[CollinsE90]

I'm going to be getting a new ASUS laptop, because I am not ready to be spending an ass load for a Mac.

What do these specs look like, any opinions or any other combos for around the same price by ASUS that is better?

Intel Core i5-430M Processor 2.26 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.53GHz
4GB of DDR3 1066MHz SDRAM, 2 slots, 8GB Max; Nvidia GT325M Graphics Engine with 1GB DDR3 VRAM
500GB Hard Drive (7200 RPM); Super Multi Optical Disk Drive; Wi-Fi 802.11 bgn; Intel WiDi
HDMI and VGA Ports; USB 3.0 port; 8-in-1 card reader; 2.0MP Webcam
16-Inch HD (1366x768) LED Display; Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit) Operating System


or this -----

Asus Laptop / Intel® Core™ i5 Processor / 14" Display / 6GB Memory / 640GB Hard Drive
8-cell lithium-ion battery
65W AC adapter
Software: Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash
Owner's manual
Product Features
Intel® Core™ i5-480M processor
Features a 3MB L3 cache and 2.66GHz processor speed.
Intel® Core™ i5 processor
Features smart 4-way processing performance with a speed boost.
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology
Delivers extra performance when you need it and increased energy efficiency when you don't.
6GB DDR3 memory
For multitasking power, expandable to 8GB.
Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media.
14" LED-backlit high-definition widescreen display
Showcases movies and games in stunning clarity.
640GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Offers spacious storage and fast read/write times.
Built-in facial recognition
Protects sensitive information.
UMA graphics
For lush images and vivid detail. HDMI output for connection to an HDTV.
Built-in 0.3MP webcam
Makes it easy to video chat with family and friends.
5-in-1 media reader
Supports Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, MultiMediaCard Plus, Memory Stick and xD-Picture Card formats.
2 high-speed USB 2.0 ports and 1 high-speed USB 3.0 port
For fast digital video, audio and data transfer.
Embedded 4G WiMAX mobile broadband technology
Gives you an ultrafast mobile Internet connection. (Wireless service contract required; sold separately. Check with carrier for coverage area and availability in your area.)
Integrated 10/100/1000 Mbps fast Ethernet LAN
With RJ-45 connector for a quick and easy wired Web connection.
Weighs 5 lbs. and measures just 1.25" thin
For easy portability. Seamless chiclet keyboard for comfortable typing.
Long battery life
Of up to 6 hours and 06 minutes to give you more time away from an outlet.
Bamboo texture
For a stylish look.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit preinstalled

[BMW F22]

What's the price??
Either way, Asus, IMO gives you the best bang for your buck.

[FDfranklin]

Asus is a good brand +1 for best bang for the buck

Toshiba is another great brand (my brand). Ive convinced 10 people in the past few months to buy one and everyone thanks me for it and loves theirs. Ive had bad luck with laptops in the past but this thing is rock solid. Battery life is 8 hours also.

[CollinsE90]

700-800, Ive did research and they have had great reviews for reliability. I need something that can take a beating, and also something powerful enough to run multiple processes fluently. Like torrents, maybe even streaming with laptop to TV, and of course school stuff. My HP was a POS and fell apart and started overheating

[BMW F22]

HP laptops are shitty. As far as good brands go, Asus and Toshiba top the list. For a brand whore like me I prefer Sony (which are actually pretty good IMO).

[Kroy]

16" is huge... that's the only problem i have with option 1.
option 2 is integrated graphics card?

overall i like option 2 better. if you don't game i would get option 2.
i would also suggest upgrading your hdd yourself later on, so i wouldn't put too much value in the stock hdds. of course the 7200rpm one is going to be better though.

[NBRider88]

In December I picked up a 17" Gateway 4gb ram, 500gb hd, i3 380m cpu for $499...Works great and is perfect for what I need. No gaming obviously as it has on-board but I still can watch movies directly to my tv via HDMI.

I'm sure you can find a good deal for less than $700-$800 with those specs

[Freakazoid]

Originally Posted by NBRider88

In December I picked up a 17" Gateway 4gb ram, 500gb hd, i3 380m cpu for $499...Works great and is perfect for what I need. No gaming obviously as it has on-board but I still can watch movies directly to my tv via HDMI.

I'm sure you can find a good deal for less than $700-$800 with those specs

this, unless you need all that extra crap Collins (all the readers, etc) try to find one that's a bit cheaper and a bit more scaled down.

[CollinsE90]

I need a fast processor, good graphics for streaming, something that wont overheat, and something that the battery and connector isnt a POS

[.:bHd:.]

end thread

[eamon]

i just bought a lenovo think pad 2.66 ghz and i love it. original was 1200! got it for 650 after tax, look into them. i can post you a link if youd like

[eamon]

oh yeah, as for you needing a laptop tha can take a beating ThinkPad is the way to go. very durable business laptops
or so ive been told

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by eamon

i just bought a lenovo think pad 2.66 ghz and i love it. original was 1200! got it for 650 after tax, look into them. i can post you a link if youd like

Originally Posted by eamon

oh yeah, as for you needing a laptop tha can take a beating ThinkPad is the way to go. very durable business laptops
or so ive been told

Yea i've heard good things about Lenovo, but they are pretty expensive when you get to the internal hardware I need. I've done my research and it looks like ASUS is the way to go, but they dont have build your own so I'm not sure how I will go about getting one the way I want it.

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by CollinsE90

Yea i've heard good things about Lenovo, but they are pretty expensive when you get to the internal hardware I need. I've done my research and it looks like ASUS is the way to go, but they dont have build your own so I'm not sure how I will go about getting one the way I want it.

disregard hdd and ram. get the best processor and graphics card you can. you can easily upgrade those later.

[FStop7]

I just bought a 17" Macbook Pro, it's a fucking beast. But it's pretty expensive and not the most portable thing in the world. I wanted a 1900x1200 display so I could see 1080p video without resizing, etc. It also wasn't cheap - $2366+tax+another $100 for 8 gigs of RAM, about $2700 total. The ASUS machine sounds like a pretty good deal, honestly.

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by .:bHd:.

end thread

He didn't ask for an overpriced paperweight

[.:bHd:.]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

He didn't ask for an overpriced paperweight

oh ok

Every Dell or HP I've configured similarly to a MacBook Pro has been more expensive.. and can't run OSX while a macbook pro can run both Windows and OSX.

[CollinsE90]

Originally Posted by .:bHd:.

oh ok

Every Dell or HP I've configured similarly to a MacBook Pro has been more expensive.. and can't run OSX while a macbook pro can run both Windows and OSX.

not the new MBP, you need to sell a testicle for one with quality specs

[cloakster]

Originally Posted by .:bHd:.

oh ok

Every Dell or HP I've configured similarly to a MacBook Pro has been more expensive.. and can't run OSX while a macbook pro can run both Windows and OSX.

That's because your configuring a Dell and an HP. :P Search up some Asus and MSI laptops and you will see why we say Macbook's are overpriced.

Collins, have you decided on one?

[FDfranklin]

Originally Posted by .:bHd:.

oh ok

Every Dell or HP I've configured similarly to a MacBook Pro has been more expensive.. and can't run OSX while a macbook pro can run both Windows and OSX.

That's the thing, you can't compare all PCs into one category like you can mac. HP and Dell are terrible companies and I would never in my life buy from them..

Answer me this.. Why buy a mac to run windows?

The lawyers in my office buy a mac and ONLY run windows.... Does not compute..

[vioaltec]

u drive a BMW but cant afford a mac? lol jk, if your a student, Mac gives out $100 discount. Only paid $1212.56 for mine

[tHegeRm]

Originally Posted by FDfranklin

That's the thing, you can't compare all PCs into one category like you can mac. HP and Dell are terrible companies and I would never in my life buy from them..

Answer me this.. Why buy a mac to run windows?

The lawyers in my office buy a mac and ONLY run windows.... Does not compute..

Nods.