I buy our laptops for designers in my office. I always try and buy them from Costco if I can. I usually spend about $1200 or so - and can get a computer that's not bottom of the line but nowhere near what I would consider a gaming computer. I'm guessing they would run RCT2 fine and might need to have the settings scaled back a bit for RCT3. I like buying from Costco because of their 6 month return policy. For any reason, bring the laptop back and get cash or exchange on the spot. I've found that, generally speaking, if there's something wrong with the laptop, it turns up pretty quickly. We've had them that didn't come with a sound card, a 2 that had the screens just shut off and never come back on.

I think you're going to have a hard time finding a laptop that's powerful enough to run all the games and that's under $1000. You get more for your money with a desktop of course, but it sounds like you don't want to go that way.

I would take the specs of the game that takes the most spec's-wise and use that as your guide when looking around... and not the minimum but the recommended.

BTW - you can't look at Costco online and see what computers on in the store. They are entirely different online/in store. You can't usually even call them and ask what they have either. You have to go in and see for yourself.

I've bought Gateways before, but have had trouble with both of them after the warranties ran out. We've had a bunch of Toshiba's - which run well but really really hot. We've got a bunch of HP's - which are compaq and um.. I forget their other brand, but I really like them. Their customer service has recently returned to the USA and it's done them world of good. Either that, or they've hired people with no accents and a step up in service level.

Betty,
I think Costco is a good way to go. We love Costco.
I'm going to check out ours this weekend and see what they have. Their return policy totally rocks.
Thanks.


We can get a pretty good deal on Microsoft Office from Harvard. Not too worried about that.

Hmmm. Thinking, thinking...

Here's another vote for a MacBook.


SzczerbiakManiac, Macs can run Windows natively now, so your gaming arguement is moot. I installed XP to dual boot with OS X on our school's MacBook Pro. It preforms better than the new Dells with Pentium 4's and a gig of RAM that the school provides.

I STRONGLY suggest you get at least 1 GB of RAM no matter what laptop you get. It makes a HUGE difference in preformance.

If you or Ralphie are enrolled in any major college or university (even for one class), you probably qualify for an education discount. With mine, I can get a MacBook with the following specs:

1.83GHz Intel Core Duo
1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
60GB Serial ATA drive
Combo Drive (DVD Reading and CD Burning)
Keyboard/Mac OS
AirPort Extreme Card & Bluetooth (Wifi)
Built in Webcam
Remote Control

for $1,139, shipped for free to my door. A laptop from Dell with the same features:

XPS M1210 Intel® Core™ Duo proc T2400 (1.83GHz/667MHz/2 X 1MB L2 Cache)
Operating System (Office software not included) Genuine Windows® XP Professional
A/V Communication Package Integrated Webcam and Mobile Broadband Antenna
Memory 1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz (2 Dimms)
Video Card Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Hard Drive 60GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Network Card Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
Optical Storage Device 24X CD Burner/DVD Combo Drive
Sound Options Integrated Audio
Wireless Networking Cards Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Internal Wireless
Office Software (not included in Windows XP) No productivity suite- Corel WordPerfect word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) Norton Internet Security™ 2006 Edition 15-months
Primary Battery 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Hardware Warranty 1Yr Ltd Warranty, 1Yr At-Home Service, and 1Yr HW Warranty Support


Total? $1,622. That's $500 more than the MacBook, and it's pretty much the same hardware inside!

Keep in mind you would also have to add video editing software (if you want to do that). That's free on the Mac.

To heck with all that mumbo jumbo. Save yourself some bucks and get one of these:

Another vote for the MacBook here.

(Long time, no post, I know. But I like that you guys talk about other stuff besides nothing, so I'm gonna try and visit more often. I miss it.:snap: )

And check newegg for prices on RAM before you upgrade with your order.

I only clicked on this thread, because I thought the title said "Lap Dance recommendations"

So, do you have any?

datamem.com also has some pretty good deals.

I'm a fan of crucial.com for RAM, too.