Need help with laptop selection

[MisterPresident]

Hello all!

My friend is looking to purchase a laptop for use during his college years. Basically, he's looking to spend around $1,000. He's not very into computers, so I doubt cutting-edge is needed, and it's probably not possible in his price range either. However, he has stated that he wants to play games occasionally, and therefore probably wants a decent video card. He likes the thin, widescreen laptops, but would be willing to get a bulkier one for better performance.

Anyone know of any decent deals going on? Dell? HP?

Also, what would be better for gaming, 512MB DDR with 128MB integrated video memory, or a dedicated 32 or 64MB card?

Thanks!

 

[Abhi]

1000$ for a gaming laptop is pretty difficult...

The 64 MB dedicated card would beat the crap out 128 MB shared memory one...

 

[johnjkr1]

If he wants to play games, DO NOT get anything with intel integrated graphics. You need a dedicated video card from nvidia or ati. There are great deals on the E-machines athlon 64's, with a good video card. I've never used them, but I hear they are quite popular. Also, HP has some lower priced athlon's with good video cards. Dell makes a great laptop, but it is hard to configure their cheaper ones with a good video card.

 

[imported_NoGodForMe]

You can lurk www.notebookforums.com and read up. But yeah, $1000 is kinda tuff for a gaming notebook.
$1500 can get you an e-machine.
$2000 and you're in the ball park.
$2500-3000 and you're there with a Sager.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I bought a HP ZT3000 back in January from HP.com for around $1,300 (after $100 rabate and a 10% off coupon).

Specs:

1.4Ghz Pentium M
256MB DDR RAM (later added another 256MB from Crucial)
40GB 4200rpm harddrive
ATi Mobility Radeon 9200 32MB
Centrino Wireless with BlueTooth
DVD/CD-RW Combo drive
Built-in SD card reader
15.4" WXGA monitor (1200x800)
1" thick
6.0 lbs.

So far, I am quite pleased with it.

 

[johnjkr1]

you can get an HP zv5000z with a very nice nvidia card for $1000...512 ranm athlon 64 3000+ cpu

The ZE4700 are even cheaper, $600-1000 and have ati radeon mobility graphics cards


and emachines has a nice notebook for around $1000 that can game also