Author Topic: New Laptop or replace the battery? (Read 4516 times)

TechnoEthicist · « **on:** May 17, 2010, 09:04:29 AM »

After 3.5 years, I think my laptop is starting to kick the bucket. It's only 8 pounds but runs very warm anymore. Also, the battery lasts an hour at best (on a 6 hour battery). I have seen the IPads and they are interesting, but I think I might wait to see what the PC world does to combat it. I use the laptop in all of my classes for my PHD and also my office and from time to time on the plane...no longer a gaming laptop (that's what the PC is for

). So, that all being said, what should I do

?

adotson85 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:18:58 AM »

I knox xCalebx is looking for used laptops:

http://www.cactusgamedesign.com/message_boards/index.php?topic=21207.0

sk · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:23:42 AM »

Batteries only last about 2 years when used pretty heavily. That's probably why it won't hold much of a charge. A $100-200 replacement battery might bring it back to speed.

As to why it runs hot, you may want to blow some compressed air through the thing, as dust can collect very easily.

BTW, the iPad is more of an accessory than a laptop replacement (ie, it doesn't print). Also, its productivity apps are somewhat limited.

SomeKittens · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:24:31 AM »

Do NOT get the iPad.
From your description, it seems you like to use your electronics, and quite a bit. Try these on for size:
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-netbooks/
http://gizmodo.com/tag/netbooks/
If a netbook isn't what you want, (and I don't blame you) a midrange should be fine. I don't like the "desktop replacements", they look like an aircraft carrier.

Good Samaritan · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:55:05 AM »

I would reccomend that you buy either a new laptop or a new battery.
The I-Pad is more of a social/fun device and would probally be hard to use since you use your laptop alot.(It can't do everything an average laptop can do).
The I-pads are not cheap. You could get a great laptop for the price of an I-Pad.

xCaLeBx · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:58:47 AM »

Well, I'm getting a good upgraded laptop from a guy for abunch of redemption cards, it is nice in many ways (160gb hard drive etc) but the battery is shot, the thing to do is go buy a new battery from ebay (its only $45 for the laptop I'm getting) but if you're just craving something new I HIGHLY suggest this (this is my dream computer): http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-alienware-m17x/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-alienware-m17x&s=dhs&cs=19&~ck=mn

SomeKittens · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:01:36 AM »

Ailenware is the Apple of PC's. (Overpriced Hype).

Good Samaritan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:06:04 AM »

Here is a good Performance laptop:here is a link to high performance laptops:http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/deals/performance_laptops?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Also a picture of what the majority of the models look like.

xCaLeBx · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:10:31 AM »

Quote from: SomeKittens on May 17, 2010, 11:01:36 AM

Ailenware is the Apple of PC's. (Overpriced Hype).

find a computer with a 360 gb hard drive and a 10gb ram get back to me

Lamborghini_diablo · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:19:00 AM »

Quote from: SomeKittens on May 17, 2010, 11:01:36 AM

Ailenware is the Apple of PC's. (Overpriced Hype).

Not really. Alienware actually delivers some VERY high spec hardware for the price... Apple is not so with their laptops.

SomeKittens · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:25:41 AM »

I custom built my current PC for about half the price of the equivalent Alienware.
And really, when are you going to need both the features of a laptop and that power at the same time? I don't like gaming laptops for that reason. If I want to get into some serious gaming, I'll have my PC. If I want to kill some time, just don't run Crysis. Combined cost of both my laptop and PC? $500 less than the base price of your Ailenware.

xCaLeBx · « **Reply #11 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:28:51 AM »

What if you travel alot? Or go over seas on long plane rides? Alienware laptops are for people that want gaming on the go and I would buy a laptop over a Desktop if they both had the same levels of RAM/Hard drive for the same price.

Lamborghini_diablo · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:32:42 AM »

Quote from: SomeKittens on May 17, 2010, 11:25:41 AM

I custom built my current PC for about half the price of the equivalent Alienware.
And really, when are you going to need both the features of a laptop and that power at the same time? I don't like gaming laptops for that reason. If I want to get into some serious gaming, I'll have my PC. If I want to kill some time, just don't run Crysis. Combined cost of both my laptop and PC? $500 less than the base price of your Ailenware.

So you're comparing a Desktop to a Laptop in terms of power vs price? The desktop will ALWAYS be cheaper.

SomeKittens · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2010, 11:38:36 AM »

That is exactly my point. You do not need a screaming fast laptop. Heck, even in today's world, you don't need 10 GB of RAM. You, of course, really, really, want 10 GB of RAM. (Me too!). Bottom line, there are very few people that a superlaptop is suited for, and I don't think anyone here falls into that category.

Ben Wilk · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2010, 04:27:08 PM »

Quote from: SomeKittens on May 17, 2010, 11:38:36 AM

That is exactly my point. You do not need a screaming fast laptop. Heck, even in today's world, you don't need 10 GB of RAM. You, of course, really, really, want 10 GB of RAM. (Me too!). Bottom line, there are very few people that a superlaptop is suited for, and I don't think anyone here falls into that category.

Your right most gamers have superdesktops.

Lamborghini_diablo · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2010, 04:44:54 PM »

As technology advances, gaming laptops are becomming less impractical. However, as far as laptops go, Apple is still the Apple of computers...

I own a 17" MacBook Pro... because the college I'm going to required that I get it. For $3000 I got...

17" anti-glare screen (1920x1200)
500Gb hard drive
Nvidia 9400M 256mb + Nvidia 9600M GT 512mb
3.08ghtz Core 2 Duo
4GB ram
5-6 hour battery life while running Windows XP, about 7 hours max on Mac OS X

For $3000 from Alienware I can get....

Intel® Core™2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53GHz (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 2GB – SLI® Enabled
17-inch WideXGA+ 1440x900 (900p) (apple screen is better however... oddly enough)
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
640GB 5400RPM

Hmm... which one's more powerful?

*EDIT*

Note, I'm not saying my laptop is bad exactly... as its fully capable of running Crysis, but that alienware would absolutely destroy my current laptop in gaming.

SomeKittens · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2010, 06:01:26 PM »

That's why Ailenware is the Apple of PC's, not the other way round.

Ben Wilk · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2010, 06:08:48 PM »

Quote from: Lamborghini_diablo on May 17, 2010, 04:44:54 PM

As technology advances, gaming laptops are becomming less impractical. However, as far as laptops go, Apple is still the Apple of computers...

I own a 17" MacBook Pro... because the college I'm going to required that I get it. For $3000 I got...

17" anti-glare screen (1920x1200)
500Gb hard drive
Nvidia 9400M 256mb + Nvidia 9600M GT 512mb
3.08ghtz Core 2 Duo
4GB ram
5-6 hour battery life while running Windows XP, about 7 hours max on Mac OS X

For $3000 from Alienware I can get....

Intel® Core™2 Extreme Quad QX9300 2.53GHz (12MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Dual NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260M, 2GB – SLI® Enabled
17-inch WideXGA+ 1440x900 (900p) (apple screen is better however... oddly enough)
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
640GB 5400RPM

Hmm... which one's more powerful?

*EDIT*

Note, I'm not saying my laptop is bad exactly... as its fully capable of running Crysis, but that alienware would absolutely destroy my current laptop in gaming.

If you game then get a desktop I could build a desktop with way better performance than that for 500$ to 1000$ less. The only reason to get a labtop that expensive is for a desktop replacement.

Lamborghini_diablo · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2010, 06:32:10 PM »

Or to have that kind of power on the road... like if you do a lot of photography or video editing on the fly.

Also, I already have a gaming desktop.

Dell XPS ftw.

Ben Wilk · « **Reply #19 on:** May 17, 2010, 07:38:25 PM »

Quote from: Lamborghini_diablo on May 17, 2010, 06:32:10 PM

Or to have that kind of power on the road... like if you do a lot of photography or video editing on the fly.

Thats what I think of a desktop replacement as.

BubbleBoy · « **Reply #20 on:** May 17, 2010, 07:54:18 PM »

Quote from: Lamborghini_diablo on May 17, 2010, 06:32:10 PM

Or to have that kind of power on the road... like if you do a lot of photography or video editing on the fly.

Who the heck can edit photography while driving? Is that even legal?

Or do you get your mommy to drive you everywhere?

SomeKittens · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:59:34 PM »

"on the fly". He either wants to do it while piloting his own private jet, or fishing.

Lamborghini_diablo · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:02:48 PM »

None of the above. I actually have a gigantic house fly for a pet. He flies me around places, and sometimes I need to do homework while traveling on the fly.

SomeKittens · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:04:33 PM »

Does the fly let you fly it, or does the fly fly the fly?

Lamborghini_diablo · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2010, 10:10:06 PM »

I fly the flying fly as it flies on its flight to visit Marty McFly.

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Author Topic: New Laptop or replace the battery? (Read 4516 times)

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