Gaming Getting a laptop soon.

[Scathraax]

With school coming up next week, and me having a job.. It's finally time for me to get myself a laptop.
I've decided on the MSI Wind, mainly for it's small form factor, since I'll be taking it everywhere with me.


Now, I have a few other items I'd like to purchase along with it.

RAM* (Upgrading from 1GB to 2GB)
Bigger HDD**
Logitech bluetooth mouse
S-Video to RCA converter cable (For use at school/friends', mostly for watching movies on a nice big television

)
Laptop carrying case/new backpack with laptop section

I'll be using this away from home a lot, but these few items seem like enough. Anything else recommended by those who travel with their laptop often?



* - There's a good chance I'll upgrade the RAM
** - I have no access to an external CD drive, so I might not have a way to get the HDD formatted if I were to purchase/install it in the Wind

 

[BiscuitBee]

How about a USB 10-key add-on? I guess that depends on what you are doing, of course.

Personally, I hate the Fn-mode 10-key on most laptops

EDIT: And, if it matters, a privacy screen so passers-by and slanty-necks can't peak at what you are doing.

 

[Scathraax]

The Fn-mode doesn't bother me much, really.
But the privacy screen doesn't sound like a bad idea.

 

[Maktub]

Could you link some shop with that computer? I'm curious about it.

 

[Jiggah]

I heard upgrading the RAM for the Wind voids the warranty.

 

[Scathraax]

Could you link some shop with that computer? I'm curious about it.
Newegg has it, which is where I think I'll be ordering from. [edit] Bah. Newegg is out of stock as well. I hadn't even noticed.
Amazon has them listed, but seems to be sold out.

QUOTE(Jiggah @ Aug 15 2008, 12:18 PM) I heard upgrading the RAM for the Wind voids the warranty.

I've read the same.. and while I hate to void warranties, the extra RAM would be pretty nice.
This upgrade is still up in the air.

 

[Psyfira]

I used to have one of the shoulderbag-style protective laptop cases and found it a nightmare to carry; those things are damn heavy even before you put the laptop in! Go with the backpack. Also it's less obvious that you're carrying a laptop

 

[Maktub]

Yes, Psyfira is 100% right about that.

That laptop seems nice, tiny, I don't think you'll be using it for playing very high standard games so I suggest you save the RAM ampliation. 1GB is pretty much actually.

I saw in England however some laptops looking nicer than that, more solid and with a better design (kind of like dell inspirons, just smaller) that weren't very pricey and had same specs as that one... shame I didn't get the brand cause I wasn't going to get one anyway, but I'd have loved to have one of those. Also I think they had some built in DVD reading device.

 

[Mangofett]

Don't purchase the MSI wind yet.

Right now it's in high demand due to battery shortages. Wait for the 6-cell battery version to be released (5.5 hours of battery life vs 2.5 hours for the 3-cell you linked to).

If you need to format or install an OS on a new hard drive, I'd get one of these (it will also let you recycle your old HD as a portable backup source... and if you buy two, you can clone your hard drives so you don't have to deal with drivers on your new HD.)

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7296

 

[Urza]

Don't purchase the MSI wind yet.

Right now it's in high demand due to battery shortages. Wait for the 6-cell battery version to be released (5.5 hours of battery life vs 2.5 hours for the 3-cell you linked to).

It will be a considerable while after the 6-cell units are shipped (god knows when) that demand will start dropping.

You're better off buying the laptop itself asap, and picking up a larger battery later on.

 

[Mangofett]

I guess that's true, his school is next week...

Except the 6-cell to be really expensive...

 

[Jiggah]

If you're pondering the 6-cell Wind, you might as well get the EEE 1000H. Priced similarly (lower in fact, I think for the 6-cell variant), similar specs, but has wireless N (not a deal breaker I know). Plus, I believe the RAM is upgradable without warranty violation. Oh, and it's available now.

 

[Mangofett]

If you're pondering the 6-cell Wind, you might as well get the EEE 1000H. Priced similarly (lower in fact, I think for the 6-cell variant), similar specs, but has wireless N (not a deal breaker I know). Plus, I believe the RAM is upgradable without warranty violation. Oh, and it's available now.

6-cell MSI Wind is 499$, 3-cell is 479$, Linux 3-cell is 399$... just most places are gouging the price right now.