As always when I ask stupid questions like this, price isn't really a concern since I'm in no dire need of it right this second so I can save up a few weeks.
Get a Dell or a Sony..
That's my opinion 
quote:
Comrade Snoota had this to say about the Spice Girls:
And while on the subject of computers, anyone have any suggestions for a good CD Burner?
Go Plextor. I have the 12X CD-R that is really excellent in performance.
Of course, if you're willing to wait, go with a DVD-R in a few months when the $$ goes down on them.
Y'know, since EQ is already on it, it's my assumption it should run fine.
As for burners I just got a Sony 40x/12/x48x. Cost 89 before a 10 dollar instant rebate and then a 20 dollar mail in rebate on top of that. I had only one complain about it and thatis that it didn't quite match the color of my case. But I am a fashion whore like that. 
Make sure you get a P4 MOBLIE P4-m in the laptop, not just a P4. Battery life gets shot to hell when you stick a normal desktop processor in a laptop. That's one of the problem with AlienWares laptops, though I'm told the battery will last 2 hours, that's not a whole lot.
For CD burners, Plextor or TDK are the way to go in my opinion. I swear by my TDK and my friend by his Plextor. Don't get a cheap no name brand one, I was dissapointed with my DVD drive when I did that, it skips, a lot(when it's a normal CD I can plug it into my CDRW drive and have no problems with it).
quote:
Azizza attempted to be funny by writing:
But if you are not looking for portability then they can't be beat.
You mean like, a top of the line home computer?
laptop = portable
If it isn't portable, it's a home computer =)
Do not buy one under any circumstances.
*kicks the paperweight which used to be a laptop*
I'd go with Dell. Dell usually runs bi-monthly deals, like free RAM upgrades and stuff. When I bought my Dell laptop, I got a 15 inch screen for the price of a 14, and got 256 MB of RAM for the price of 128.
What sort of price range are you looking at?
For the Dell laptops, for a gaming machine you'll be looking at the Inspirons. I have an Inspiron 8100.
Right now, for an Inspiron 8200, you can get a free CD-RW/DVD upgrade. Up to you if that's something you want. Here's some specs :
P4 1.7Ghz with a 15" display,
Carrying case (Free offer),
256 MB DDR,
30 Gb HDD,
Cd-RW/DVD,
32MB GeForce4 440 Go,
Modular floppy drive (Meaning, you can take it out and replace it with a 2nd battery),
extra battery (Total amt of battery time goes from 4 hours to 8 or 9 hours),
External USB optical mouse (A MUST HAVE for any laptop).
1 year warranty
Total price : $1,911
If you want a GeForce 2 instead of a GeForce 4, subtract 79 bucks.
If you want 128 of RAM instead of 256, subtract 75 bucks.
If you want 1 battery and not 2, subtract 99 bucks.
Thing is, a GeForce 2 and 128 of RAM will be enough to run 0ld sk00l EQ graphics, no new models, but it will CHOKE LIKE MAD in Luclin, die outright in the bazaar, and such.
Now, look at a comparable sony :
P4 1.7 with a 15" screen
256 RAM
30Gb HDD
CD-RW/DVD
Radeon 7500 (Can't customise video card!)
Price is 2149.99
With that, you get only 1 battery, an additional battery would cost you 249.
A carrying case from sony would cost you 129.
The mouse would be extra, but that you can get almost anywhere now.
Granted, the Sony is a thinner, sleeker laptop but it fails in price and specs.
Dell 2 win, baby
The most popular seems to be the Toshiba S501. I think that it's a pretty good machine, and it's not too outrageously priced. I would caution against Dell, as their support is, how to say, less than fantastic (at least that's how I've heard it told from actual customers who complain to ME of all people about it).
Sony makes a decent computer, but for a little higher price. It's the smallest and most compact of all while still being very functional. They do charge more, but I guess you get what you pay for.
quote:
Jaggedpine Mistwalker Model 2000 was programmed to say:
I would caution against Dell, as their support is, how to say, less than fantastic (at least that's how I've heard it told from actual customers who complain to ME of all people about it).
Well, would a customer who didn't need help praise their service? 
Me and Lunchbox patterned our whole lives off Morris Day and Jerome, I'm a SMOOOOOTH, pimp who...
Oh, wait..
Dell's support has always been fine. I've never had a problem they didnt fix. Price isnt too much of an issue, as just about anywhere is going to try and fuck you in the unkind way (ungreased dildo). But, remember.. Dell has VERY good service and support. Dell, is doing better with the technology slowdown than other companies are. Dell WILL be here 2 years from now.
Also, I've had my Dell Laptop for a couple years now, and it hasn't failed me yet, except for a couple moments of human error.
Also, playing EQ on a laptop annoys the holy fuck out of some people. As the LCD screen does a couple funky things if you sit too close to the damned thing.
Also.. if you dont want to carry an external numpad with you, you might wanna rebind ALL your keys.
