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Getting a new laptop... what does all this mean? |
Ok guys! I need your help! I'm looking into getting a new personal laptop, but I have no clue where to start! What is the difference between: Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron, and AMD Athlon? What are good brands to purchase? I haven't heard of some of these things I'm seeing, are they good computers? How do I get the best deal What does everyone think of this new Windows Vista, and which edition do I need to purchase-basic, home, premium...? What is the real difference between a $499 computer and a $899 computer? Does it make a huge difference? What is the least amount of memory and space that I need to have on a computer? I will be using this computer when I go back to school-online! I'm going in Hospitality and Business Management! And I also do photography on the side, so I need something that would work with that! I do alot of graphic design stuff in with my photography! PLEASE HELP ME with this! A Definate 2 points to the one with the most helpful advice The first answer is a good one but I'll give you a 2nd opinion. First: A $499 computer will be stripped compared to an $899 one--usually. But that doesn't mean it won't do what you want. You just have to know what you want first. As for brands, I usually care more for the warranty and store supporting it than brands, but if I had to choose I like my toshiba and would also look at HP, Sony, LG, Asus and Fujitsu. I've been looking at some of the new dell's which look good but some of the old ones were totally uhm, well, I won't use that language on the board here. Things to look at: 1) Processor: Celeron's and Semprons are budget processors. Usually lacking in power for anything but everyday tasks. Start doing 'hefty' work and they will slow terribly. Pentium 4 and Athlon XP are older but more powerful processors. Intel Dual Core and Athlon X2 Dual core are faster still. However, they tend to run hot (making for a warm lap) and use a lot of electricity (poor battery life) Intel Core 2 Duo are the best choice if you can find one at a good price. Most computing power and better battery life with less heat. 2) Operating System: Windows XP is most stable out there. Linux is free. Unfortunately virtually any new laptop will come with Vista. Vista basic is crippled. Premium is the better choice for most users. Business/Ultimate don't offer enough in my opinion to be worth the extra money 3) Memory. I wouldn't look at a computer lower than 1GB Ram and would opt for 2GB if possible. However, 1GB of ram can be added for about $50 so don't pay a premium to have it pre-installed 3) Hard Drive. That is where everything gets stored. Anything less than 80GB is substandard. 80GB is ok, but small. 120 or 160GB are the best choices. 200+ is great, but you tend to pay a premium for more space and you probably won't need it. 4) Video card. Most have integrated video and usually GMA 950. This video solution is incredibly awful for games. It will get you through web surfing but if you are doing graphics stay away. A dedicated video card is better but expensive. There are many choices but an Nvidia 7300 (or higher number) or ATI 1150 (or higher number) are the minimum I would look at. Personally I'd look for an Nvidia 8400 or 8600 myself which can be had on laptops in the $800+ range but more on that in another question. 5) Optical Drive. It should be DVD RW. If it is a Blu-ray or HD-DVD you are paying way too much money. If it is a CD burner you are getting an ancient laptop or they are seriously cutting corners. 6) Size. Usually they come from 12" to 17". The smaller laptops are lighter and easier to carry but tend to have less computing power. The 17" are easier to cram more power into but they are heavy and the big screen drains the battery. 14" and 15" are my personal favorites. 7) Battery. If you have a choice for a high capacity battery take it. Nothing worse than getting stuck with a dead battery. Happy hunting :) If I was looking I would be seriously looking at the Dell Vostro 1520. You can get it with XP, a decent amount of Ram, decent hard drive, and a decent video card for about $599. I'd put it on my VISA card to double the warranty and save my cash off a more expensive laptop.....but that is just me. Happy hunting. 1. You dont want a celeron. You want an AMD Athlon X2 or Intel core 2 duo (different than a dual core). This is the processor. 2. HP/Sony/Toshiba are pretty good brands. No Gateway and Dell if you can help it. 3. Vista SUCKS! If you have to use it get the premium, but make sure the laptop has at least 1gb of RAM preferrably 2gb Ram. Premium requires 1gb RAM, and if that is all you get, your system will run pretty slow. 4. Get a laptop with as much RAM and Video RAM as possible. At a minimum of 2gb RAM and 128MB Video RAM. You cannot upgrade video RAM on a laptop, so get as much as you can now. You will need it with your graphic arts processes. Granted this will cost you more, but worth the money in the long run. You dont want to get caught with a laptop that wont do what you want it to. Trust me. Good luck. Intel Celeron D The Intel Celeron D is a value-priced processor. The Celeron D processors include a larger integrated L2 cache and faster processor system bus when compared to Celeron processors. Celeron processors are available at speeds ranging from 1 GHz to 2.80 GHz. Celeron D processors offer a 533 MHz multi-transaction processor system bus with 256-KB Level 2 cache. Intel added Extended Memory 64 Technology to its value oriented Celeron D line. AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core The AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor contains two processing cores, residing on one chip, which increases efficiency and speed while running multiple programs and multi-threaded software. It enables a seamless transition from 32-bit to 64-bit applications. Both 32- and 64-bit applications can run virtually simultaneously and transparently on the same platform. AMD Athlon 64 AMD64 provides full support for x86 code base for 32-bit computing and is ready for 64-bit applications. AMD64 technology doubles the number of processor registers and increases the system memory addressability Intel Pentium 4 The Intel Pentium 4 processor family supporting Hyper-Threading Technology (HT Technology) is best-suited to desktop PCs and entry-level workstations. The Pentium 4 processor is designed to deliver performance across applications and uses where end-users can appreciate and experience the performance. These applications include Internet audio and streaming video, image processing, video content creation, games, multimedia and multitasking user environments. Pentium 4 Extreme Edition The Intel Pentium 4 processor Extreme Edition supporting HT Technology features 3.46 GHz with 2 MB of L3 cache and 3.73 GHz with 2 M of L2 cache to offer high levels of performance targeted specifically for high-end gamers and computing power users. It provides flexibility for future applications that support both 32-bit and 64-bit computing with Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology and is a dual-core processor (two physical cores in one processor support better system responsiveness and multi-tasking). Pentium 4 6x Series The Intel Pentium 4 6x series offers 2MB L2 Cache and clock speeds of 3 to 3.80 GHz. Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology is available on the 600x processors. This provides flexibility for future applications that support both 32-bit and 64-bit computing. Pentium 4 5x Series The Intel Pentium 4 5x series offers 1MB L2 Cache and clock speeds of 2.80 to 3.80 GHz. Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology is available on the 600x processors is available only on some of the 5x models (571, 561, 551, 541, 531, and 521). Intel Pentium D Intel Pentium D processors are designed to provide users with more power while running multiple applications (for example, editing videos while downloading files). Pemtium D processors offer 2x1MB L2 cache, clock speeds ranging from 2.80 GHz to 3.20 GHz and an 800 MHz frontside bus. These processors are dual-core and offer Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology as well. Intel Pentium 3 (Pentium III) Intel builds on the technology it developed with the Pentium II microprocessors. The Pentium III processor comes with a Synchronized Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), allowing for an extremely fast transfer of data between the microprocessor and the memory. Pentium III's offer enhanced multimedia and 3D performance with 100 MHz front-side bus speed, a muti-transaction system bus, and MMX support. the computers with these processors are too good in their performance... If ur buying a new comp i prefer u the windows XP proffesional edition, though the new computers come with Vista preloaded.. the money difference is only bcoz of the brand na,e and slight changes in the configuration.. the lest memory depends on ur usage..ig ur a hardcore gamer u should have atlest 512mb ram and 120gb hard disk..or if u just wanna work on ur projects a comp with 256mb ram & 80gb hard disk will be sufficient.. better u get a comp with a..... with Intel Pentium (dont go for a AMD one...ur system chokes) 512mb ram a 80 gb hard disk a combo drive a multimedia keyboard an optical mouse...etc... If u want more help''i'll b there for ya.. good luck... :) u got it...i've experienced it.. :) You want a Core 2 Duo. And Apple puts very high dollar Core 2 Duo's in their laptops. Mac is built for photography. I did a lot of research before buying my laptop and the macbook came up the cheapest for what you get. Macbooks are one of the fastest laptops on the market! I wouldn't recommend Vista or Xp. They both crash and have a lot of bugs. YOU DO NOT WANT MICROSOFT ON YOUR COMPUTER The best choice for you would be a Apple Macbook. They are perfect for photography, Office documents and about everything else. Plus they are extremely easy and crash proof. Plus Mac runs 5 times faster then Vista so you have no waiting. On most programs the second you click the icon it will pop it. Windows Vista is a bad copy of Mac. Mac is easier and more reliable then Vista. On mac they have a free Office program that opens all Power Point, Excel, and Word plus you can edit them in that format. (Or you could buy Microsoft Office for mac) About every program that is available for Windows is available for Mac. Actually there is probably more programs for mac then for Windows Vista! Make the Switch get a Mac. You can get awesome deals online or in the store with a educational descount or refrebished. Plus you don't have to prove you go to school to get a educational discount. I hope this answer helps you make your choice! You will be disappointed if you get Vista. It just runs to slow and crashed alot. Your best choice would be a Dell Vostro 1500 from Dell small business with a NV8600 graphic card. Intel core 2 duo is the top CPU. You will need 1GB of RAM and a 160 HD. In fact I have built your perfect computer for 599, check the link. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/c... |
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