Hi all,
I used to frequent this forum A LOT, mostly over in the Dell section. Recently, I think my computer has died and I am in the market. I have always used Dell because of their repair plans, but I want to change that. I need something more reliable. However, my last computer was specced really nicely -- I am a graduate student, and don't have much in the way of appropriating for a new computer, so I need to find a happy medium.
Please help me out if you can: here is what I am looking for. In parentheses is what I had in the old device.
i5 processor (i7)
14-15" LED display (15.6" 1920x1080 HD LED display)
HDMI Out (HDMI out)
~4-6 DDR3 RAM (8GB DDR3) -- I am not sure if I need more than 4, more below...
Decent independent graphics card - (1GB ATI card [cant remember, Radeon 47xx?])
3 USB 2.0 ports (3 2.0 ports)
Basic CD/DVD burner/drive (TSST DVD/CD burner)
I think that covers it. All the other stuff I don't rightly care about. I want decent battery life and something that won't be sluggish compared to my i7 device. However, I realize I am downgrading here, so I can handle sluggishness on games, etc. I do not want to be bogged down multitasking between PDF files, word documents, music, and the internet, however. I don't game much more on the PC but it would be nice to run SC2 which I bought before, and I am looking forward to D3 (although I know a lot of speculation is out there for what is needed).
I am really more at a loss for the video card. Having always built Dell computers I know they put decent units in there. The computers I look at now from say Best Buy, etc. are all integrated cards or cards I am not familiar with.
I do not know what is a reliable brand anymore, aside from Sony. I am not opposed to HP or Toshiba, but have always had friends with issues. I am typing this now on a buddy's Samsung which seems nice, but I clearly won't be test driving this thing, since it is not my own.
If anyone can suggest some units around the 500-800 price mark, I would greatly appreciate it. If there is something worth purchasing for a bit more, suggest it, but note: this is mainly going to be a rig that is more portable, better on battery, with the ability to run (smoothly, not highest graphics) Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2. Those are the ONLY new games I will play or will want to play. (I have an Xbox for the other needs).
I apologize if this is a long read, but would really appreciate some help. Let me know if you need any more details!
I used to frequent this forum A LOT, mostly over in the Dell section. Recently, I think my computer has died and I am in the market. I have always used Dell because of their repair plans, but I want to change that. I need something more reliable. However, my last computer was specced really nicely -- I am a graduate student, and don't have much in the way of appropriating for a new computer, so I need to find a happy medium.
Please help me out if you can: here is what I am looking for. In parentheses is what I had in the old device.
i5 processor (i7)
14-15" LED display (15.6" 1920x1080 HD LED display)
HDMI Out (HDMI out)
~4-6 DDR3 RAM (8GB DDR3) -- I am not sure if I need more than 4, more below...
Decent independent graphics card - (1GB ATI card [cant remember, Radeon 47xx?])
3 USB 2.0 ports (3 2.0 ports)
Basic CD/DVD burner/drive (TSST DVD/CD burner)
I think that covers it. All the other stuff I don't rightly care about. I want decent battery life and something that won't be sluggish compared to my i7 device. However, I realize I am downgrading here, so I can handle sluggishness on games, etc. I do not want to be bogged down multitasking between PDF files, word documents, music, and the internet, however. I don't game much more on the PC but it would be nice to run SC2 which I bought before, and I am looking forward to D3 (although I know a lot of speculation is out there for what is needed).
I am really more at a loss for the video card. Having always built Dell computers I know they put decent units in there. The computers I look at now from say Best Buy, etc. are all integrated cards or cards I am not familiar with.
I do not know what is a reliable brand anymore, aside from Sony. I am not opposed to HP or Toshiba, but have always had friends with issues. I am typing this now on a buddy's Samsung which seems nice, but I clearly won't be test driving this thing, since it is not my own.
If anyone can suggest some units around the 500-800 price mark, I would greatly appreciate it. If there is something worth purchasing for a bit more, suggest it, but note: this is mainly going to be a rig that is more portable, better on battery, with the ability to run (smoothly, not highest graphics) Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2. Those are the ONLY new games I will play or will want to play. (I have an Xbox for the other needs).
I apologize if this is a long read, but would really appreciate some help. Let me know if you need any more details!
