Computers and Home Networking

[Nokia]

Sometimes products just break down. You do have to remember that ASUS didn't mfg. the HDD that was in the unit, while they did mfg. the motherboard and most likely the graphics card. Electronics sometimes fail for no reason. I still would not recommend avoiding ASUS. If you look around at some reviews, you'll see that they do have excellent customer satisfaction.

[chloejiang]

Here I highly recommend the 12.1'' VAIO laptop to you, has abtained good reputation at the China Hi-Tech Fair, please check the specification: Display:12.1" WXGA(16:10) 1366*768Pixel CPU:Intel Atom N270 1.6G Memory:1GB RAM DDRII (MAX2GB) HD:160G SATA Support (MAX320GB) DVD RW Intergrated Graphic Card / Sound Card Build-in Camera 1.3Mega Pixel Build-in WiFi Build-in 2 Speakers,1 Mic Bluetooth(Optional) 3G(Optional)

[CatherineMcClar]

I've heard nice things about some other Sony laptops, which included both dedicated graphics cards and ultra-low-voltage processors (which allow long battery life, even with the dedicated graphics card being there).  However, the model you saw at the trade show sounds like a netbook, which would probably be inadequate for my son's needs.  I think that my son wouldn't mind toting around something that's a kg or a pound or two heavier, in exchange for having a large enough keyboard for comfortable typing, a large enough display for comfortable gaming, and a decent hard drive and DVD/CD drive for storing and loading data.  Thanks for trying to help, though!

[aznlilboi1987]

why would u recommend a INTEL ATOM procesor for some one who plays gamse. and also a 1gb ram and 12.1 monitor............... he play GAMES

sorry to hear ur asus laptop hard drive burned out so quickily. but i definitely recommend to go with ASUS because their motherboards and graphics cards are one of the most reliable brands i ever seen in my life. as a computer builder, i'd ONLY get asus motherboards.

what is ur budget for ur sons laptop?

i'd recommend this one if ur budget is a littler higher end (the better computer u get the longer it wiill last ur son without being outdated!)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+B...

high light features:

or

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+FX+Edition+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Centrino%26%23174%3B+...

both come with a pretty high end intel core2 duo processor with the gtx260M graphics card.

also get a 2 year STANDARD Geeksquat Black Tie Protection. While play games, HARDDRIVE, CPU, and GRAPHICS tend to over heat. IF that happens, your son can just bring it to the nearest best buy store and the geek squad can help him fix his computer. he won't have to worry about paying a cent, even to have it diagnose it. That problem you guys had with the harddrive may be a similar situation.

[CatherineMcClar]

We almost always go for the Performance Service Plan (n/k/a Geek Squad Black Tie Protection Plan) when we're buying desktop computers from Best Buy, so I expect we'll probably do it with whichever laptop we eventually get for our son.  The 2 laptop models which were just recommended are both slightly more expensive than the price range we initially had in mind (we've been aiming for a max. $1,000 price); however, they both sound like very nice desktop-replacement gaming laptops, and may thus be worth considering (especially that Gateway model) once we're ready to make the actual laptop purchase.  Thanks for the suggestions!

[aznlilboi1987]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+B...

[CatherineMcClar]

That latest recommended laptop does fit within the price range I was thinking of, but I noticed upon reading the specs that the battery life is really pathetic on that model (only about 1 1/2 hours).  It seems that with most laptops one has to choose either decent graphics or decent battery life.  (I've heard of some laptops which use ultra-low-power processor chips which have both nice features and great battery life, though -- often by allowing the user to switch back and forth between integrated graphics (less power-hungry) and the dedicated graphics card.  I've seen them on another online retailer's website, but I don't believe I've seen them on the Best Buy site yet.)

[aznlilboi1987]

the geek squad black tie protection will give u a secondary "back up" battery.

the laptop so far best buy has that allows you to switch between graphics card is the Sony z850g/b http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+VAIO+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processo...

and the macbook pro http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Apple%26%23174%3B+-+MacBook%26%23174%3B+Pro+with+15.4%22+Display+-+Alumi... pro&cp=1&lp=6

for the price for the technology it's not worth it.  HOWEVER windows vista and windows 7 has a neat feature allows you to switch between power modes: "Balance, High Performance, Power Saver." it's easily selectable on the lower right hand corner where there's an icon for the battery

High Performance - Enable all features on Windows. full CPU power, full wifi power. Full monitor brightness

Power Saver - Dims the montiors to a point where it's bright enough for him to see text and notes. it shuts off cpu power to 50% (it's adjustable) and wifi will become weaker (adjustable too). Also it will turn off extra windows vista/7 features like areo desktop and transparent windows tool bars.  this will usually let the laptop last twice as long.

if you're son wants to play games he will probably or should plug in the laptop at all times. these battery will usually last u about 2-3 hours. enough to last a couple classes each day. i DO NOT recommend your son to play games on battery.

[awful]

Go to office Max, I got an MSi, it has a dual processor, and a ton of other great amenities.  They cleaned my windows immediately so I didn't have to wait for all the stuff to expire and eat away at my memory and it cost me less than any comparable computer at best buy.  Oh, and they gave me an excellent service plan that so far has been proven more valuable then the one I had with best buy.

[CatherineMcClar]

The computer that sharmili described sounds like it has some nice features; however, sharmili did not include the manufacturer's name -- just a model number (at least that's what it looks like).  Could sharmili please provide both the manufacturer's name and the place where this laptop model is sold?  (Especially if it's Best Buy, of course, since they're the ones running this forum.)