Help me build a poker laptop - Page 2

Nightwish · #11 12-30-2004, 10:20 PM

In my experience, there is a big difference between 1 GB and 512 MB, so upgrade to the most you can afford.

Why are you going to run 2 Party skins? Are you getting an extra monitor?

RollaJ · #12 12-31-2004, 12:39 PM

If you dont mind spending an extra 100 that go for 1 gig of ram (512 from dell and 512 after mkt). Ive used crucial.com, www.18004memory.com, and new egg.com. All have been fine, so just search for price.

ctv1116 · #13 12-31-2004, 12:45 PM

Yea, I've got a 50 cent coupon for a Wheaties cereal box. Bidding starts at 25 cents.

MowrMowr · #14 12-31-2004, 01:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If you dont mind spending an extra 100 that go for 1 gig of ram (512 from dell and 512 after mkt). Ive used crucial.com, www.18004memory.com, and new egg.com. All have been fine, so just search for price.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. I buy from newegg.com all the time, and the service is impeccable. Stick with namebrands like Crucial or Kingston...it's worth it for a few extra bucks.

MowrMowr · #15 12-31-2004, 01:31 PM

Also, make sure you get 1x512MB when you order the laptop, not 2x256MB. This way you can add a 512MB chip later if you find you need it, whereas if you get 2x256MB you can only do 512+256=768.

MicroBob · #16 12-31-2004, 01:46 PM

All this memory talk is COMPLETELY foreign to me.
I don't even know what memory my computer has (Dell Inspiron 5100).

It seems to run decently most of the time with an external-monitor, multi-tabling, pokertracker updating every 2 mins and gametime+.
Although it does get a bit slower after extended use....pokertracker is definitely a resource-hog.
and I previously couldn't run absolute and another site without MAJOR resource problems...although I saw a thread that AP supposedly fixed that.
Since I don't have much desire to play AP I don't really care a whole lot about that anyway....just explaining a couple of situations where I have slow-downs.

Anyway, if my computer seems to be doing okay (for the most part) I suspect there isn't any real benefit to taking it to the shop for additional memory is there?

regarding the original question:
1600x1200 will allow you to play without overlap.
Getting an external monitor as well is nice though.
You can have 4 tables going on monitor while having 2+2 or e-mail or pokertracker up on the other monitor.
Obviously you can detach the external monitor if you feel like taking your laptop with you over to the couch or to the wireless internet-coffee place or wherever.
But at your desk it's a nice add-on.

Luke · #17 12-31-2004, 02:16 PM

In general, thanks to everyone who offered suggestions.

After listening to suggestions hear and speaking to some friends, I ended up getting a little better machine than I initially intended, but that's just fine. I went with the 9200 with the 17 inch wide screen, 1 gig of memory and a 2 Gig, 755 processor.

Why are you going to run 2 Party skins?

Essentially to play more than 4 tables.

I think with the larger screen I will be able to play 4 tables with no overlap, 6 tables with little to no overlap (hence the 2nd part skin) but I'm thinking 8 tables will be a little cluttered - which is ok because I don't plan on playing that many anwyay.

Are you getting an extra monitor?

I don't plan on it.

Luke

stinkypete · #18 12-31-2004, 02:33 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Also, make sure you get 1x512MB when you order the laptop, not 2x256MB. This way you can add a 512MB chip later if you find you need it, whereas if you get 2x256MB you can only do 512+256=768.

[/ QUOTE ]

bad idea. it's slower when you only have 1 stick in there.

o0mr_bill0o · #19 12-31-2004, 02:53 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Also, make sure you get 1x512MB when you order the laptop, not 2x256MB. This way you can add a 512MB chip later if you find you need it, whereas if you get 2x256MB you can only do 512+256=768.

[/ QUOTE ]

bad idea. it's slower when you only have 1 stick in there.

[/ QUOTE ]

i know i'm not as big of a computer geek as i used to be... but that one's new to me. is this a dell laptop specific problem maybe? because i've never heard of that, and it really seems like that wouldn't be the case.

WarDekar · #20 12-31-2004, 02:54 PM

I got an awesome Compaq Presario R3000Z, it was $1500. It has an AMD 64-bit CPU with 512 memory, 40 GB HD, nice vid-card with dual monitor support (so I can 8-table, of course), built in wireless, all the good stuff. Max resolution of 1920x1200 (widescreen - nice for DVDs)so I can fit 4 plus have a side bar for a buddy list, IMs, etc. CHeck it out it's a good buy.