Howdy,
WARNING: Wall of Text. (I wanted to be thorough).
Background: I am going to be buying a laptop within the next year as I will be moving out and going to college for a music tech (recording) program. I also like to play games on my computer. I play MMOs (Everquest II, Age of Conan, etc...) on and off and play games like Dead Space, Fallout 3, Assassin's Creed, etc... I like to be able to play my games on at least a medium graphics setting, and prefer a high to max setting.
The point:
This laptop will be used for gaming and music creation/recording/editing and of course, everyday computing. My computer is my journal, my game platform, my work place, my recreation, my library. My life basically, haha
What's important to me:
I need to be able to multi-task like crazy. Partially for the music recording end of my usage, but I also like to run itunes, aim, email, firefox, all at the same time most of the time I'm on the computer.
I don't want to have to upgrade for as long as possible. So having longevity in mind would be nice.
The mobility of a laptop would best fit my life after high school...commuting from home, etc...
BUT
I understand that a desktop would be cheaper and ideal for gaming. A thought that came to mind was getting a laptop with a good processor and RAM (3 or 4 gigs for multitasking and audio creation/editing) and not paying extra for any other upgrades and then building a desktop with gaming (and audio creation/editing) in mind; which you can cover by building it for gaming.
What my question is:
What would you recommend I purchase for a laptop (or laptop, desktop setup, but keep in mind if i did a laptop and a desktop the laptop budget would be right at or around 1000 and the desktop budget would be no more than $1500)?
I am currently looking around at HP and Alienware systems (for the desktop, buying from TigerDirect and building. Alieanware desktops are ridiculously priced. )
I have a personal preference for Intel and nVidia, but am going to be open to suggestions of anything.
Price is, but isn't an object...My mom and I have a deal that she is willing to pay up to $1k and I'll cover anything over that. That being said I'm prepared to dish out ~$1500.
What I already know/Have:
Building is an option and it will be cheaper. But I have very limited knowledge about building a laptop...I have a basic knowledge about the various components that make up a computer and know a little about the process of building your own desktop PC.
Alienware "is overpriced" (yeah maybe, but from the parts available and features it seems like they would be worth it..??) I've also heard bad things about their support...but I've heard amazing things about the support and their products. Also, Alienware has a discount program for college students. I looked around and I've seen people claim it's a 5% discount.)
I have recording software.
Sound card is not so much an issue, because I will be using an external audio interface to be my sound card so I can connect microphones/instruments to the computer.
I have a 500GB external HD.
There most-likely will be heat issues when gaming with a laptop, but I know there are cooling platforms(idk if thats the right word for them) with fans that you can buy to keep your laptop cool.
I know I rambled a little bit, but I wanted to be thorough and get a second, third, etc opinion about this from some people who (hopefully) know what they're talking about
Thanks in advance to anyone who actually read all of that.
And thanks again if you reply, haha.
----JClark
WARNING: Wall of Text. (I wanted to be thorough).
Background: I am going to be buying a laptop within the next year as I will be moving out and going to college for a music tech (recording) program. I also like to play games on my computer. I play MMOs (Everquest II, Age of Conan, etc...) on and off and play games like Dead Space, Fallout 3, Assassin's Creed, etc... I like to be able to play my games on at least a medium graphics setting, and prefer a high to max setting.
The point:
This laptop will be used for gaming and music creation/recording/editing and of course, everyday computing. My computer is my journal, my game platform, my work place, my recreation, my library. My life basically, haha
What's important to me:
I need to be able to multi-task like crazy. Partially for the music recording end of my usage, but I also like to run itunes, aim, email, firefox, all at the same time most of the time I'm on the computer.
I don't want to have to upgrade for as long as possible. So having longevity in mind would be nice.
The mobility of a laptop would best fit my life after high school...commuting from home, etc...
BUT
I understand that a desktop would be cheaper and ideal for gaming. A thought that came to mind was getting a laptop with a good processor and RAM (3 or 4 gigs for multitasking and audio creation/editing) and not paying extra for any other upgrades and then building a desktop with gaming (and audio creation/editing) in mind; which you can cover by building it for gaming.
What my question is:
What would you recommend I purchase for a laptop (or laptop, desktop setup, but keep in mind if i did a laptop and a desktop the laptop budget would be right at or around 1000 and the desktop budget would be no more than $1500)?
I am currently looking around at HP and Alienware systems (for the desktop, buying from TigerDirect and building. Alieanware desktops are ridiculously priced. )
I have a personal preference for Intel and nVidia, but am going to be open to suggestions of anything.
Price is, but isn't an object...My mom and I have a deal that she is willing to pay up to $1k and I'll cover anything over that. That being said I'm prepared to dish out ~$1500.
What I already know/Have:
Building is an option and it will be cheaper. But I have very limited knowledge about building a laptop...I have a basic knowledge about the various components that make up a computer and know a little about the process of building your own desktop PC.
Alienware "is overpriced" (yeah maybe, but from the parts available and features it seems like they would be worth it..??) I've also heard bad things about their support...but I've heard amazing things about the support and their products. Also, Alienware has a discount program for college students. I looked around and I've seen people claim it's a 5% discount.)
I have recording software.
Sound card is not so much an issue, because I will be using an external audio interface to be my sound card so I can connect microphones/instruments to the computer.
I have a 500GB external HD.
There most-likely will be heat issues when gaming with a laptop, but I know there are cooling platforms(idk if thats the right word for them) with fans that you can buy to keep your laptop cool.
I know I rambled a little bit, but I wanted to be thorough and get a second, third, etc opinion about this from some people who (hopefully) know what they're talking about
Thanks in advance to anyone who actually read all of that.
And thanks again if you reply, haha.
----JClark