Yeah. Looking for a laptop. I found one on Best Buy which I like, and is in a good price range. But you know Best Buy...hawking money out of computer stupid people
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i5+Processor+-+Red/Black/9728443.p?id=1218161511080&skuId=9728443&st=i5&cp=1&lp=15

I'm trying to squeeze my parents out getting me a semi-gaming laptop (SHHH...). As of now, the price range is $800. Might go up as money gets found and stuff

Also, the college recommends this:
Any new laptop you purchase will be fine, but be sure it has a 10 base T Ethernet card, a wireless card, and it would be beneficial for you if you get Office 2007 loaded on it.

Any heads up on this would be great. Anything good? Bad? Maybe somebody can request something better? Save your parents some money and get something cheaper. You don't need fast processor or 3d rendering for documents. You won't need cpu scaling.
Personally, I'd go for bare bones, puta nix onm it, use openoffice and CALL it a day.Ugh. If I don't spend it, it eventually goes away. Might as well spend the most of it.
And it won't JUST be for college use. I'd like to have other things as well. And this one piqued my interest.

As of this posting, it's now $850...still willing to get it, unless someone has a better deal somewhere. Even eBayHave you tried looking anywhere ELSE?
I'll give you some more practical advice when it comes to hardware.
Buy according to purpose and not because it looks pretty.
Unless you're going to install a BSD or GNU/Linux distro on it, you will end up tossing it out because it won't be "compatible" with whatever Windows release that will come up next. "Gaming" is just as bad because you will want a new one because of "system requirements are not met" type of reason. The list goes on and one with each reason reflecting a future truth.
get a cheaper one. Back up the original software. Set up a dual boot. Learn to use the machine the right way.


You're asking for personal opinions and not looking for performance results. Posting what your intentions are on a public forum isn't thinking things through. basically, if you've already made up your mind... why bother posting?This would be QUITE adequate:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+-+Bronze/9754878.p?id=1218167395545&skuId=9754878#tabbed-customerreviews The most important THING about a laptop is the warranty. I just got a new Dell Vostro nicely loaded for under $800 with a 3 year next business day onsite warranty. If you go the BestBuy route and have issues, they do not fix. They mail it off and there is no way of telling when or if it will be fixed.

I agree that a gaming laptop is not a good idea and I would stick with the idea of using it for college. If you are planning on hauling it with you, size and weight may be an issue.