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Get rid of my desktop, buy a new laptop?

N

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
I'm considering getting rid of my ancient desktop alltogether and picking up a cheapo (~$700) laptop when I get my tax returns, but I'm not sure whether I should or not.

I mean, I miss my lappy and I'd much prefer to have a portable primary computer. However, I do still like to play older games every now and then and I know a $700 laptop won't be all that great for gaming. My desktop isn't all that great either, but I have no clue what potential specs I'd be looking at for that price range right now.

Should I dump the desktop, pick up the laptop, and then buy parts for a gaming desktop later?

I'll do some research on my own later this weekend for what laptop specs I'd be looking at in that price range, but I'd like your opinions on it as well on both what you'd do in my situation and suggestions on what laptop you feel good enough to speak up about.

Thanks in advance. 🙂
 
I use both. I use my laptop equally as much as my desktops. It really depends on your needs and uses, right?

A laptop is very convenient for its portability and it will always be its greatest feature. Your choice ........
 
Originally posted by: Nik
However, I do still like to play older games every now and then and I know a $700 laptop won't be all that great for gaming
Click to expand...

older games and every now and then? why would you consider a seperate gaming pc if you don't even play demanding games that often?

a budget notebook should be able to play older games fine.

i paid $850 for my thinkpad and it plays Q4 ...
 
older games and every now and then? why would you consider a seperate gaming pc if you don't even play demanding games that often?
Click to expand...

Essentially, I want a "workstation" and a "gamestation" at my house. Most of the portability will be around-the-house and, if I get the laptop, it will be my primary.

Do you have a suggestion on make/model of notebook?
 
I've been desktop free for several years now and love it. The only time I miss my desktop is when I'm playing a new game that runs pitifully on my laptop. With a desktop, I'd maybe install a new video card or bump up the RAM or get new CPU. With a laptop, not so easy.

As to what to get, for your pricerange, either a Dell or Acer or HP. You might be able to build your own through some vendors like Asus and save a little more money.
 
Originally posted by: Nik
I'm considering getting rid of my ancient desktop alltogether and picking up a cheapo (~$700) laptop when I get my tax returns, but I'm not sure whether I should or not.

I mean, I miss my lappy and I'd much prefer to have a portable primary computer. However, I do still like to play older games every now and then and I know a $700 laptop won't be all that great for gaming. My desktop isn't all that great either, but I have no clue what potential specs I'd be looking at for that price range right now.

Should I dump the desktop, pick up the laptop, and then buy parts for a gaming desktop later?

I'll do some research on my own later this weekend for what laptop specs I'd be looking at in that price range, but I'd like your opinions on it as well on both what you'd do in my situation and suggestions on what laptop you feel good enough to speak up about.

Thanks in advance. 🙂
Click to expand...

Why not keep both? i have and use both, although, my desktop computer will run circles around my T41p, but lets think of it in this aspect, what is a laptop really designed to do? its suposed to sit on a lap or desk and allow you to have a mobile computer. I would just keep both and buy a cheap router and network the two, so when your home you can go on a desktop with a much bigger display, and when your off at work, or school, or anywhere, you can prop the laptop on a desk. Also to note, there are many softwares that allows you to remote your desktop from a laptop, so in my case, my thinkpad is an extension of my desktop.
 
define "older game" ... starcraft? CS 1.6? Quake 3?

also, where are you situated? if you are in college, a laptop would probably be more beneficial than a desktop. generally, though, a desktop will do you better.
 
Thief 3, Max Payne 2, AvP2... etc.

I still have starcraft around here... somewhere. 😀 CS1.6 looks gorgeous with the Realism Mod.

Here's some desktop specs:
Asus P4B266C
P4 1.6a Northwood @ 2GHz
ATI 9200 (Ti4600 finally died)
768 DDR2100
 
Get a Thinkpad. You won't be sorry.

I use my desktop as a server, no keyboard or monitor connected to it. I connect via a VPN and control it from my laptop.
 
In case you didn't read the first sentence of the first post, "a cheapo (~$700) laptop..." Thinkpads cost more than that, last time I checked.
 
Originally posted by: BladeVenom
In case you didn't read the first sentence of the first post, "a cheapo (~$700) laptop..." Thinkpads cost more than that, last time I checked.
Click to expand...

No they don't.

They have thinkpads right in that price range, and some nicer ones that after discounts are also in that range. And Lenovo just took another pricing action. It seems that the new Lenovo is making the old IBM PC Division much more efficient, and competitive.
 
Originally posted by: WackyDan
Originally posted by: BladeVenom
In case you didn't read the first sentence of the first post, "a cheapo (~$700) laptop..." Thinkpads cost more than that, last time I checked.
Click to expand...

No they don't.

They have thinkpads right in that price range, and some nicer ones that after discounts are also in that range. And Lenovo just took another pricing action. It seems that the new Lenovo is making the old IBM PC Division much more efficient, and competitive.
Click to expand...

unless he wants an Intel integrated video card, the Thinkpads are going to be a little more than the $700 he wants to spend.
 
Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: WackyDan
Originally posted by: BladeVenom
In case you didn't read the first sentence of the first post, "a cheapo (~$700) laptop..." Thinkpads cost more than that, last time I checked.
Click to expand...

No they don't.

They have thinkpads right in that price range, and some nicer ones that after discounts are also in that range. And Lenovo just took another pricing action. It seems that the new Lenovo is making the old IBM PC Division much more efficient, and competitive.
Click to expand...

unless he wants an Intel integrated video card, the Thinkpads are going to be a little more than the $700 he wants to spend.
Click to expand...


Do you own one? Mine has a Radeon 7500 32MB. I have a T40, bought it off FS/T for $650. :roll:

Go check eBay, T40s are only around 550-650.
 
Originally posted by: BladeVenom
In case you didn't read the first sentence of the first post, "a cheapo (~$700) laptop..." Thinkpads cost more than that, last time I checked.
Click to expand...


$521 - http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-T40-La...25QQcategoryZ80211QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$599US - http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-T40-Pe...84QQcategoryZ31554QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$435US - http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-T40-laptop-1-3M...21QQcategoryZ31554QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$299(!!!) US - http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-T40-No...12QQcategoryZ31554QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$569 US - http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-T40-Pe...08QQcategoryZ31554QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$612 US - http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Lenovo-T40-1-5G...29QQcategoryZ31554QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$550 US - http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-T40-P4-1-5GHz-5...57QQcategoryZ31554QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

pwned.
 
Originally posted by: simms
Originally posted by: AmigaMan
Originally posted by: WackyDan
Originally posted by: BladeVenom
In case you didn't read the first sentence of the first post, "a cheapo (~$700) laptop..." Thinkpads cost more than that, last time I checked.
Click to expand...

No they don't.

They have thinkpads right in that price range, and some nicer ones that after discounts are also in that range. And Lenovo just took another pricing action. It seems that the new Lenovo is making the old IBM PC Division much more efficient, and competitive.
Click to expand...

unless he wants an Intel integrated video card, the Thinkpads are going to be a little more than the $700 he wants to spend.
Click to expand...


Do you own one? Mine has a Radeon 7500 32MB. I have a T40, bought it off FS/T for $650. :roll:

Go check eBay, T40s are only around 550-650.
Click to expand...

Used? Sure, you can find all sorts of laptops used for around $700. I assume Nik meant new and try finding me a new Thinkpad with non-integrated graphics for $700. BTW, I'm not bashing Thinkpads at all, in fact I would love to have one if I didn't already just buy a MacBookPro (theres no need to get snippy with your rolling eyes and what not 😉 ).

But for $700, you pretty much eliminate all of the "good" choices in favor of cheap ones. IBM/Lenovo and Apple have never been good at competing with the el-cheapo manufacturers (Dell, Acer, etc), although Lenovo has been doing better as of late.

Nik, if you're open to buying used, a T4x will be a decent laptop for what you want it for. As Simms already pointed out, there are deals to be had.
 
As time goes on, laptops are getting cheaper, lighter, faster, more reliable, some are getting larger screens.

But it's going to be a long time, if ever, before laptops provide the same value and dirt-cheap upgradability that you get with a desktop PC.

Put it this way: in general, laptops are as upgradable as a Mac. You can upgrade some of the components, but for the most part, it's usually cheaper to just buy a new model when your current machine is getting old.

I love my laptops, but I will always have real desktops too. I can buy a nice laptop for $1500, but I can build one hellofa sweet hotrod PC for $1500.
 
Get a gateway 7415gx or a 7422gx. They've got a DTR chip in them(desktop replacement), and for good reason. Check out the specs. They're perfect for what you're looking for.
 
I need to make the same decision. I realize I no longer game and probably won't for the next 3-4 years of college. So I figure the portablility of a laptop or tablet would be better for me than a desktop. If I ever did play a game, it would just be a bit of CS:S if anything. The main things I want though is a decent screen for movies, and a dvd-rw drive. What would you guys recommend for less than $1000? I'm not big on dell, and if there's a way of getting it cheaper w/out an OS that'd be better.
 
Originally posted by: gorcorps
I need to make the same decision. I realize I no longer game and probably won't for the next 3-4 years of college. So I figure the portablility of a laptop or tablet would be better for me than a desktop. If I ever did play a game, it would just be a bit of CS:S if anything. The main things I want though is a decent screen for movies, and a dvd-rw drive. What would you guys recommend for less than $1000? I'm not big on dell, and if there's a way of getting it cheaper w/out an OS that'd be better.
Click to expand...

If you don't want an OS, then a build-your-own would be ideal. Asus, Compal, and others are the OEM for Dell, Apple, HP, and pretty much every other US company. You should be able to find a reseller that allows you to customize pretty much everything, from CPU to hard drive, to video card. And most allow you to leave the Microsoft tax off for people like myself who may want to run Linux or have a full retail copy of XP.
 
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