Laptop recommendations.

[Zephyr]

First of all, I'll like to thank anyone for their time in reading this.

Well, I'm looking for a laptop with a decent graphic card. I was looking through websites and I need help looking for a graphic card. I don't know if I need a geforce go 7300, 7400, or a 7600. The only games I play at the moment is counterstrike 1.6 and Last Chaos. I'm looking for a laptop with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, any amount of ram (I can add my own ram in there), and a decent amount of battery life.

I also need help looking for laptop brands. I was considering Dell, but I've heard mixed responses about them, and now I'm looking at a Sony but they're expensive.

For my notebook cooler, I was considering the ZALMAN Ultra Quiet Notebook Cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834998051

Any thoughts are welcomed.

 

[fawfamiy]

As a frugal guy that wants good stuff, I spend a lot of time searching for the best deals. When it comes to laptops, I am on my third Gateway. Sure excellent quality and tech support is a factor, but the price keeps me comming back. For at least $600-900 CHEAPER feature for feature, high end laptops at Gateway are the best over all deals I can find,
Example on a Gamer Laptop;
Intel core duo 2.1hz, 7900gs 256mb video, 2 gigs sys mem, 100MB 7200 HD, 3 years at home warranty
Gateway $2100-2300
Dell $2800-3300
See for yourself at each site. BUT Dells do look better, but under the hood they are basicaly the same.
HAPPY HUNTING

 

[dortmund371]

gateways are not as good as Dells. cheack out toshiba they are very good build but can be pricy

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?seg=HHO&poid=365657

only downside no sli
remember the go series are not as power full as their desctop versions exampl a 7600GT go equals a 7600 Gs Go

pm me if you have anymore questions

get a desktop they are a better bang for your buck gaming lapops can get very very hot dont ever put one on your lap.

 

[fawfamiy]

In regards to the Toshiba Satellite P100-S9772 @ 3,125.13 with tax & shipping, let us compare apples to apples to all that matters "Hardware". We will assume that software is the same, even though I believe Gateways come with more included software. We will also look at a Dell XPS. All prices were taken directly from the respective web sites.

Gateway NX860XL (as I got mine)
CPU 2.16GHz, 667MHz, 4MB L2
2048MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
100GB 7200rpm Serial ATA HDrive
17.1" WUXGA TFT Active Matrix (1920x 1200)
nVidia 7900 GS 256MB Graphics Card (for Sonic-C)
8x Multi-Format Double Layer DVD
Warranty Total Protection
4yr Parts/Labor/Onsite

TOSHIBA -P100-S9772----- $ value difference
CPU (2.0 GHz)-----Minus 170.00
Mem 2048MB-----SAME memory
160 GB 5400rpm HD-----About equal value, I rather have speed
Widescreen SXGA
1680x1050 -----Minus 25.00
nVidia 7900 GTX
512MB Graphics-----Plus 300.00
8x Multi-Format Double Layer DVD ------SAME
1-Yr basic-----Minus 325.00

DELL, XPS-M1710 (Configured same as my Gateway)
CPU 2.16GHz, 667MHz, 4MB L2
2048MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
100GB 7200rpm Serial ATA HD
17." UXGA TFT (1920x 1200)
nVidia 7900 GS 256MB
Graphics Card –Can Upgrade to 7950GTX for $400
8x Multi-Format Double Layer DVD
Warranty Total Protection
4yr Parts/Labor/Onsite

BOTTOM LINE PRICE-------------$$$$$$$$$$$$
Gateway Base Price---------------------$2,451.81
Toshiba P100-S9772--------------------$3,125.13
Toshiba after Apple to Apple Price--$3,345.13
Dell Apple to Apple Price---------------$3,270.22
Net price difference Toshiba------------$ 893.32
Net price difference Dell-----------------$ 818.41

Sure, I wish Gateway offered a higher end video card, but the 7900 GS is still pretty good, AND once you take all the factors into consideration, the better video is not worth the $8-900 price difference or even $6-700 if you do not want the extended warranty (Crazy to anything less than a 2 year full warranty on a laptop, I can fix my Desktop, but not a laptop)

To me, the bottom line is you are going to pay around $800 more for a cool looking Dell or $900 more for a Toshiba with a better video card. So if a better video card means that much to you to pay the extra BIG BUCKS, go ahead, but there was no way I was going to pay $1,200 more for a Dell or the $900 more for the Toshiba, JUST for the better video card.

PS: I have owned four Gateways and one e-Machine and used Tech Support and Customer Service at least a dozen times over four years. Of course some times have been better than others, but overall I'd give Gateway Tech Support a B+. ALSO, because I am a returning customer, I dealt directly with Gateway via phone and a very nice Sales Agent named Tyson made my great deal even better (THANKS) Happy Hunting--Dave