Where should i buy a laptop?

[MystifyingMonkey]

I'm finally going to be able to get a job in the summer, and i thought about getting a laptop. Im gonna use it for some school work(going to highschool next year), play some games like cs(maybe hl2 games), guildwars, warcraft3, etc, download music and videos. I don't care about the screen size, the video card can be from any company, ati or nvidia, as long as i dont lag too much. im gonna need some ram cause ill be running a lot of programs. any suggestions and where should i buy it from?

[kram 2.0]

I suggest a Dell - their laptops are solid.

kram

[David M]

Your going to need a pretty high end laptop to play those games with a decent framerate. What is your budget? I agree with Kram on Dell's. I have had two for myself and one for work in the past...very solid indeed.

[cuog]

Be careful about using it in class if ur the only one with a laptop the teacher will constantly be trying to look behind it to see what you are doing so be prepared

Also http://www.tigerdirect.com has alot of laptops most of them are refurbs. but if your on a budget its gonna be worth it

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by cuog Be careful about using it in class if ur the only one with a laptop the teacher will constantly be trying to look behind it to see what you are doing so be prepared

Won't be a problem -- most college classes are very large and many people bring laptops. I always surfed the internet in my Intro to CS class.

MystifyingMonkey, what is your budget? If it's pretty hefty, I would recommend the Inspiron XPS2 -- it's the fastest gaming laptop out there right now because of its GeForce Go 6800 Ultra card and available 2.13 GHz Pentium-M. Otherwise, I would go with the Inspiron 9300 -- it has a slower graphics card, but can be configured with less-expensive options than the XPS2 and has the same formfactor. I am planning to get one later this month before I go off to AmeriCorps. Just make sure you get the GeForce Go 6800 card -- the X300 is not very good for the latest games.

If your configuration on Dell's site has an original price of higher than around $2150, wait for Dell's 35% off $1999 coupon code. Otherwise, it's more economical to go for their tiered coupons ($500 off $1399, $600 off $1699, and $750 off $1999).

[MystifyingMonkey]

Where do you get these coupons? If you could find any goodcoupons, tell me please. I'm not sure about my budget yet, just planningaheadaboutbuying it, since i just got a new computer.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by MystifyingMonkey Where do you get these coupons? If you could find any goodcoupons, tell me please. I'm not sure about my budget yet, just planningaheadaboutbuying it, since i just got a new computer.

PC Mech members Raputinj runs a Dell Coupon Alert on his site.

kram

[thefultonhow]

I just use http://www.xpbargains.com/dell_coupons/.

[cuog]

above he said he was going into high school and just finishing up my freshman year in high school i know from experience my teachers have been trying to catch me playing games it drives me crazy cause they instead find me doing homework for next class

But if you budget is lower then go with tigerdierct.com or some of Dell's mid-grade options the low priced ones are kinda get what u pay for also be careful about buying dell ram they try and get tons of money out of u so buy ram and install it yourself if you buy from Dell

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by cuog But if you budget is lower then go with tigerdierct.com or some of Dell's mid-grade options the low priced ones are kinda get what u pay for also be careful about buying dell ram they try and get tons of money out of u so buy ram and install it yourself if you buy from Dell

The Inspiron 1200 and 2200 are actually very good laptops if you're not going to be playing games. My high school has been buying 1000s (which have recently been superceded by the 1200 and have the same chassis as the 2200), and even at $600-700 a pop, they have been fairly reliable so far. The previous entry-level model, the 1100/1150, was pretty mediocre, but I think Dell has learned their lesson, at least for the time being.

[Hi Ho]

I have heard nothing but good things about PowerNotebooks.com.

[nocturnx]

I got my laptop at www.cyberpowersystem.com Ive been pleased with it, its got a 9700 pro which works pretty good for all the games ive played so far....mostly morrowind and neverwinter nights. Also their prices are very reasonable and i think they are giving away half-life 2 with select laptops. I would recommend them.

[12twelve12]

www.pctorque.com Sager resellers....great products and incredible support. They have an excellent laptop forum as well. This is where laptop people who are "in the know"....go!

www.pro-star.com Sager sister company. This is where I bought my 8814 18 months ago...a beast of a laptop.