Budget Laptop

[Drew]

Hey guys,

So I am looking to buy a budget laptop soon... I hope anyway. I could use some opinions on processors and what not. My reason for wanting to make this purchase is largely due to space in our new house. There just isn't room to set up my big old desk and and desktop pc and keep the place looking neat and tidy. So I would like to move to a laptop but would like to keep the cost as low as possible.

I may eventually buy a rack mount typr case for my pc and connect it to my tv, but for now I would like a laptop.

What I need the computer to do:

Basically surf the internet and hold my music and misc files.
Android software building/customizing - I will be decompiling and compiling apk's quite often. I may dual boot with ubuntu.
Photoshop image editing.

That's really about it I won't be gaming with this machine. I would like an HDMI or DVI video output. I don't need stunning graphics but would like to utilize higher resolution as i will probably hook up to a external monitor now ansd then.


So the big question is Intel or AMD. I have had both in the past and I currently run an AMD quad core (not sure on exact chip anymore). Though I feel Intel chips seem to be quicker at encoding stuff.

Both Intel and AMD seem to have a large variety of chips in the laptop market so I'm not even sure what to rule out at this point. To be honest I don't feel I need 4 cores for encoding and thinking a higher clock speed chip would be the way to go. I had an Intel pentium D dual core chip that to me felt faster then my AMD quad core when it comes to compiling android software. But this could also be windows xp vs windows 7 and motherboard differences. I feel this is similair at work where I now have a core i7 that feels slower then my my pentium D (I had a pentium D at home and at work, both pentium D's ran windows xp.


I have always built my own pc and would shop for a chip and then a mainboard. when looking for a laptop all the infor seems dumbed down. or there is just no info on what is really inside.

Anyone have an opinion on current laptop chips out there? the intel core i series vs celeron or pentium dual core? or what is the better chips in the AMD department?

or if you know of any current laptop deals please post them.

[twistedblister]

Tough question drew. I would not think you would have a lot of problems with either chip maker. I would humbly suggest not thinking air / thintop. You your probably going to want something mildly beefy to compile and debug. Sorry I don't have more to offer. Yeah it sucks you can't home build a laptop like a desktop

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[nymphetomine]

Try HP, they are pretty decent.
Sorry I don't know shit bout computers..

[twistedblister]

Pc mag com has a recent article about New laptops

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[Drew]

Yeah, so definitely no thin tops or ultra books or whatever they are called. I also do not think I want something in the 14" or smaller. Mainly just do to keyboard layout and lack of disc drive.

I know both manufacturers make good chips. I was just a little disappointed in how much slower my quad core is compared to my dual core pentium. But this may come down to clock speed being higher on the dual core I had. So I think I want the highest clock speed I can find with the right package for my budget and just roll with it. My wife gave the go ahead to spend a little more then I wanted too. She wants us to get something that will last. She feels her mac book is on the way out. I just replaced its battery and I think it just needs an Os reinstall. And to clean that dirty white piece of crap up a little... Lol.

I see best buy has a black Friday special on a Samsung 15.6" with a 3rd gen i3 in store and a 17" Toshiba with the same i3 online. Both look identical spec wise. But I have no idea who makes the internal components. Not sure I want a really big 17 but the price is right.

Anyone have any laptop experience with Samsung or Toshiba?

I don't think I found the article you were talking about TB. They had the 10 best but we're all way over my budget. And a buyers guide that really just explained sizes...

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[nymphetomine]

Toshiba is good, in my opinion. My sister has one and she is happy with it. Don't know how it will work out for you tho.

[Drew]

this is supposed to go on sale for 499 on black friday. might be more then I need but it looks really nice.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+ENVY+1 ... Id=6819278

[fishki]

here is one

http://www.amazon.com/Republic-Gamers-G ... ds=laptops

[Drew]

So best buy sold out of the cheaper one I was looking at. So I bought that hp envy I posted. Best part is my state disability check paid for it.. Go California!

Everyone have great Thanksgiving!

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[twistedblister]

Hope you are happy with what you found man. Sorry the article was not what you were looking for. I had a Toshiba but so long ago I think they went from avoid back to buyers favorites.

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