a CD player and a DVD player as that will prove useful with the kid on long car rides but I think that's it for extras.

What sort of power do I need? Memory? Those little doohickies you stick on the back of your machine to transfer data? Etc. can I get extra battery power/life? And of course, we've got a budget to consider here too.

Any thoughts on this from qualified personnel (even sales people!) would be appreciated.

shakran · 08-26-2005, 07:31 AM

extra battery is always good to spring for. Spring for ram before you spring for faster processors. Spring for HD before you worry about the greatest video card (you don't need the greatest if you're not gonna game on it).

I like compaq, which I know is not popular. But I've had 4 of them, they've all been reliable, and you get more for the dollar through them.

Spring for an upgraded screen as well - but not the highest res- get the one that's one below the highest. Go too high in resolution and things get too small, and cause eyestrain.

08-26-2005, 07:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	Me buying laptop, me need help! The world of laptops mystifies me, and sales people are all untrustworthy bastards (I used to be one, I know). Basically, I don't play games on my computers - I need it for school - at 37 I am returning to finally complete my BA, and will do writing and research on it. I doubt I'll even surf the net except for pure research. I would want a CD player and a DVD player as that will prove useful with the kid on long car rides but I think that's it for extras. What sort of power do I need? Memory? Those little doohickies you stick on the back of your machine to transfer data? Etc. can I get extra battery power/life? And of course, we've got a budget to consider here too. Any thoughts on this from qualified personnel (even sales people!) would be appreciated. __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

08-26-2005, 07:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	extra battery is always good to spring for. Spring for ram before you spring for faster processors. Spring for HD before you worry about the greatest video card (you don't need the greatest if you're not gonna game on it). I like compaq, which I know is not popular. But I've had 4 of them, they've all been reliable, and you get more for the dollar through them. Spring for an upgraded screen as well - but not the highest res- get the one that's one below the highest. Go too high in resolution and things get too small, and cause eyestrain.