INFO: Building/Buying a Laptop (PC or Mac) - Page 2

3xodus · 10-19-2007, 01:42 PM

We should make a sticky purely for the purpose of making PCs and Laptops.

Vinen · 10-19-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranceMiNuS

The past month or two I've been thinking about getting a laptop, and after a lot of browsing it seems to me like putting together your own laptop isn't a very popular or common thing, even though the pre-built laptops classically offered to consumers seem to me to be quite overpriced for the components offered.

I'm thinking that perhaps laptop prices suffer from an even greater degree of inflation than pre-built desktops simply because consumers aren't really presented with the option of building their own.

Does anyone here know anything on the topic? Are there any resources out there on this subject that are kept up to date?

Unless you are incredibly technical; have pulled apart a laptop completly before... etc... I would not bother following this path. Chances are you will break or fuck something up and it will end up costing more in the end.

Brand · 10-19-2007, 01:45 PM

If only we had a sticky'd thread about this topic...

tranceMiNuS · 10-19-2007, 01:55 PM

Duh guys that's why I posted it in the sticky.

Burf · 10-30-2007, 04:25 AM

I know that there are "laptops" that offer upgradable graphics cards (MXM)...I know you can get in there and change out your RAM (on most laptops, anyway).
I don't know why there isn't some "motherboard standard" where you can build your entire laptop and replace components like in a desktop. They're starting to get a bit more customizable, yes, but nothing like a desktop.
I realize that there is a lot of R&D that go into these with cooling, different sizes, different case materials, where to run the wires, etc....
It just seems to me that someone could make some cash off of a build-your-own and upgrade later laptop.

Kaio · 10-31-2007, 06:30 PM

Dell SB's vostro line has a $309 dollar sale. This could be the cheapest way to get a semi-powerful gaming computer. I just ordered one last night infact. You can build a cheapish1.4ghz core 2 duo system with a 128mb of dedicated video ram for $599. I spent more for a faster processor, a higher end card, and a higher res display (xga+ 1440x900 or so).

Dell SB Link: Vostro 1500 Notebook

Stats/cost of my laptop (i didn't upgrade the memory from dell's site since it's far cheaper for me to buy it on my own from newegg). Cost about $987 after taxes and shipping--anymore expensive and you might as well go sager:

Quantity Item Number Description
1 222-9561 Vostro 1500, Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, 1.8GHz, 800Mhz FSB, 2M L2 Cache
1 320-5544 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA+ LCDTrueLife for Vostro 1500
1 311-7261 1GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM
1 320-5559 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
1 341-4886 160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
1 420-7312 Genuine Windows XP Home Edition, SP2
1 420-7291 Google Small Biz Home Page Internet Portal
1 420-7180 Dell Support 3.4
1 430-0493 Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron
1 410-1100 Adobe Reader 8.1
1 313-5297 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, w Roxio Creator
1 313-4783 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0
1 313-5298 Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card
1 320-5547 No Built in Camera 1500
1 312-0544 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Vostro 1500

Jabberwhacky · 11-02-2007, 02:39 PM

Vostro's are pretty snazzy. I bought a 1400 just under a month ago. Total was 1181.

Stats breakdown: 2.0 C2D Pentium (4mb cache, 800mhz fsb), 8400 GS, 80 gig hard drive, 1 gig ram, webcam, bluetooth, the same DVD burner as you, a 9-cell and 6-cell battery, and, much to my chagrin, Windows Vista. XP isn't offered on the 1400

Price was 1181 after tax/shipping and I also got a 3-year Complete Care warranty which also came with a 150 Dell Dollar rebate coupon thing that I can hopefully sell for ~140. So the price goes down to about 1040, but I spent 65 on RAM from Newegg and I'm probably gonna upgrade the hard drive, so the rebate is more-or-less negated by those two upgrades.

The only thing that is still niggling me is that the CPU upgrade from a 1.6ghz 2mb cache 800 FSB to 2.0ghz 4mb cache 800 fsb cost just under $200, and after having my grubby little mitts on the computer, it seems as though it's limited much more by the video card than the CPU, and having stayed with a slower processor wouldn't have made much difference.

Question: Are there any 14" laptops that have good vertical viewing angles? The first 1400 I bought I had to return because of the screen (1440x900 True-Life Glossy bullshit, looked like a mirror) but my new one (12something x 7something, not glossy) still looks too dark on the top and washed out on the bottom, no matter how I tilt it. It's especially noticeable on this forum since it has the solid black background with the colorful FoH header. I browsed briefly through the laptops at CompUSA and they all seemed to suffer the same effect; is it just because the screen is so small? I can only notice a similar effect on my desktop 19" LCD if I really focus my eyes and move around a lot to get a large angle, and even then, it's not nearly as bad as the laptops.

Kuriin · 11-05-2007, 06:41 AM

Does anyone have good reviews on having the 8xxx series in a laptop yet? I know they were putting 7950s in them a couple of months ago and I know that card works well. How does the 8600 fair?

tjac · 11-06-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jabberwhacky

it seems as though it's limited much more by the video card than the CPU, and having stayed with a slower processor wouldn't have made much difference.

Bingo. If you have to decide where to spend money, you want to put it into graphics card, ram, and then higher RPM hard drive, in that order.

Sounds like your spec is still solid. I got a vostro 1400 as well, but I went with a similar refurb ($750 with tax) and made sure it had 2GB ram and the intel wifi. The only downside about that 1400 as a gaming rig, IMO, is the resolution (17" 1920x1200 > 14" 1280x800), and the video card specs being limited by form factor.

Vostro 1400s are really great, though. They put Mac Books to shame, at least in terms of hardware and performance per dollar spent. Vista and a sloppy Ubuntu 7.10 release cause some issues, but oh well.

tjac · 11-06-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuriin

Does anyone have good reviews on having the 8xxx series in a laptop yet? I know they were putting 7950s in them a couple of months ago and I know that card works well. How does the 8600 fair?

The 8400GS is a great little card, I'm not sure I would settle for a 64MB version though -- I think HP goes with those. Meanwhile Dell has 128s, and I think they can handle up to 256. My point of reference is a 256MB go 7900 GS.

8600 I'm not sure on, but Nvidia's go79xx and M8xxx seem to be powerful portables, even though the driver support is kinda crappy.

Tbird · 11-08-2007, 02:05 AM

Instructions how to build your own ASUS laptop.
DIY Laptop/ Notebook Computer-Do It Yourself Asus Laptop Computer ASUS Notebook Barebone Picture Tutorial-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com

With basic computer knowledge I picked out something that I might get come next paycheck.

tjac · 11-08-2007, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbird

Instructions how to build your own ASUS laptop.
DIY Laptop/ Notebook Computer-Do It Yourself Asus Laptop Computer ASUS Notebook Barebone Picture Tutorial-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com

With basic computer knowledge I picked out something that I might get come next paycheck.

I've had good luck with Directron in the past. I was buying from them in their Houston store, though.

Erronius · 11-12-2007, 10:39 AM

I really have no experience with laptops, I've always gone desktop with a vengeance. Being in Iraq though, and travelling around the near/far east, has me thinking I should invest a couple grand for a decent gaming laptop and just having it shipped to me. I had been looking at some various sites like Cyberpower and the like, but I hadn't really seen anything I wanted to go out and buy yet.

I tried the link to the Vostros and it didnt work. I looked around the site though and saw some of the 'gaming' notebooks; kind of pricey but the stats are a lot higher than I thought they would be. And SLI in a laptop?!?

Are any of the XPS systems even worth the price? (Find a Notebook, Desktop, Server, Printer, Software, Service, Monitor or TV at Dell. ) Or is there any other viable, or better, choice for a true gaming laptop that can run vista/DX10 and the newest games w/o a problem? I'm mostly looking for something to game on in various areas; nothing using the battery, just something more mobile than a desktop that I can set up wherever I happen to be. I'd be willing to spend ~$2k, so super-cheap isnt a neccesity. More than likely unless I get really, really attached to a laptop, I'm likely to just have a desktop built in 6m-1year, and either retire or sell the laptop I end up buying.

Normally I've just had my friends suggest what to get off of Newegg and have them put a case together, but this time I'm just wanting to order something online, have it shipped to me, pull it out of the box, and go.

I also have a friend who is travelling abroad, and is asking me about her seriously outdated laptop. I have no clue when it comes to laptops really, so I'm not a lot of help to her. My hunch is that she needs a new laptop and the old one should be set on fire/shot/crushed, but she was asking me if she could just upgrade what she has (as in video card for example). She just wants to play WOW, and her laptop cannot even do that as far as I know. This is what she told me when I quizzed her on what problem she was having, and what she had for a system:

Quote:

Info on the laptop, I don't know exactly what specs you want so here it goes!

hp pavilion ze4400

system: microsoft windows xp, home edition, version 2002, service pack 2
computer: mobile AMD Athlon(tm) XP2400+ 1.79 GHz, 448MB of RAM

Trying to remember the wording when I installed WoW: "You need a 3D graphics card." If you want I can try and install it again and see what the exact wording is.

I'm almost half tempted to just buy her an affordable system that doesnt overdo things and yet can play WOW with ease, when I get my own laptop. She has no clue what to get, and I am not much better, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Teger · 11-17-2007, 05:34 PM

Hi basically I'm looking for a very cheap yet good laptop. The main things I need is something thats light, somewhat rugged and very portable. I'd mainly be using it for school work/internet browsing, maybe very light game playing (nothing new or demanding).

I'm really curious what deals exist out there for a good cheap laptop, maybe on Black Friday?

Thanks

Jabberwhacky · 11-17-2007, 09:34 PM

Well you need to give a dollar range. Vostros, as have been mentioned, can set you up very nicely, especially getting a refurbished one. Like 700-800 after shipping/tax for a solid Core 2 Duo processor, decent graphics card (either 8400 or 8600).

10-31-2007, 06:30 PM	#21 (permalink)
Kaio Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 986 +7 Internets	Dell SB's vostro line has a $309 dollar sale. This could be the cheapest way to get a semi-powerful gaming computer. I just ordered one last night infact. You can build a cheapish1.4ghz core 2 duo system with a 128mb of dedicated video ram for $599. I spent more for a faster processor, a higher end card, and a higher res display (xga+ 1440x900 or so). Dell SB Link: Vostro 1500 Notebook Stats/cost of my laptop (i didn't upgrade the memory from dell's site since it's far cheaper for me to buy it on my own from newegg). Cost about $987 after taxes and shipping--anymore expensive and you might as well go sager: Quantity Item Number Description 1 222-9561 Vostro 1500, Intel Core 2 Duo T7100, 1.8GHz, 800Mhz FSB, 2M L2 Cache 1 320-5544 15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA+ LCDTrueLife for Vostro 1500 1 311-7261 1GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM 1 320-5559 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 1 341-4886 160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive 1 420-7312 Genuine Windows XP Home Edition, SP2 1 420-7291 Google Small Biz Home Page Internet Portal 1 420-7180 Dell Support 3.4 1 430-0493 Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron 1 410-1100 Adobe Reader 8.1 1 313-5297 8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, w Roxio Creator 1 313-4783 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0 1 313-5298 Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini Card 1 320-5547 No Built in Camera 1500 1 312-0544 56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Vostro 1500 Last edited by Kaio : 10-31-2007 at 06:36 PM.

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10-19-2007, 01:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
3xodus Lurk moar Join Date: May 2005 Location: LA Posts: 116 +1 Internets	We should make a sticky purely for the purpose of making PCs and Laptops.

10-19-2007, 01:45 PM	#18 (permalink)
Brand Prince of Nothing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 202 +0 Internets	If only we had a sticky'd thread about this topic...

10-19-2007, 01:55 PM	#19 (permalink)
tranceMiNuS Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 61 -2 Internets	Duh guys that's why I posted it in the sticky.

10-30-2007, 04:25 AM	#20 (permalink)
Burf Kneel before Zod! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,313 +2 Internets	I know that there are "laptops" that offer upgradable graphics cards (MXM)...I know you can get in there and change out your RAM (on most laptops, anyway). I don't know why there isn't some "motherboard standard" where you can build your entire laptop and replace components like in a desktop. They're starting to get a bit more customizable, yes, but nothing like a desktop. I realize that there is a lot of R&D that go into these with cooling, different sizes, different case materials, where to run the wires, etc.... It just seems to me that someone could make some cash off of a build-your-own and upgrade later laptop.

11-02-2007, 02:39 PM	#22 (permalink)
Jabberwhacky Walker told me I have AIDS Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In da FACE!! (two times) Posts: 2,560	Vostro's are pretty snazzy. I bought a 1400 just under a month ago. Total was 1181. Stats breakdown: 2.0 C2D Pentium (4mb cache, 800mhz fsb), 8400 GS, 80 gig hard drive, 1 gig ram, webcam, bluetooth, the same DVD burner as you, a 9-cell and 6-cell battery, and, much to my chagrin, Windows Vista. XP isn't offered on the 1400 Price was 1181 after tax/shipping and I also got a 3-year Complete Care warranty which also came with a 150 Dell Dollar rebate coupon thing that I can hopefully sell for ~140. So the price goes down to about 1040, but I spent 65 on RAM from Newegg and I'm probably gonna upgrade the hard drive, so the rebate is more-or-less negated by those two upgrades. The only thing that is still niggling me is that the CPU upgrade from a 1.6ghz 2mb cache 800 FSB to 2.0ghz 4mb cache 800 fsb cost just under $200, and after having my grubby little mitts on the computer, it seems as though it's limited much more by the video card than the CPU, and having stayed with a slower processor wouldn't have made much difference. Question: Are there any 14" laptops that have good vertical viewing angles? The first 1400 I bought I had to return because of the screen (1440x900 True-Life Glossy bullshit, looked like a mirror) but my new one (12something x 7something, not glossy) still looks too dark on the top and washed out on the bottom, no matter how I tilt it. It's especially noticeable on this forum since it has the solid black background with the colorful FoH header. I browsed briefly through the laptops at CompUSA and they all seemed to suffer the same effect; is it just because the screen is so small? I can only notice a similar effect on my desktop 19" LCD if I really focus my eyes and move around a lot to get a large angle, and even then, it's not nearly as bad as the laptops.

11-05-2007, 06:41 AM	#23 (permalink)
Kuriin Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,762	Does anyone have good reviews on having the 8xxx series in a laptop yet? I know they were putting 7950s in them a couple of months ago and I know that card works well. How does the 8600 fair?

11-08-2007, 02:05 AM	#26 (permalink)
Tbird Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 107 +0 Internets	Instructions how to build your own ASUS laptop. DIY Laptop/ Notebook Computer-Do It Yourself Asus Laptop Computer ASUS Notebook Barebone Picture Tutorial-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com With basic computer knowledge I picked out something that I might get come next paycheck.

11-17-2007, 05:34 PM	#29 (permalink)
Teger Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 565 -3 Internets	Hi basically I'm looking for a very cheap yet good laptop. The main things I need is something thats light, somewhat rugged and very portable. I'd mainly be using it for school work/internet browsing, maybe very light game playing (nothing new or demanding). I'm really curious what deals exist out there for a good cheap laptop, maybe on Black Friday? Thanks

11-17-2007, 09:34 PM	#30 (permalink)
Jabberwhacky Walker told me I have AIDS Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In da FACE!! (two times) Posts: 2,560	Well you need to give a dollar range. Vostros, as have been mentioned, can set you up very nicely, especially getting a refurbished one. Like 700-800 after shipping/tax for a solid Core 2 Duo processor, decent graphics card (either 8400 or 8600).