What Laptop To Buy?

[Fusion]

Hey guys, im seriously looking into buying a laptop for cg use. The problem is I have no idea where to start. I have a pretty good dektop computer so my laptop doesn't have to be the latest thing out there. There are just so many names to choose from and Im not even sure what parts I want in it. My spending limit is about 1000$ (tight budjet:( ) So any information at all would help me out tons!! :)

P.S Is it possible to put desktop hardware (ex. geforce 4) into a laptop?

[LittleFish]

if you look at laptops for long enough, you willo notice that high-end laptops have better screens (from about $1400 and up for Fujitsu) and "economy-priced" laptops have worse screens. if you want a laptop for anything specific, think about the components that will be most valuable to you as a CG person. you want lots of RAM, good video, etc. you probably know far better than me. but make sure when you get a laptop, you don't get one with an Intel Celeron (those CPUs are SLOW!). preferably, you could get a P4 3.0HT or an Intel M (is that what they're called? those mobile processors are almost twice as good for their speed as a P4), but i don't think they fit your budget. yeah, just look for what you need most.

[Goj]

I have a nice laptop that works much better then my desktop. It even can run high end games, but its not really for mobile purposes, like going to the park and working because its battery can't last long because of the hardware.

Your not going to get a nice laptop for 1000- unless you get it off of ebay. You can get a nice laptop with 1000 but nothing that you want to do with it. Nothing cutting edge.

I have a 17' widescreen laptop. I got it because I love watching dvds on it, and the aspect ration perfect. Its a little arkward at first because your programs will seem wider, but you get use to it. Oh, ya, did i mention it has a full sized keyboard build it. :)

Hp Pavilion. Thats he name but i can't get it on the site. (It doesn't like me :D ) Finally got it (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_store/computer_series_detail.do?series_name=zd7000_serie s&series_index=0&catLevel=2) link doesn't work :grr: Its the zd7000.

In the laptops you can get two processors, Mobile Centrino and Pentium. (atleast at Hp). Centrino is for battery conservation. It doesn't use as much power to do stuff, but is not as powerful as a P4, but it will last longer without power.

You can have hardware aslong as its usb or pci cards. I have 4 usb slots and most of them are full with stuff. :D Printer, tablet, mouse, other harddrive, ertc..

I got the hp because it was the only laptop with a good graphics card. 128MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) FX Go5700. They best I found on a laptop. I also looked into a Toshiba that was 17' but it wasn't as good. You just need to go to sites like Zdnet and similar and just read stuff about it. I got the Hp for graphical use, and it works great.

My Configuration---------------
Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 3.06 GHz w/HT Technology
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home
512MB DDR SDRAM (2x256MB)
60 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
DVD/CDRW Combo Drive
Built in 56K Modem+10/100 LAN
17.0" WVA WXGA+ (1440x900)
128MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(TM) FX Go5700

[Fusion]

Well I have a fairly good vid card lying around(for desktop) so that should take some cash off. But i dont know if you can do that.....is harware hardware or are some designed to fit in notebooks and some for pc's? So what do you think a reasonble laptop would be priced at?

[LittleFish]

Sorry to disappoint you, but no desktop part made nowadays will fit into a laptop. A lot of parts aren't even compatable across brands (as in an HP may have a differently constructed packaging for a video card than a Toshiba).

[Fusion]

........damn:( .........looks like im going to lose a bit of cash:mad: ok well what would you consider a reasonable price for an average computer?