New Laptops?

Professor_Baassiri

Hi,

My dv6 Pavillion HP has been with me for 2 years now. It's starting to get fritzy and take too long to process things ( e.g detecting my USB takes like 1 minute ). It's almost new year, and I'm in the market for a new laptop.

At first, I thought of Apple. But then I remembered how incompatible games are. I can do without games like Battlefield and MWF, but not without my MMO's, and practically 75% of MMO game markets do not support MAC OS/X. Those that do are not without subscription, and I'm too busy in A.U.B to build a new reputation on another MMO anyway.

Does anyone here have any idea on what I should buy?

I'm computer illiterate. I understand specifications because they are the theoretical characteristics of a laptop. But when you get right down to the actual performance and how everything from OS to utilities mesh, I just won't understand your arguments.

I've gone to websites such as http://www.laptopmag.com/mobile-life/best-brands-overall-verdict-2011.aspx to see what the best brands were. But even the people who were commenting on the website's verdict believed the website to be biased, based on wrong statistics, or even just plain wrong. I've gone to microcity's website and looked at this list: http://www.microcityweb.com/laptops.asp . But I can't find a solid state hard drive in any laptop they offer.

Solid state drive is important to me as my laptops tend to get moved ALOT.

Provide specifications and brand please. Below is the 64-bit version of my current dxdiag run:

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 12/3/2011, 01:19:18

-Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)

-Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

-System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard

-System Model: HP Pavilion dv6 Notebook PC

-BIOS: Default System BIOS

-Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.3GHz

-Memory: 6144MB RAM

-Available OS Memory: 5942MB RAM

-Page File: 2522MB used, 9359MB available

-DirectX Version: DirectX 11

-DX Setup Parameters: Not found

-User DPI Setting: Using System DPI

-System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)

-DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled

-DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Oh, laptop uses are: 70% speed + RAMS 30 % games + graphics (mostly MMOS)

Price budget: Well, 1400$ total.

I've been thinking Lenovo, but I'm just not sure how long it would last before going fritzy like my HP is right now.

And if you have a sweet deal, I'll be more than happy to meet you and negotiate. You guys are the experts. I fail at CMPS 209.

Thanks alot.

Omar A. Baassiri

MrClass

Get a Macbook Pro. You can run Windows on it. The most sturdy and reliable laptop I have ever used. Aluminum chasis, great performance, but a bit harsh on the cost side. If you want an ssd, expect to shell an additional 300$.

ranibalaa

MrClass wroteGet a Macbook Pro. You can run Windows on it. The most sturdy and reliable laptop I have ever used. Aluminum chasis, great performance, but a bit harsh on the cost side. If you want an ssd, expect to shell an additional 300$.

Just going to say that. In my opinion, Macbook's have a better lifespan anyway. My current Macbook Pro is 3 years old and still going strong.

peekaie

Thinkpad T series, they last decades

Beej

@ Professor_Baassiri: can you find me the type of gpu inside your laptop?

If you dont know how, follow these steps: Start->type dxdiag (if prompt click yes or ok) -> display

Should be nvidia gt xxx somthing.

Professor_Baassiri

@ Beej

Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics (Core i5)
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_144A103C&REV_02
Display Memory: 1696 MB
Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
Shared Memory: 1632 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD02AC
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (59.636Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: igdumd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igdumdx32,igd10umd32
Driver File Version: 8.15.0010.2189 (English)
Driver Version: 8.771.1.0
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/28/2010 17:10:34, 6547968 bytes

Hope this is it.

@ Mr.Class

But wouldn't getting windows, by logic, mean splitting hard drive performance and storage space two ways? Unless you mean one operating system "dies" while the other is "alive"; thus, each OS uses all system specifications fully. Because if that isn't the case, I'd have to throw in an extra 200$ on top of the 300$ SSD for RAMS just to maintain the same performance on one OS boot. This is still not considering the cost of purchasing an additional Windows OS. Unless some MACs come with dual boot?

Tarek

for a gaming laptop nothing beats an ALIENWARE.
check it out : http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m18x/pd.aspx#TechSpec and it is still cheaper than a MAC.

ibxoful

Tarek wrotefor a gaming laptop nothing beats an ALIENWARE.
check it out : http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m18x/pd.aspx#TechSpec and it is still cheaper than a MAC.

actually that costs 400 $ extra then a core i5 macbook pro

Raficoo

ibxoful wrote
Tarek wrotefor a gaming laptop nothing beats an ALIENWARE.
check it out : http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m18x/pd.aspx#TechSpec and it is still cheaper than a MAC.
actually that costs 400 $ extra then a core i5 macbook pro

I think he meant it would be generally cheaper given you are comparing their prices for the same specs

Tarek

don't forget this is an 18 inch laptop ... it is a true gaming laptop ..Dell are extremely underrated in lebanon .

yasamoka

You want a gaming laptop, go for ASUS gaming laptops. Fantastic cooling, fantastic performance, they compete right up there with the top contenders...I'm talking about Sager, MSI, and somewhat Alienware (Overpriced!).

monkey-d-luffy

Go for either an Alien Ware or an Asus
But by all means stay away from Acer/Toshiba/HP

Raficoo

Monkey D. Luffy wroteGo for either an Alien Ware or an Asus
But by all means stay away from Acer/Toshiba/HP

Asus is good.
Alienware = overrated+overpriced
HP =best price/performance ratio(which I guess is why I see plenty of Lebanese use them(including myself): I have the old dv5(A.K.A "Oven") since Oct 2008 and it's still working well, but I agree the quality isn't quite the best
Toshiba = a bit pricier than HP but better quality.
Apple = good but overpriced
dell = don't know.. never seen a single one in Lebanon lol
Sony = good quality, not sure about the price though..

Leonedes

@Raficoo

Alienware = Dell.

MrClass

You can either Dual boot, or run Windows virtually.In both cases you need some storage capacity. Get 4GB of RAM and you'll be fine. Anyway you can still go with a regular HDD. Macbooks and Macbook Pros have a accelerometer integrated. Whenever they detect movement, the hdd lowers its RPM drastically to avoid damage to the disk plates. Once the laptop is stable, the HDD starts spinning again. This whole process happens without you noticing it. At work I have a white Macbook; I usually move alot between my office and the library. Sometimes I keep the laptop open, leave my office, move around then reach my destination. I hear the HDD ticking and stop moving once I make a sudden move. How about the ultimate test? I once left a Macbook on some wooden blocks (around 1 meter above ground level). A person leaned towards the blocks and the laptop fell on the right top edge with the OS running. First, no physical damage occured. No damage to the plastic chasis, no broken hinges, nothing damaged. Second, laptop went into sleep mode during free fall. I picked up the laptop and turned it on; laptop woke up and I resumed my work.

If you get a Macbook Pro, you will have even a sturdier laptop. My HP Pavilion 5 laptop suffered a similar free fall situation when I was in university. My laptop was ticked off a bench and fell to the floor. The outer plastic was damaged, 1 week later the hinge broke loose.

I am saving for a Macbook Pro and honestly I wouldn't be satisfied with anything else; no HP, no Sony, no Toshiba, no Dell.

You tell me that Apple Macs are more expensive; true but you'll get a bang for your buck.

cmwic

go with asus gaming laptops they are the best.

Tarek

Alienware even loooks awesome ! they can even engrave your gaming avatar or name or whatever you want on your laptop ..

basharg

Check out this website ,pretty good information :)
http://www.hardware-revolution.com/best-mainstream-laptop-notebook-november-2011/

please recognize that these prices are based on amazon and newegg prices in the US ,so you might have to adjust :P