Hey guys,

I know a lot of you are computer experts here on the boards and I'm in the process of shopping for a new computer. I'm hoping to get some feedback/suggestions on what is the latest/greatest and good value for the money. I should mention I'm not really interested in "building" my own computer and would prefer to simply find a model that suits my needs and will keep me current for a couple of years with flexibility to upgrade. Plus, it has to run VPinMAME flawlessly

Anyway, here's a laptop I was looking at that I thought fit the bill:
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/.....logon=&langid=EN

This is to replace a desktop unit at home for personal use. If you have a moment, please look at the specs and let me know what you think. Of course, I'm also open to suggestions on other brands/models.

Dave
http://usergallery.myhomegameroom.com/gallery/dmp65

I would recommend a Mac, but it can only run vpinmame using boot camp (dual boot into Windows). (That's how I do it)

Historically I have been a PC guy since 5.25 floppies and no hard drives.  I bought a new Mac last spring and don't regret it for a second.

vpinmame and visual pinball could really use some ports! Mac and xbox come to mind. Too bad it's so dependent on crummy Windows interfaces.

Oh boy, oh boy another MAC vs PC debate!  I could go on and on why MAC's suck a** and only real use is for graphics but I find these two links do a much more efficient job then I ever could.

http://cad-comic.com/comic.php?d=20060513

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1buD6Rx4isA

As for if you a buying a PC, I tell everyone who is not really into technology but wants a decent machine the same thing....

Call Dell!

Dell offers decent price with decent hardware and has bar none the best service and support of any computer manufacturer to date.  I've dealt with every major manufacture of computer systems right now, Sun, HP, IBM, etc and none of them offer the service and support Dell does.  Epically in the home environment, you have a problem with your machine, call Dell, they will help you through it, your hard drive died?  Call Dell someone will come ON-Site to your house and replace it for you next business day!  Don't bother with the big box stores they offer crappy hardware at inflated prices and then if you run into any problems you get to deal with their crappy service department.  Get the extended warranty from Dell and you are covered for everything for the next 3 years.

Ditto what Adam just said.

We use them exlusively here @ my office, and I've always been impressed with the service Dell provides.  Pricing is hard to beat as well.

D.

Quoted from Vengeance

Oh boy, oh boy another MAC vs PC debate!  I could go on and on why MAC's suck a** and only real use is for graphics but I find these two links do a much more efficient job then I ever could.

http://cad-comic.com/comic.php?d=20060513

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1buD6Rx4isA

As for if you a buying a PC, I tell everyone who is not really into technology but wants a decent machine the same thing....

Call Dell!

Dell offers decent price with decent hardware and has bar none the best service and support of any computer manufacturer to date.  I've dealt with every major manufacture of computer systems right now, Sun, HP, IBM, etc and none of them offer the service and support Dell does.  Epically in the home environment, you have a problem with your machine, call Dell, they will help you through it, your hard drive died?  Call Dell someone will come ON-Site to your house and replace it for you next business day!  Don't bother with the big box stores they offer crappy hardware at inflated prices and then if you run into any problems you get to deal with their crappy service department.  Get the extended warranty from Dell and you are covered for everything for the next 3 years.

You're the one starting the debate. Both PCs and Macs have their place. Everyone knows that Vista is a piece of junk, and that's what you get if you buy from Dell.

I've been a PC user my whole life, and switched to Mac last year, and have been loving it. As a computer engineer I know a good design when I see one, and Apple designs the best computer hardware and software. It's weakpoint is still niche software support like vpinmame or games like Half-Life. Other than that, my mac is much easier and enjoyable to use. The other big downside is that they cost more, you have to decide for yourself if it's worth it.

I'm not even going to waste my breath, it's not worth it.

I will say one thing I allways find funny, the statment...

"I love my MAC, I just needed software so I could run a MAC version of Windows so I can use all the windows software"

So a MAC user, buys a MAC to get away from Windows but then finds an emulator so he can run windows software on a MAC????

Yea this sounds like the sort of forward thinking of a MAC user, buy incompatiable hardware to get away from something only to use other software so you can retain use of that software, why not just elliminate the middle man and BUY A PC!

go for mac. i've been a pc user (windows for gaming, linux for work/school) my whole life as well. i switched to mac ever since OS X became the operating system - it is based on technology developed 15 years ago at a company called NeXT (NeXTStep). the stuff they developed there would give any software geek a hard-on and i think it's awesome how it is now available to everyone and even more modernized than before. i'm not going to go into the gory details of why OS X is better than windows but just know that it is, in stability and usability.

besides, you can always dual-boot windows and os x on the apple laptops. the macbook pros are often rated as the best performing *WINDOWS* laptops on the market.

be careful with dells. pc's have their place but i would avoid that brand (unless you're buying one of their LCD's which are wonderful). at one point at my old office we had a 30% failure rate on our dell desktops. if you're going to buy a PC at least go for Lenovo (ex-IBM), HP or Toshiba.

go with what you need determine what applications you use the most and then look at all the possibilities. I always give a chuckle to some people who buy high end everything and just do email and surf. will comment that i use both windows and mac os and have no problems with either. as far as hardware goes Dell warranty is good if you get the extended warranty, have allot of laptops and service is good. there has been lemons in all companies so no matter what you buy get extended warranty. good luck!

To answer your question, if it's to replace your desktop, why are you looking at a laptop? are you travelling? sure it's fun to have one but for the same price, you'll be able to get a *much better* desktop.

Also, laptops are pretty much not upgradable while desktop NOT built by dell, hp and the likes, are much more friendly to upgrade.  Any decent PC shop will built you one to your specs, you don't have to do it yourself.

Check those out for ideas

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3148
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/EGBG/article.php/3707471

Quoted from Menace

Ditto what Adam just said.

We use them exlusively here @ my office, and I've always been impressed with the service Dell provides.  Pricing is hard to beat as well.

D.

Dell is good.  And they now offer Linux as well.