I have recently scrounged up enough funds to purchase a laptop, my budget is under 1300 dollars.

I would like to be able to game, but I don't need to be running anything uber high ended. I've looked at all of the "gaming laptops" and I can't really find anything within price range, Falcon Northwest is in a totally different price range, the same for VooDoo. Alienware's base models are in my range, but are so stripped down due to their "High class name". So right now its come down to Dell.

I don't really care about mobility, but it just so happen to come in the one I found.


So far, the best I believe I have found is this at the dreaded local Best Buy.
Dell - XPS Laptop with Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7250 - Tuxedo Black - X1330-126B

Suggestions? Advice? I'm all ears. (No Refurbs)

Did you check out what kind of graphics you will be runnig on that?

Quick search... lookie here...

Newegg.com - ASUS M50 Series M50Vm-A1 NoteBook Intel Core 2 Duo P8400(2.26GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA+ 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS - Laptops / Notebooks

I know that it's a little over budget but this is an absolute steal. It's a great performer and I doubt you'll find much that comes close at the price. Check out anandtech's review.

Also keep in eye out in the sunday ads----Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA and Fry's all tend to offer pretty decent sales and you can usually pick up a pretty decent steal.

Make sure you stay away from any 8600GS---they're sh**. And make sure you check the keyboard as well---a crappy keyboard can ruin the experience.


I'll keep my out for any sweet deals but I hope that helps

For 1300, I would go for something like this one:
Best Buy - Weekly Ad Specials

* Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology with interrelated Intel® Core™2 Duo processor P8400, Intel® Wi-Fi Link 5100AGN network connection (802.11a/b/g/n) and extended battery life capability

* 4GB DDR2 memory for multitasking power, expandable to 8GB; 1066MHz frontside bus, 3MB L2 cache and 2.26 GHz processor speed

* Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media; also supports LightScribe direct-disc labels using compatible LightScribe media


* 17" WSXGA+ high-definition widescreen display with BrightView Infinity technology and 1680 x 1050 resolution

* 320GB SATA hard drive (5400 rpm); HP ProtectSmart hard drive protection

* NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics with 512MB dedicated memory; up to 2302MB total graphics memory; HDMI output; Altec Lansing audio with subwoofer

* QuickPlay touch-sensitive music and DVD controls; HP mobile remote and ear bud headphones included

* Built-in HP webcam and integrated microphone make it easy to chat with family and friends

* 5-in-1 digital media reader supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card

* IEEE 1394 port and 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer; 1 eSATA/USB combo port

* 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector; 56 Kbps high-speed modem; Expansion Port 3

* Weighs only 7.6 lbs. and measures 1.7" thin for portable power; lithium-ion battery and AC adapter

* HP Imprint 2 finish in onyx and chrome with a mesh imprint pattern; touch media controls

* Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system with Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled; software package included with Photosmart Essentials and more; 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher edition included

If your school or business offers Microsoft products at a discount go for the ones with linux and save a bunch and then just install Windows over the linux.

Dell PCs Featuring Ubuntu

Quote: Originally Posted by BeetleMan For 1300, I would go for something like this one: Best Buy - Weekly Ad Specials * Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology with interrelated Intel® Core™2 Duo processor P8400, Intel® Wi-Fi Link 5100AGN network connection (802.11a/b/g/n) and extended battery life capability * 4GB DDR2 memory for multitasking power, expandable to 8GB; 1066MHz frontside bus, 3MB L2 cache and 2.26 GHz processor speed * Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible media; also supports LightScribe direct-disc labels using compatible LightScribe media * 17" WSXGA+ high-definition widescreen display with BrightView Infinity technology and 1680 x 1050 resolution * 320GB SATA hard drive (5400 rpm); HP ProtectSmart hard drive protection * NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics with 512MB dedicated memory; up to 2302MB total graphics memory; HDMI output; Altec Lansing audio with subwoofer * QuickPlay touch-sensitive music and DVD controls; HP mobile remote and ear bud headphones included * Built-in HP webcam and integrated microphone make it easy to chat with family and friends * 5-in-1 digital media reader supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card * IEEE 1394 port and 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports for fast digital video, audio and data transfer; 1 eSATA/USB combo port * 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN with RJ-45 connector; 56 Kbps high-speed modem; Expansion Port 3 * Weighs only 7.6 lbs. and measures 1.7" thin for portable power; lithium-ion battery and AC adapter * HP Imprint 2 finish in onyx and chrome with a mesh imprint pattern; touch media controls * Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system with Service Pack 1 (SP1) preinstalled; software package included with Photosmart Essentials and more; 60-day trial version of Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher edition included

That sounds like a pretty darn good deal.

Thanks guys, I'm really diggin' eascarface reccomendation right now. Too bad the only place I can currently find it is ebay (1800+), and bestbuy (1500). :X Funny how the MSRP is 1400.

Quote: Originally Posted by Master Yunk Thanks guys, I'm really diggin' eascarface reccomendation right now. Too bad the only place I can currently find it is ebay (1800+), and bestbuy (1500). :X Funny how the MSRP is 1400.

I'm pretty sure that Best Buy runs a 10/15% off coupon ever few months so keep an eye out for that. They'll probably have a few what with it being school season and all. Alternatively you could wait for Black friday.

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface I'm pretty sure that Best Buy runs a 10/15% off coupon ever few months so keep an eye out for that. They'll probably have a few what with it being school season and all. Alternatively you could wait for Black friday.

*In Halo Game Announcer Voice* "Suicide"

I think I'll go for the coupon, I think I read an article, somewhere where they will slip on the price with more expensive products.

I also found out this was a Maximum PC "Kickass Product" 'Got a 9.

Hope you haven't bought yet because it's now on sale here

Or if you're lucky you *might* be able to get the older model (here) for under a grand as some of the stores seem to be trying to get rid of them.

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface Hope you haven't bought yet because it's now on sale here Or if you're lucky you *might* be able to get the older model (here) for under a grand as some of the stores seem to be trying to get rid of them.

It's funny cause the older model is more expensive!

Quote: Originally Posted by Master Yunk It's funny cause the older model is more expensive!

Only online though---there have been several stores who've been letting them go for around $950---which if you can get it would be an absolute steal.

Quote: Originally Posted by Master Yunk *In Halo Game Announcer Voice* "Suicide" I think I'll go for the coupon, I think I read an article, somewhere where they will slip on the price with more expensive products. I also found out this was a Maximum PC "Kickass Product" 'Got a 9.

If you haven't already bought, consider checking the price at several Best Buy stores .... when I bought my plasma a couple of years ago, there was a $300 price difference between one store and the next, entirely due to demographics as far as I could tell. The online prices tend to reflect the higher demographics, also.

-godling