Caveman needs help to buy a new laptop

anhchungdoan

I have to admit that I am ignorant when come to gaming and computer and I need you computer genius to guide me in buying a laptop for my son who is in college.

Please narrow down to features and benefits. I would like to see some wireless networking and 1080p playback.

I prefer to play it safe by staying with brand-names as Compack, HP or Sony.

Budget is limited under $700/$800.00 dollars or lower be better. Where can I get a decent laptop without paying full retail?

Thank you.

PhantomOG

HP just released the DM3 today. Awesome little laptop for the money.

Office Depot has this one for $499 after MIR:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/328626/HP-Pavilion-dm3-1030us-13-3/

AMD Dual core processor, 4 GB ram, 320GB hard drive, Wireless N+bluetooth, Win7, 13.3" LED display, built-in webcam/mic, 6 hour battery life... perfect for a college student.

I want to run out and grab one, don't even really need it!

vc69

I would stay away From Acer. HP and Sony are ok. For gaming, a good graphics chip and RAM are necessary.

PhantomOG

If he wants to do any gaming, you can order the dm3z direct from HP with the discrete Radeon HD 4330 Graphics.

vc69

PhantomOG wrote: »

If he wants to do any gaming, you can order the dm3z direct from HP with the discrete Radeon HD 4330 Graphics.

If that is within budget, it should be totally adequate.

Has an HDMI port as well. Bully!

anhchungdoan

PhantomOG wrote: »

HP just released the DM3 today. Awesome little laptop for the money.

Office Depot has this one for $499 after MIR:
http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/328626/HP-Pavilion-dm3-1030us-13-3/

AMD Dual core processor, 4 GB ram, 320GB hard drive, Wireless N+bluetooth, Win7, 13.3" LED display, built-in webcam/mic, 6 hour battery life... perfect for a college student.

I want to run out and grab one, don't even really need it!

It's a way to go. So the model is Pavillion-dm3-1030us ? Thank you. That will save this old man some money to buy something for myself.

What's that they say abt AMD vs Pentium ? Any difference with the Pentium or just like a THX logo to charge higher price?

vc69

I run a sh*tload of AMD servers. My HTPC is AMD. My Laptops and workstations are Intel. Buy with confidence.

There are differences, but nothing you as an end user would probably ever know.

PhantomOG

AMD has made real strides in the laptop arena, especially starting with this model. The Intel version of this same laptop will run you at least $100 more, and you are stuck with Intel integrated graphics, which the ATI's in the AMD versions (both the integrated and discrete) will blow away. The Intel version supposedly buys you a little more battery life, although this is simply according to specs and has yet to be verified since its just been released. Battery life "benchmarks" are squirrelly things at best, better to wait for real reviews to verify.

That said, I still think the AMD is the way to go because of the graphics.

vc69

Yeah I could see the battery life thing, probably due to the ATI chip. I would much rather have the ATI for gaming or video output. Unless Intel has made some major strides, which I'm sure ATI has as well.

I'm thinking the HP is going to do him nicely.

Caveat: Office Depot will hard sell you on extended warranty. Don't bite.

anhchungdoan

vc69 wrote: »

Yeah I could see the battery life thing, probably due to the ATI chip. I would much rather have the ATI for gaming or video output. Unless Intel has made some major strides, which I'm sure ATI has as well.

I'm thinking the HP is going to do him nicely.

Caveat: Office Depot will hard sell you on extended warranty. Don't bite.

Thank you, you guys for the guidance.

I have your HP model number and I will not BITE that extended waranty. Again, I am fully appreciated. It's going to be a surprised gift and I know for sure he is going to like it. Andrew.