Which notebook for my girlfriend

Partizan · Dec 22, 2005, 11:27 AM

My girlfriend likes to play RavenShield a lot on her old Toshiba laptop (384 Mb memory, 2.0 celeron and onboard Intel graphics). But there is a problem, the sequel Lockdown is coming and there are other games she wants to play, and DVDs to watch. She travels alot so desktop computer is not an option.

I can afford around 1.600 € (Euro) for the laptop. It should have 1 Gb memory and a 256 Mb graphic card (at least x700 or geforce 6800 go) I am kinda going for ATI.

Any suggestions which brand and model I should choose?

Thanks for help.

Regards, Partizan

fobis · Dec 22, 2005, 07:30 PM

Check out the ASUS Z70VA (M6VA in Europe) whitebook (you would put everything together yourself, including parts). It has an X700 128MB (not 256MB, unfortunately). But it's a really good system for the price, especially.
And honestly, I would go for a Mobility Radeon X700 rather than a GeForce GO 6800 just because of battery life. The X700 easily has a couple more hours on battery life than the 6800.

Partizan · Dec 22, 2005, 08:18 PM

Should I choose one with Turion CPU or Pentium M? I am kinda ATI and AMD fan. But I want the best for her pleasure

Partizan · Dec 22, 2005, 08:30 PM

This one looks promising: Acer Aspire 5024WLMi, for 1290 €. It has all the candy:

Quote:

Turion 64 ML-34 1.80GHz/1024kb
1024MB (2x 512MB)
100GB
DVD+/-RW DL
ATI Mobility Radeon X700 256MB
USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11bg
6in1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/SM/MS/MS Pro/xD)
15.4" WXGA TFT (1280x800)
Windows XP Home
Li-Ion battery
3.07kg

Does the extra 128MB on X700 actually help as it has ony 128 bit memory interface?

fobis · Dec 23, 2005, 06:20 AM

If you want more battery life, the Pentium M is the way to go. Performance wise, there is actually little difference between the Pentium M's and the Turions, with the Turions having a little edge.
That laptop looks very nice, but be warned: Acer notebooks are not known for sturdiness and durability.
If your wife only plays RavenShield, then 256MB is probably not necessary, so you could probably go and find a 128MB X700.

Partizan · Dec 23, 2005, 02:52 PM

She was playing RavenShield only, cause nothing else would run on her computer. Even RavenShield war running at 35 fps tops (640x480, all settings minimum). But now the sequel is comming, and there are lots of other games she wants to play and her old notebook is dying.

I would take either Asus, Acer or FSC (Fujitsu Siemens)

I am just not sure if I should take x700 with 128MB or 256MB. Will there be any improvent as x700 has ony 128 bit interface?

g35x · Dec 23, 2005, 04:06 PM

go all out and get something with an athlon =D future proof it

Necrosis · Dec 25, 2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fobis

Check out the ASUS Z70VA (M6VA in Europe) whitebook (you would put everything together yourself, including parts). It has an X700 128MB (not 256MB, unfortunately). But it's a really good system for the price, especially.
And honestly, I would go for a Mobility Radeon X700 rather than a GeForce GO 6800 just because of battery life. The X700 easily has a couple more hours on battery life than the 6800.

You put it together yourself??? Where in the heck do you get this at in the states?

pr0digal jenius · Dec 25, 2005, 02:01 AM

the HyerSonic Aviator CX6 is worth a look...perhaps a touch over that price range...I dunno euro to $$ conversions

Partizan · Dec 25, 2005, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr0digal jenius

the HyerSonic Aviator CX6 is worth a look...perhaps a touch over that price range...I dunno euro to $$ conversions

It is overpriced. It's almost double price as the Acer Aspire 5024WLMi I mentioned before:

Quote:

Turion 64 ML-34 1.80GHz/1024kb
1024MB (2x 512MB)
100GB
DVD+/-RW DL
ATI Mobility Radeon X700 256MB
USB 2.0/FireWire/Modem/Gb LAN/WLAN 802.11bg
6in1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/SM/MS/MS Pro/xD)
15.4" WXGA TFT (1280x800)
Windows XP Home
Li-Ion battery
3.07kg

Does anyone have experience with Acer notebooks, especially with this model, as this one will probably be bought?

Regards, Partizan

part · Jan 9, 2006, 11:41 PM

Hi,

I have an acer aspire and i certainly don't recommend it for gaming. The support from acer is nil, and that's a problem when you need to update gfx drivers, acers also tend to overheat( i baked the heat sensor and now the gfx card), especially the once that look like "gaming" ones. If you dont mind some driver problems( like i have to either have the modded drivers for never games and than i cant watch videos or vice versa) and you get a long warranty& an acer service is nearby, go for it

Dec 22, 2005, 11:27 AM	#1
Partizan Fun loving criminal Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 1,182 Rep Power: 62 System Specs	Which notebook for my girlfriend My girlfriend likes to play RavenShield a lot on her old Toshiba laptop (384 Mb memory, 2.0 celeron and onboard Intel graphics). But there is a problem, the sequel Lockdown is coming and there are other games she wants to play, and DVDs to watch. She travels alot so desktop computer is not an option. I can afford around 1.600 € (Euro) for the laptop. It should have 1 Gb memory and a 256 Mb graphic card (at least x700 or geforce 6800 go) I am kinda going for ATI. Any suggestions which brand and model I should choose? Thanks for help. Regards, Partizan __________________ Live and let live!

Dec 22, 2005, 07:30 PM	#2
fobis DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 716 Rep Power: 51	Check out the ASUS Z70VA (M6VA in Europe) whitebook (you would put everything together yourself, including parts). It has an X700 128MB (not 256MB, unfortunately). But it's a really good system for the price, especially. And honestly, I would go for a Mobility Radeon X700 rather than a GeForce GO 6800 just because of battery life. The X700 easily has a couple more hours on battery life than the 6800. __________________ MacBook Pro Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.4 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz 2GB DDR2-677 ATi Mobility Radeon X1600 256MB 120GB 7200RPM SATA HDD

Dec 22, 2005, 08:18 PM	Thread Starter #3
Partizan Fun loving criminal Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 1,182 Rep Power: 62 System Specs	Should I choose one with Turion CPU or Pentium M? I am kinda ATI and AMD fan. But I want the best for her pleasure __________________ Live and let live!

Dec 23, 2005, 06:20 AM	#5
fobis DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 716 Rep Power: 51	If you want more battery life, the Pentium M is the way to go. Performance wise, there is actually little difference between the Pentium M's and the Turions, with the Turions having a little edge. That laptop looks very nice, but be warned: Acer notebooks are not known for sturdiness and durability. If your wife only plays RavenShield, then 256MB is probably not necessary, so you could probably go and find a 128MB X700. __________________ MacBook Pro Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.4 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz 2GB DDR2-677 ATi Mobility Radeon X1600 256MB 120GB 7200RPM SATA HDD

Dec 23, 2005, 02:52 PM	Thread Starter #6
Partizan Fun loving criminal Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Slovenia Posts: 1,182 Rep Power: 62 System Specs	She was playing RavenShield only, cause nothing else would run on her computer. Even RavenShield war running at 35 fps tops (640x480, all settings minimum). But now the sequel is comming, and there are lots of other games she wants to play and her old notebook is dying. I would take either Asus, Acer or FSC (Fujitsu Siemens) I am just not sure if I should take x700 with 128MB or 256MB. Will there be any improvent as x700 has ony 128 bit interface? __________________ Live and let live!

Dec 23, 2005, 04:06 PM	#7
g35x Hellhound Pilot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Deptford, New Jersey Posts: 1,100 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	go all out and get something with an athlon =D future proof it __________________

Dec 25, 2005, 02:01 AM	#9
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	the HyerSonic Aviator CX6 is worth a look...perhaps a touch over that price range...I dunno euro to $$ conversions

Jan 9, 2006, 11:41 PM	#11
part DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Hi, I have an acer aspire and i certainly don't recommend it for gaming. The support from acer is nil, and that's a problem when you need to update gfx drivers, acers also tend to overheat( i baked the heat sensor and now the gfx card), especially the once that look like "gaming" ones. If you dont mind some driver problems( like i have to either have the modded drivers for never games and than i cant watch videos or vice versa) and you get a long warranty& an acer service is nearby, go for it