College Laptop...

[Istochnikov]

There's always time for 'hardcore' gaming in college. Everything else comes second.

Say it to me and my best friend: "Gori" (my IBM T60) had installed Doom3 (and also runs 3DS MAX 2010 smoothly ) and my best friend's HP 530 has installed F.E.A.R: Perseus Mandate...

 

[markl316]

Well, it only comes with Vista, so I guess I'm stuck. Oh well. But can't you turn off "Pretty Font" or something like that to run it faster?

 

[Bj]

There's always time for 'hardcore' gaming in college. Everything else comes second.

HA, I wish. I have to finish this essay by Sunday night. I would rather be on my way to Mars now...

Or better yet, outside lawn mowing in the nice 21 degree weather.

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:31 PM ----------

Well, it only comes with Vista, so I guess I'm stuck. Oh well. But can't you turn off "Pretty Font" or something like that to run it faster?

did you mean Windows Aero?

 

[Woo482]

Smooth Font/text I think he's talking about

 

[Arrowstar]

At least for me, the system is good, but the size is too big. A little question: do you really want to carry a 17 inch laptop in your back?

I ask you this, because for a college/university laptop, if you want portability, maybe less is more (in size terms).

I have a 17" laptop and I don't have any issues with it at all. But then, I'm doing a lot of CAD for engineering school, so the larger screen size suits me. Portability also hasn't been much of an issue for me, either, but my lifestyle is likely different than some other students, as well.

 

[Quick_Nick]

Dell regularly has good deals on their website. BestBuy prices are usually terrible from what I've seen. We recently bought my brother a laptop (from Dell) just after his college graduation. Under $500 and very good for a laptop. (the deal has expired now though) And most computers bought from dell.com will give you the option of a decent gaming video card when you are customizing it. Dell also has XP on certain computers, but after my mom got a computer with Vista... I'd say JUST GET VISTA!

 

[Hielor]

Well, it only comes with Vista, so I guess I'm stuck. Oh well. But can't you turn off "Pretty Font" or something like that to run it faster?

For Orbiter, you can turn off ClearType to improve performance. This is not necessary for other programs.

However, on a laptop, you may not do well with Orbiter under Vista, due to overheating.

 

[Bj]

However, on a laptop, you may not do well with Orbiter under Vista, due to overheating.

My old computer always overheated (due to design flaws.) I bought a lap fan pad from Walmart and it keeps the temperature down really well.

If you get one though, make sure it is one that doesn't pull air up from your legs, otherwise when you put the computer on your lap it doesn't get as good air flow.

 

[markl316]

Portability won't be much of an issue--my aunt and uncle got me a really nice backpack where one of the compartments is a laptop case--kinda like a laptop case within a backpack, and it will fit. About how much does a cooling fan cost out of curiosity?

Thanks again to all who have contributed.

 

[Bj]

About how much does a cooling fan cost out of curiosity?

can be anywhere from $10 to $50. I found the $20 one works fine.

I looked and found this one I have this one, except it was way cheaper when I got it.

---------- Post added at 08:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 PM ----------

THis one was the one I was talking about earlier, it has an opening on the bottom, which makes it hard to position on your legs.