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Thread ID: 117068	2011-04-01 01:22:00	PC upgrade and new laptop	darthcarnate (14113)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1190992	2011-04-01 01:22:00	With uni looming next year, I have been informed that a laptop would be a wise investment. So, looking at cheap options, I've been pointed to ex-lease at graysonline.co.nz. Problem is, I'm now an avid photographer and Photoshopper, so I want something with able to handle that, and if my budget will stretch, capable of handling a bit of Total War gaming? On the flip side, the 1080p HD screen on my desktop is punishing me for my hubris (in buying a full HD screen) as the latest games are having to be turned down to medium graphics on my 260 GTX. I'm about upgrade the terrible 2GB of RAM on 64-bit Windows 7 to 4GB DDR2 800Mhz (any suggestions for where to get this for less than $100 pricespy would be neat), does anyone know where I could get a cheap second hand graphics card with enough punch to handle the likes of Shogun 2 and the upcoming Old Republic at high graphical settings? So what I'm asking is, advice on laptop - is it worth paying for better graphics and if so, where advice on PC - what's the cheapest graphics card upgrade option are there any other components that need upgrading more urgently (it has a Pentium Dual Core E5200 @ 2.5Ghz	darthcarnate (14113)
1190993	2011-04-01 02:43:00	Problem is, I'm now an avid photographer and Photoshopper, and capable of handling a bit of Total War gaming? On the flip side, the 1080p HD screen on my desktop is punishing me for my hubris (in buying a full HD screen) as the latest games are having to be turned down to medium graphics on my 260 GTX. Photoshop - fine, so long as you don't get a sucky netbook or low-end CPU notebook. games. Are you kidding? Games are for desktops. As you say the 260 isn't handling it now, you expect a laptop to? Most won't. You can, but you'd have to pay huge amounts of money for one with half way decent graphics. Forget it, games are for desktops, upgrade the graphics card and stick to notebooks for portability which is what they were designed for.	pctek (84)
1190994	2011-04-01 03:03:00	For the portable, just get a Netbook or a i3 with dedicated graphics thou might not be ok for games still .... depends on your demands. I don't use them in lectures prefer a pen/pad :D Touch typist check the Netbook keyb first. Uni's might supply wifi access which is great cos you can get all your win updates, download .flv off tv on demand and surf TM and FB sites and do Skype :D If you wanna play games or v serious with your graphics then get a PC. Otherwise don't :2cents: So much easier to just manage one unit. If ya flatting it makes sense too...	Nomad (952)
1190995	2011-04-01 03:04:00	Uni's might supply wifi access which is great cos you can get all your win updates, download .flv off tv on demand and surf TM and FB sites and do Skype :D With no data cap :D	pcuser42 (130)
1190996	2011-04-01 03:07:00	With no data cap :D Not that I was aware of. I downloaded that 2GB Win7 SP1 (#ISO). :clap It trimmed off a few 100MBs of win updates for my PC :p People were doing video skyping afterhours. If I had a lighter PC Case I could of dragged that to the library and plugged into those spare standalone LCDs (which I suppose are usually for laptops).	Nomad (952)
1190997	2011-04-01 03:26:00	Jeez, Id never buy a 2nd hand laptop, the batteries are alway naffed which mean $200 straight away!	SolMiester (139)
1190998	2011-04-01 03:47:00	Not that I was aware of. I downloaded that 2GB Win7 SP1 (#ISO). :clap I'm currently downloading Windows Embedded 2009 and Windows Server 2003 (from MSDNAA) - about 6-8GB :p	pcuser42 (130)
1190999	2011-04-01 04:05:00	games. Are you kidding? Games are for desktops. As you say the 260 isn't handling it now, you expect a laptop to? Most won't. You can, but you'd have to pay huge amounts of money for one with half way decent graphics. Forget it, games are for desktops, upgrade the graphics card and stick to notebooks for portability which is what they were designed for. I do get this lol, I mean older games, like Medieval II Total War which I've seen friends running on laptops with 512MB graphics. Just for a bit of light relief. But yeah, might be better just upgrading my graphics card and taking an ex-lease. But definitely want Photoshop and 1080p HD playback (did I mention a 1080p screen, like in the Dell Latitude D830 ex-lease?). Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely keep it in mind. Any advice on a new graphics card with a definite max ceiling of $400, for a 1080p HD screen, from a N260GTX 786MB? I prefer Nvidia cause of less compatibility issues and extra effects in some games.	darthcarnate (14113)
1191000	2011-04-01 04:08:00	Victoria University of Wellington btw, which I'm informed is the only available ISP in halls of residence.	darthcarnate (14113)
1191001	2011-04-01 04:09:00	Jeez, Id never buy a 2nd hand laptop, the batteries are alway naffed which mean $200 straight away! I agree with that. Laptop batteries will tend to cost up to $250 each. Maybe $150NZ if you import them. Other risk incl: Is the fan noisy? Is the hinges tight? What happens if the HD crash? Screen quality, scratches? If you get a used laptop even on TM. They are not that cheap. Esp if you want a recent used one. New laptops can be had for $399 or $699 (NB or Laptops). If you get something older like 3yrs old they may have Vista or XP, then do you go out and purchase Windows 7 and spend more money :rolleyes: Many laptops of this age will tend to have less RAM and again are you gonna upgrade too? A 3yr old laptop might cost $400-500 :eek: Unless you are looking at a corporate laptop maybe a ultraportable it doesn't make sense. Since you are looking at a PC and Netbook. Build the PC yourself or get the shop to after selecting the parts - go to Computer Lounge - free courier to your door anywhere in NZ. For the laptop since it's gonna be secondary, get one for $399 or $699 or $899 if you can....	Nomad (952)
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