Choosing a New Laptop

Edit3: So after a lot of research it comes down to this:
AMD Turion Processor VS. Intel Centrino Processor
I have 2 options of computers both priced at $950. One, the HP touch has AMD Turion has 3 GB's of memory and a 12.1" Touch Screen. The second laptop is the HP Artist's edition which has Intel Centrino processor, 2 GB of memory and a 14.1" Screen.


I was looking to purchase a laptop because my computer is a piece of crap XD. So after a little browsing i found this: http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/hp-pavil...=mncol;lst

Seems like a great deal for 950 bucks. Comes with webcam DVD burner AND Lightscribing technology. 3-4 GB of RAM, 128 MB Nvidia GeForce graphics card (could be better, Im thinking about upgrading it after i buy the laptop), 250 GB Hard Drive, But most importantly, IT LOOKS HAWT



So do you think it's a good deal?

Edit: I prefer HPs but im open to other options.

Edit2: This is another option i found for $978 but it has an amd processor so I'm not too sure about it.

HP Pavillion Touch Screen

Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)
Processor AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-70 (2.0GHz)
Display 12.1" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen (1280 x 800) w/Integrated Touch-screen
Memory FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics card ATI Radeon™ HD 3200 Graphics
Hard drive 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive edit
Personalization Webcam Only with HP Imprint Finish (Echo)
Networking Wireless-G Card
Primary DVD/CD drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
Primary battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity software Microsoft® Works 9.0

Also Included:

HP Printers and All-in-ones FREE DESKJET D1560 PRINTER (My printer is SO slow (4-5 pages per minute)
CD/DVD media HP CD-R LightScribe mv1.2 Media (52x, 700MB, 25-pack spindle)

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Oh thanks I'll look through those right now.

Personally I do not like HP computers. Many of my friends using HP laptops have complained about how fast stuff goes wrong on them, and especially how loud the fan gets. I used to have a Compaq, and the noise from the fan was ridiculous. This is really important to me since I bring my laptop to class all the time and need it to be quiet.

So, sorry I prefer anything but HP's.

The computers I'm looking at are Pavillions. I don't like compaqs either. Right now I'm custumizing an hp Touch http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shoppi...2140787756

I originally was opposed to the idea of touch screens because it would get to be a hassle to keep moving your hands from the keyboard to the screen, but then i saw the great deals you can get. The base price is $900 but for 75 dollars more you can jump from 1 gb of memory to 4 gb of memory! I'm actually considering getting this one instead. I'm going to see how the price turns out after I customize it.

Also comes with 250 gb 5400 rpm hd, a dvd burner and for 15 dollars more Lightscribe to make covers on your CDs.

nannerz did your compaq have an amd processor? Because my dad's work laptop (HP) has an amd processor and hes experianced many problems wheras my old desktop had a pentium and worked great for 3+ years until i got a virus. The HP touch I'm looking at has an amd processor so im actually probably not going to get it.

.

Personally I do not like HP computers. Many of my friends using HP laptops have complained about how fast stuff goes wrong on them, and especially how loud the fan gets. I used to have a Compaq, and the noise from the fan was ridiculous. This is really important to me since I bring my laptop to class all the time and need it to be quiet.

So, sorry I prefer anything but HP's.

That's very funny and weird. Haha I am the complete opposite. I have only and will ever only use HP. Best there is!

I have no idea what your friends were doing, but I've never had any problems with either of my HP laptops in the six years I've owned them. My first one's fan didn't get loud until it was 3-4 years old. And mind you, I used it for 10+ hours DAILY for all of those years, often times more. They stay strong for a long time, considering the abuse I put them through.

But each to their own.

amd tri and quad cores are a lot cheaper and they're just as good

Although my dad may be wrong he said that amd processors are unreliable. Do you know a website with information about processors?

what's the budget?

what's the budget?

I'm aiming for under $1000.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...2192365280

only thing about it is that it's 64 bit, idk if you'll run into any problems doing w/e you do. But you should ask if they have the same thing but with a 32bit OS.

Um, nope it was a pentium processor actually...but it was my first laptop so maybe I just didn't take good care of it But I have noticed in my classes, if I notice the person who's sitting beside me has a really loud laptop, it usually is an HP.

lol Felix that's interesting indeed..heh...it's just everyone I have talked to has not given me good feedback about HP's, well until you. Like one of my friends has exchanged her HP laptop 5 times in the past 6 years, but I think that is a rather extreme case and I'd like to know exactly what she is doing with it. xD

I am using a Dell now and am happy with it so far anyway.

only thing about it is that it's 64 bit, idk if you'll run into any problems doing w/e you do. But you should ask if they have the same thing but with a 32bit OS.

OMG this is awsome its a Spectacular deal its exactly what i was looking for and then some. Wow thanks man you really helped me out! Btw why is 32 bit better than 64 bit?

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Well this is my first laptop and I wont be needing to transfer any files but I was wondering if Microsoft office 2003 is compatible with 64 bit.

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Don't get anything with Nvidia graphics
Nvidia's laptop chips are defective right now (The 8 series at least. I haven't heard anything about the 9 series)

things are becoming more x64 right now, 64bit vista can emulate 32bit no problem. Since you're getting a brand name laptop the drivers are all there. Office will run on 64bit.

the laptop uses a 9700 so shouldn't be any prob.