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Resolved Question

Help picking a new / first laptop

by Dec 16, 2012 2:08PM PST

I'm looking into getting a new laptop which will also be my first. I'll be useing this to watch the occasional DVD, browse the Internet, and play games. I have a spending limit of no more than $700. I have no clue what to get or where to start. One of the games I'm looking at requires some kind of a game graphics card? Said the absolute minimum to have was a GeForce GT330 or a ATI Radeon HD 6720G2 graphics card or better (min 256 MB VRAM)?? Idk what that means but I'd like to have something better than that since its only the minimum. Also requires Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows xp32. Intel core duo e43000 1.8 ghz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core 4000+ or equivalent 2ghz processor, 2 GB RAM, 2 GB free hard drive space, Soundcard, DVD-ROM Drive. I have no clue where to start or what to look for. I just want something with a 15" plus screen, excellent game graphics card thing, and for $700 or under.

Discussion is locked

AWC2003 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
12 Posts
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Best Answer

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Good specs but given it's a big world.
by Forum moderator Dec 16, 2012 2:35PM PST
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I don't understand what you mean?
by AWC2003 Dec 16, 2012 11:07PM PST

Huh???

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What I mean it's a big world.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 16, 2012 11:35PM PST

Posting in a forum without telling what country you are shopping in should not get you many answers. What I can buy in Vancouver or San Francisco may not be in Rio.

I supplied a link and noted I updated it with the editor choice so you can see if that helps you start your search.

Bob

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I gotcha
by AWC2003 Dec 17, 2012 3:56AM PST

I will be buying in the United States, kentucky. I looked at the link and those laptops are all to expensive. Thinking about the dell Inspiron 17R 5720?? I can get it for $700.

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We have a few Inspirons at the office.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 17, 2012 4:21AM PST

Great value, a little bendy so not a good choice for students. The LCD is "acceptable" so be sure you can live with it.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Dell-Inspiron-17R-5720.82887.0.html shows it was an "editor's choice." Which is nice to see.

Again, my only concern is the owner. If it's a student the daily travel seems to wear down a 17 inch fast.
Bob

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What do you mean a "little bendy"
by AWC2003 Dec 17, 2012 4:31AM PST

No I'm not a student or anything. For the most part it'll stay around the house and be used for iTunes, DVDs, games, and Internet browsing.

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Go to the store and try it.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 17, 2012 4:34AM PST

The lid with the LCD and the entire machine isn't that stiff. It's not a problem for folk that park it on a desk but for students the bendiness does not help longevity.
Bob

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How would it be for games?
by AWC2003 Dec 17, 2012 4:38AM PST

Game I'm looking at says I need at least a intel core 2 duo E4300 1.8 ghz and atleast a nvidia GeForce gt330 both are absolute minimums that I would need so how would this laptop do for games?

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I thought it bet both of those specs?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 17, 2012 4:41AM PST

I read a newer gt630 and a faster CPU. But gamers are never happy. My personal view is gamers are best left on desktop machines for the simple reasons we can pop very powerful video cards in and be leading edge for a lot less than a laptop.
Bob

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It beats them both
by AWC2003 Dec 17, 2012 5:07AM PST

It does have better than what the minimum recommendation is but minimum to me means minimum you know? I don't wanna just squeak by if you know what I mean I wanna not have any lag or problems. I'm not gonna be a "hardcore" gammer or anything but what games I play I wanna enjoy. The dell has a 630 gpu idk how much better that is than a 330 that is recommended.

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But you can research that question.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Dec 17, 2012 5:15AM PST

If I want to compare 2 laptop GPUs and can't find benchmarks on the laptop I'm looking at I type in this.

notebookcheck gt330m
(same) gt630m

Then I try same but with tomshardware on google.
Bob

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Good deal
by AWC2003 Dec 17, 2012 5:25AM PST

Thanks for all your help! I appreciate it!!

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