Computer questions...

[MVPSPORTS]

After being screwed out of the BTP tourney because I didn't have a laptop at work, the final straw on the camels back was broken, and I have resigned to buy one... I've been investigating, and see that I have about 3 choices...

Sony Viao, Dell 600m, and IBM Thinkpad... Do you guys prefer one of these to the others?

Basically, I'm not really looking for anything other than a computer to multi-table poker with... But, I also don't want something that's gonna be outdated in a week... I'm willing to spend between $1500-$2000... Here are the components I'm pretty sure I want and/or need... If any of these are wrong, please correct me, as I'm pseudo-computer retarded...

Processor - Pentium M 1.6 Mhz
Ram - 1GB
Hard drive - 60GB
Screen - at least 14", and would like the SXGA (I think that's what it's called), where I can bump the resolution up high enough to 4-table without having to worry about overlap...
Video card - this is a debatable topic, and one that I probably need a little help with... I do a lot of video-imaging on my desktop, and have a 256MB video card... This upgrade on a laptop can be VERY expensive (like $300-400)... most of them can be upgraded to 64MB relatively inexpensively... But, I'm worried that this isn't gonna be enough... Any advice on this would DEFINITELY be appreciated...

I've already got the wireless router and most of that other crap...

Anything that I DEFINITELY need that I've forgotten, plus anything I don't need that I've ordered, would be appreciated...

Thanks.... MVP

[iceman5]

[MVPSPORTS]

[Rhound50]

[iceman5]

[WildBillHickok]

...save your money for all ins, and get you a computer just like the one at the Morazon Hotel ... also get a chair that sits crooked and that put a cramp in your right side while sitting at this computer...a computer like this will give you more time to consider the hands .
problem solved

[MVPSPORTS]

[Sunbob]

[rdale]

[low dough]

Memory: 512 MB is the sweet spot for WinXP. Add more for big maps in gaming or huge file processing in Photoshop.

Screen: 1600x1200 is the optimum resolution for 4 games(party) with no overlap.

Processor: any Pentium M or Athon64 M will do just fine(avoid the celerons or the semprons)

Graphics: Poker is a 2D application, no need for huge graphics processing power.
Even a FX5200 based 128MB subsystem will handle it fine, just look for dedicated memory versus shared memory architectures.

Are you ever going to try playing 3D games on this machine, or just poker and email?
My advice is based on just poker and email considerations.

[MVPSPORTS]

Thanks for all the advice... I think I'm gonna go w/ the Dell 9300 that Ice suggested... It's got a HUGE 17" screen, and after all the bells and whistles, I've bumped it down to about $1800, which is a bit much, but I've had a good run this month, and my BR can afford it...

I'm probably never gonna do any 3d graphics, but I DO sometimes have to upload a lot of pics, and keep a LOT of webpages open at the same time... I'm definitely going w/ the Pentium M, and will upgrade the memory (a GB is only like $80 more than 512MB) and video card (not sure if I'll go w/ 128 or 256, just kind of a whim thing)...

Thanks for al lthe help guys, as always... Much appreciated...

[Cardman]

I got the Dell 6000 (15.4")...I got the best screen offered, 80GB, 2MB memory (wanted 1 but got it on ebay)..spent 1400 plus shipping

i am very pleased!