Laptop Goodness

Hey folks,

I've come to the best for opinions, of course.

I graduate high school next week, and as a graduation present, I get a new laptop of my choice. I've already warned the people buying it that, because I am a computer nerd and need a good laptop, it will be expensive. They are aware of such and said I could spend as much as needed on a really good one for myself.

I have been out of the computer hardware circle for about a year now, since I got busier with things in RL v1.0. So, I have a couple of favors to ask.

1) Could you please advise me on what to look for. What are some BASICS that ANY laptop I get MUST have (remember, I'm a computer gamer/nerd.) I know that I want at LEAST 80GB, and the most amount of RAM I can get. Windows XP is obligatory, and a DVD drive (I wouldn't mind DVD+CD-RW but I have never in the past needed to burn a DVD) is necessary. One of those #-in-1 multimedia readers would be cool too, but not necessary (I don't have a digi cam...yet.) 15"+ screen is necessary. None of this 14.1" stuff. 1.5GHz+ (2.0 would be sweet!)

2) What would be your DREAM laptop? You can either list specs or give me links to currently existing ones.

3) What are some brands to avoid? What are some brands to look for? I've had my eye on ACER for a long time, but maybe there's more out there. One of ACER's downsides is they are an Intel company. (I've always been an AMD fan, but I'll go either way.)

4) "Cleanliness" is the best way to put this one. I'm not really looking for a lot of the "software packages" that come with pre-built laptops. Obviously, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint would be great to have (perhaps necessary?), but I could do without all the free AOL trials and the Dell Picture crap software and Dell Service Alerts and all that. (I'm not a huge fan of dell... prove me wrong?) I'll be using Avast! Antivirus, so that's not an issue.

5) Is there anything I need to know about that will be coming out soon? I heard marsman mention something about an AMD chip that will be coming out in June that is really good; should I delay buying my laptop (the latest possible I'll wait is end of July/beginning of August.)

6) Would it be worth it to get a tablet PC? They look pretty sweet to me, but would I use it? I was going to say I can take notes in class on it, but why not just type them? Either way, it looks cool.

7) Biometric security? Should I get one of those fingerprint reader things? Man, that would be sweet to have, but would it jack the price too much? Do they come on gamer/nerd laptops, or just business laptops?

8) Good battery life is a must. (perhaps hot-swapable batteries?)

9) WIRELESS INTERNET/802.11b(or whatever the latest letter is) is a must.

10) Good graphics card, I'll do a bit of gaming I'm sure.

11) Is where the exhaust fans blow out something to consider? Some of the comments about ACERs that I've looked at are that the exhaust blows out the right side, which, if using a mouse, it blows hot air on your hand.

12) Good speakers. This one may be difficult, but surely there's a laptop out there with decent speakers. (Also consider where the headphone plug is. Another ACER comment is that the headphone plug is in the front, which means if you put it in your lap, you can bend/break the plug when it's plugged in.

13) Floppy drive not needed, obviously. My university gives all students a free thumb drive (YEAH!)

14) 64-bit. Yes or no? Why?

15) Coolness. Gotta be cool!

16) Accessories. I'll need a sturdy backpack to carry this in. (Not some old book bag. I'd love to get a backpack made for carrying laptops but also books and things that a college student would carry.) Should I get a mouse for it? If so, should I get one of the miniature ones or a regular size. Should it be wireless? Any other accessories that I can't think of right now. I kinda like google's backpack.. (http://www.googlestore.com/product.asp?catid=4&code=GO0107) Should I get one of those power adapters so you can plug it up in your car? It would be cool to be able to watch DVDs and stuff while on the road (not driving, of course) or flying. But, as I understand it, some laptops can't last long enough to watch a movie with a full battery.

17) Last, and this can be done later: Mobile software. Is there anything I should get for my laptop that I wouldn't use on a desktop? Faster programs, security programs, etc etc.

18) Addition: ACER has some pretty sweet laptops that have TV Tuners in them (literally, a TV antenna can extend from the top of the laptop screen. how awesome?) Wouldn't that be cool for college?

I guess that's all I have for now. I don't mean to say to you guys "hey, shop for me," but I really value y'all's opinions, so I want to see what you have to say. Remember, money is not an issue (but let's not get too crazy... I told my parents probably 1.8-2.3k for a good laptop. Too much?)

I'll be buying as soon as I find a good candidate. I'll post later with some of my picks, but I really want you guys to weigh in.

Thanks!

 

My current top pick:
http://global.acer.com/products/notebook/as9500.htm

 

I checked out that L thing.. WOW. Unfortunately, their store has no information about buying the laptops, so I have no idea how much it costs. Also, that 17" laptop is 9.25 lbs - without the battery! Am I missing something? I can't seem to find ANY way to look at prices and/or buy one of those laptops.

Yeah.. and that aurora... it's just too dang expensive. I don't even want to think about carrying something that expensive around on my back.

 

I would be way too afraid to build my own laptop. I've built a desktop or two before, but with a laptop being infinitely more fragile and small and difficult, I don't think I even want to. Besides, that Acer Aspire 9500 seems to be a pretty reputable rig in itself, and it's only $1,900.

As a side note.... where are your recommendations, sentrosi? C'mon now... I'm crazily excited about getting a laptop (and I will as soon as I decide it's a good buy.) But for that, I need input!

 

I could do an XPS if I wanted to, the price isn't the problem (though I really would feel guilty about breaking 3k... I'd do the lowest XPS at 2.6k), but it seems like maybe dell wouldn't be the way to go. I mean, it seems like I could get a good laptop with more features from somewhere else. I've never really been a fan of the giant computer companies. Convince me otherwise?

And again guys... give me some detailed suggestions. That's what I'm looking for.

 

well, my dorm room on campus will not be big enough for me to bring one of my desktops with me, so I will need a laptop that can perform in the gaming side of things. But I will also use the laptop for basic school work and in-class stuff, etc. I don't think the aspire 9500 is all that bad for the best of both worlds.

Give me some examples... I don't want to make a bad decision.

 

I'm glad you brought that up, MOG. Can someone explain a dual core CPU, and tell me why I should get a laptop that has one?

Also, could someone critque the Aspire 9500 I picked out? Tell me what's good and bad about it, so I know whether or not to continue my search (or try to get the next highest model, the 9800. It looks like a beast, but it's not available in North America yet.)

 

yeah, I don't think I really want to build a laptop right now, espcially with it being my first laptop ever.

I really like the features on the Aspire 9500, but it doesn't have a dual core processor. That kind of upsets me. However, the whole idea of having the TV antenna thing for the computer to watch TV anywhere... stinkin awesome.


I don't know. There are lots of options out there and none greater than the other as far as I can see. HELP!