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Buying a new computer.

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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
Hey NSG I need your help.


So I'm off to Uni next year and I'm looking for a new laptop. My desktop rips, but it used to be used as a server and is absolutely massive. I'll also be travelling a lot so it wouldn't really be a feasible option for me to lug around everywhere.

My price range is from around $700-1100 USD, and I'm looking for a computer thats easily upgradeable, but is good for video/photo editing and the occasional game such as SC2, etc. I'm also not into buying a mac, as they're way out of my price range, and I just don't like them.

Any recommendations?
Jun 10 2011 6:23AM
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Panchuk
Posts: 1610 - Karma: 356
inb4 Get a mac
Jun 10 2011 8:26AM
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.seb.
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 597
get a mac.
Jun 10 2011 9:13AM
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EasyEast
Posts: 1983 - Karma: 118
quality^^ haha you said you dont want a mac so look into the dell xps pretty nasty laptop and easily upgradable
Jun 10 2011 9:21AM
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eldridge
Posts: 2272 - Karma: 47
look into Lenovo's. My gf just got one that was like 1000 and its got the new i7 dual core processor, which is pretty got damn fast. All the reviews ive read all have good things to say about Lenovo's.
Jun 10 2011 9:22AM
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Benjo
Posts: 709 - Karma: 23
get thinkpads or ASUS.
Jun 10 2011 9:39AM
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-Mugatu
Posts: 2579 - Karma: 84
Macs aren't way out of your pricerange at all, so thats not an excuse. But you can't reaaally upgrade them so that is. A buddy of mine has a dell xps, from what Ive seen/heard its similar to a mac but can be upgraded and shit. Check dem out!
Jun 10 2011 9:47AM
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BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
Get something with the new 2xxx series of Intel i7 processors. They're great on battery and the most powerful mobile processor you can buy right now.

Jun 10 2011 9:52AM
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Furrer92
Posts: 784 - Karma: 341
Yah if upgrading is important to you then XPS would be a really good idea, gaming laptops make it easier for you to upgrade components. For 1100 you could definitely build a legit XPS since you get to choose what goes into it. Alienwares have a pretty fat price tag but you can upgrade those as well.
Jun 10 2011 10:03AM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
this. the i5 2500k is a great processor, more powerful than my current oc'ed i7 960. If they put it in a laptop definitely get one. So inexpensive too
Jun 10 2011 10:07AM
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T.L.
Posts: 4729 - Karma: 3,008
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152258

Not much you could upgrade with this except for the hard drive but this will probably be the best bang for your buck.
Jun 10 2011 11:23AM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
yes they are you're gonna get a shitty Mac for 1100
Jun 10 2011 11:27AM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
Has anyone heard or had experiences with Samsung laptops?

As far as I've heard, they're pretty legit....and the one I'm looking at on Newegg doesn't look too bad...
Jun 10 2011 11:37AM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
Don't bother trying to upgrade a laptop. The most you can really do is add ram and change out the graphics card if it is not onboard. Laptops are for mobility, I made the mistake of getting a huge laptop for college and it literally stayed plugged into an external monitor the entire time. If you want upgrade-ability get a desktop.

For college you will be using your laptop for pretty simple operations and using the school computers a lot more than you think. I would get a nice laptop in the 700 dollar range that will run SC2 just fine. Then you could build a desktop for 700 that would be fast as shit down the road. You shouldn't be playing SC that much anyway.

Get a laptop that is light and has good battery life. I know you will not listen, but you will wish you would have haha.
Jun 10 2011 11:44AM
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Get.Kronk
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 226
Go build yourself one on HP's site. I got one that I use use as a desktop because it's the best computer my family has and runs games and editing software reasonably well. Cost me like 800 bucks but that was with like 400 off.
Jun 10 2011 11:49AM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
I dunno man. I'm majoring in film and photography (still waffling around with it)


And my parents said they'd split the cost 70/30 with me.....But I see your point and will take it into consideration.
Jun 10 2011 12:08PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
also, if your desktop is as beefy as it seems, definitely bring it to school with you. Use your laptop for classes and stuff, and do most of the work on the actual desktop.
Jun 10 2011 12:13PM
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Sr.El.Chupacabra
Posts: 33 - Karma: 10
HP
Jun 10 2011 12:15PM
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Cufe.
Posts: 1950 - Karma: 262
Sony Vaio? I am not sure how easily upgradeable it is though.
also, I would avoid HP, they pre install a bunch of crap software (makes the computer really slow) on your computer that is damn near impossible to fully remove.
Jun 10 2011 12:19PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
This is going to come off really dickish, but why would you chose that major? There are literally 0 jobs, I know this because I have a lot of friends who were film majors. Great people, don't get me wrong, but one of them works at a costume shop for min wadge. One is between jobs making pretty much nothing. The list goes on. They have personally told me that they wished they would have done something else.

You are going to be paying a shit load for college. It is an investment. You don't need a college degree to work in film, you need a camera, internet access, creativity, and a will to learn. Get a degree in something that will be useful to create income and minor in film. I am not telling you to abandon your dreams, just some words of wisdom from my limited experience.

Look at it this way, if you are hiring for a job in film, are you going to hire the film major, or the guy with the mechanical engineering degree with a film minor.

That being said you will not be using your personal computer very much, you will be in a lab using the schools computers which had the programs you need and the supervision and help from peers. Don't overspend on a laptop that will be outdated in 3 years.
Jun 10 2011 12:19PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
My parents are telling me the same thing. But I'm still technically undecided in my major.

I was thinking international Law/business because I'm fluent in Mandarin, and could slay it (hopefully) in China.

But I really really like film and photography so I was thinking of doing that.

As it stands, I edit pictures and video a fuckload.


@1337:

It takes two people to be able to move my computer from one room to another without it being sketchy.

Its absolutely MASSIVE.
Jun 10 2011 12:31PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
Specs and pics NAOW
Jun 10 2011 12:33PM
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theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2385675,00.asp

Get an HP, get an Xbox. Sell xbox if you already have

/thread

Jun 10 2011 12:36PM
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Big5hifty
Posts: 3243 - Karma: 1,253
threads for when my laptop dies in the coming months

Jun 10 2011 12:37PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
i agree with your statement to a point.

I think it is dumb to go to school for it unless you're in LA. but even then, i still think its dumb. in that industry, people could care less about your degree. sure you'll get some experience, and use some good equipment to build a reel. but really. its stupid.

this industry, film and photography, is all about connections and experience. not a degree.

if you're going to school, get a degree in communications or business, and minor in video production or photography, it'd be like an applied sciences minor...

i'm currently working in the film industry out in CA. I havent worked too many shoots out here yet, because i just moved here. so i dont have too many connections. but as i pick up shoots, and meet people, work will become steadier.

my full time job, is doing audio/vid tech for a live event production company. and i dont have a college degree.

it has to do with sometimes working for free on a smaller shoot to make a connection, to be able to put the experience down on your resume'. etc etc..

if you're going to try and make it in this industry, you have to go 110 percent for it. if you half ass it, you'll just be another hipster dude with an SLR camera, that "wants to get into the film and photography industry".

Jun 10 2011 12:38PM
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corona
Posts: 12804 - Karma: 32,822
one suggestion: don't get a Dell

I've only heard horrible stories about how shitty their quality is. 2008 is when pretty much all my friends got laptops, when we were headed to uni. 3 years later and everyone who got a Dell has something major wrong with it. From it crashing whenever a full screen program is opened to the mouse pad not working. Everyone else who got an HP, Lenovo, etc all have a perfectly functional computer. So don't get a Dell.
Jun 10 2011 12:40PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
Fuck ya, get a degree in international business with a film minor or double major. Take the time you need in college, if it takes 5 years whatever you will be set for life.
Jun 10 2011 12:44PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
Couldn't I just wipe the Hard drive and then just use the windows recovery disk to install a clean version of windows?
Jun 10 2011 12:56PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
I don't think they even send you a disc anymore. That's what I heard, could be wrong.
Jun 10 2011 12:59PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
also, asus make good computers. but really. you're going to be using the schools stuff, so it really doesnt matter till you graduate and are on your own. so just get something that you can surf the interwebz and write papers on for now.

cuz by the time you get out of school, you're laptop will be too old. so buy the nice stuff when you're actually going to put it to good use.
Jun 10 2011 1:00PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
I just customized a dope HP and the recovery disk is included in the price.


And again, @1337,

I'm currently in Italy on Vacation.

Inb4 why NSG on vacation? Bars don't really get going till 10 or 11.

And so, pics are not available.

I'll upload them when I get back on the 15th.

OP WILL DELIVAR.
Jun 10 2011 1:02PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
i'll be waiting...
Jun 10 2011 1:05PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
macbook pro. or an ipad
Jun 10 2011 1:12PM
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Scott0_robot0
Posts: 3291 - Karma: 212
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m14x/pd.aspx
either this or

http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-l502x/pd.aspx?~ck=mn this one might be better to do some editing on.

http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/laptop-family.jsp?family=Qosmio

all of those would be pretty good choices i would say.
Jun 10 2011 1:45PM
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SCOO-WOOP
Posts: 1264 - Karma: 244
Karma! Karma for all of you!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEE




Thanks for the help guys. I'm now deciding between the samsung I've found and the alienware that is linked above.


NSG...so much more help than that fucking shitshow that is /b/.
Jun 10 2011 3:50PM
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BMB
Posts: 3138 - Karma: 232
it's wat I'm gonna do
Jun 10 2011 3:51PM
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geteducated
Posts: 6410 - Karma: 86
asus transformer pad? tablet/pc
Jun 10 2011 4:15PM
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pimpcat
Posts: 858 - Karma: 321
I've yet to use a school computer....
Jun 10 2011 4:29PM
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LittleFoot
Posts: 1667 - Karma: 57
get an old mac for around 500-700

Jun 10 2011 4:30PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
i always thought alien ware computers were sick...

but then dell bought them. so i just see them not being as good of quality anymore.

plus alien ware gets their hardware from asus.

so you mise well just buy an asus. and skip the middle man, plus having to deal with dell now.
Jun 10 2011 7:26PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37540 - Karma: 121,594
Get a mac becuz liek dey are macz and dey dont evur get viruzes!
Jun 10 2011 7:35PM
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Scott0_robot0
Posts: 3291 - Karma: 212
the quality is actually the same or almost better, im not a huge fan of dell or them buying alienware, but since dell bought them they are a little more oriented for other things as well.
Jun 10 2011 7:44PM
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