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General discussion

Need help choosing a laptop.

Jun 10, 2007 5:07AM PDT

After about 5 months of looking into different brands (I've been saving up that whole time) I need help choosing. I've got it down to about 4 different ones. I like to game some, would like good battery life for DVD's, games etc, and a nice display, as I'm selling my desktop to my little brother. No biggie there. I will travel with it every once an awhile, and around my house. Here they are.

Apple MacBook Pro 15", 2.2Ghz, with 160gb HD low end one (should I go with the glossy screen)
Apple Macbook 2.16Ghz, white one with 120gb HD or black one with 160gb HD.
HP dv6500t with 2.0Ghz, 2gb of RAM, 383MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, 160GB HD, and a 12 cell battery.
HP dv9500t with 2.0Ghz, 2gb of RAM, 383MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS, 240GB dual 120gb HD, and High Capicity 8 cell battery.

Let me know what you think. Weight is not a concern for me.

treemen

Discussion is locked

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Since the "gamiing" is mentioned, the macbook is out.
Jun 10, 2007 5:21AM PDT

The GMA video doesn't play battlefield and other games so that's out.

The last item is a dual hard disk setup which means a "desktop replacement." I don't expect this to travel well.

Bob

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Ok
Jun 10, 2007 5:33AM PDT

First, what is the GMA?????
Then, I can also get a 7200RPM single drive, which would probaly be better.

treemen

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GMA is the video display chipset.
Jun 10, 2007 5:45AM PDT

As to 7200 RPM that's usually sought by "heavy"? gamers. The 5400 RPM is a nice compromise to keep the laptop heat down, battery life and runtime higher.

If it's going to sit on a desk with a nice cooling pad the last model might be a possible gamer's laptop. The mac wins on other points.

Bob

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down to two
Jun 11, 2007 9:10AM PDT

Well, I went to our local Apple reseller (We don't have an apple store down here) and checked out a few of the computers. I liked the new MacBook Pros, but also liked the black Macbook. Now, I think this one might work for now, since I'm not in college yet (4 years away). I'm still looking at the MBP though, as I like the new display and chip.

treemen

ps: Anyone know if you buy a new Mac, will they give you a free upgrade to the new Leopard??? Thanks

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If you buy the laptop within a certain
Jun 11, 2007 10:27AM PDT

time of the Leopard being released, you will either receive:
A Free copy of Leopard
or
A greatly reduced price for Leopard (Usually around $15)

And before you ask, I don't know the actual time qualifying period

P

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Awesome
Jun 11, 2007 11:59AM PDT

Thats what the guy over at the store said. I was just wondering if its different anywhere else. Now, I would like to know where to buy. If I buy online, I know theres no tax, but where to buy online. Amazon, Apple??? And what are the advantages of buying instore. Thanks

treemen

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Where to buy
Jun 12, 2007 12:00AM PDT

Unless you visit the Apple Outlet store for older equipment, you will only be offered the latest stuff when you shop at the Apple store. The Apple Store will charge you sales tax unless you live in an exempt State.
Amazon and other mail order places (MacMall, CDW, etc) will not always charge sales tax but again, it depends on what State you live in. Some States require that ALL on-line vendors collect sales tax for them.

Computers offered at these places are usually not a bad deal. Some have "Free" RAM, printers and other stuff but the computer itself is not necessarily the latest model. Apple is the only reseller who knows when new stuff is coming in and therefore can clear out old equipment ahead of time. The other stores find out about new stuff at the same time as you do. They still have older equipment in the supply chain which has to be sold off first. Hence the "lower prices" on equipment that, at first glance, seems to be the same as the equipment in the Apple Store.

P

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So, what you're saying is....
Jun 12, 2007 3:04AM PDT

That even if I buy online, I'll still get charged sales tax????? If so, then I might just go buy from an Apple Store directly, as we take a trip up to a mall that has one in July or August. Thanks for the info.

treemen

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Leopard; video RAM.
Jun 22, 2007 3:48PM PDT

You will get a free (you might pay shipping) upgrade to Leopard if it comes out within 2 or 3 weeks after you buy the computer. Otherwise you probably pay full price. Leopard is rumored to come out in September, but has been delayed several times. You will save some $ if you buy software maintenance before Leopard comes out. And you may even qualify for the NEXT OS upgrade after Leopard for free.

MacBook has crappy Intel GMA graphics with zero video ram (it uses shared system ram). It will not play games well, if at all. The 2.2GHz 15" MacBook Pro has 128MB of video ram, and the 2.4GHz 15" MBP has 256MB of video ram, same as 17" MBP. Yeah, that stinks.

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Leopard
Jun 22, 2007 11:06PM PDT

Leopard is due out in October and has been delayed once.

As a matter of interest, where does one purchase this Software maintenance thing?

P

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apple maintenance program
Jun 23, 2007 6:30AM PDT

Hrm, this is targeted at volume purchasers. A family pack may would probably be a better deal for anyone with a few macs. Mac OS X maintenance starts with 10 seats. Software like final cut starts with 5 seats. Maintenance lasts 3 years. If you're lucky, that could be two major releases.
Search for AMP or Apple Maintenance Program.

MacOS:
http://tinyurl.com/298fsc

complete list:
http://tinyurl.com/2hlm75

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OK,
Jun 23, 2007 9:17AM PDT

not really a viable option for the average home user.

BTW, those links you supplied are no good. They point to your timed out session at Apple.

P