Nightingale 0 #1 June 7, 2004 I'm thinking toshiba. I'm open to suggestions, though. I don't want a dell...don't like their keyboards. I tried out toshiba, dell, and HP at best buy, and liked the toshibas, best. What I need: 512 meg of ram good quality graphics/video card (nvidia or radeon, I think) lots of hard drive space (60 gig or so) good quality, fast processor wireless internet capable lightweight able to plug in an external mouse (I hate trackpads!) I'm going to be using it for MS Office (word, powerpoint, excel, mostly) and gaming (Everquest and Diablo II, probably). I'm figuring that many of you know more than I do about stuff like this. I've got about $2000.00 to spend. so... this is what I'm thinking of: Toshiba Tecra M2 (customized) Intel Pentium M Processor 1.70 GHz 512 MB PC2700 DDR333 SDRAM (256 MB x 2) 14.1" XGA display (1024x768) 60 GB HDD (5400 RPM) DVD/CD-RW Intel Wireless LAN (802.11g) NVIDIA Graphics w/64MB, Gigabit Ethernet, Firewire port, bluetooth Weight: 4.76 lbs with battery PCABS/Magnesium Alloy case $2100.00 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #2 June 7, 2004 lol - I'm doing the same thing! I'm buying a laptop for the school semester and have been doing a TON of research. The one I decided on was: Dell Inspiron 8600 Lots of cool features, and a DVD+R The Compaq Preseario X1000 is really good too though... decisions, decisions, decisions.... Edit to add: For what your listing in the toshiba, the price seems a bit high, unless your getting like a 3 year warranty. JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #3 June 7, 2004 I don't like the dell keyboards... they just feel wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #4 June 7, 2004 I betcha James has some based on his line of work. If I was in the market I would ask him myself. What does James have to say Hmmmmnnn? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #5 June 7, 2004 he's been asked, of course! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mailin 0 #6 June 7, 2004 Oh ya, Kris... forgot to add... Some really great reviews and pricing guidelines here: http://reviews.cnet.com/4521-6527_7-5021302-1.html?tag=dir.tp Not sure if you're looking at the laptop as a replacement for your desktop or not, cause thats what I'm looking to do. Good Luck! Lemme know which you get, and how you like it. I'll be looking to get one at the end of August. JenArianna Frances Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #7 June 7, 2004 A laptop is a great for law school. i'd obviously recommend against having games on it. It's hard enough avoiding a game of free cell. I susupect you'll be taking notes and writing papers on it in a couple of months. Get a keyboard you are comfortable with. Also, you may wish to avoid getting one of those with a huge screen, since table resources may be lacking, and you don't want to impinge on others' space. You may also need something small enough so that you can store books. If you can get a package with Microsoft Office on it, then go for it. Itherwise, you may want to wait until you start school and get the student package. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #8 June 7, 2004 Toshiba makes pretty good laptops. I have recomended both toshiba and dell to people that I know who are getting them. I personally have an IBM but I don't know if my next laptop will be one because they lack the 3d Card support. I am very picky about keyboards on laptops and for that reason I would never personally buy a dell (just like you said) Toshiba are pretty good though.~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #9 June 7, 2004 I already own microsoft office 2000 professional, so I'm all set in that respect. Chapman's law school is brand new, with tons of individual space... Lots of table space, and two students per table, so no worry there. The only games I'll be installing are Everquest and Diablo II, and neither of those would tempt me in class at all... they require 100% of my attention... not games you can play off and on, like solitaire. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #10 June 7, 2004 You may want to consider getting a cheaper, less powerful laptop and get a decent desktop for gaming. Hardware is so cheap now, you could probably do that for under $2000. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #11 June 7, 2004 well, my desktop already kicks ass, and my dad's buying the laptop for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #12 June 7, 2004 Quotewell, my desktop already kicks ass, and my dad's buying the laptop for me. Well then, if you're looking for a decent laptop to play games on, you really only have one choice. Alienware Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #13 June 7, 2004 if you havn't looked at the mac's please do so they make awsome laptops!!I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #14 June 7, 2004 I did look at Macs... however, my everquest server is PC only. so, I'm stuck with PC, because I want to keep my EQ characters where they're at. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #15 June 7, 2004 Quoteif you havn't looked at the mac's please do so they make awsome laptops!! Ouch....if you want to sell a kidney to pay for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #16 June 7, 2004 *jaw drops open* So let me get this straight.......Your a beautiful woman who plays EQ, runs her own server, and can whip the ever living hell out of most people? Wow James you lucky dog!I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #17 June 7, 2004 QuoteQuoteif you havn't looked at the mac's please do so they make awsome laptops!! Ouch....if you want to sell a kidney to pay for it. you have two of them silly.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #18 June 7, 2004 If only the same were true of livers. *sigh* Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #19 June 7, 2004 I don't run the server, its just the one I log on to! EQ has PC accessible and MAC accessible ones, and I started six years ago on a PC server, so I've got some fairly high end characters there, and they're non-transferrable to MAC servers (plus, then I wouldn't be able to play them on my desktop PC). only sony can run the EQ servers. they don't let private parties do that like you can with Diablo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fast 0 #20 June 7, 2004 Quote only sony can run the EQ servers. they don't let private parties do that like you can with Diablo. or so they say~D Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. Swooping is taking one last poke at the bear before escaping it's cave - davelepka Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #21 June 7, 2004 hehe... half the fun of EQ, though, is partying with other players. can't do that if its a private server. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sangiro 26 #22 June 7, 2004 Kris, I just went thought this exercise last weekend. As always there's a bunch of trade-offs. Size, power, cost, screen size etc. I ended up buying this HP for a combination of three reasons. It was the only laptop I could find that was awarded an 8 or above by CNet, for which 94% of the people who bought it gave a thumbs up (that's pretty rare - check some others), and finally it was in stock! Not the smallest laptop, not the biggest either. I liked the fact that it has the Centrino chip. The specific model I bought is the ZT3280us. I needed a new "primary computer". I have 2 other laptops so it didn't have to be the most portable. Still pretty thin and slick for a desktop replacement. Very happy with it so far. Safe swoops Sangiro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #23 June 7, 2004 If you already have a good desktop, I wouldn't bother with such a high end video card. They use a lot of power and generate a lot of heat. The laptop version are of course not as bad (or as powerful) as the desktop versions, but still, you'll probably be able to get more battery life with a less powerful video card. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Unstable 9 #24 June 7, 2004 One Word: PowerBook with a PC Emulator - It'll do everything - - - ONLY BETTER!!!!! =========Shaun ========== Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #25 June 8, 2004 QuoteOuch....if you want to sell a kidney to pay for it. That's a myth. Apple's laptops are comparable to or cheaper than most PC laptops. Check it out. It's true. Oh, and unlike high-end PC laptops, they get more than 20 minutes of battery life. Now the desktops, THOSE are a lot more expensive. My advice to Kris on this was simple: If you have to get a PC laptop (which she has decided she does), get an IBM, Sony, or a Toshiba. If you get the toshiba, get an extra battery - for some reason, Toshiba has never had decent battery life. Avoid Dell at all costs - they used to make good laptops (I had one for several years) but have gone downhill lately, and since their customer service was outsourced to India, it's completely horrible - we've wasted hundreds of person-hours at my company trying to get the damn things working properly and it's just a joke.7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
