Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

Unfortunately, they only have a limited number of models that are in-store compared to shopping online. I did tinker with the HP G72-B60 and it felt fine to my fingers. The "hidden" touch pad is odd, but it didn't bother me nor did the offset on the palmrest becuase of the 10-key addition. The screen was epic...at least to me. I'm not looking at computers based on asthetics though. I can't figure out which processor the Inter i3-370m or the AMD Turion II P560 would be better for me nor if the ATI 4250 is any better/worse than the intergrated Intel HD graphics.

I think I'm down to two choices for my price range-
The HP G72-B60US (thought there is a 66US but I don't know what the difference is)
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...-With/?cm_cat=

Manufacturer # XG988UA#ABA
processor brand Intel
processor model Core i3
diagonal screen size 17.3 inches
memory 4 GB
hard drive capacity 500 GB
screen resolution 1600 x 900
weight 6.6 lb
optical drive DVD±RW/DVD-RAM/DVD±R Double Layer
operating system Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
processor speed 2.4 GHz
memory type DDR3 SDRAM
maximum memory capacity 8 GB
wireless connectivity 802.11b/g/n
network connectivity 10/100 Ethernet
modem no modem
webcam with microphone yes
numeric keypad yes
ports 3 USB 2.0; 1 Ethernet; 1 HDMI; 1 VGA 15-pin D-sub
memory card reader yes
video graphics Intel HD Graphics with up to 1696MB shared memory
integrated speakers yes
audio hardware Altec Lansing
FM tuner no
peripherals included none
warranty length 1-year limited
model name G72-B60US
brand name HP
manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Ecolabel Energy Star
postconsumer recycled content 0 %
total recycled content 0 %


and the Toshiba L675D-S7104
http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...ptop-Computer/

Item # 898773
Manufacturer # PSK3JU-08W02R
processor brand AMD
processor model Turion II Dual-Core
diagonal screen size 17.3 inches
memory 4 GB
hard drive capacity 500 GB
screen resolution 1600 x 900
weight 6.61 lb
optical drive DVD±RW/DVD-RAM/DVD±R Double Layer
operating system Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
processor speed 2.5 GHz
memory speed PC3-8500
memory type DDR3 SDRAM
maximum memory capacity 8 GB
wireless connectivity 802.11b/g/n
network connectivity 10/100 Ethernet
modem no modem
webcam with microphone yes
numeric keypad yes
ports 2 USB 2.0; 1 eSATA/USB 2.0; 1 Ethernet; 1 HDMI; 1 VGA 15-pin D-sub
memory card reader yes
video graphics ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 Graphics with 256MB-1917MB shared memory
integrated speakers yes
audio hardware Dolby Advanced Audio
FM tuner no
peripherals included none
warranty length 1-year limited
model name Satellite L675D-S7104
brand name Toshiba
manufacturer Toshiba
Ecolabel Energy Star; EPEAT Gold
postconsumer recycled content 0 %
total recycled content 0 %


I also wonder if the graphics card can be upgraded in either one.

Madvillain

iTrader: (1)

why dont you just reinstall windows.


so it can be fast again.

inferno94

iTrader: (2)

Look at a HP DV6 3118 if you don't mind the 15.6 widescreen monitor. They can be had for a reasonable price if you look.

sjmarcy

Yup.

gearhead_318

iTrader: (1)

OR dual boot with Windows 7 and Linux, that way you dont have to deal with windows.

But, by brother got a new Dell and I really like it, my HP Pavillion DV6000 gets hot if you so much as sit it on your lap. My his new Dell won't get hot even if he sits it on his bed, the battery life seems to be pretty good too.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

All else being equal, Intel > AMD. Yes, the new AMD Bobcat-class machines have an integrated grahpics chipset which is better than the Intel integrated chipsets at 3D applications, but this is only a factor if you play a lot of high-end 3D games. For ANYTHING else (including video editing, photo editing, etc) the bargain-bin integrated graphics chipsets are just fine.

Apart from that, Intel is consistently the winner for power dissipation, pipelining efficiency, and overall throughput. AMD is just too hyperfocused at serving the frugal end of the market with chips that draw too much power and delivery too little performance, but are cheap to make.


Nope.

Dedicated graphics memory (and all other high-end graphics functions) are only important when you're playing Call of Duty 4. Ditto the quad-core BS. Fast hard drives are nice, but I personally prefer 5400 RPM drives (or SSDs) for laptops- less heat, less noise, longer battery life.

I know you're thinking Office Depot, but I implore you to at least consider refurbs from elsewhere. I got my Dell E4200 for about $650 as a refurb, and this same model (which is still in current production) sells for over $2,000 new.

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

Because that doesn't make a 7 year old 1.4 Centrino any faster, or make the 100g HD bigger, or allow me to have more than 2gb ram, or magically change my screen to show better color/resolution. Old is old. While it's still a solid machine, it's too old for what I want out of a computer that is used day-to-day.

Why don't you use a Nokia 5160 anymore?

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

Thank you Joe, that's the kinda of help that I need to read. I am leanign toward the HP G72 because I simply like using it better over the Toshiba. I went up to OD and played with them for about an hour. Oh and the HP in the store is currently running at $479. Yes, I do have to stick to OD though...its like having a $400 Best Buy gift card, needing a computer and buying one at Staples out of pocket. Sure the OD rewards can go to other things...but what I don't know...so why not a new computer?

I know refurbs can be had cheap and are just as good as new. Hell, I have refurbed hundreds of Dell/IBM/HP/Toshiba/Compaq laptops that I would have no problem buying refurbed. ****, I built my NX7000 out of about 4 other NX7000s and it's been fine 4 years later.

Madvillain

iTrader: (1)

sure bro.

magnamx-5

iTrader: (7)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-Acer-...77520866863197 i got my women this for xmas it runs very well and have alot of good options to it. 17.3 inch screen good ram etc.

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

Eewww wal-mart....no. lol
Looks like I'll end up with the HP G72.

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

...and I did. My awesome GF surprised me with it when I came home from work today. W00t! And just yesterday I felt all accomplished because I got some virus and kicked it's ***. Well, this will probably be my lasting posting from 'ole trusty (the NX7000)...which will probably be used for travel or other misc. things. Now comes the fun of killing off the bundle software that comes with new computers. I'd I had more time/money, I'd just get another hard drive and load up whatever, but I'm not that concerned about it as I am not that much of a computer geek. I feel weird though...in the past month I have upgraded to the 21st century....ditched my Motorola Razor for a iPhone and now have a computer that doesn't take 5 minutes to start up lol.

Vashthestampede

iTrader: (17)

So happy I came across this thread. I'm looking for one myself and I almost got myself another Dell today but held off. I'm still looking around, but I really like this HP you picked out. The number keypad is ****.

So out of the box what do you think about it? I know its too soon to give it a full review, but let me know what you think.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

I know most of you are going to refute this and be purely cheap bastards but the new sandy bridge sony vaio S is out and is shockingly light and fast and has a neat secondary battery implementation.

3.8lbs with standard battery
5.0lbs with bottom plate battery for a whopping 13-15 hours of runtime.

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

Nah, I've looked at the various Sony Vaio models in the Sony store and they're great machines. My pruchase was mostly motivated by screen size and price as well as bang-for-the-buck. OD just dropped the price on this to $470..wich isn't a bad deal IMHO. So far it's been quite nice. Startup didn't take that long and there wasn't as much ad crap as I thought there would be. Took maybe 15min to set everything up. I think I need to calibrate screen color as looking at some of my Flickr pics the color seemed a bit on the blue side. Now comes the fun of logging in to all the sites I use. The mouse it interesting to use since it's not a designated "pad" and it's the same texture as the palmrest, but so far it's not a bother. It's the same weight as the NX I was using so no change there. This big-*** screen is friggin' awesome though!

sjmarcy

If you use the trackpad on PCs and Macs a lot…after awhile the smaller PC version feels too small…especially if you use gestures often.

Vashthestampede

iTrader: (17)

I'm also interested in something with a larger screen. My desktop has 2 23" Samsung LCD's side by side and I've grown quite used to it. At the same time I don't want to be carrying around a picture frame, so 17" is probably just fine.

Staples has them for $499 on clearance. We don't have an OD around here. I'm headed there after I shower to check them out in person.

Right now I'm reading up on tethering and trying to make a decision on that as well. I want to be able to list stuff on site, so a good laptop and data plan are in order.

wannafbody

iTrader: (1)

Mines the DV6 3123CL

Sam TII

The biggest peace of advice I can give you is to look into the business tier laptops. They are way more solid and made of much higher quality components.

Most MFG's sell in three tiers 1)Home/Student 2)Small Biz 3) Enterprise You can't go wrong with any brand (well, almost) if you pick from 2 or 3. Tier 2 typically starts around $800. However, if you're careful and treat it well, a cheaper machine can last just as long.

I myself am a Toshiba guy, they seem to be the best bang for the buck.

Vashthestampede

iTrader: (17)

I was going to go to Staples and pick up the HP, but then I 2nd guessed myself and started looking at the Toshiba's. I read a lot of reviews about issues with the keyboards ******* up so I passed. I looked around at some other ones and figured since my desktop is a Dell, maybe I should look at them. I've had this Dell XPS for at least 4 years now with no issues.

Went to their website to start customizing one and said **** it. Inspiron 17R. Intel i5 (2.53Ghz/3m) -Windows 7 - 6GB Ram - 640GB - 17.3" LED - Intel HD graphics. Thankfully it also has the number keypad like the HP, as well as a 17" screen. I also opted for 1yr premium service in case something ***** up......or I throw it against the wall. lol

The trouble I could save myself by having this is well worth it. Now I just need to figure out if I want to tether it or not.