Advice on Laptop Hardware

Hello, I think this is actually my first post on these forums as I usually read, not write

Anyway, I've been informed that my current laptop is apparently unfixable due to repeatingly failing their tests with replaced motherboards and CPU's (I only sent it so they could fix the broken recharging pin). Happily though they are giving me a refund on my money.

I'm just looking for some advice on mainly graphics cards for laptops. What would be the ones to look out for and ones to avoid. Ive only done a bit of scouting for laptops so far and realised i dont know anything beyond the Radeon 9800pro days.

Can anyone help with what laptop graphics cards I should aim for.

Also whats better 2048mb DDR RAM or 1024mb DDR2 RAM. Is DDR2 that much better, the pricing seems to think so.

ThankYou

 

you should look at this website i got a good laptop off them and the warrenty is amazing. you could just use it, to look at the graphic cards they use now adays

http://www.rockdirect.co.uk/

paul

 

Thank you for that website, another good site to stick in my favourites list and helpful with graphics cards. Bit too pricy for my taste, not looking for the extreme, more of can play say Call of Duty 1 type games with ease.

My last laptop had 1gb ram, which made me think it would be good for gaming, oh how wrong i was. With graphics card called SiS Mirage, it was useless at games.

After looking at ATI and NVidia website, i now get the idea, the graphics card get worse as you scroll down the list.

What does everyone think about Dell laptops. The specs seems nice but I was told once to avoid Packard Bell (should i avoid any other), and I dont know anyone who have used a dell before.

 

Stay away from ANY PC (desktop or laptop) with SiS graphics. They make an inferior graphic chip that is good for nothing but word processing. What you want is an ATI or nVidia graphics chip. I don't really have any model numbers handy. As for Dell laptops.... I personally don't like them. Look at Acer or Asus for a nice laptop. Also, Sager makes a 'gaming' laptop with nVidia SLI built into it, 2gb RAM, etc... but it runs over $3000 US. Toshiba also makes a good laptop. Be sure your laptop includes a 7200rpm hard drive as most DO NOT. Most laptops come with 4200rpm or 5400rpm hard drives. If 7200rpm is not stated in the specs, it's probably a 5400rpm. the extra rpm's make a HUGE difference in overall performance.

hopperdave2000

 

Damn... why did you have to say that you dislike Dell laptops, anything specific?

I've managed to configure an Inspiron 6400 to great specs and good pricing (taking advantage of the free double memory)

At £895 I have:
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.0 GHz, 4 MB L2 cache
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display
2048MB DDR2 SDRAM
80GB (5,400rpm) Hard Drive [I know 5400rpm, 7200rpm makes it price too much]
256MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 HyperMemory graphics card

I have not found anything to beat that yet. Acer would, but that free double memory from Dell tempts me too much.

 

Well, I work in small computer store doing PC tech work, virus removal, etc., and I see more messed up Dell's with hard problems like dead hard drives, faulty RAM, intermittant LCD's, and the like... It could be that Dell sells more laptops and therefore more people own them and that's why I get more in for repair. Who knows? I just see alot of different hardware problems with Dell.

hopperdave2000