Computer nerds?

[futuresailors]

I know you're here....
I need a new laptop because this piece o' shit macbook literally can't do anything without crashing. That and I want to get my game on.

Basically I'm looking to spend under $800 and need at least 4.5 Ghz and 4 gigs of ram. And I need it to be a laptop because I don't have space for a desktop.

I was thinking this guy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

because I can get it for $700...

Any other recommendations?

[Christopher]

get a bigger desk

[futuresailors]

I don't have a desk...

[Noise...]

First, what's wrong with the MacBook? They're pretty hard to fuck up, and even when they are fucked up, they're cake to fix. Details. Post them.

Second, gaming: http://store.steampowered.com/browse/mac

[foomanfat]

Second, gaming: http://store.steampowered.com/browse/mac

I second this, if you have a functioning mac.

On that lappy, the gaming community is still pretty heavily rooted in Windows XP, so you may not be able to do as much gaming as you would like with W7.
Also, I can't seem to find any specs on Intel's "HD Graphics".

[Noise...]

Second, gaming: http://store.steampowered.com/browse/mac

I second this, if you have a functioning mac.

On that lappy, the gaming community is still pretty heavily rooted in Windows XP, so you may not be able to do as much gaming as you would like with W7.
Also, I can't seem to find any specs on Intel's "HD Graphics".

Intel Graphics are laughable. Generally integrated garbage. Fine for DVDs, very, very light gaming, some photoshop, and maybe some light graphic design. However, anything beyond that will result in choppy performance. I stand by this for any Intel integrated graphics chip - including the ones in older MacBooks.

If you get something with integrated graphics, you want Nvidia. Even a 9400M will slaughter any of Intel's integrated offerings.

I like the 320M that's in my MacBook Pro quite a bit.

Also, while I would normally take the opportunity to recommend a MacBook Pro, as they're awesome, I would say give it a month and wait for the refreshed models.

[jfrey]

Mac's are too expensive if his budget is $800. Also, the availability of games is pitiful.

I second the no integrated graphics card. They're so terrible. Nvidia ftw.

If you increase your budget to $1000 it will give you a lot more options.

How about one of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6834127365
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 834220869R

[futuresailors]

Yayyy!

So the issue with my mac is it basically can't handle having more than one window or program running at a time. I think something melted inside...but whateva.

And yeah, the graphics card issue is what I was all "uhhh wut?" about...

Well I guess I'll look around for something with a nvidia.

Thanks nerds!

[Noise...]

Yayyy!

So the issue with my mac is it basically can't handle having more than one window or program running at a time. I think something melted inside...but whateva.

And yeah, the graphics card issue is what I was all "uhhh wut?" about...

Well I guess I'll look around for something with a nvidia.

Thanks nerds!

I'd do a backup of your files, and then do a fresh install of Snow Leopard on the Mac and see if it helps. It could just be something going wonky. If it's still under warranty, take it in to an Apple Store and they'll fix it for free. Even if it's not under warranty they'll be able to fix it for relatively nothing.

While I agree that the selection of games for Mac right now is mehtastic, it's getting there. Between the Mac App Store and Steam, there are a lot of titles coming to Mac now. Even Call of Duty.

As for the graphics, look for something with at the absolute bare minimum a Nvidia 9400M. It's still integrated, but will do some gaming. You won't be playing Crysis, but most things will run on it. Aim for a 320M or better.

Also - if you aren't completely put off from Macs, look in the refurb section of the Apple online store. You can snag MacBook Pros for $800-900ish pretty often. Normal MacBooks for $700ish all the time. I've had experience with three refurb Macs, and they've all had zero issues and came looking brand new.

[eatyourguitar]

try asus laptops. they make the motherboards and graphics cards in a lot of the sony or whatever. so you get a good product at a cheaper price thanks to a vertically stacked business. also, they are less likely to throw a celeron with 4,764,968598698759 Ghz into a motherboard with the slowest buss speeds on planet earth. try walking into best buy and ask what the speed of the northbridge or the frontside bus. then you laugh at them and walk out. geek squad my ass.

[futuresailors]

While I agree that the selection of games for Mac right now is mehtastic, it's getting there. Between the Mac App Store and Steam, there are a lot of titles coming to Mac now. Even Call of Duty.

As for the graphics, look for something with at the absolute bare minimum a Nvidia 9400M. It's still integrated, but will do some gaming. You won't be playing Crysis, but most things will run on it. Aim for a 320M or better.

Also - if you aren't completely put off from Macs, look in the refurb section of the Apple online store. You can snag MacBook Pros for $800-900ish pretty often. Normal MacBooks for $700ish all the time. I've had experience with three refurb Macs, and they've all had zero issues and came looking brand new.

It's actually the new Deus Ex that's got me set on a PC...mostly cause I doubt it will be on steam or ported to mac for a while. Sure, I could run bootcamp or whatever but it seems like a hassle...

try asus laptops. they make the motherboards and graphics cards in a lot of the sony or whatever. so you get a good product at a cheaper price thanks to a vertically stacked business. also, they are less likely to throw a celeron with 4,764,968598698759 Ghz into a motherboard with the slowest buss speeds on planet earth. try walking into best buy and ask what the speed of the northbridge or the frontside bus. then you laugh at them and walk out. geek squad my ass.

Thanks for the tip.

I've found an HP, Asus and Toshiba that look promising.

[futuresailors]

So basically it's down to these I think:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productco ... 34-157-426^34-157-426-TS%2C34-131-088^34-131-088-TS%2C34-220-955^34-220-955-TS%2C34-220-904^34-220-904-TS%2C34-215-005^34-215-005-TS

And I can get the i7 asus for $790, but without the accidental damage warranty, and the hp for $650.

3...2...1....nerds go!

[eatyourguitar]

the asus. the i5 isnt bad either. if your trying to get under $600. I'm not sure what they have with a i5. you'll be much hapier in the long run with the asus. especially in support and drivers.

[McSpunckle]

Remember i7s will get hot in not-so-well designed laptops and don't have any sort of integrated graphics for when you're running on a battery.

I have an i5 HP Envy 14, and it can run Black Ops on high just fine.

Out of that list, I dig the Asus, but I'd prolly want it in an i5 model just in case I needed battery life ever.

For every day use, though, I'd go with the HP just 'cause those large clickpads are soooo good. Especially with some 3rd party software helping out.

[jfrey]

Links don't work.