Help searching and purchasing a new computer

[GenMarshall]

In terms of computer gaming, my laptop has hit the dust and only able to play games from 2004 and before. I am quite a bit embarrassed about asking in a computer forum asking for consumer and technical advice

Looking for
High End system
Must be a laptop (I hardly use my desktop eversince getting a laptop)
Reliable power coaxial input (Dont want a repeat of that again with the lose power plug)
Internal Wireless internet
Phone jack (To use as a back up or to use temporarly when I am living on my own within the computer's lifespan)
Upgradability

Dont need
Floppy Drive (Already have an external Floppy Drive)
External speekers (Perfer built in speekers)

I plan to use my new computer for
Games mostly
Music (Though I have a Dell Jukebox)
A place to dock my PocketPC for file transfers
Internet browsing

Computer Mfg. Looking into
Eather Alienware or Dell

 

[Zelig]

Looks like you already know mostly what you want...

You might want to also check out laptops by VoodooPC... they're pricey, but the quality is top-notch.

 

[GenMarshall]

Looks like you already know mostly what you want...

The only problem is what specs I should be looking for. I admit that I am a "Computer Consumer Newbie" .

 

[CruddyLeper]

Look out for latest AMD Turion notebooks - look like being summer's hottest.

(They actually run really cool, compared to Athlon64 laptops.)

EDIT: Pretty sure Acer are planning to release them July. Although that might be Europe only for some reason.

EDIT EDIT: If you want games, make sure it's got a decent onboard graphics system - ATI mobility 9700 or better. That's not very recent, there's better out there now.

 

[GenMarshall]

Look out for latest AMD Turion notebooks - look like being summer's hottest.

(They actually run really cool, compared to Athlon64 laptops.)

EDIT: Pretty sure Acer are planning to release them July. Although that might be Europe only for some reason.

EDIT EDIT: If you want games, make sure it's got a decent onboard graphics system - ATI mobility 9700 or better. That's not very recent, there's better out there now.

Is there a difference between a Pentium Processor and an Atholon processer? I mainly perfer Pentium due to experiance (never had a problem with a Pentium processor)

 

[Comraddict]

there is difference, but processors themesleves are high quality either way. I am sad that you're chosing laptop, I hate mine, I prefer my big 21" screen that lappy doesn't have.

 

[Strider]

Here's what I recommend:

Processor
AMD Athlon-64 3000+ CPU (or if you want to spend alittle extra cash, about $60 more for a 3200+)

Memory:
1 gig, don't worry to much about the speed. With a brand new computer the speed should be pretty good. Just make sure to get 1 gig of RAM!

Video Card:
Just grab a motherboard with a good built-in graphics card, or if you want to spend alittle extra cash, a Mobility 128MB ATI Radeon Pro would increase your game performance.

Hard Drive:
60gig should be plenty. Try to get a 7200RPM hard drive though, much faster.

 

[Zelig]

What's more important to you, portability and battery life, or speed?
And what's your approximate budget?

 

[CruddyLeper]

Is there a difference between a Pentium Processor and an Atholon processer? I mainly perfer Pentium due to experiance (never had a problem with a Pentium processor)

Yes. AMDs play games better. Intels do maths better. Your call.