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What Do You Guys Think? (New Laptop)
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Post by
Interest
I usually don't do this, but it would help to have multiple opinions on this matter.
For several months I've been looking to find a decent new laptop as this one clearly doesn't support the needs of a relatively casual (but frequent) gamer.
Quite awhile ago I came across
this gem
on Newegg (yeah I know I linked this before. Just bear with me). I thought it was a dream that was too good to be true. After looking at various amounts of feedback, as well as reading more carefully, I noticed a nice little "Recertified" label. After looking up exactly what that meant (I had a good idea anyways) I was a little discouraged, and held off on doing anything.
But now with Cataclysm, and the fact that alt-tabbing out of a game while
my character is idle in Orgrimmar
then alt-tabbing back in moments later freezes my computer due to a combination of overheating and a bad set of video drivers leads me right back to that page constantly. The fact is, it's time to get something that will last me and not screw me over with faulty hardware, hopefully (my laptop is a Dell. The screen periodically flickers. No explanation needed I suppose).
So now I want some of your opinions Wowheaders. What do you think I should do? Should I buy this potential dream or nightmare, or look for a more reliable notebook? I can afford to get extended warranty on the specific notebook I linked, by the way (so you have a good idea what my budget is) but will not go any higher (except maybe to ship back a few times).
(Disclaimer: I will probably buy it anyways. But enough influencing otherwise and citations to prove it may sway me away from that idea).
Edit: Yeah. Probably buying it. There's a 2 year warranty (109.99) for it...o.0
Edit2: The prices dropped!
Edit 3: I bought it
=D
!.
Post by
148723
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
HoleofArt
Honestly, I'd get it. The specs are pretty great, but the Re-certified label on it is definitely the source of the low price.
However, if it turns out to work just fine, you just saved about 400$ from buying a computer with those same specs.. it's really just a gamble, but if your budget is around there, I'd probably take the risk myself.
On the upside, at least it'll (probably.. maybe?) be way better than your current computer, even if performs a little poorly for those specs.
I had to purchase a cooling pad because it would overheat
Almost all laptops heat up pretty damn fast playing WoW, though. I know I play with my laptop at an angle so the edge is off the desk and the fan is uninhibited and that works just fine
;P
Post by
327953
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Cambo
Bleh, I don't like OEM computers. But I suppose you don't have much choice with laptops.
Interest, what specs does your current laptop enjoy? Then I will be better informed to make a decision.
The laptop you linked is pretty cheap. That's under NZD$1000! Very good bang per buck, and recertified is not always a bad thing. Just make sure you can get a decent extended warranty. I'm not entirely convinced about the 90day parts & manufacturer warranty. Although I've had alot of sugar and may not be thinking straight.
Post by
HoleofArt
Machine name: PC-E39A05F2BE54
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100216-1514)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 1545
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU T4200 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3546MB RAM
Page File: 423MB used, 5006MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family (Essentially Intel GMA)
Yeah, I hacked his computer. lolsup.
Post by
Interest
Machine name: PC-E39A05F2BE54
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100216-1514)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 1545
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A07
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU T4200 @ 2.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 3546MB RAM
Page File: 423MB used, 5006MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family (Essentially Intel GMA)
Yeah, I hacked his computer. lolsup.
Thanks for beating me to it. I could probably paste more if needed.
Post by
Cambo
In that case, the Newegg gem is a considerable upgrade. Do it!
Post by
Interest
Fantastic. Thanks for the feedback guys. I also had a brief convo with some of the IRC denizens and got some of the same opinions, if with a bit more technical jargon.
Post by
604748
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Interest
Processor is expensive for only half a Ghz, and no more cores, but it's a very nice overall laptop, with a great graphics card. Since you looked at it for the price, I'm doubting you could find a notebook with a quad or better for less than $200 more. For gaming it'll last you a while, cept the processor, as mentioned before.
Rift beta for recommended is a core 4 quad with a gtx 250 >.<
I was excited about it too..
Well to be honest I'm not expecting to go too far beyond World of Warcraft. I kinda realized there are a couple weaker pieces of hardware on that. People say it's the Hard Drive and to a lesser extent, the processor.
Oh, btw...
I got this Inspiron Laptop for ~700 bucks. Fortunately it wasn't me who shelled out cash.
Post by
604748
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
534868
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Interest
Not even a refurb....and a way better processor.
Wow. That isn't half bad. Nice find. Wow. Might consider this one if I can get some good reviews on Gateway products.
But one extremely dumb question.
6GB DDR2 (RAM) vs 4 GB DDR3 (RAM). Which is superior? (Actually, I'm fine with having 4 GB RAM, regardless of the memory stick).
Post by
Interest
I found it for cheaper, btw.
Post by
192338
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Interest
I have a two year old HP dv series. I think its the 9700, could be wrong I'm not on it right now but it runs like clockwork. It heats up quite a bit so i bought a chill pad and now it's fine.
The gateway is a nicer computer than the asus, for sure.
That's my impressions too.
This seems satisfactory for me. If this is really on high, I'm happy.
Post by
534868
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Interest
Not even a refurb....and a way better processor.
Wow. That isn't half bad. Nice find. Wow. Might consider this one if I can get some good reviews on Gateway products.
But one extremely dumb question.
6GB DDR2 (RAM) vs 4 GB DDR3 (RAM). Which is superior? (Actually, I'm fine with having 4 GB RAM, regardless of the memory stick).
DDR3 ram hands down, plus the gateway is expandable to 8gb of ddr3 ram in the future if you wanted to upgrade. I am also quite content saying that the intel i5 is going to be a viable processor for some time
Edit: Gateway in its earlier years made me very anti-gateway in their current state. I know several people that are gateway die-hards that have laptops and desktops that are power houses for gaming
I see.
I think I'll still take a shot with it.
(The gateway. I'm looking at some reviews atm).
Ugh. Now I'm $%^&ing torn. 850 bucks for a computer I can rely on for 2 years vs 650 bucks for a computer that looks promising, but is issued by a company that is known to have poor customer service and so on.
Thoughts guys?
Post by
Interest
Posting again. Price just crashed by 60 bucks on the ASUS, and (extended) Warranty prices dropped as well.
Guess what I'm buying...
Shipping is free too. I just saved 90 bucks lmao.
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