Research overload. Can i get a hand purchasing anew computer

by a9ftNinja Oct 19, 2012 7:07AM PDT

Hi guys,

Im staring college in January and want to buy the perfect computer. Finding that computer has proved to be one gigantic challenge. Researching and looking and finding is leaving me stressed and ready to buy anything just to be done with it!

Can you help? What i want i something that wil last, run the occasional graphics intensive video game and most of all, have a decent price tag.

I would prefer a laptop but could live with a desktop. what i know that i want is at least 17in screen, at least 12 gigs of ram and either the ew nvidia 680m or the amd 7970m graphics processor. (or equivelant/cheaper) Intel i7 quad core would be a preference aswell. EVERYTHING else, can be anything. the problem im having, is finding anyone that builds these for a decent price. ive found less than what im askig for for around $3000 easy, while very very similar and some better parts havig half the price.

This is all very confusing for me, i dont know much about computers and having spent days looking and trying to find i hope im in the position of asking for help without feeling like im asking people to do th work for me.

so, im looking to spend 1500ish dollars, a little more is ok.

please help me save some sanity for when i have kids, lol.

Discussion is locked

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Dead on arrival.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 19, 2012 7:19AM PDT

The number of folks that regret the 17 inch display is "too many."

And why 12GB RAM? Even my buddy plays great games on 4GB so 8GB is fine.

-> The bigger issue is that gamers tend to burn up laptops in 2 years. That is, the laptop needs repairs about then so my advice is to scale it back to a normal 15 inch and save yourself.
Bob

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thanks for the reply

by a9ftNinja Oct 19, 2012 9:24AM PDT

the reason for 12 is thatll be quite a while before i would need more. 16 or 32 would be great but havnt seen much with that for around 1500.

youre statement about the 17in display, is that just cause its so large? im a pretty big guy. im 6'5" and i hear that men hit their last growth spurtat 21 so, im not done growing yet Oo

check this laptop out. 16g ram, nvidia 670m(3gig), 3rd gen intel i7. i would consider getting this one, but being that this is the ONLY computer ive found with this much meat for so little money.. it seems like suicide.(http://computers.toptenreviews.com/gaming-laptops/asustek-computer-inc/asus-g74sx-review.html)

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Not only because of size but STRESS.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 19, 2012 9:57AM PDT

The biggest laptops also fail sooner with students that open and close then many times a day and lug then countless miles.

Let me be honest here. Why should I talk you out of this? It's good for the PC economy?
Bob

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What's the problem with 17" screens

by jrs514 Oct 20, 2012 3:42AM PDT

I'll be replacing my desktop sometime soon and might get a laptop for portability reasons. Haven't made a firm decision yet. I definitely would like a larger screen, but I'm not a gamer (I'm a "Boomer" and it's a matter of eyesight, lol). Anyway is there an issue with larger screens? Is it related to Video games? Are larger monitors for desktops okay?

roy

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I answered that above but

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 20, 2012 3:46AM PDT

I guess I did a poor job. While it's nice to have, for students the bigger laptops fail sooner with cracks in hinges, more drops and don't last as long as a smaller laptop.

My advice is go right ahead with YOUR CHOICE now that you know to plan for replacement after a year or 2. It's a shame to see folk intent on learning this first hand.
Bob

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Opinion

by Bob__B Oct 20, 2012 12:53AM PDT

If your planning on gaming DON'T go with a laptop.

For 1500 bucks you can get a very nice desktop with a 20+ inch screen.

Upgradable to a point and with a little care will be fuss free for years.

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thanks bob b

by a9ftNinja Oct 20, 2012 6:19AM PDT

bob p

dont take it so personal man, i took your advice and have beenlooking at all. that laptop i linked, was one i found a good week or so ago andmay be the only laptop i would consider buying. just wanted your opinion on the price/strength and why its the OOONly thing out there of its kind.

i personally want a desktop im justafraid of space. im doing school online so its also a comfort thing aswell. cant throw my desktop on the bed and grind away lol. however, i wish i had one of those 7 thousand in tv's so i could.

my niece stolemy space bar, btw. lol

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wait a second what about...

by a9ftNinja Oct 20, 2012 6:25AM PDT

(sorry bob r I used bob p)

what if, my fiance and i put in for one reallynice computer and maybe a nice tv or two? could two people work on one system at the same time?

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Back in the day, decades ago. Yes.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 20, 2012 6:51AM PDT

Today I have a nice powerful laptop and for the big screen I plug in a monitor.

I didn't over-analyze it and am doing fine.
Bob

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nooo i mean

by a9ftNinja Oct 20, 2012 7:05AM PDT

two people, one computer, at thesame time. like not sharing a mouse but havingindividual mice and keyboards. i found windows multipoint server 2011 but im not exactly looking to spend a thousand bucks extra when all she wants is a basic computer.

itd still be awesome though

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Keep in mind I've been around since the GE 210.

by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 20, 2012 11:31AM PDT

And through so much and Windows Terminal server and more.

Only those that did all this would NEVER try to put 2 folk on one PC. A cheap laptop would be best. Just last week I snagged a rather nice Samsung rv515 for 345. It is to replace my travel laptop.
Bob

Research overload. Can i get a hand purchasing anew computer

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