Sending the boy off to college...

[Riffers70]

Thoughts on this laptop as a happy medium?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+...&skuId=1914108 Friggin heavy at 6.5, and battery life sucks.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+ENV...&skuId=9556394 Alot more money, but seems pretty kickass.

I built this on HP's site for the envy14:

Found this on NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157660&cm_re=envy14-_-34-157-660-_-Product

 

[csubusa]

Norwich Corp of Cadets? So he's gonna be a rook? He'll just miss my bro who's finishing his last semester there through the spring.

Once he's there I seriously doubt he'll be using a computer in class, especially not with a large display. As much exercise he'll be getting with PT in that hilly area I doubt he'll want to lug it around. Just wanted to chime in noticing these, I'll give more advice on a specific computer (and other Norwich specifics) later.

I don't know rifters, but I bet that laptop has a crap screen and crap speakers.

I am really interested in what Gemini is trying to say. Not many people here have experience in ROTC or Maritime? military schools?

you really want 2 things. get a small atx fast desktop. and a 12" fusion netbook/notebook.

 

[Riffers70]

the netbook is a great idea in theory, but his fat finguz just won't cooperate with one. But he seems to TEXT just fine.. LOL!

 

[ViviTheMage]

Dell XPS series .. 15" is awesome .... 1920x1080 res if I recall.

 

[Riffers70]

I can get 25% off of the Envy14, on hp.com until 6/05. Brings it down to $1085.48.

Thoughts?

How well would an external monitor handle the gaming aspect?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I can get 25% off of the Envy14, on hp.com until 6/05. Brings it down to $1085.48.

Thoughts?

How well would an external monitor handle the gaming aspect?

I wouldnt go for the i7 if you want any good battery life. Envy 14 is getting a Sandy Bridge refresh in 2 weeks but Im guessing that the coupon will not be applicable so thats up to you.

 

[Riffers70]

Thanks for the info! Not overly worried about the battery with the i7, as I'd be ordering a 2nd one for backup at the same time. Thanks!

 

[sxr7171]

alienware mx11 ?

or i like the envy 14 too. just personal opinion but anything larger than 15in. is too large to carry around

I have a buddy who's dying to get the MX11. I always felt that "gaming laptop" is an oxymoron, but like the OP says maybe I too am old fashioned. The MX11 looks like a good machine I must admit. I doubt its possible to get more gaming performance from anything with that kind of portability.

 

[MrX8503]

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=category_browse&selected_cat=special&mid=NP8150

Take a look at these. They're 15" laptops and have powerful GPUs.

 

[Riffers70]

Ok, so I dropped $$ on an HP Envy 14:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-740QM Quad Core processor (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz
1GB DDR3 ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5650 graphics [HDMI] - For Quad Core Processors
8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
500GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
(2) batteries -- 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard) - Up to 6.0 hours of battery life +++
14.5" diagonal High Definition HP BrightView Infinity LED Display (1366x768)

Thanks for all the help and insight. Now I'm wondering what a decent, moderately priced, 17-19" LCD you guys/gals would recommend?