So... who knows about laptop computers? :D

[flyboy_fox]

I need to start looking at laptops for Uni. I really have no idea where to begin. So I'm turning to you guys for advice.

Here's what I'm (ideally) looking for:

- A solid amount of RAM. 2GB is good. 4GB is better.
- At least an 80GB harddrive. 150+ would be better.
- A good speed. I don't know what passes for fast these days. My desktop is 2.41GHz. Faster than that would be swell.
- A good graphics card.
- CD burner/writer.
- Decent sized screen. Doesn't have to be ginormous.
- Reasonably slim/sleek design. Black or silver or blue is nifty, but color doesn't matter so much.
- Decent battery life.
- Wireless enabled.
- Ability to effectively multitask and handle graphics at a respectable FPS.
- Time travel compliant.

If anyone could point me in the direction of something that meets at least most of those criteria, that would be great! Brand/model names are good; website links are better. I need to be able to buy it in the UK. I'm not gonna mention a budget because I want to see what's out there first.

Thanks guys!

Comments

[ronprower.livejournal.com]

If you're going to go for pre-built you can hit most of what you are looking for.

Most pre-built laptops have about 2~3GB of RAM, normally now like a 250GB+ hard drives. Most of the processors are dual cores usually at about 2GHz. Graphic cards vary most are only 64GB of memory unless you get lucky.

All now come standard with DVD/CD burner/writer drives and with built-in wireless capabilities.

If of course you want to build it yourself you can do anything you want. But most retail ones are pretty decent.

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Any particular recommendations? :)

[ronprower.livejournal.com]

If you're going pre-built then your good laptop is probably going to be from HP, yeah most will probably dis them, but they make some of the better retail stuff.

Most of the common newer HP laptops usually have a 2.0GHz dual-core Intel processors. They normally come with about 3GB of RAM and about 180GB hard drive with 15" monitor, DVD/CD-burner/writer. Also with built-in wireless with network/dial-up ports. Video cards are usually about 64GB of it sometimes intel-based or if you're lucky nVidia.

The price for the "standard" HP is about $800-900.

Anything else you want to know?

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

My first ever computer was an HP. I learned to despise them. However, my girlfriend recently was looking at their stuff and she seems to think they look pretty good these days. I dunno if I can bring myself to accept they're a good make now, but I'll certainly check them out. Thanks! :)

[ronprower.livejournal.com]

They are no where near as bad as they use to be. I know where you are coming from, but generally the ones we've had have very little problems and are built better than the retail Dells.

[teamrodent.livejournal.com]

Jaime: Time travel compliant? ^o0___Oo^ Mr. Koji is the eleventh doctor?

McGee: You're surprised, neph-chu? If anyone would have a Sonic screwdriver, t'would be he.

[flyboy-fox.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm the 12th Doctor, but I traveled back in time and got stuck here :(

[teamrodent.livejournal.com]

Jaime: Well, did K-Growly come with you?

[flyfox-prower.livejournal.com]

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- Ability to effectively multitask and handle graphics at a respectable FPS.
- Decent sized screen. Doesn't have to be ginormous.

---

By chance do you plan on playing games, Jai? That alone will dramatically affect the price. Unless, of course, you are referring to a smooth user experience with the operating system (be it Windows XP or Windows Vista).

[(Anonymous)]

I got my Toshiba laptop for about £500. It's got 2 GB of RAM, a 1.73GHz processor, two 55 GB hard drives and awful integrated graphics. It runs Vista at a good speed, but I can forget about playing 3D games at a decent framerate. I was really annoyed after buying The Orange Box. =P
Anyway, what I'm saying is these things aren't cheap. I'd like a more powerful laptop but I certainly can't afford one.
-Collision Cat