Need advice on building a laptop

[True Blue Aggie]

Right now I am struggling to build a laptop. From what I know (which is little regarding computers), I know that Dell and Sony's are a good brand for the laptop itself.

Although I am not completely certain on what I want the laptop to be able to do, I do know that I would like for it to support a couple of things.....Video Editing, Website building, CAD based programs (AutoCAD LT, 3-D modeler programs, etc., and Photoshop. Oh, and I might lug the thing around to the race track on occasion.

Any ideas on processor, RAM, etc...??? Budget I am trying to keep is under $1800 total. Software will be seperate (other than Office Professional, Norton, etc. basics to support the computer.

Has anyone ever heard of Alienware systems? Found a advertisement for them....never heard of them before.

[Razor]

Alienware is a great brand...built to game on...mainly. But pricey. I built my wife an HP (ZD8000) thru HP's website back in September for $1300. 3Gig cpu, ,1G DDR2 Ram, ATI X600 pcie video card, 80Gig hard drive 5400 rpm. Dual layer burner, 17" wide screen and built in wi-fi and bluetooth. It will handle about anything you throw at it. I use autocad...doesnt evenphase this machine. HP tech support is by far the best out there...they even have live chat. Just FYI, and my opinion. I would not buy a sony/ toshiba...etc. Dell would be my 2nd choice. PM me if you have any q's.

Chris;)

[True Blue Aggie]

there are a couple of old threads on this in the forum that I have been reading....
Also realized that Terry uses a Toshiba laptop and I know that I have seen it in the shop. Any comments on its physical construction? Can it take a beating, or do you hide it away from everyone?

I have read that Celeron processors are not that great? Is that right?

[wesman]

I have the opposite opinion. I wouldn't touch a HP or a Toshiba. I prefer the Sony Vaio or Dell. I've had bad experiences with HP, while their customer service is good, I prefer not to have a machine that requires a lot of service :)

Laptops are pretty easy to build, most of it is preconfigured. Just choose how much disk space you need and of course memory. I always max out the memory, it's the single best thing you can do to improve the perormance of a computer.

--wes

[Mark #2]

I know nothing about computers but the Dell Latitude D600 has been a good machine for me and I think that the expert on this site has one too.

[03LightningRocks]

I have a Dell, HP and a Sony Vaio. I like the Sony the best, but it may have to do with it being one of the lght weight models. It only weighs like 3lbs and has a wide screen. It seems to be pretty durable too. It has taken a fall or two and keeps on ticking.

My H.P. seems slow as sh!t. Dell computers seem to hold up OK, but customer service sucks...unless you can speak Pakistani.


Rocks:cool:

[Silver_2000]

For what you want to do, you will want to as suggested, PACK The RAM in as tight as it will go AND stay away from celerons.

Alienware are overpriced - They sell a $5 desktop powercord for $60 - What could they POSSIBLY improve on a desktop powercord to make it worth 12x the retail price ?

As mark #2 mentioned my company issued my a Dell D600 - they some hard drive issues but have redesigned some parts of it in the 610 ... Dell makes a decent machine and for what you want you might look at the XPS line which is designed to compete with the alienware models and also more importantly includes improved support.

For photoshop and video you will want the biggest best LCD you can get and the best video card - this machine will end up over 2k easy ...

Doug

[True Blue Aggie]

...this machine will end up over 2k easy ...

Doug

no good news from you, huh Doug... :cool:

[Silver_2000]

no good news from you, huh Doug... :cool:

LOL no and as it turns out - the xps is a LOT higher than I figured
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=iMX170S3&s=dhs
Starts at 2300 the link above is the one they recomend for multimedia - its 3600

It has 17 inch monitor and 2 gigs of ram with 256 mb video card
The same thing in a desktop would be at least a grand cheaper
but they have 18 months no interest on the XPS machines

Doug

[True Blue Aggie]

I could probably get away with not having the largest display made. I can still use my monitor that I have right now, and just get a cradle for the laptop. Any drawing or website work would be at the office desk in the house.

The last Dell I bought was on the no interest plan for 18 months. pretty sweet deal if you get the computer paid off in that timeframe (like you should).

[my2002lightning]

We haven't had good-luck with my road-warrior HP lap-tops - mainly display issues for 2x. I've been running a Circuit-City Compaq Celeron replacement with satisfactory results. :cool:

Work issues Dell lap-tops to "The Legions" all day long. Yes, get ready to go one-on-one with Sridhar and Deepak when contacting Dell customer.:rolleyes:

Just an FYI, Michael, when those off-shore Paki's give you the customary run-around when you will call for basic support, tell them "Bahkwaz naahee choop pro hoo!".

Translation" "You're full of sh!t".:d I've pulled that card on the job-site with those jokers and it's worked with fantastic results.:evil

Good luck.

Ronald

[Silver_2000]

Just an FYI, Michael, when those off-shore Paki's give you the customary run-around when you will call for basic support, tell them "Bahkwaz naahee choop pro hoo!".

Translation" "You're full of sh!t".:d I've pulled that card on the job-site with those jokers and it's worked with fantastic results.:evil

Good luck.

Ronald

Which language is that ? Pakistani ? Hindi ? Persian ? Urdu ? Bengali ?
Punjab? Sindhi ? Siraiki ? Pashtu ? Balochi ?

Just a few od the more common languages and dialetcs spoken in India and Pakistan ...

[Ivanhoe_Farms]

Right now I am struggling to build a laptop. From what I know (which is little regarding computers), I know that Dell and Sony's are a good brand for the laptop itself.

Although I am not completely certain on what I want the laptop to be able to do, I do know that I would like for it to support a couple of things.....Video Editing, Website building, CAD based programs (AutoCAD LT, 3-D modeler programs, etc., and Photoshop. Oh, and I might lug the thing around to the race track on occasion.

Any ideas on processor, RAM, etc...??? Budget I am trying to keep is under $1800 total. Software will be seperate (other than Office Professional, Norton, etc. basics to support the computer.

Has anyone ever heard of Alienware systems? Found a advertisement for them....never heard of them before.

I didn't see the requirement for a laptop!! If you want to run those applications, you are much better off with a desktop. You might want to consider two machines if you really need a laptop, and will probably come out less expensive.:tu:

[my2002lightning]

I'm fairly certain it's Hindi.


Which language is that ? Pakistani ? Hindi ? Persian ? Urdu ? Bengali ?
Punjab? Sindhi ? Siraiki ? Pashtu ? Balochi ?

Just a few od the more common languages and dialetcs spoken in India and Pakistan ...

[Tex Arcana]

www.computerpoweruser.com is where you can find an article about building your own laptop. I'm looking for it as we speak, if I can't find it online, I'll dig up the paper copy and post that (or bring it to the meeting).

Short version: you buy the laptop case, frame, display, plop in CPU, RAM, HD, and GPU of your choice, and viola: you have the hottest laptop for the buck. Of course, that means you ahve to find Winders or such, and other software, but if you're really gutsy, you can run Linux and tell the wife it's the "new Winders!" :tongue:

[Razor]

All store bought/ ordered laptops are filled with all sorts of other manufacturers.... so...if u find a model u like...google it for a review...like the xps/dell....rates 6 out or 10 stars,,,,a waist of money I found out.. I build desktop gaming pc's...so I stand behind the HP i had built....A+ in my book. Update on that at its 1 year mark!

[Tex Arcana]

EDIT: Found the article: How to build your own Laptop in Three Easy Steps! (http://www.computerpoweruser.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles%2Farchive%2Fc0509%2F3 1c09a%2F31c09a%2Easp&articleid=27833&guid=9FD9669BB02C4B5290F4B7FE60108336&searchtype=0&WordList=NOTEBOOKS&bJumpTo=True)

If that doesn't work, email me and I'll email a copy to you.

[True Blue Aggie]

appreciate it....ill take a look at the article.

Right now I am probably a couple of weeks away from buying, but i appreciate all the comments...:beer:

[Tex Arcana]

appreciate it....ill take a look at the article.

Right now I am probably a couple of weeks away from buying, but i appreciate all the comments...:beer:
What caught my eye on this article was the fact it helps stave off obsolescence, since you can upgrade all the major devices, and still keep the base unit. It'll cost a bit more up front, but I think it's worth that to extend its life a couple of years or more.

[L8 APEX]

My Toshiba crapped out today. I should have bought that Christmas Dell!!!!!!!!!!!! Now I am on my tuning computer which is a real beater. My NVida video card took a crap and the screen is whacked out with lines and pink pixels and very large text....:rolleyes: