Best Laptop for $1200

[Revelade]

I'm about to buy one today, so I was wondering if anyone here could suggest me something.

 

[Dragnskull]

really depends on what you plan to do with it.

-game
-schoolwork
-"Work" work
-media
-do you want a big keypad?
-do you want a big screen?
-do you want a big harddrive?
-do you want bluetooth?


the list goes on and on. gotta give us a feel of what you want to help you pick a laptop.

 

[Johnny]

Dragn am I best going with a custom built (does that mean by me personally, or does it mean I pick and choose what I want by say... a dell store?)? I honestly don't know exactly what I'm looking for other than "highest I can get for my money", I don't know what isn't really needed or is definitely worth spending more on, etc.

I'm looking at an XPS 1530, mainly for school but I'd like it to play games because I will inevitably be gaming on it (my PC at home is 10+ years old and can't handle anything) every once in awhile. I'm not going to be playing Crysis or anything that will require that amazing of a system (stuff like D3 and SC2 will be my "norm"). I'd like as big a resolution as I can get (highest for the XPS was 1900x1200 I think). Hard drive space doesn't matter to me, I'm fine with the smallest I could get from what I've been looking at on dell's site (160gb). I'd like it to be as good as I can get while I'm spending the money, as I don't plan on upgrading or getting a new one for at least 5 years (I realize by then it may need it, but I've gone 10 years on this PC and I've dealt with it). I'd like to easily connect to wireless internet and wifi that is available throughout campus.

I've got about a 1500$ budget.

 

[Static]

a 15 year old thai girly.

 

[Sogeking]

i've had good experience with compaq. if ur not planning on gaming much maybe give a lenovo a whirl

 

[Epidemic]

Newegg.com - HP Pavilion dv7-1020us NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P7350(2.00GHz) 17.0" Wide XGA+ 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm Blu-ray Disc / Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Laptops / Notebooks

thats for 1250 after rebate (not including shipping and taxes)

Newegg.com - HP Pavilion dv9930us NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo T5750(2.00GHz) 17.0" Wide XGA+ 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS - Laptops / Notebooks

thats 1099 after rebate (not including shipping and taxes)

rebates end at the end of september (50 dollar rebate from hp)

pretty sweet deal if you ask me

here's teh specs

Model
Brand HP
Series Pavilion
Model dv7-1020us
Part# FF214UA#ABA
General
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo P7350 2.0G
Screen 17" WXGA+
Memory Size 4GB DDR2
Hard Disk 320GB
Optical Drive Blu-ray Disc / Super Multi
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Video Memory 512MB
Communication Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 15.59" x 11.22" x 1.31-1.66"
Weight 7.64 lbs.
Tech Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology
Other Features ATSC/NTSC TV Tuner
CPU
CPU Type Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed P7350(2.00GHz)
CPU FSB 1066MHz
CPU L2 Cache 3MB
Display
Screen Size 17.0"
Wide Screen Support Yes
LCD Features High-Definition Brightview
Display Type Wide XGA+
Resolution 1440 x 900
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
Graphics
GPU/VPU NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Video Memory Dedicated 512MB
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 320GB
HD RPM 5400rpm
HD Interface SATA
Memory
Memory 4GB
Optical Drive
Optical Drive Type Blu-ray Disc / Super Multi
Optical Drive Interface Integrated
Optical Drive Spec Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double Layer
Communications
Modem 56K
LAN 10/100/1000Mbps
WLAN Intel WiFi Link 5100AGN
Ports
Card Slot 1 x ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
USB 4 Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA
IEEE 1394 1
Video Port 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI
Other port 1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)
Port Replicator 1 notebook expansion port 3
Audio Ports 2 Headphone out
1 microphone-in
Audio
Audio Integrated Sound card
Speaker Altec Lansing
Input Device
Touchpad Touch Pad with On/Off button and dedicated vertical Scroll Up/Down pad
Keyboard 101-key compatible
Notebook keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad
1 Quick Launch Buttons-HP Quick Play Menu and DVD
Supplemental Drive
Card Reader 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
Webcam Yes
Power
AC Adapter 90-watt AC adapter
Battery 8-cell lithium ion
Physical spec
Dimensions 15.59" x 11.22" x 1.31-1.66"
Weight 7.64 lbs.
Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 1 year limited
Labor 1 year limited


the only difference withthe cheaper one is that the cheaper one doesnt have blue ray and th processor is different