Laptop recommendation under $1000US

[fighterpilot]

I'm in the market for a laptop under $1000US. I want to do basic internet, email, word processing, but also would like to play some games. I know I won't be able to play Battlefield 2 or Oblivion but want half way decent 3D video capability (but BF2 would be nice). I don't care for super light or super long battery as it will be used around the house, and during occasional travel. And a 15" display is just fine.

I currently have a Sony Vaio laptop with AthlonXP 1500+, 8MB video, and 512MB RAM. Long overdue for an update.

Anyone have a recommendation?

 

[fighterpilot]

Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[Brainonska511]

You should check the Dell outlet. I saw some E1505s on it for <$1000 with the 256MB MR X1400 graphics. The MR X1400 won't be anything spectacular, but at least you'd be able to play (read: low settings for most games) games if you so chose that option.

An example of what I saw yesterday:
E1505:
C2D @ 1.66GHz
80GB HDD
MR X1400
1GB RAM
DVD+-RW
Wireless Card
15.4" WSXGA+
$860 (Certified Refurbished)

 

[foges]

yeah, deffenetally dell if you can stand the uglyness of them

 

[fighterpilot]

Wow, thanks. I found several under $900. I also found a Gateway with GeForce Go 6150 graphics. Not real great, but that one only costs $729 new.

 

[cheesehead]

Originally posted by: fighterpilot
Wow, thanks. I found several under $900. I also found a Gateway with GeForce Go 6150 graphics. Not real great, but that one only costs $729 new.

The Go 6150 is, at best, laughable.

As much as I despise them, Dell is your only option for a decent video card under a grand. For playing games, you'll want at least an x1600/7600 video card - trust me on this one.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead

Originally posted by: fighterpilot
Wow, thanks. I found several under $900. I also found a Gateway with GeForce Go 6150 graphics. Not real great, but that one only costs $729 new.

The Go 6150 is, at best, laughable.

As much as I despise them, Dell is your only option for a decent video card under a grand. For playing games, you'll want at least an x1600/7600 video card - trust me on this one.

I agree on the 6150 video, it is integrated, therefore you'll have a slideshow of FPS games. The X1600/7600 would be a great choice, but notebooks with those cards start at $1300, which is above the budget of the OP. The best option is to look at Dell Outlet notebooks with MR X1400 chips, which are cheap and in good shape. A lot of them are returned (never even opened the box) or they are machines that someone tried out for a day or two and decided to return it, etc...