I need a laptop!

R

radclaqw

New Member
I would like to have a portable laptop, between 13 to 15 inch screen. I want a hdd at least 320gbs. I want to be able to run music and video editing software(720p editing would be nice). Not much gaming for me. Minimum 4gigs RAM. Okay speakers, doesn't have to be the best. Light weight would be nice, not essential. Screen resolution doesn't have to be spectacular. I prefer windows. HDMI output would be nice. And most importantly I want good battery life, at least 3.5 hours. Price range less than $1300, under $1000 would be nice. Thanks!
 
Hmm... that's quite the open ended question. Any particular brands you have in mind?

Having worked with them from a tech support perspective, I'm definitely a fan of Dells, even though I'm more of an AMD fan, and Dell uses Intel processors. Something like the Dell Studio 15 could be custom ordered to fit your needs, to pretty much exactly what you're asking for.
 
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Where do you live? Reason I ask is if you live here in the states the one that is listed in my signature you can get at bestbuy for $950. I installed ubuntu on mine but the one they sell comes with windows. It is a 15 inch screen, extremely thin and lite wieght, and rated from Dell for up 6 hours of battery life, HD screen. Also comes with a 2 year warrenty from Dell when you buy it. Plus with it's i5 cpu and 4 GB of DDR3 memory it has all the performance you will need for what you listed you wanted to do.

I also reccomend a Dell for the fact I have owned 4 different Dell Laptops and they have out lasted any other computers my family has owned.
 
radclaqw said:
I live in California. Thanks DMGrier I will definitely check that one out!
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They sell it at best buy under what they call the blue tag computers. Blue tag means best buy did surveys on what people wanted out of there laptops and then went to the manufactures and said build the laptops to these specs. Get the one that has NOT been optimized, optimized means geek squad has put there dirty fingers on the computer first and "made it better for you" when they really did more harm then any good.

Hope you find it, I have been very impressed with it so far and I am in the Navy so I travel a lot and it has seemed to hold up very well with the traveling I have put it through.
 
DMGrier said:
They sell it at best buy under what they call the blue tag computers. Blue tag means best buy did surveys on what people wanted out of there laptops and then went to the manufactures and said build the laptops to these specs. Get the one that has NOT been optimized, optimized means geek squad has put there dirty fingers on the computer first and "made it better for you" when they really did more harm then any good.

Hope you find it, I have been very impressed with it so far and I am in the Navy so I travel a lot and it has seemed to hold up very well with the traveling I have put it through.
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After doing some research i notice that it has trackpad issues? Have you experienced this?
 
DMGrier said:
Where do you live? Reason I ask is if you live here in the states the one that is listed in my signature you can get at bestbuy for $950. I installed ubuntu on mine but the one they sell comes with windows. It is a 15 inch screen, extremely thin and lite wieght, and rated from Dell for up 6 hours of battery life, HD screen. Also comes with a 2 year warrenty from Dell when you buy it. Plus with it's i5 cpu and 4 GB of DDR3 memory it has all the performance you will need for what you listed you wanted to do.

I also reccomend a Dell for the fact I have owned 4 different Dell Laptops and they have out lasted any other computers my family has owned.
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Not that this particular laptop isn't a great deal, but ordering directly from Dell can get you an i7 processor and 4GB of ram for the same price (link). That doesn't include shipping, but I can't imagine it would be much more than sales tax. You don't get the convenience of playing with a store model first and having it in your hands today, though. You probably couldn't go wrong either way.
 
I have had no problems with my track pad at all, I have not had a single problem with the hardware of this computer.

You could order from dell but you cannot get this model from dell. The Dell studio 15 Z is a bestbuy exclusive. The Dell studio 15 on there web site is far more bulky compared to the one I got, plus the 2 year warranty from dell would cost you a bit where as mine came with it.

The cosmetic design of my laptop makes apple users drool.
 
BlownFiveLiter said:
Not that this particular laptop isn't a great deal, but ordering directly from Dell can get you an i7 processor and 4GB of ram for the same price (link). That doesn't include shipping, but I can't imagine it would be much more than sales tax. You don't get the convenience of playing with a store model first and having it in your hands today, though. You probably couldn't go wrong either way.
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do you know anything about the batter life on this?
 
For video editing 720P I have to say the dreaded word on this some what PC orientated forums. MacBook...... :o <--- Video editors choice at blue in the face
 
radclaqw said:
do you know anything about the batter life on this?
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I don't off hand, no. The only Dell I own is an ancient CPiA 400MHz P-II laptop that I got for free from my former employer after someone spilled a cup of coffee into it, and I found parts to fix it on eBay for IIRC, $60. It still works, though!
 
I just got my dell (specs in sig) and i must say, i am extremely happy with it!!! - A buddy of mine who has the new MBP actually prefers the design of my laptop lol!:D
 
radclaqw said:
I would like to have a portable laptop, between 13 to 15 inch screen. I want a hdd at least 320gbs. I want to be able to run music and video editing software(720p editing would be nice). Not much gaming for me. Minimum 4gigs RAM. Okay speakers, doesn't have to be the best. Light weight would be nice, not essential. Screen resolution doesn't have to be spectacular. I prefer windows. HDMI output would be nice. And most importantly I want good battery life, at least 3.5 hours. Price range less than $1300, under $1000 would be nice. Thanks!
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You ever consider getting a Mac? It meets all your needs, with in your price range, and out of the box it can edit video like a champ. In fact, if I recall, I read once that the first Transformers movie was all post edited on 3 macbook pros.

If you are a student you can get Apple's educational discount, which is about roughly 10% off.
 
Dell = crap

HP business class = good

HP consumer models = crap

Asus = Good

Sony = meh, they have awesome models, some suck

Acer = mediocre

Apple = good

Gateway = crap
 
HP is horrible in the quality of there build and customer support. Some people do claim Dell to be crap but they cannot explain to me why my laptops that have been Dell last so long. My Laptops are more mobile then most people laptops, so they have been well tested for durability.
 
DMGrier said:
HP is horrible in the quality of there build and customer support. Some people do claim Dell to be crap but they cannot explain to me why my laptops that have been Dell last so long. My Laptops are more mobile then most people laptops, so they have been well tested for durability.
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Oh lets see. Having worked with several thousand Dell desktops, laptops and servers and how Dell just re-brands cheap parts I can say they suck.

HP Business class are really good, which is totally different from their consumer line.

My laptop I have currently is the most mobile work horse I have ever had. I have to work in the field a lot and from home. I need mobility, battery life, and some power.
 
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