- Aug 2, 2012
- 2
- 0
- 10,510
Hello. I am new to this site, and relatively new to computer hardware and software (some experience with hardware (mostly RAM and hard drives...), a bit more with software).
Basically, I am looking for a non-gaming laptop that I can use for games if needed, but I don't know what to get.
I currently have a Toshiba Satellite L500D-00T that is almost three years old, and it is starting to get pretty slow... I did a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate after my hard drive quit last fall (I also upgraded the hard drive from the included 250 GB drive to a new 320 GB drive when I did this, and now has 126.5GB currently used). It is running fine for now, but it isn't that great. Original specs are here. The only changes are the hard drive and the OS.
A few of my friends have suggested getting an Alienware laptop, which I will probably do eventually, but I would have to save for a long time to do that (just finished customizing one, and it will cost about $4200 total, or $115/month...)
Any help with this is appreciated, as I don't know alot about the insides of a computer.
I also noticed these questions in another thread, so I'll put my own answers to them here to give more information:
1. What is your budget?
Once I start my new job, probably around $1000-1500 (maybe slightly higher, depending on the amount of hours I get)
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
I currently have a laptop that has an approximately 39cm (15.4 inch) screen, so something around that.
3. What screen resolution do you want?
As good as possible with my budget. HD is preferred, but not needed.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Doesn't really matter, but portable is preferred.
5. How much battery life do you need?
If possible, at least 3-4 hours would be great, but 2-3 should be fine.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Mainly Minecraft, with the best possible settings, and games like Cave Story, Braid, etc. (all other games (mainly Halo
) will be handled by my Xbox)
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
Mostly playing music, watching movies and other videos, and web browsing (when not playing Minecraft).
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
As much as possible with the budget. Preferably 500GB or more, but at least 320GB should be fine.
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
I would prefer an actual store, but if I have to buy online, I have no preference.
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
Until I can afford an Alienware laptop, so at least a couple years. After that, I may just install Ubuntu on it and use it as a secondary computer.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,BluRay ROM/Writer,Etc ?
BluRay is preferred, but just DVD is fine. Must be able to at least write DVDs
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
No preference, but I always hear good things about Dell and Toshiba (for gaming PCs/laptops, everyone always tells me to go with Alienware if I can afford it).
13. What country do you live in?
Canada.
It would also have to have a number pad, as I do alot of typing using numbers, and it is also alot easier to enter passwords with one.
Basically, I am looking for a non-gaming laptop that I can use for games if needed, but I don't know what to get.
I currently have a Toshiba Satellite L500D-00T that is almost three years old, and it is starting to get pretty slow... I did a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate after my hard drive quit last fall (I also upgraded the hard drive from the included 250 GB drive to a new 320 GB drive when I did this, and now has 126.5GB currently used). It is running fine for now, but it isn't that great. Original specs are here. The only changes are the hard drive and the OS.
A few of my friends have suggested getting an Alienware laptop, which I will probably do eventually, but I would have to save for a long time to do that (just finished customizing one, and it will cost about $4200 total, or $115/month...)
Any help with this is appreciated, as I don't know alot about the insides of a computer.
I also noticed these questions in another thread, so I'll put my own answers to them here to give more information:
1. What is your budget?
Once I start my new job, probably around $1000-1500 (maybe slightly higher, depending on the amount of hours I get)
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
I currently have a laptop that has an approximately 39cm (15.4 inch) screen, so something around that.
3. What screen resolution do you want?
As good as possible with my budget. HD is preferred, but not needed.
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Doesn't really matter, but portable is preferred.
5. How much battery life do you need?
If possible, at least 3-4 hours would be great, but 2-3 should be fine.
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Mainly Minecraft, with the best possible settings, and games like Cave Story, Braid, etc. (all other games (mainly Halo
) will be handled by my Xbox)7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
Mostly playing music, watching movies and other videos, and web browsing (when not playing Minecraft).
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
As much as possible with the budget. Preferably 500GB or more, but at least 320GB should be fine.
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
I would prefer an actual store, but if I have to buy online, I have no preference.
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
Until I can afford an Alienware laptop, so at least a couple years. After that, I may just install Ubuntu on it and use it as a secondary computer.
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,BluRay ROM/Writer,Etc ?
BluRay is preferred, but just DVD is fine. Must be able to at least write DVDs
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
No preference, but I always hear good things about Dell and Toshiba (for gaming PCs/laptops, everyone always tells me to go with Alienware if I can afford it).
13. What country do you live in?
Canada.
It would also have to have a number pad, as I do alot of typing using numbers, and it is also alot easier to enter passwords with one.
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