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For those who have bought laptops...

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For those who have bought laptops...

Postby tunkpirate7 » Sun May 01, 2005 10:40 am

Are they worth it? I'm thinking of getting one (I don't have a wireless network, but pretty much my whole house is wired..) just so I can play poker without having to sit in this chair all the time (the chair is pretty comfy though...). Poker is more of a hobby, so it would probably pay for half the laptop, while the other half would come from my 9-5.

Also, would anyone suggest anything? How are the dells?
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Postby piersmajestyk » Sun May 01, 2005 11:25 am

My laptop worked pretty well before it got stolen. I only had the small screen but could 4 table with quite a bit of overlap but nothing that really bothered me. I had a Dell 1100 Inspiron. What I would suggest that if you get one get at least 512 MB Ram as 256 just didn't cut it with some sites while trying to multitable. Hopefully a few of the guys that just bought some higher end laptops can give you a little guidance on their satisfaction or lack thereof on their new computers.
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Postby iceman5 » Sun May 01, 2005 11:25 am

I have 2 of them. My 1st one was an HP 15" basic model I got for about $650.

Then I gave that to my wife and son to use.

Then I bought a Dell 9300 Inspiron with 17" wide screen monitor. WOW!!
The only thing I upgraded besides what it comes with was 512MB of RAM. I got it for $1350.

Did I say, WOW?

The wide screeen has 1900x1200 resolution so I can play 4 tables with no overlap and theres still screen left over. You do have to get use to the tiny font though.
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Postby tunkpirate7 » Sun May 01, 2005 12:28 pm

So, Ice.. is it definitely worth it? I was looking at an inspiron 6000 (i think) for about 1100..
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Postby MVPSPORTS » Sun May 01, 2005 12:43 pm

It's definitely worth it...You can get a wireless router for about another $100, and can play whereever you feel like it... Lots of routers will even let you use it outside, in the backyard... anywhere... My gf loves it, cause we can spend "quality time" in the bedroom, with her watching Real World, or other such crap, while I still play my game...

Also, a bonus is that, if you bought a newer style tv (LCD,DLP, Plasma), most of them have a linkup on the back that you can connect the laptop to directly... Hell I can 50 table if I want to when I plug my computer into my bigscreen...
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Postby MVPSPORTS » Sun May 01, 2005 12:45 pm

Just make sure whatever it is you buy has a higher level video card and a LOT of RAM... One problem w/ laptops is that its hard to upgrade them, so make sure you get what you want from the get-go...
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Postby tunkpirate7 » Sun May 01, 2005 1:16 pm

thanks for the advice! I didn't realize wireless routers were so cheap, perhaps I'll look into it..
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Postby iceman5 » Sun May 01, 2005 1:23 pm

A wireless router is less than $100. I think I paid $60 and it had a $20 rebate os soemthing like that.

I bought the cheapo HP 1st because I didnt know how much I would use it.

I bought the 2nd one less than month later, so that should tell you how much I use it.

I also have a WIFI wireless internet card. I can get online just about anywhere that a cell phone works.

Its only dial up speed, but as long as Im within 300 feet of my router at my main computer, then I get broadband speed. I can play while Im sitting by the pool watching my son swim.
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Postby tunkpirate7 » Sun May 01, 2005 1:38 pm

wow, I really thought I'd be fine without a wireless router, but for 60 bucks...

So here is what I have found so far...

1) Laptops are definitely worth it, so it looks as though i'll be ordering mine tomorrow
2) Wireless routers are definitely worth it, so it looks as though I'll be getting one as well
3) I'll make sure to spend the extra 1-200 for upgrades.. (anyone know if 512 ram + 64mb graphics card will be enough?)
4) I'm very grateful for all of your help :)
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Postby MVPSPORTS » Sun May 01, 2005 4:43 pm

I have 1Gig of ram and a 256Mb video card... Yours should be fine, as I do a lot of graphics on my computer... If you 4 table, you may want to upgrade the video card... Basically, the more programs you have running simultaneously, and the more things you have on the screen, determine how much memory/video card you need... Like I said, yours will probably be fine, but the biggest problem w/ laptops is that they aren't easily upgradable... I think the 256 video card I bought was under $100 also and memory is pretty cheap...
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Postby iceman5 » Sun May 01, 2005 6:12 pm

For my HP, I bought extra RAM and added it myself in 30 seconds.
For my Dell, I ordered it with extra RAM.

Everything else is factory and I couldnt be happier, but I dont play graphic intensive games or anything like that.

And dont worry about the wireless card that works with the router. All the new laptops already have them in them.
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Postby Troyxx » Mon May 02, 2005 2:57 am

I'm transferring to Carolina next semester so i'm looking to buy a laptop as well (they require them)

I'm thinking about buying one of the beasty IBM T43s with about every thing anyone could ever want... x300 mobility card, 1gig ram, pentium M processor at 2.0....

You can get them through the school with a big discount... but they are still in the $2500 range... Quite a lot of Big Blinds
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Postby kennyg » Mon May 02, 2005 3:14 am

"I'll take KennyGs advice before Sklanskys every time. "
-Iceman

Proud contributing member of the Poker Player's Alliance.
Poker Journal:
forum/viewtopic.php?p=14017#14017
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Postby tunkpirate7 » Mon May 02, 2005 5:04 am

thanks kenny! Wait, so what's the range on the wireless modem? I'm assuming you live in a city so you can do all that great stuff? I'm most likely buying a dell one tonight, and I'm definitely getting the damage protection (its like 80 bucks or something and covers everything). They have no interest until '06, so I should be able to pay it off by then..
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Postby iceman5 » Mon May 02, 2005 8:13 am

The routers range is around 150-300 feet. If you are in anyones house that has a router you are in business. If you go someplace that has wifi, you can connect also

For example: airports, hotels, starbux, IHOP...etc
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