And in related news, I need a new laptop...

[Oexmelin]

See other thread for the reason.

I am looking for a new laptop. I mostly do text but I do manage a lot (10 000+) of images. No need for much fancy, though if it can run CivIV it would be a nice bonus (my desktop can't). And if I can have one that could run Dragon Age for only slightly more, I would consider it.

And so I am looking for recommendations...

[Grey Fox]

How much you want to pay for it?

Also, where in the world are you now?

[Oexmelin]

I am in Paris.

As for price, I do not know. How much is a good "jack-of-all-trades" laptop ? I'd rather not pay more than 1500$.

[Barrister]

For $1500 you should be able to get a laptop that plays games in a passable fasion.

[Grey Fox]

1500$ is alot should get you a laptop that not only plays CivIV, it's probably killing it.

http://www.clubic.com/shopping-498826-3-ordinateurs-portables-inspiron-1564-nb-n0056409.html

This should be sufficient and at under 500 euros, it seems a fair price. Unless you want a bigger then a 15inch screen? The about same model in 17inches is about 200 euros more.

I know, I usually avoid ATIs but mobile Gforces are way overpriced. Not much RAM too but Dells ram price compares to Apples ram prices.

320gb HDD isn't much nowadays but if you need more storage space buy an external 1TB hdd for 100$.

[Oexmelin]

Thanks to a friend, who has a small business, I might have a deal re: the Dell Vostro 1520.

Is it any good ?

Genuine Windows® 7 Professional, with Media, 32-bit, English
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 w/VT (2.4GHz, 3MB L2, 1066MHz FSB)
Obsidian Black
No Productivity Software
15.4 inch WXGA Anti-Glare LED Display
No Integrated Webcam or Microphone
4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz, 2 DIMM
500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with Free Fall Sensor
NVIDIA® GeForce™ 9300M GS 256MB
8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+/-R write capability
Dell Wireless™ 1510 802.11a/g/n Draft Mini Card
6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

[Grey Fox]

It's good set up, whats the price?

Except for win 7, get the 64 bits version.

[Cerr]

Yeah get Windows 7 64bit.

I'd be a little wary of getting the 6 cell battery. I bought a dell laptop two years ago with a 6 cell battery and the battery only lasted about a year.
If you can, get the 9 cell battery instead.

[Oexmelin]

It's good set up, whats the price?

Except for win 7, get the 64 bits version.

600$+tx